May 16, 2025

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. This week, we have been the host for the 2025 Festival of Homiletics. Approximately 650 preachers from around the country (mostly Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist) have been on our campus to consider this year’s theme, “Preaching to Heal the Divide.” Of course, this topic, while relevant for our time, is not unique to our time. The church has been wrestling with divisions since the very beginning. I am most proud of the fact that participants found our church to be a place where they have been warmly welcomed and made to feel at home. Thank you to all who volunteered to serve as greeters this week and to help with the festival. It has been a good week at Peachtree Road UMC!

This Sunday promises to be another exciting day in worship as we draw closer to Centennial Celebration Sunday on June 1. This week’s message is entitled “Adversity Is a Terrible Thing…To Waste!” We will be considering a biblical perspective of adversity and a path we can follow that could help us grow in the midst of it. In preparation for the message, I encourage you to read Revelation 21:1-6. We will sing two great hymns of the church (Charles Wesley’s great hymn “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” and that old revival hymn “I’ll Fly Away”), hear our Chancel Choir singing Franz Huber’s arrangement of Beethoven’s anthem “Hallelujah, Christus am Ölberge.” At the close of the 11:15 am service, we will recognize our Disciple Bible Study graduates. In addition, I look forward to sharing good news with you in the way of an update concerning the Centennial Celebration Capital Campaign. I hope you will make your plans to join us in person (8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am) or online through the church’s livestream here. It will be a great day!

Are you interested in becoming a member of Peachtree Road UMC? Please join us this Sunday, May 18, at 12:30 pm for lunch and “Tea with the Clergy.” You will have an opportunity to meet our ministerial staff, learn about our history and programs, ask questions, and discover where you fit into the ministry of this great church. We already have a number of folks signed up for this month’s gathering. If you would like to take the next step in your growth as a Christian and become a member of Peachtree Road UMC, please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality, Brittany Charron, at brittanyc@prumc.org. I can’t think of a better time to become a part of this great community.

I do want to invite you to an event for all ages that is being hosted by our Children’s Ministry: “An Evening with Laura Rutledge: Finding Balance in a Busy World.” On Wednesday evening, May 21, we are excited to welcome home former Peachtree Road member and ESPN host and sports journalist Laura Rutledge for a conversation about navigating the challenges of work-life balance. From managing a demanding career to maintaining personal well-being, Laura will offer candid stories and practical tips for anyone striving to find harmony amid life’s many demands. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most accomplished (and relatable) voices in the industry. For more information and to register, please click here.

More Centennial Celebration News:

  • Founders Day with Bishop Dease – on Sunday, June 1, Bishop Robin Dease will be our preacher for the morning worship services. Our theme for worship that day is “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and we will give thanks to God for the blessings of life we have experienced by being a part of Peachtree Road UMC. Our closing hymn that day is “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and we will be sent into a second century of ministry that our Lord is with us. I hope you will make every effort to be present as our Bishop joins us for the celebration.
  • Centennial Birthday Party — on Saturday, June 7, we will gather in Grace Hall for a fun birthday celebration! We will feast together, laugh, remember, and give thanks to God for all that has been and in anticipation of all that will be. I hope you will make your reservation for the celebration. Learn more and RSVP here.
  • Centennial Capital Campaign – when you have a birthday party, it is customary to give gifts, and I am encouraging you to join in the gift-giving by making a pledge to the Centennial Capital Campaign. We are hoping to position Peachtree Road UMC well for the beginning of a second century of ministry in this community as a beacon of life. Please join me in making a three-year pledge here.

Finally, I wanted to make you aware that we are set to begin construction on the new Rollins Entrance Portico next week. Contractors will be on site to begin building the structure that will make it possible for folks to drop-off and pick-up passenger out of the elements during inclement weather. This is a three-month project, and we look forward to its completion in late August. Red Lot 1 will continue to be open during construction, but please use caution as you navigate your way into the building.

I am grateful for you – your daily prayers for the ministry of our church, your faithful presence in worship, your generous gifts that support our mission, your compassionate service to others, and your enthusiastic witness to the transforming power of Christ. 

Grace and peace,

Bill