February 16, 2024

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. On Wednesday we began our forty-day journey known as the season of Lent in preparation for the celebration of Easter. Throughout the centuries, Christians have used these days as a time of spiritual reflection, letting go of some of the things that distract them from following Christ, and intentionally adding some new “holy habits” to their lives. Traditionally, these have included prayer, fasting, study, and service to others.

Here at Peachtree Road UMC, we are praying for revival. Our theme for the season is “Rekindling the Fires of Our Faith.” You have seen a fire that has dwindled to a few glowing embers. When you add a little wood to the fire and fan the embers a little bit, they flame up, and the fire burns brightly once again. That’s what we are praying will happen in our lives and in our church during this season:

February 18	Philippians 2:5-11	Jesus Christ is Lord
February 25	II Timothy 3:16-17	Taking the Bible Seriously
March 3	Psalm 95	O Worship the King
March 10	Matthew 16:24-26	I Love Thy Church, O God
March 17	Ephesians 4:11-16	Here I Am, Lord
March 24	Mark 14:32-52	Faith

We begin our journey this Sunday with a message entitled “Jesus Christ Is Lord.” We are pleased to have our ensemble-in-residence the Georgia Boy Choir leading us in singing this week. For more information about the Georgia Boy Choir and its partnership with Peachtree Road UMC, I encourage you to watch this video. At the close of Sunday’s worship, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion and be sent out to begin our Season of Service in our community. I hope you will make every effort to be present at one of our morning services or join us online at www.prumc.org.

I want to invite you to two helpful and spiritually enriching upcoming events:  A Walk Through the Dark Prayer Workshop – Saturday, February 24, 10:00 am, at the Harp Student Center. You are invited to participate in an informal workshop designed to help you have a meaningful encounter with God through prayer. The workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Susan Anne Bennett and Rev. Josh Miles. You may register here.  Forum on the current conflict in the Middle East – Wednesday, February 28, at 6:30 pm in Grace Hall. The Deep Waters Class is sponsoring this forum which will feature experts in the field. You will hear about the history of the people living in that land, the events that have led to the current conflict, and the status of past peace initiatives. I am pleased to announce that Rabbi Peter Berg, from the Temple here in Atlanta, and Dr. Fahed Abu Akel, a Palestinian Christian minister living here in Atlanta, will serve as panelists, and Dr. Deanna Ferree Womack, Assistant Professor of Religions and Multifaith Relations at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, will be our moderator. I am hopeful that this conversation will inform us as we pray for peace in our world and for the people of this region. You are invited to register for the forum here. There is no charge.  Have you checked out the Centennial Storybook lately? New and interesting stories are being added regularly. Take a minute and read four short stories about our guilds: the Sanctuary Guild, The Betty Lee Kennedy Acolyte Guild, the Funeral Guild, and the Usher Teams are highlighted. We would not be the church we are today without these amazing groups of volunteers who make our church services run smoothly. You may access the Storybook here.

You are invited to the dedication of the church’s new parsonage on Sunday, March 10, at 5:00 pm. The new home we have been building at 3210 West Shadowlawn. (right across the street from the soccer field) is nearly complete and will be dedicated on that date. We are grateful that the home already is paid for, and our associate minister Josh Miles and his family will be moving into the home later in March. You are invited to the dedication and open house that is to follow. Finally, are you new to Peachtree Road UMC and looking for ways to connect? Here are two opportunities to help you navigate this large church and find new connections: Take a Tour of Peachtree Road’s Facilities – Sunday, March 3, at 10:00 am. Meet Brittany Charron in Heritage Hall for a tour of the campus and a brief overview of the church’s ministries and offerings. For more information, please contact Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org.  Explore Membership in Peachtree Road UMC – Sunday, March 10, at 12:30 pm in the Hospitality Suite. At this month’s “Tea with the Clergy” luncheon, you will have the opportunity to meet with several members of our clergy staff, hear about the ministry of this great church, ask questions, and even have an opportunity to join at the end of the session. Please contact our director of evangelism and hospitality Brittany Charron at brittanyc@prumc.org for more information or to sign up.  I hope to see you Sunday as we journey together through the season of Lent.  Grace and peace,   Bill