September 1, 2023

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

As we head into the Labor Day weekend, I hope you are well. This holiday traditionally marks the end of summer and the beginning of the fall routine at Peachtree Road UMC. As you read these words, some of you may be making your tailgate preparations for your college football team’s opening game while others are in heading to the mountains or lake for one last, long weekend away. Please know we look forward to seeing you back in your place here at church very soon.

I want to begin this week’s note by looking back to last Sunday. It was a great week:

• The Children’s Ministry celebrated “Promotion Sunday” as children moved up a grade and met their new teachers for the fall.
• The 6th Grade Confirmation Class held its orientation meeting as families learned about the exciting opportunities in store for them in the coming year.
• The Youth welcomed folks for an open house at the Harp Student Center and introduced their new staff team leaders: Dory Hatchett, Aleah McClendon, and Caleb Kelly.
• At our “Tea with the Clergy” gathering Sunday afternoon, we received 28 new members with 7 joining on profession of faith.
• The Prison Restoration Ministry team led in the dedication of the first “Welcome Home” House which provides housing for returning women. This was a collaborative effort between Peachtree Road UMC, City of Refuge, and Habitat for Humanity (a wonderful model non-profit collaboration for our community going forward).

We are well-positioned for a great school year of ministry, and I hope you will find your place at Peachtree Road UMC.

In worship last Sunday we brought our series on Methodist beliefs to a close with the message “Methodists Believe in People.” We reflected upon the words of the psalmist:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. – Psalm 8:3-5

I want you to let those words marinate your heart. Human beings are God’s greatest creation. That applies to you…and to your neighbor as well. The challenge is to remember that and to live it, for it is pleasing to God when we do.

On Sunday Rev. Josh Miles will preach and his message is entitled “Follow Before You Lead.” We also will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion at all services and singing two great hymns of the church (“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” and “Now Let Us From This Table Rise”). In addition, the Chancel Choir will offer an anthem by Thomas Matthews entitled “I Will Give Thanks Unto the Lord”. It is based on Psalm 7:18 and Psalm 16:9. I hope you will make a special effort to join us at one of our services at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:00 am or online at www.prumc.org.

In addition to worship, please note the following upcoming opportunities:

Adult Bible Studies — you may register now for our fall adult study offerings which include Sunday School, Disciple Bible Study, women’s studies, men’s studies, and other short-term classes throughout the week. Over 200 persons have already signed up, and we encourage you to come grow with us this season. Please check our website for offerings and times here.

One Lamb Mental Health Initiative Forums:

• Let’s Talk: Raising Our Children for Mental Wellness – Sunday, September 17, at 10:00 am in Heritage Hall. This forum will be led by Andrea Petsche, Director of The Preschool at Peachtree Road UMC, as she moderates a panel of experts in the field of child development.
• Lessons from the Valley: What We Learn in Times of Loss – Sunday, September 24, at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary. Ron Greer, Director of the Pastoral Counseling Center at Peachtree Road UMC, will speak on grief and how healing can come from engaging the mourning of our significant losses. His new book entitled The Quiet House is now available in The Dogwood Gift Shop.
• Twenty/20 for Young Adults – Sunday, September 24, at 6:00 pm in the Hospitality Suite. Doug Hurd from Skyland Trail will speak with young adults ages 22-30 on how to recognize when you’re struggling and how to help yourself and others through periods of anxiety or depression.

You may learn more about each of these by visiting the One Lamb website at www.1lamb.org.

Finally, in the wake of the fires in Hawaii and the destruction brought by Hurricane Idalia here in the Southeast, there is great suffering in our country. The United Methodist Church’s relief efforts are on sight and providing for the needs of folks in those areas, and you can help. We will receive a special offering on Sunday for the United Methodist Committee on Relief – 100% of your giving goes to the people in need. In addition, we are training persons in disaster relief so members of our church can go to the devastated areas and help clean up and get communities up and running again. Please contact Dawn Hawkins at dawnh@prumc.org if you are interested in joining this team. To give on Sunday, please make your check payable to Peachtree Road UMC and mark it for “Disaster Relief” or give online through the church website here or on the app. Thank you for your generous help.

I am grateful for you in so many ways for your support of the ministry of this great church. Please let us know if we can be of help to you in any way.

Grace and peace,

Bill