May 23, 2025

Dear Peachtree Road Family,

I hope you are well. Last night, we had a wonderful time welcoming home Emmy Award-winner and ESPN “NFL Live” host Laura Rutledge. She grew up here at Peachtree Road UMC and shared with us words of wisdom about the challenge of family/career balance when you have a husband and small children. It was an inspiring night, and I am grateful to Rebecca Kennedy and her Children’s Ministry team for arranging this meaningful event.

We have come to Memorial Day Weekend, and I know some of you will be out of town this Sunday. Of course, Memorial Day has another meaning besides the unofficial beginning of summer. It is a day set aside to honor those who have died in the service of our country. People will gather in nearly every community in our nation to remember and give thanks. On Monday, at an impressive ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As a part of worship this Sunday, we, too, will gather to remember and place a wreath at the altar in gratitude for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. That will be a meaningful moment.

Our sanctuary is a place where we often gather to remember and give thanks. We remember the life of Jesus, his teachings, and his example. We remember his death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. And we give thanks. We often recall his words to the disciples, “Whenever you get together for a meal, eat and drink in remembrance of me.” Remembering and giving thanks are very important in the church. This Sunday, we will close our services by gathering at the Lord’s Table to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, to remember, and to give thanks. I hope that you will make every effort to join us either in person at 8:45 am, 10:00 am, or 11:15 am, or through the livestream of our services here.

This Sunday’s message is entitled “A Vision Turns into a Mission.” We will be reflecting upon the vision the Apostle Paul had to leave Asia Minor and travel to Macedonia to begin a new ministry on European soil. We will think for a few minutes about the call of God upon our lives and how that call can turn into a mission. In preparation for the message, I encourage you to read Acts 16:9-15. We will be singing two great hymns of the church (“O Worship the King” and “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”), and the Chancel Choir will sing John Ness Beck’s anthem entitled “Offertory,” which is based upon Micah 6:6-8. I hope to see you Sunday.

Our year-long Centennial Celebration is drawing to a close, and I want to remind you of two events that are fast approaching:

• Founders Day with Bishop Dease – on Sunday, June 1, Bishop Robin Dease will be our preacher for the morning worship services (8:45 am, 10:00 am, and 11:15 am). 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. We will recognize members who have been a part of Peachtree Road for over 50 years (if that applies to you, please pick up your ribbon at the information desk in the narthex prior to the service you attend). 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. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

As was announced last Sunday in worship, we are off to a great start on our Centennial Capital Campaign. When you have a birthday party, it is customary to give gifts, and I have been encouraging all of our members 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 through an $11.5 million campaign that will enable us to be debt-free, increase our level of hospitality, welcome all who come to our campus, add a new outdoor worship and prayer space, increase our endowment, and give a mission gift to our community in the form of the Welcome Home Village. As of this writing, we are at the $7.75 million mark on pledges. Thank you to all who have pledged so far. If you have not yet made a pledge, please join me in making a three-year pledge here. Thank you!

Finally, I wanted to update you on news from last Monday evening’s Administrative Board meeting. We learned that The Preschool has completed a great year with over 330 students enrolled; the Sports and Recreation program is reaching over 2000 families through soccer, basketball, volleyball, and dance; and the Westside Table (our second campus on Bolton Road) hopes to be in their new permanent home (and renovated sanctuary) by the end of the year. I am pleased to announce that the Administrative Board voted unanimously to approve a proclamation that created the “John Cromartie Award” to recognize Christian educators of Peachtree Road who have “carried on John’s passion for spiritual formation.” If you would like to see the full proclamation, please click here.

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