A Word from Pastor Blair

This past Sunday, we officially began our new series, “Do Unto Others.” For these five weeks, we’ll be studying what’s known as the Golden Rule. This rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is found in Luke 6:31. A version of it is taught in every major world religion. But how are we called to understand it, and more importantly, practice it in a way that is distinctly Christian? To that end, we’ll explore five characteristics we typically associate with this rule – Kindness, Compassion, Humility, Respect and Love – and we’ll challenge ourselves to take them beyond common decency to courageous Christian discipleship.  

We started last week with Kindness. We’ll continue this week with Compassion.  

I write this from a room on the 3rd Floor of Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. My daughter has been a patient here for a week now. Since arriving, we have been on the receiving end of overwhelming kindness and compassion. The medical staff have offered kindness by sharing hard and hopeful news in clear terms we can all understand. Child Life Specialists, Chaplains, Educational Liaisons, and Teen Zone volunteers have provided endless entertainment and support. The parade of Golden Retrievers dressed in Halloween costumes – each an employee of the hospital providing therapeutic support to patients – was a highlight for sure. Yet truly, what’s been essential to our family has been the constancy of prayer and encouragement we have received from our families, friends, and church families – Chamblee First UMC and Haygood Memorial UMC. Church, I am so grateful to you. Chamblee Staff and SPRC, y’all are just the best. My immersion in Compassion as a Christian value didn’t come from books this week. I’m experiencing it firsthand.  

Everyone we’ve spoken to in the past seven days has posed the question, “What do you need?”

Today, I’m particularly grateful to have clergy colleagues willing to respond to a call for help. Rev. Dana Everhart at Kingswood UMC, and Rev. Susan Allen-Grady at Simpsonwood UMC are on call should I need help with addressing your immediate pastoral care needs. If you need pastoral support, simply call the church office and we will ensure you receive a response. 

Furthermore, I am thrilled to share that Rev. Stacey Rushing will preach for our service this coming Sunday, Nov. 3. We will celebrate our Saints who have passed into glory, gather around the Communion Table, and enjoy being in God’s presence together. So make plans to be in worship this Sunday at 10:45 a.m.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Blair Zant

P.S. Remember to set your clocks back an hour before bed on Saturday night. Daylight saving time will end for the year at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 3, so "fall back" and enjoy an extra hour of sleep!

When Helping Hurts

The past few weeks, we have prayed to be a church who Lives Lovingly and Gives Generously, who lives by the Golden Rule. And God has answered.



In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we have received an increased number of visitors to our church and services who are displaced from North Carolina by the storms. Each has come to us seeking connection and community, but also practical support.

As the various accounts of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount remind us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,”(Matthew 5:6) but also those who just plain hunger and thirst. (Luke 6:21) To the best of our ability, we must strive to meet both kinds of needs. And we do. Through the faithful generosity of this congregation and the foresight of the finance, missions, and outreach committees, we have funds and procedures already in place to respond to these needs with kindness and accountability.  

They work beautifully and help many. Until they are not followed. Then our helping can actually hurt.  

At the conclusion of last Sunday’s service, one of the visitors we had supported had spoken with me in advance and asked for the opportunity to express his thanks to the congregation. Though well-intentioned, the moment of thanks became something else. It was immediately clear that this moment and the solicitous interactions that followed caused great confusion and a breakdown of our process for extending help. In this instance, “helping” actually caused a lot of harm. Beloved, I apologize.  

To repair, I wanted to take a moment to walk us all through the procedures we have in place, for any day of the week, so that when you are approached by someone in need of both the Bread of Life and actual bread, we’ll all know exactly how to extend help that will help. And ALWAYS report any suspicious behavior/activity on our campus to a staff member. 

When on campus, if a church member or guest expresses the need for financial or resource assistance, please take the following steps: 

1. DO NOT GIVE CASH. While it seems like the simplest solution to what is usually the direct ask, this is helping that hurts.  
2. We also do not recommend giving a ride to anyone you do not know. This puts you at risk and we don’t encourage this. 
3. Direct the person to me or to Linda King, our Director of Membership and Hospitality. On a Sunday morning or during the week, at least one of us should be on campus. Linda and I can also be reached by our church emails or phone numbers.  
4. Once connected with them, we listen to the stated needs and assess what we can provide. The needs we cannot meet ourselves, we refer to community resource partners. Trying to meet every need by ourselves is also helping that hurts. Thanks to so many of you, we have an ever-evolving list of community partner organizations that we can help people connect to (this list is available to anyone who would like a copy.) 

Once Linda and/or I have listened, and understand the needs as best we can, the following process goes into effect.  

1. We NEVER give cash to anyone!! 
2. Everyone must fill out a request form in person in our church office with a signature and photo ID. An ID must be presented and copied for our records. 
3. Those requesting assistance should live in the Chamblee, Brookhaven, or Doraville areas, either as residents or staying in a local hotel. 
4. We do not provide rental or utility assistance.  
5. We can offer a list of community resources. 
6. Individuals can receive a maximum of two $25 Kroger gift cards once in 6 months. We keep a record of those receiving assistance.  
7. We cannot mail gift cards through USPS services; they must be picked up in person during business hours. 

As we see in Luke 6, kindness can cost. Such is the reality of loving those God loves. But doing unto others as we would have them do unto us also means we set boundaries to prevent harm and keep our flock safe. Part of ensuring everyone is welcome here is immediately addressing someone's behavior when it is detrimental to that welcome and community. We ask your help in reestablishing boundaries with this and other vulnerable guests.  

If you have additional questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact Linda King and/or me. We value your input. We value your commitment to helping others experience transformation in Christ.