EP Corner:

Hurricane Helene ~ Pray, Provide, and be Present

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalm 27:1

In this season of hurricanes, loss, damage to places we love, a chemical explosion, it is easy to be overwhelmed. In the midst of all this, the Church has stepped up to offer God’s presence to our weary world. We offer thanks for our friends at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance who are working to care for the needs of those in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Several congregations around our presbytery have been working to provide support as well. We invite you to care for our friends and siblings in Christ in the following ways:

1. Pray – Pray for the victims of this storm and encourage others to join you. Pray for those who are actively suffering, for first responders who have been working tirelessly over the last week, and for all who are responding to the needs around them.

2. Provide – We encourage you to act with generosity by giving in a few of the following ways:

a. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA): PDA is in communication with all affected presbyteries across our region and National VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) to share information and coordinate resources as damage is assessed. You can learn more about these efforts and donate to this work.

b. Montreat: For many of us in this presbytery, Montreat holds a special place in our hearts. Contribute to the Montreat Hurricane Helene Restoration Fund.

c. North Carolina: The State of North Carolina has created the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to assist with the unmet needs of hurricane victims.

3. Be Present – In this season, we invite you to find ways to be present with those who are suffering.

a. Look for local church efforts to collect donation items and work with service teams who are trained to respond at this stage of disaster. We have created a page on the presbytery website at www.atlpcusa.org/hurricane-helene that will be updated as we learn of additional efforts, and you are encouraged to use the Greater Atlanta Presbytery Crowdsourcing group on Facebook to share your congregation’s response.

b. Connect with local people who have ties to areas of devastation and support their needs.

c. Most of all, be mindful of what you can and cannot do in this season. Care for yourself and always remember that the Lord is our light and our salvation.

We are also struck in these days at the recent death of our friend and colleague the Rev. Dr. Richard Allen Farmer. Rev. Farmer retired from service as pastor at Crossroads Presbyterian Church at the end of 2023, but he was a dear and beloved presence in our presbytery. Click here for more information on celebrating his life, available from the Pastor-to-Pastor team.

Memorial Services for Rev. Dr. Richard A. Farmer

Saturday, October 5th

11:00 a.m.{CDT}

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, TX 75232

12:00 p.m.

Crossroads Presbyterian Church

Viewing Live Stream Service

Saturday, October 19th, 2:00 p.m.

Fairfield Baptist Church

6133 Redan Rd

Lithonia, GA 30058

Upcoming Fall Stated Meeting - November 9

by C. Anderson James, Stated Clerk

The Fall Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta will be held on Saturday, November 9, from 9:00am until 3:00pm at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs. This message contains many important details about the meeting—please read it carefully. Pastors, please share it with your clerk of session and elected ruling elder commissioners.

Format: Upon the decision of the presbytery’s Council, this meeting will be held fully in-person. A livestream will be available of the afternoon portion of the meeting. The meeting is expected to continue after lunch, so a meal will be available to those who make a reservation as part of their pre-registration for the meeting.

Theme, Worship, and Business: Our theme for 2024 is Finding Meaning, Inside and Out. At this meeting, we will be exploring the virtues of integrity and kenosis that mark thriving congregations. Worship will also include the annual celebration of the lives of those ministers and ruling elders across the Presbytery who have died in the last year.

This meeting will feature an hour docketed for table conversations about the mission and ministry of the Presbytery. These conversations will serve as the kickoff for several opportunities over the next several months to contribute to a broader process of discernment about the future of the Presbytery.

In other business for this meeting, we will vote on a proposed update to the Presbytery’s Manual of Operations, hear stories about the work of the Presbytery and its New Church Development Commission, examine persons for service in the church, and elect members to serve on the Presbytery’s committees and commissions for 2025 and beyond.

The commissioner handbook with the full business for the meeting will be available on the Presbytery website by Friday, October 25.

Pre-Registration for the Meeting, Lunch, and Childcare: Online pre-registration is strongly encouraged by the deadline of Sunday, November 3 so that our hosts can be prepared to welcome us and other arrangements can be made to support the meeting. Lunch reservations and payments can be made in advance through the online pre-registration process. Childcare needs can also be communicated in that system. Pre-registration is available at www.atlpcusa.org/statedmeetings.

Health and Safety: We encourage all attendees to use the time between now and the meeting to get current with covid and other vaccinations, and those who do not feel well on the day of the meeting should stay home and watch the livestream of the meeting. All are welcome to wear a mask throughout the meeting if they feel more comfortable doing so.

Pastors and clerks of session, please share this information with your ruling elder commissioners now so that they can register by the November 3 deadline.

If you have any questions about the meeting, contact Stated Clerk Andy James at cajames@atlpcusa.org. We look forward to seeing you on November 9!

On behalf of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta staff and presbytery at large, we want to offer our gratitude and appreciation for our minister members. We give thanks for the ways in which you love your families, serve the church, and care for those around you. Remember, you are loved for who you are and not simply for what you do. We love you, we honor you, and we thank God for you.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15. Princeton Theological Seminary's Wright Library has compiled a display of Hispanic theological books. Click here to view the display.

International Peacemaker Events

Gatherings at Local Churches/Community Programs:

Thursday, October 3 – Columbia Presbyterian Church, 10 AM-12 PM

Saturday, October 5 – Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church, 2-4 PM

Sunday, October 6 – Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9:30AM-12 PM

Please notify Brenda Smith joycee1@att.net if you plan to attend.

Learn More: www.howwechangetheworld.co/episodes/zoughbi-zoughbi

Founder and Director of Wi’am: The Palestinian Conflict Transformation Centre in Bethlehem, Zoughbi Zoughbi is a world-renowned speaker, trainer, counselor, activist, and writer. He has written and edited extensive articles and books on interdisciplinary topics of justice, peace and reconciliation. 

Founded in 1994 and known by the name “Wi’am”, the Arabic word meaning “cordial relationships”, the center has received some notable awards, including the 2023 Carnall Peace Award and the 2010 Peacebuilding Award in the World Vision International Peace Prize competition. The center offers mediation, training, and psycho-social counseling to help resolve community disputes and alleviate the suffering of people. It includes a trauma-coping program for children, leadership training for women, and nonviolence education programs.

Black Church Collective Voter Event

The Black Church Collective (BCC) is hosting a voter education and outreach event on Saturday, October 5th, 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. at Hillside Presbyterian Church. The event will feature a screening and Q&A of the documentary A Trek to the River’s Edge by filmmaker Althea Brown that shares the story of the Atlanta Student Movement and its focus on voting rights in the 1960s. It also includes opportunities for assistance with voter registration, absentee ballot applications, address changes and more. This is a non-partisan event hosted by the BCC mission team and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

Each BCC church is encouraged to develop a voting prayer team for 31 days of prayer between Oct. 5 and election day, Nov. 5. Churches are encouraged to center prayer around the following themes: 

• Prayer for a fair and safe election – Psalm 46: 10 
• Prayer for election/poll workers – John 14:27 
• Prayer for candidates – Matthew 20:25-28
• Prayer for leadership – Micah 6:8 
• Prayer for civic engagement/voter turn-out - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 
• Prayer for unity – Ephesians 4: 13-16 

In addition, please join us for a film screening of “A Trek to the River’s Edge” by filmmaker Althea Brown. This film captures the student movement with an emphasis on voting rights.

October 5th, 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.

Hillside Presbyterian Church

1879 Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30032

Photo by Kanishka Madushan

POAMN Webinar on New Older Adult Ministry

Annual Validated Ministers' Gathering - Oct. 10

by Jane Hubbard, Pastor-to-Pastor Coordinator

Necrology Report Now Available - Submit by October 15

by C. Anderson James, Stated Clerk

Each year the presbytery recognizes those ruling elders who died during the previous year at the Fall Stated Meeting as part of our commemoration of All Saints Day. We rely on our clerks of session to submit the annual Necrology Report to provide the names of these persons. The deadline for completion is Tuesday, October 15. Thank you for your assistance!

Required Boundaries Training for Ministers

by C. Anderson James, Stated Clerk

Conversations with the Clerk

by C. Anderson James, Stated Clerk

Join Stated Clerk Andy James for a series of gatherings to follow up on the actions of the General Assembly and discuss other polity and procedure matters of the Presbytery!

Upcoming Conversations:

• Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 P.M.: Other General Assembly Actions
• Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 P.M.: Statistics Planning for 2025
• Monday, January 6, 2025, 7:00 P.M.: Proposed Amendments to the Book of Order

Previous Conversation Recordings:

• POL-01 (Olympia Overture) and General Assembly Actions on Israel/Palestine
• Proposed Presbytery Manual

Click the link below to register for one or more upcoming conversations. 

Crossroads to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

We are excited to announce that October 2024 our beloved Presbyterian church is turning 50! This milestone marks a half-century of worship, community, and service to our Lord and our neighbors. We give Him all the glory for sustaining us these past 50 years.

To commemorate this special occasion, we invite you to join us for an evening of celebrating and glorifying the Lord for His 50 years of favor to Crossroads. The event is taking place on:

Date: 10/26/2024

Time: 4pm-7:30pm

Location: Fairfield Family Center

6133 Redan Road

Lithonia, GA 30058 

The event will feature special guest speakers, music and worship, stories from our history, dinner and fellowship.

We ask that you save the date and join us as we reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to our future together. Please RSVP to this email to let us know you're coming! We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you.

Our Theme: Crossroads Celebrating 50 years of God’s Favor 

Tagline: To God Be the Glory

Worship Celebration: Sunday, October 27, 2024, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Our Scripture Verse: “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭19‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Click here to read the full announcement.

Middle School Retreat at Calvin Center

November 1-3, 2024

by Destiny Williams, Presbyterian Youth Ministry Collaboration of Atlanta

Attention all youth groups! You're invited to join us for an incredible weekend retreat for middle school youth at the Calvin Center. Our theme this year is "Fanning the Flame," and we are excited to have Aisha Brooks-Johnson as our Worship Leader and Anthony Mobley leading us in Music.

We've got an amazing weekend lined up with morning and afternoon workshops, canoeing, hiking, and all the fun activities that Calvin Center has to offer!

Link to Sign Up: forms.gle/6Rpqz5JuRnvBUGz66

Sign-Up Deadline: Monday, October 21, 2024

Questions? Contact Destiny Williams (Destiny@mcdonoughpresbyterian.com) or Tully Fletcher (tfletcher@dpchurch.org).

New Elder Training, Part 1

by Lindsay Armstrong, Executive Director, NCDC

If being an elder is new to you, we want you to come to this event!

Designed to onramp those who are new to being an elder and/or new to the PCUSA, this in person training will be held at Atlanta Good Church in Duluth, will offer language interpretation services, and is open to all leaders of our Presbytery. Taught by Pastors Sun Ki Jeong, Lindsay Armstrong, and Andy James, this training offers a rich blend of large and small group learning, reflection, and fellowship. It is specifically designed for church leaders who are new to being on leadership of a Presbyterian Church or who are going to be on the inaugural Session of a newly chartered church.  

Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Location: Atlanta Good Church, 3330 Chestnut Dr, Doraville, GA 30340

RSVP by October 24, 2024

Reservations required.

The PC(USA) Korean Community Survey (미국장로교 한인공동체 설문조사)

The PC(USA) Korean Community Survey (미국장로교 한인공동체 설문조사)

We invite you to help us with the PC(USA) Korean Community Survey, an important initiative launched by the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) in 2022. This survey is a valuable opportunity to understand the needs and experiences of the Korean community and ensure their voices are heard. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Korean for their convenience. All responses will be kept confidential.

Survey link: 

Korean

English

Your help in distributing this survey within your Korean churches is crucial for us to better serve the Korean community. If you have any questions, please contact Sean Payne, Research Services Senior Analyst (sean.payne@pcusa.org | (502) 569-5139), or Josh Park, Manager for Korean-speaking Councils Support of OGA (josh.park@pcusa.org | (502) 977-9236).

2022년부터 총회 사무국(OGA)이 진행하고 있는 중요한 프로젝트로 PC(USA) 한인 공동체 설문조사에 여러분을 초대합니다. 이 설문은 한인 커뮤니티의 필요와 경험을 이해하고, 여러분의 의견을 반영하기 위한 소중한 기회입니다. 설문은 약 15분 정도 소요되며, 영어와 한국어로 편리하게 참여할 수 있습니다. 모든 답변은 비밀로 유지됩니다. 

설문조사 링크: 

    한국어

    영어

당신의 설문 조사 전달과 도움은 우리 교단이 한인 공동체를 더 잘 섬기는 데 있어 매우 중요합니다. 문의사항은 Sean Payne, Research Services Senior Analyst (sean.payne@pcusa.org, (502) 569-5139) 또는 Josh Park, 총회 사무국 한국어 공의회 지원 책임자 (josh.park@pcusa.org, (502) 977-9236)에게 연락바랍니다. 

Installation of Betsy Turner

Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM (ET)

Druid Hills Presbyterian Church

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Betsy Turner as Designated Pastor for Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. The service will take place at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM (ET).

An offering is to be received to benefit the Emergency Fund for Pastors.

Oglethorpe's 75th Anniversary

November 3rd

Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church

3016 Lanier Dr. NE,

Brookhaven, GA 30319

Installation of Landon Dillard

Sunday, November 10th, 11 A.M.

Shallowford Presbyterian Church

2375 Shallowford Rd.

Atlanta, GA 30345

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Landon Dillard as Associate Pastor for Faith Formation at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. The service will take place at Shallowford Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. (ET).

An offering is to be received to benefit the Emergency Fund for Pastors.

Covenant Presbyterian Church and Shalom International have been selected as partners with Candler's School of Theology's Bridge Initiative and Fear+Less Dialogues in a cohort of 9 churches. The Bridge Initiative strives to create connection and healing among and between young adults and Christian congregations. Click here for more information.

Click here to read Peace and Global Witness partnership and Mission Haven's latest newsletters.

For an archive of New Church Development Commission newsletters and/or to sign up for upcoming NCDC communications, click here.

Prayer Box

Each month we are taking the time to pray for our churches and new worshiping communities throughout the year. Please take a moment each week to lift up the following communities in prayer:

10/6 - Philadelphia, Pleasant Hill, *UKirk

10/13 - Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection, Radcliffe

10/20 - Rice Memorial, Roswell, *WAYS

10/27 - Saint Luke's, Shallowford

*Denotes New Worshiping Communities

Communications, such as this one, are supported by your giving to the presbytery. Thank you for your support.