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Where might God be leading us in the present and future of worship? How does worship shape us to act justly, resist evil and seek peace? How does God call us through worship to be holy and whole? Register now for an opportunity to experience worship, workshops and plenary sessions that explore these questions and more.
Individual registration is $200, and group registration (two or more) is $185 per person. Current seminary students may register at a special rate of $90. For more information, click here or contact [email protected]. A full conference schedule with workshop information will be posted soon.
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Memorial Drive Ministries Welcomes New Director!
by Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant
 David Roth, the new Director of Ministries, comes to Memorial Drive Ministries with extensive experience in both churches and nonprofits. He has been involved with refugee services across the Southeast and is a graduate of Emory University's Candler School of Theology. As Director of Ministries, David is responsible for vision and mission, collaborative partnerships, and day-to-day management. He is passionate about seeing the Memorial Drive campus filled with dynamic worship, transformational relationships, and innovative community services. If you or your church group are interested in ways to volunteer, donate or partner with Memorial Drive Ministries, or for more information about Memorial Drive Ministries, contact David at [email protected] or (803)760-3731.
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Highlights from the Stated Meeting on August 18th
by Donna E. Wells, Stated Clerk
The many volunteers of Roswell Church welcomed the Presbytery with hot coffee, tasty snacks and warm smiles of hello! The commissioners of the presbytery gathered at Roswell on a beautiful morning. We are very appreciative of Roswell's hosts and their accommodating our request for "different" meeting arrangements! Instead of gathering in the sanctuary, we met around tables. Instead of a bulletin, we used screens. Instead of an organ, we had an acoustic guitar. And instead of a sermon, we saw videos of people who shared their experiences of church.
Continuing our theme of listening to voices not heard, Rev. Marthame Sanders recorded videos of people discussing why they were done with the church, why they didn't have need of the church and why, as a young person, the church did not hold meaning for them. As a community we are called to hear the voices of those on the edges in hopes that we can, in turn, discern how to share the Gospel in new and fresh ways that will reach those on the edges. Our conversation together was engaging and thoughtful. Be on the lookout for the summaries of those conversations which are currently being gathered and compiled for further reflection.
Other portions of our meeting included:
- Welcoming ten members into the Presbytery.
- Commissioning three Young Adult Volunteers for their work this coming year.
- Learning about Triennium and collecting close to $1,700 in scholarship aid for participants.
- Welcoming a candidate in the preparation for ministry process.
- Hearing a report from our commissioners to General Assembly.
- Celebrating the retirements of Mark Brewer and Larry Owen.
Join us for the next meeting of Presbytery to be held on Saturday, November 10 at Clairmont Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA. This meeting will run from 9:00-2:00 P.M. and contain a special component: Fearless Dialogues.
Fearless Dialogues is a book designed to address the barriers that keep people from having deep discussions with one another at the risk of being rejected, judged, and misunderstood. We will be led by Fearless Dialogues Executive Director, Georgette "JoJo" Ledgister and her team. They will help us to take a closer look at these issues. If you would like to obtain a copy of the book, please order it online at
Amazon.com.
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Youth Encounter: What Kind of Church Do We Want to Be?
submitted by Rafael Lemos Viana, On the Way Church
 On August 4, thirty
-
three teenagers from different Hispanic presbyterian churches within the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta came together to celebrate an activity titled: What kind of Church do we want to be? The churches present were On The Way Church, Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, El Buen Pastor, Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, El Nazareno and Horeb Church.
The event began with a very dynamic and enthusiastic worship serice led by Revs. Marlucia Damascenso and Ivette Llano. A brief meditation of the Word of God was shared by Rev. Ricardo Green from Matthew 16:17, "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it."
Rev.
Rafael Viana divided the group into four groups of eight and asked them a discussion question: What kind of Church do we want to be?
After a long hour and fifteen minute discussion, a speaker from each group gave a brief report. Here are the results following the conclusions of the four different groups:
- The church we want to be is a church that really cares and works hard to reach out to the young generation with a clear and contextualized language, easy to understand.
- That we may be taken into account seriously and participate more in the life of local churches.
- We would like to have more dynamic and vibrant worship services that may appeal to the difficult situations we confront everyday.
- We would like a church that promotes spirituality in such a way that Christ may be seen and felt.
- That the church of today remember us well, and the many problems we confront everyday in our daily lives.
- We want a church that remembers us in activities such as spiritual retreats, fellowship and communion (to live in community).
Rev. Rafael Viana closed the beautiful ceremony reading from the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20; reminding the audience of the promises that Jesus made to his beloved Church and the responsibility of all of us so that the changes that we dream about it, may take place in our lives.
All the pastors present were called to come forward to pray for all the youth at the event. No doubt that this activity was indeed a blessing.
We ended the activity with a great hamburger lunch, drinks, games, and a swim in the pool. We would like to thank God for the opportunity that gave all of us to serve the youth of our local churches.
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Grant Applications Being Received
by Chip Blankinship, Director of Operations
The Grants Committee is now receiving applications for two grant opportunities.
The Compassion Grant provides up to $5,000 to support compassion ministries within our congregations. A description of the grant, eligibility requirements, and the application are available here.
The PATH (Presbyterian Answer to Hunger) Grant provides up to $5,000 to support ministries seeking to address issues of hunger. That application, along with information about it, may be found here.
Both of these applications are due by midnight on Monday, October 15. Please let the Grant Committee know what innovative ministries are taking place in your congregations. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Healthy Congregations Workshop Nov. 16-17
by Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is coming this fall, Nov. 16-17, to our very own Trinity Presbyterian Church of Atlanta to do a workshop on Healthy Congregations. This is a workshop they have not offered here in Atlanta in a long time, so might be new stuff for some of you, or at least a really good refresher for all of us.
We live in an age of increased anxiety, which negatively impacts church systems and leaders. What can be done to prevent anxiety from becoming a toxic force in your congregation? This workshop is designed to equip leaders to respond to the presence or potential threat of anxiety in a congregational system in ways that prevent destructive conflict and help the church stay focused on its unique mission and purpose. For more information about Healthy Congregations workshops,
click here. To download the event brochure,
click here. To register for this event,
click here.
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Living with Resilience Seminar
by Gwynne Mesimer, Moderator of Presbyterian Women for PGA
Living with Resilience Seminar: Exploring Ways Our Faith Community Grows Stonger in the Face of Adversity
Sept. 29, 8:30-2 P.M.
North Avenue Presbyterian
The idea behind this seminar came together through thoughtful conversations with our various pastors and leaders in the Presbytery. The first and foremost came from my coffee time with Aisha Lytle-Brooks, our Executive Presbyter. While sharing our similar journeys and my talking about our upcoming Fall Seminar, we hit on the topic of Living with Resilience. As I learned more about the needs of our women and what our Presbytery and General Assembly are doing, I felt the need for our Presbytery PW Leaders to have more information. Therefore, the addition of Rev. Stephanie Bishop to talk about both her personal experience with Gun Violence and
our GA approved overture:
Instead of passing another national statement against gun violence, the Assembly this summer passed a Prayer for Action, asking every congregation to pray that God will show them how to find their own local action to help prevent gun violence.
I believe our Lord God led me to leaders who will provide needed information to our Presbyterian leader.
Included in the list of presenters is Tammie Quest, MD, Director of Emory Palliative Care and serves as Principal Investigator of the local component in the $5.82 million Duke University-based investigation supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). The study - which also includes Emory University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of South Carolina - will work to identify and reduce some of the factors associated with racial differences in advance care planning (ACP) among older adults, and to determine if a structured approach or a patient-guided, self-management approach is more effective at increasing advance care planning.
In addition to those listed above, Dr. Kathy L. Dawson has agreed to teach a session of How to Conduct a Bible Study. Some of heard this session at Come See Columbia and were so impressed, we wanted to share it with a broader group. Dr. Dawson is the Benton Family Associate Professor of Christian Education; Director of MAPT Program. Her interests revolve around spiritual development, creative teaching methodologies, curriculum theory, and children's ministry. Her current research explores how parents and the church can have faithful conversations around fantasy literature for children and youth. Dr. Dawson has been chosen 2015 Educator of the Year by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.
And...stay tuned as we are adding yet more speakers.
Come join your Presbyterian Women as we celebrate life and learning together.
Click here to download the seminar flyer.
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1001 New Worshiping Community Assessments
October 29 - November 1, 2018
by Lindsay P. Armstrong, Executive Director, NCDC
 God is on the move, calling all sorts of new worshiping communities into being, and if you are feeling called to start a community, let's talk.
We want to help visionary leaders discerning whether or how they might prepare for this ministry, and we want to identify strong leaders for this energizing call. As you read this, we are preparing and recruiting interested leaders to take part in a 3 ½-day assessment in Atlanta, October 29 - November 1, 2018.
This is a time when leaders discern how their own leadership style, strengths and capabilities lend themselves to start up. We have a few scholarships available and would love to discern together.
If you are interested in hearing more about this assessment, or if you are interested in nominating a candidate, please get in touch with me at
[email protected].
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Mental Health Awareness
Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
"Let's Talk...Mental Health"
Sept. 9, 16 and 23; 6-7:30 P.M.
Rev. Jody Andrade and Rev. Andy Acton, a few of our high school youth and licensed professional counselor Laura Ware, will lead a workshop series, "Let's Talk...Mental Health" to create better awareness, remove stigmas and provide support. This series will take place on Sunday evenings from 6-7:30 pm in the church's sanctuary on Sept. 9, 16 and 23. The series will contain expert insight, meaningful conversations, valuable resources and faithful and healthy responses. Anyone from 9th grade to senior adults (65 +) are invited to attend. Click here to see the flyer and share with those who are interested.Please RSVP to [email protected] by Sun, Sep 9, 6:00 pm.
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (hosted by FPC Atl. and North Avenue Presbyterian)
Mental Health Workshop for Faith Leaders
Oct. 18, 12-4 P.M.
Join us on October 18th from 12-4 P.M. for a workshop on mental health for faith workers covering topics including common mental illness and treatment, suicide, how congregations can be more welcoming towards persons with mental illness, and how and when to make a referral to a mental health professional. Workshop leaders will be Dr. John Tumeh, Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and board certified in adult psychiatry, and Rev. Katie Sundermeier, Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta. Click here to view the event flyer. For more information contact Rev. Katie Sundermeier at
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Come Pray With Us!
by Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and Memorial Drive Ministries has started a new weekly prayer service on Tuesday evenings, from 6-7:00 p.m. in the MDPC sanctuary. We gather together for scripture study (lectio), prayer and communion. If you're looking for a place of refuge and spiritual refreshment in your week, or if you want to be part of the spiritual foundation in partnership with MDPC and MDM, please come join in prayer and worship with us! For more information, contact Pastor George Tatro ([email protected] or (404) 292-8212) or David Roth ([email protected] or (803)760-3731).
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Youth Triennium, "Here's My Heart," July 16-20, 2019
by Destiny Williams, McDonough Presbyterian Church
 "Here's my Heart" Youth Triennium is set for July 16-20, 2019. A delegation of youth will be forming soon to represent the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta!
We realize that July 2019 is a long way off, but in order to assure that we are prepared for the Triennium, we need to ask our congregations to make their commitments soon. If your church is interested, you may sign up with our delegation by clicking here.
If you have questions or have a group that is interested in participating, please contact Destiny Williams at [email protected].
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Pastor Group 2018-19
by Chip Blankinship, Director of Operations
 The monthly Pastor Group will reconvene on September 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. We will meet the second Thursday of each month through May 2019. Mark your calendars so that you can join us!
We have long believed that the best way to have healthy congregations is for our congregations to have healthy leaders. This coming season, we will study together Peter Scazzero's book
The Emotionally Healthy Leader. Each month, we will begin with a brief discussion summarizing a chapter of the book. Then we will have a presentation and discussion around a related topic, given by leaders within our presbytery and beyond.
Please plan to join us for this series. We're excited about it, and hope that you will be, too!
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Becoming the Beloved Community is Growing
by Karen Turney, Becoming the Beloved Community
Since our kickoff dinner and program in April at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, the Becoming the Beloved Community planning committee has been hosting small group "conversations" this summer. We have met at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, St. Mark AME Church, Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, and Covenant Presbyterian Church.
We came together as strangers to each other - mostly women, a few men - and we left after 2 hours with new understanding of how others of a different race had faced challenges of racism in their lives. Our scripture passages included Micah 6:8, Isaiah 58:6-12, Acts 2:1-13 and John 13:1-5.
Group leaders were Rev. Connie Lee, Elder Sheila Louder, Church Women United and AME member Roberta Rhodes and Elder Karen Turney. We asked participants to introduce themselves sharing how race had impacted their lives and to comment on a current news story about race that captured their
attention.
Recommendations from the group discussion about practical things to do included book studies and discussions on race; film viewings; trips to civil rights sites; black and white congregations coming together to worship; c
ongr
egations coming together to work on a specific justice issue;
intergenerational conversations on race to share how differing ages view the race issue differently.
Some comments from participants about the conversations were....
I thought that the session was very meaningful and enjoyed sharing in the small group...I learned a lot....I thought much had been accomplished...It was my pleasure to hear the stories of the participants in my small group. It showed me that we are more alike than we are different, while having different life experiences...I have thought so much about the stories shared.
Our plans for the fall and winter include another large gathering with speakers; a bus trip to the Legacy Museum and Memorial in Alabama; a newsletter to share info on book groups and programs at individual churches.
We are grateful to our beginning sponsors - Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta; Church Women United of Atlanta; Peacemaking Partnership of the Presbytery; and First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta.
For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact Sheila Louder,
[email protected] or Karen Turney,
[email protected]. (Thanks to Paula Jarrett for the picture.)
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The Gift of Sabbatical
by Joy Fisher, Congregational Consultant
It is with deep humility and gratitude that I write to thank you for the gift of my sabbatical, September 1 through November 30, 2018. I covet your prayers as I take this time away for refreshment and renewal. This year I am pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Church Planting and Revitalization through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, so I will have a reading list, coach, papers and a project to work on. Additionally, my husband and I are newly "empty nesters" and are looking forward to some pilgrimage travel to some holy sites. And I have a brand new grandbaby and look forward to lots of time of refreshment and renewal rocking that baby!
While I am away there is a team of excellent folks stepping in to cover all of my tasks. Each church has received communication of whom to contact during my absence. If you need to know where to start in contacting someone who can help while I am out, please contact Cassandra Morrow, [email protected], 404-898-0711 x122.
I cannot tell you how thankful I am to the presbytery for this amazing opportunity to step away for a time and "just be." Thank you for this gift and for your prayers for me in this time. See you in December!
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Agnes Scott & Decatur Presbyterian Celebration Service
There will be a very special worship service on September 30, 2018 to highlight the past, present, and future relationship between Decatur Presbyterian Church and Agnes Scott College. Preaching the service will be the
Reverend Kate Colussy-Estes, Julia Thompson Smith, Chaplain for Agnes Scott, and
the Reverend Sarah Hooker, Presbyterian Campus Minister for UKirk.
Please join us as we celebrate the impact of campus ministry at Agnes Scott College and learn about the exciting plans that Decatur Presbyterian Church has for deepening this community connection with its annual goal of "Wide-Open Doors."
Sunday School meets at 9:15 am followed by the start of worship at 10:30 am at Decatur Presbyterian Church
. Afterwards, join us on the lawn for fellowship with students and alumnae. If you have questions about this event, please contact the Reverend Kate Colussy-Estes at [email protected], Betty Scott Noble at [email protected]. To view the event's website, click here.
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Sept. 13 - Pastor Group @ St. Andrews
Oct. 11 - Pastor Group @ St. Andrews
Nov. 8 - Pastor Group @ St. Andrews
Dec. 13 - Pastor Group @ St. Andrews
Click here for the Calvin Center's programs.
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The next newslett
er
will go out September 29. Articles will be accepted through September 17. The following newsletter will go out October 31. To request space for an article, email your Congregational Consultant or Mark Sauls at
[email protected]
. Click here to view submission guidelines.
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