FPC History Book Club Continuation

Sunday, June 28 at 11:15 a.m.

FPC History Book Club Continuation

Led by Ron Bogue, Richard Lane, and Smith Wilson

Join us again as our special summer Sunday School class continues, focusing on the 19th and early 20th century history of our First Presbyterian Church of Athens congregation and building following the 10:00 service.

June 28 11:15 a.m. - We’ll be back in Moses Waddel Room to answer any burning questions and to draw some connections between the saints of our congregation and those we remember as we prepare to commemorate USA’s 250th year. Bring your queries and wonderings from your own reading of the FPC History Book!

Summer Fellowship Outings

Summer is here! We hope you’ll plan to join us for some (or all!) of these fun fellowship outings. Each of these is open to anyone who would like to attend – all ages and stages of our church family! Please RSVP to Whitney Booth Lockard (whitney@firstpresathens.org) so we can keep a headcount and feel free to reach out with questions.

Saturday, June 27 at 9:00 a.m. Kayaking on the Broad River 

$35 per person. Please e-mail Whitney to sign up by June 22. 

World Cup Bracket Challenge, enter online by June 28 at 3:00 p.m.

Join our World Cup Bracket Challenge! The winner gets 2 tickets to a future Wed@First dinner and a World Cup keychain. Sign up through FPC website or visit tinyurl.com/FPCWC2026 (password “WC2026”). Bracket will be ready for selections after the group stage ends on June 27 and locks on Sunday, June 28 at 3:00 p.m., so set your alarms and make sure you are all set!

Saturday, July 25 at 6:05 p.m. Gwinnett Stripers v. Iowa Cubs (Triple-A baseball), Coolray Field (Lawrenceville, GA)

$15 per person. Please e-mail Whitney by July 20 to claim your spot!

Wednesday, July 29 at 5:00 p.m. Happy Hour at Creature Comforts Brewing Company (271 W. Hancock Ave)

Peruse local vendors at the Athens Farmers’ Market and enjoy a beverage and a bite with friends!

Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 p.m. Downtown Dinner, Ted’s Most Best (254 W. Washington St.)

Bring the whole family and head downtown for food, drink, and fun!

Save the Date: VBS 2026

July 12-15 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Come to the Party: God's Love For Us is a Reason to Celebrate!

Save the date for our intergenerational VBS! All ages are welcome - there will be activities for kids, youth, and adults! Dates are July 12-15, 5:00-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided. The cost is $30 per person to help provide materials and resources for our mission projects throughout the week. Payment can be made via our website (firstpresathens.org/giving, please select “General Fund” under “select a fund”, and write "VBS 2026" in the memo line) or mailed to the church office. You are invited to come join the party - all are welcome!

Please register at tinyurl.com/vbsparty2026. Questions? Contact Hannah Knight, Director of Children and Youth Ministries, at hannah@firstpresathens.org.

Food Sunday

July 12

Summer Choir

Sundays at 9:15 a.m.

Summer Choir – through August 16, we invite anyone interested to join us for Summer Choir. We will meet in the choir room at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays to rehearse music for that morning’s service. Our Chancel Choir will be the foundation of this group.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to the sing in the choir, but have never done so, this may be a chance to give choir a “test drive.” If you would like to sing but can’t make the commitment to Wednesday night rehearsals during the regular season, this is the time to join the choir. Singers may join for any single Sunday or for as many as they wish, even for the whole summer. There is no obligation, but we do hope some will decide they enjoy singing in the choir enough to continue in the fall. Although this choir is made up mostly of adults, youth and children are also welcome. For more information, contact John Coble at jcoble@firstpresathens.org  

Excursions in Ukraine Photo Exhibit

by Stephen Humphreys, June 18-August 29

Excursions in Ukraine by Stephen Humphreys

Lyndon House Arts Center - West Gallery

On view June 18, 2026- August 29, 2026

Opening Reception June 18, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 PM

Artist Talk Thursday, August 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM

The Lyndon House Arts Center is honored to present Excursions in Ukraine, a series of photographs taken by FPC member Stephen Humphreys during multiple trips to the war-torn country over the past four years. Humphreys reveals a nation that is tired, damaged, and resolute. His images depict wreckage—collapsed bridges, mangled cars, building rubble, and homes ripped in half. Yet they also capture a country where the drumbeat of daily life continues: school graduations are celebrated, love is found, people commute to work, and religious holidays are observed.

Humphreys felt compelled to travel to Ukraine after the Battle of Irpin in 2022 to learn how he could be of assistance. An attorney now working on war crimes investigations there, he was awarded the Navalny Medal by the Ukrainian armed forces, volunteered at the territorial defense training center, taught law and history, and contributed to a study on Russian disinformation at Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. He also helped establish a joint program between Ukrainian and U.S. universities as well as advising the Law Enforcement Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament and the President's Commission on Legal Reform. Thankfully for us, he brought his camera with him.

Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Humphreys earned a law degree from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in literature from Princeton University. He has practiced law for twenty-five years in Georgia and Alabama and is also known for his photo documentation of his extensive travels in Cuba, Vietnam, China, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.