The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta holds quarterly Stated Meetings to conduct business and join in worship together.

For more information about Stated Meetings (including links to registration, submit absence requests, download the current Commissioner Handbook, etc.), click the button below.

Some items, such as the Commissioner Handbook, registration link, etc., will be made available a couple of weeks prior to each event.

Devotional Book Launch: Flow and Be Reborn
by Rev. Zulema García de Rojas

Saturday, May 10, 2025
Hamilton Mill Presbyterian Church - parking lot
11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The presentation will be from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and there will be English translation.

Session Records Review

The annual required review of session records will be done on the following dates in the coming weeks and months:

• Thursday, May 8, 6:30pm at Fairview PC - register here

• Sunday, June 1, 4:00pm at Korean Central PC (Korean-language congregations) - email Rev. Mun Gye Lee to register

• Saturday, June 7, 9:30am at Peachtree City First PC - register here

• Thursday, July 10, 10:00am at the Presbytery Office - register here

At each review, clerks exchange records with one another and verify the completion of the required tasks by the session during the previous year. Clerks are asked to complete a review form prior to the meeting.

Blank Session Minute Review Form (English)

Blank Session Minute Review (Korean)

Preparing for Your Session Review

For more information, contact Stated Clerk Andy James at cajames@atlpcusa.org.

Registration, forms, and additional information can be found on the Clerk’s Corner page: www.atlpcusa.org/clerks-corner

Join members of the presbytery staff at the Ignatius House for a Day Of Reflection, prioritizing your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Discover the art of self-care at Ignatius House – where the care of the body and soul converge for a holistic wellness experience.

Each individual will register directly through Ignatius House. Cost is $75 including lunch and facilitator.

May 6 @ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join Aisha Brooks-Johnson, Jane Hubbard, and First Call Pastors
Day of Reflection: Care of Body, Care of Soul

August 25 @ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join Andy James and the new Pastor-to-Pastor Coordinator
Day of Reflection: Care of Body, Care of Soul

November 11 @ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join Cassandra Morrow and the new Pastor-to-Pastor Coordinator
Day of Reflection: Care of Body, Care of Soul

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow to preach on “Day1”

Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, San Francisco

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-chow is the featured preacher for the third Sunday of Easter, May 4, on “Day1” with host Katie Givens Kime, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.  Hear "Day1" in the Atlanta area on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m.

“Who Are We Persecuting?” is drawn from Acts 9:1-20, the story of the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. He says, “I think there's a lesson in this Saul story: no matter where we are, no matter how much authority we have, no matter where we are in our professional life, our emotional life, or our relationships, we all have the room and the calling to grow.” 

Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow is a third Generation Filipino/Chinese American. His writing, teaching, and speaking have taken him to Australia, The Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, and across the United States as he addresses topics of faith, leadership, activism, culture, race, and technology. Author of six books, most recently, In Defense of Kindness: Why It Matters, How It Changes Our Lives, and How It Can Save the World (Chalice Press, 2021) and Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith (Broadleaf Books, 2024). He also has a broad online video and audio presence writing and creating podcasts at “The Amalgamation Newsletter and Podcast.”

Reyes-chow is the founding pastor of Mission Bay Community Church in San Francisco, and now worships at Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church, where he served as Parish Associate.  He has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since 1995 and has pastored seven congregations in California. In 2008, he was elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, the youngest and first Asian American to hold the denomination's highest elected office. 

The program includes interviews with Reyes-Chow conducted by Kime, who is also executive producer. 

“Day1” has been broadcast every week for 80 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day1” is currently distributed to radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta. For more information, check the program’s website, http://day1.org.  

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Certificate in Contemplative Spiritual Direction Application 

Applications Due: May 1, 2025

Course Description:  

This application is for Cohort 2025 of the Certificate in Contemplative Spiritual Direction program, a two-year formation and training program for persons who discern a call to the ministry of spiritual direction. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application within two months of completing their submission.

To complete the application, you will need to submit the following.

• One current reference, including name, phone number, and email address.

• A PDF or Word document of your responses to the short essay questions, found below.

• A non-refundable application fee of $75.

Contact:

For any questions, please contact lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu.

Dear friends,

At Thornwell, we believe prevention begins with connection—and that safe, supportive communities are built when we all come together.

We invite you to join us for a special online event:

Webinar: Hometown Hope | A Neighborhood Approach to Child Abuse Prevention

• Wednesday, April 30

• 12:00 PM (Noon)

• Online via Microsoft Teams

This meaningful conversation will explore how neighbors, caregivers, educators, and advocates can work together to protect children and strengthen families before a crisis occurs. You’ll hear powerful stories from those on the frontlines and gain insight into how Thornwell is leading the way in prevention-centered care.

Featured Speakers Include:
💙 Myron Wilkins, President & CEO – opening with our mission and a moment of prayer
💙 Katie Brophy, Senior Director of Clinical Services – on why prevention must be the priority
💙 Foster Parents: Catherine, Vicki, & Sydney – sharing real stories of heartbreak, healing, and hope
💙 Heather Crutchfield, Director of Building Families – on the impact of trauma-informed care
💙 Ken Haywald and community partners – working hand-in-hand to build strong families

Whether you're a parent, educator, church leader, or simply someone who believes in the power of community, this conversation is for you.

Together, we can create safer, more nurturing neighborhoods—because protecting children is everyone’s calling.

To attend, simply RSVP to:
Events at Thornwell - Thornwell - Building Tomorrow's Families

Thank you for standing with Thornwell to build a world where every child is safe, loved, and supported.

Installation of Leigh Bonner

Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 3 PM
Carrollton Presbyterian Church

Join us as we celebrate the Installation of Leigh Bonner at Carrollton Presbyterian Church. The service will take place at Carrollton Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 3 PM (ET).

An offering is to be received to benefit the emergency fund for pastors.

Climate, Resilience, and Justice: Shaping Decatur’s Future

How is Decatur preparing for climate change? What is the relationship between climate resilience and climate justice?

Join us at Columbia Theological Seminary on April 24 for a vital conversation and exploration of Decatur’s climate resilience planning and the partnership between Agnes Scott College and the City of Decatur to ensure the city is resilient in the face of climate change. Led by Rose Scott (WABE) and featuring expert voices from Spelman College, the City of Decatur, and Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, this panel explores how Decatur’s climate resilience task force is considering matters of climate justice and why this is important to us all.

Panel members are:

• Na’Taki Osborne Jelks of Spelman College

• David Nifong for the City of Decatur

• Marqus Cole of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light

The discussion will be held April 24 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary in the Ellis Room which is located in Richards Center. View a campus map here.

Information: https://www.ctsnet.edu/events/climate-resilience-and-justice/

77th Annual Come See Columbia Day

April 24, 2025

Come See Columbia Day is a day for Presbyterian Women (and their friends) to come meet the Columbia Friendship Circle Scholarship recipient and see what classes and campus life are like at Columbia.

Come spend a day in the life of Columbia Seminary! Join us Thursday, April 24, for a day of worship, classes, lunch and a tour of Mission Haven. Come solo or with a group from your church. This makes a wonderful outing for your PW or Older Adult Ministry group! You will learn, be inspired and enjoy seeing what God is doing in the world. Find out more here!

Our two speakers during lunch will be current student, Abby Bunn and recent alumnus, Rev. Morgan Burge.

The 2025 McDonald Lectures at Candler 

Attend in person or online

April 16 • 11 a.m.

“Before He Was White: Jesus, Mark, and the Politics of Inclusion”

Dr. Blount will analyze cultural location and its impact on biblical meaning. How do readers configure Jesus when he is perceived through the ongoing American dialogue about race? What does Jesus’s racial identity mean for our understanding of his ministry? 
Visit bit.ly/mcdonald-april16 for details and to register. 

April 23 • 4 p.m.

“The Narrative Color of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark”

How is Jesus of Nazareth “colored” in the Gospel of Mark? This lecture will examine the correlation between Jesus’s actions and his racialization. Jesus’s boundary breaking activity, and the assertiveness in which he engages that activity, hint at a “color” that fits a particular racial performative. 
Visit bit.ly/mcdonald-april23 for details and to register. 

These events are made possible by the McDonald Agape Foundation.

McCain Faith and Learning Interfaith Lecture and Dialogue Dinner

Agnes Scott College
Monday, April 21 from 6-8pm in Evans Dining Hall, Lower Conference Room

Our McCain Faith and Learning Interfaith Lecture and Dialogue Dinner event is happening next week and this is a new experience for our students to interact more in depth with valued community partners who are interested in sharing in the important work of religious plurality and intentional intersectional community building. 

This year we are proud to partner with the Agnes Scott College Interfaith Council by having our lecture combined with a dialogue dinner, giving all in attendance the opportunity to learn from our featured lecturer as well as from each other over a meal.

This year for our topic we will be exploring the history and current landscape of interfaith initiatives in America and how we are integrating religious and spiritual understanding in our differing contexts.

This event is free and open to the public. Please register your attendance with us for the evening so that we will have enough food. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1VTmcjzSVEm2rtY4Sz2_XlnEv7F05cm7vtde6Ayjyt1fv_A/viewform?usp=dialog

One Great Hour of Sharing
March 5-April 20, 2025

Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. All three programs work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Information/Resources: https://pcusa.org/special-offerings/one-great-hour-sharing

The Rev. Mark Ramsey to preach on “Day1”

Executive Director of The Ministry Collaborative

The Rev. Mark Ramsey, executive director of The Ministry Collaborative, is the featured preacher for Easter Sunday, April 20, on “Day1” with host Katie Givens Kime, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast. Hear "Day1" in the Atlanta area on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. 

“Capacity” is drawn from John 20:1-18, the account of Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, and the other disciple finding the tomb of Jesus empty. Mary lingers weeping outside the tomb and encounters the risen Jesus.  “On this Easter Day, can we resolve NOT to live in a smaller world than God has given to us?” he asks. “Another way to say that is to pose the question: Whose story will you live today?

Your own…or God’s? Pulling the covers up to shut out the world, or doom scrolling the latest political ploys, or the most recent viral Instagram post … these are a pale version of living.”           

Ramsey has served as Executive Director of The Ministry Collaborative since 2018. The Ministry Collaborative, a project of the Macedonian Ministry Foundation, is committed to developing a national network of pastors and congregations committed to faithful, creative, and collaborative engagement in their communities. He earlier served as senior pastor in churches in Austin, Texas, Asheville, N.C., Oak Park, Ill., Denver, and East Lansing, Mich. He starting ordained ministry as an associate pastor in Bethesda, Md. He has been a preacher for Montreat Conference Center’s summer worship series and for “Day1.” He is a frequent contributor to Journal for Preachers and succeeded the founder Erskine Clarke as publisher. He has written selections for Feasting on the Gospels and Connections. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He preaches, teaches, and leads retreats often for clergy groups, church boards, and congregations. A native of Central Illinois, he is a graduate of the University of Virginia and received his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He and his wife Elizabeth Lynn co-write the TMC weekly blog, “Digging a Deeper Well,” offering spiritual resources for church boards.

The program includes interviews with Ramsey conducted by Kime, who is also executive producer. 

“Day1” has been broadcast every week for 80 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day1” is currently distributed to radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta. For more information, check the program’s website, http://day1.org.  

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Beyond the Building Grants

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-Ephesians 3:20-21

Objective: This year the Presbytery is focusing on the gift of what it means to be the church beyond the walls of our local buildings. As part of this focus, the Presbytery and Peachtree Presbyterian Church are partnering to award grants to congregations and new worshiping communities to support changes to their property, personnel, or programming that will encourage them in making disciples and caring for those in need.

Who can apply? Congregations and new worshiping communities within the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta who can demonstrate need and share the story of how the funds can help them to think outside the box and connect to others. Applications must be approved by the session of the

congregation or leadership team of the new worshiping community.

How much will be awarded? We have set aside $50,000 in partnership funds in order to award grants ranging in size from $2,500 to $10,000.

Recipient Expectations: Within six months of the receipt of funds, each recipient will be asked to share a story with the wider presbytery on ways the funds opened pathways for your congregation or new worshiping community to think beyond the building. Be creative! We encourage story telling through testimony, videos, worship experiences, photography, and the arts.

Our Fall Stated Meeting in November 2025 will include time for celebrating the work of our Beyond the Building Grant recipients as we begin sharing the stories from this partnership in this and other presbytery communication spaces.

Application Process: Apply now! The application will close on April 17, 2025. The review team will consider these applications together, with any additional funds made available to applications received after the deadline. Awardees will be named at the Spring Stated Meeting of the Presbytery on May 13. Please submit applications to grants@atlpcusa.org.

The 2025 McDonald Lectures at Candler 

Attend in person or online

April 16 • 11 a.m.

“Before He Was White: Jesus, Mark, and the Politics of Inclusion”

Dr. Blount will analyze cultural location and its impact on biblical meaning. How do readers configure Jesus when he is perceived through the ongoing American dialogue about race? What does Jesus’s racial identity mean for our understanding of his ministry? 
Visit bit.ly/mcdonald-april16 for details and to register. 

April 23 • 4 p.m.

“The Narrative Color of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark”

How is Jesus of Nazareth “colored” in the Gospel of Mark? This lecture will examine the correlation between Jesus’s actions and his racialization. Jesus’s boundary breaking activity, and the assertiveness in which he engages that activity, hint at a “color” that fits a particular racial performative. 
Visit bit.ly/mcdonald-april23 for details and to register. 

These events are made possible by the McDonald Agape Foundation.

The Cost of Poverty - An Interactive Experience at Northwest Presbyterian

Join us at Northwest Presbyterian for an interactive experience to explore the impact of poverty on April 13th at 12:30, with an optional lunch at 12:00.

The Cost of Poverty Experience is a 2½-hour simulation that explores the lived experience of poverty firsthand through the eyes of real families. The experiential nature of this training helps organizations and communities more deeply understand the human and systemic impacts of poverty.

For years, many top down or well-intentioned approaches to poverty have left out the wisdom and leadership of those closest to the challenges. Created with the input of individuals with personal experience in poverty, COPE sheds light on these challenges and catalyzes meaningful dialogue and action. This experience challenges participants to rethink poverty, respond effectively, and partner with those affected for change.

This event is appropriate for ages middle school and up. Email Heather to sign up at HeatherFranklin@bcmgeorgia.org.

Session Records Review

The annual required review of session records will be done on the following dates in the coming weeks and months:

• Tuesday, April 8, 6:30pm at Peachtree PC - register here

• Thursday, May 8, 6:30pm at Fairview PC - register here

• Sunday, June 1, 4:00pm at Korean Central PC (Korean-language congregations) - email Rev. Mun Gye Lee to register

• Saturday, June 7, 9:30am at Peachtree City First PC - register here

• Thursday, July 10, 10:00am at the Presbytery Office - register here

At each review, clerks exchange records with one another and verify the completion of the required tasks by the session during the previous year. Clerks are asked to complete a review form prior to the meeting.

Blank Session Minute Review Form (English)

Blank Session Minute Review (Korean)

Preparing for Your Session Review

For more information, contact Stated Clerk Andy James at cajames@atlpcusa.org.

Registration, forms, and additional information can be found on the Clerk’s Corner page: www.atlpcusa.org/clerks-corner

Join us for In Their Shoes Benefitting Central Outreach and Advocacy Center 
by Kimberly Parker, Executive Director, Central Outreach and Advocacy Center 

Did you know that the average person experiencing homelessness walks 10 miles per day? Join Central Outreach & Advocacy Center to walk in their 5th annual In Their Shoes: 10 Mile Challenge on March 30th, 2025 to bring awareness to the daily challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness in our city! The Challenge will begin on March 2nd and conclude on March 30th.

For the challenge, participants of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels are invited to move a total of 9 miles at their own pace, reflecting on the daily journey of those experiencing homelessness, and join the other In Their Shoes participants on March 30th to walk the last mile together at COAC’s headquarters in Downtown Atlanta, followed by a celebratory lunch gathering.

You can register for this event by visiting the website here. All the proceeds will go towards the life-changing work taking place daily at Central Outreach & Advocacy Center.

We hope you, your family, and your friends will join us as we walk and support COAC’s mission to open doors and prevent homelessness in Atlanta! If you have any questions or wish to be a sponsor, please reach out to Caroline at development@centraloac.org.

Tom Long to preach 

Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus, Candler School of Theology

The Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, is the featured “Day1” preacher for the fourth Sunday in Lent, March 30, with host Katie Givens Kime, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast. The first Protestant Hour broadcast was Easter, April 1, 1945. The program was originally broadcast live from the WSB Radio studios in Atlanta.  

“There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons” is drawn from the story in Luke 15:11-32 of the prodigal son. “If like the older son, we feel ignored and unappreciated,” he says. “Whoever we are, and whatever broken places we have in our lives, look up, and we will see, coming toward us from the house, the God who, in compassion and mercy, will give us just the love we need.”

Long is a graduate of Erskine College and earned his M.Div. from Erskine Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of more than two dozen books. The latest is “Proclaiming the Parables: Preaching and Teaching the Kingdom of God.” Preaching magazine named his “Witness of Preaching” one of the 25 most influential books on preaching in the past 25 years. Long is an ordained Presbyterian minister. Before moving to Candler, he also taught at Princeton Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. 

The program includes interviews with Long conducted by Kime, who is also executive producer.

“Day1” has been broadcast every week for 80 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.”Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day 1” is currently distributed to radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta. For more information, check the program’s website, http://day1.org.  

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Druid Hills Presbyterian Church
1026 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
www.dhpc.org

Our Musical Arts Series for the Community Presents
Ken Cowan, organist
In concert
Saturday, March 29, 2025
7:00 p.m.

Free admission and on-site parking

An Afternoon of International Tea
a Fundraiser for AMIS

Saturday, March 29, 2025
2:00 - 4:00 pm
North Avenue Presbyterian Church
607 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

AMIS Atlanta invites you to join us in a celebration of the amazing international students and scholars who we support through our mission of promoting cultural and global understanding through friendship and hospitality. Our Afternoon of International Tea will bring together the AMIS community to exchange stories of international friendship and crossing cultures, while enjoying a sampling of international beverages and refreshments from across the globe. 

Information/Registration: https://www.amisatlanta.org/tea

Day of Celebration Honoring the Installation of
Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy
as the 12th President of McCormick Theological Seminary

McCormick's Board of Trustees warmly invite you to join us on March 28, 2025 for a day full of celebration honoring the installation of Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy as the 12th president of McCormick Theological Seminary. 

Join us for the formal ceremony marking the public affirmation of our community's support and welcome for our new leader. 

Installation Service
11 AM-12:30 PM
First Baptist Congregational Church
1613 W Washington Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612

We ask that anyone representing a college or university or serving in an official clergy role wear their regalia or vestments and plan on joining us in a procession during the service. 

Come celebrate & be inspired by Dr. Handy's compelling vision for McCormick and her commitment to fostering growth and excellence within our institution.  

Let’s Get Jazzy: A Dinner & Music Benefit Concert
7 PM-10 PM
Little Black Pearl Workshop
1060 E 47th St
Chicago, IL 60653

This benefit dinner will feature jazzy performances by our special musical guests, Nythia Martinez and Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith Jr., along with our featured artist, CC Sunchild.

Our event is not only a celebration of new leadership but also a chance to support a worthy institution that plays a vital role in theological education. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with you! Click the button to reserve your spot: 

Accommodations

Are you joining us from out of town, or needing accommodations near the event locations? We have special room rates available.

Option #1 — Hyatt Place Chicago South/University Medical Center

5225 S. Harper Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

(888)591-1234

• Dates: Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29 Note: Should you wish to stay outside of these dates, you must book your reservation for the group block dates online first and then reach out to Teja Syers in sales via email (teja.syers@hyatt.com) with your confirmation number to add the additional nights. Trying to include additional dates not listed above will result in a “Invalid Code” message.

• Group Name: Hyatt Place Chicago South – McCormick Theological Seminary Block

• Group Rate: $209

• Group Code: G-MCT1

• Booking Deadline: Must book by Thursday, March 13

Option #2 — Sophy Hotel Hyde Park 

1411 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

(773) 289-1003

Questions? Send us an email.

National Faith + Climate Forum 2025

Register now for the National Faith + Climate Forum. Join us on March 27, 2025 in-person with others at a location near you, or online from your home or office for invaluable resources and support to champion creation care in your church and community.

Can’t make it to an in-person gathering? No problem! 
Join the Forum live-stream from wherever you are, and experience the full program from your home or office.
Consider organizing a local gathering at your church to participate collectively.