Peachtree Post

Lent. Isn’t That a Catholic thing?

“The Most Electrifying Sunday in My 40 Years of Ministry”

2013 SPRING EDITION

Volume 2 • Issue 1 • March 2013

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E : A S i n g u l a r M o m e n t : Wo r s h i p w i t h L o u i s Z a m p e r i n i • M i s s i o n

Why are you

a PART of

Peachtree?

Page 9

www.peachtreepres.org

Can we

worship God with an attempt at whole

UNDERSTANDING? Page 16 Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 1

March 2013

W HAT’ S I NS I D E:

F el l o w s Pro g ram

•

M is s io n

•

R ed D o t

•

H o ly Wee k

CONTENTS 3

Lent.

Isn’t that a Catholic Thing?

Easter

SUNDAY WORSHIP

4

Holy Week / Easter at Peachtree Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection with powerful worship and a special gift from Vic.

Page 4

6

Twelve Years of Easter Giving These gifts serve as a recollection of the Resurrection.

8

Mission at Peachtree Resurrecting a life: a report from Kimberlie Marsh

10 Red Dot Why are you a part of Peachtree?

Worship with

LOUIS

Zamperini Page 11

11 Worship with Louis Zamperini “The most electrifying Sunday in my 40 years of ministry.”

14 Metaxas Recap Can we worship God with an attempt at whole understanding?

15 Fellows Training the next generation of leaders.

16 Spring Dates

Top Christmas

MOVIES

Page 15

2 Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013

Executive Editor • Len Wilson | Contributing Writers • Kimberlie Marsh Mark Crumpler • Rebecca Madden • Barbara Donnelly Lane Graphic Designer • Joe Chaffee | Photographer • Andy Barry | Steve Lyons Peachtree Print Shop • Mitch Reed • Malcolm Gailey • Curtis Walker • Barry Ferguson • Steve Bomar • Larry Brock

www.peachtreepres.org

Lent.

Isn’t that a Catholic thing?

By: Mark Crumpler

Like a clock that jumps forward, the question comes up every spring. Luckily, it’s not a hard question to answer. The answer is “No.” Lent is not a Catholic thing. It’s a Christian thing.

often part of this Lenten observance. Rather than focusing on the discipline of letting go, the focus shifts to taking up a new practice, a new discipline.

The season of Lent has its roots in the early church. The first Lenten practices were for those awaiting baptism. Lent was a 40-day period of preparation leading up to Easter Sunday, the day on which a new believer would be baptized. Over time, practices evolved. Lent soon came to be applied to the entire church. In this broader application, two spiritual emphases have merged.

At Peachtree both of these traditions find a place in our observance of Lent. The weekly Lenten prayer services are designed to be reflective, looking inward and identifying the attachments of the heart that need to be relinquished. We also seek to look outward and engage our community as we follow Jesus in acts of service. For more information on opportunities to serve, refer to Peachtree’s 30 Days of Serving on page 9.

One tradition stresses the penitential themes of Lent. Some practice this by various forms of fasting; this might mean withholding a particular food or it might mean letting go of a practice such as watching television. Many associate Lent with giving something up, below notes some of the most common.

We move through Lent in both repentance and commitment.

Another tradition stresses the active commitment of being a follower of Jesus.

The image of a journey or pilgrimage is

In this blessed season of the year, may the grace of our Lord Jesus cover your sin and guide your steps as you seek to follow him.

We empty our hands so we can take up the cross.

Easter Prayer Vigil Beginning March 28th at 9pm and ending March 31st at 7am.

To sign up, visit: peachtreepres.org/easterprayervigil www.peachtreepres.org

Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 3

Holy Week at Peachtree

Palm Sunday March 24th Join us on Passion Sunday as we mark the beginning of Holy Week. All Sanctuary services will include a Palm Processional led by a live donkey with music from the Children and the Adult Choirs. Wildlife Wonders will once again offer a selection of live Easter animals on the front lawn.

“King Forever” Scripture: Matthew 21:7 ............................................................................................

Sanctuary 10:00 Bryan Dunagan, preaching 8:45 and 11:15 Dr. Marnie Crumpler, preaching Summit 8:45 and 11:15 Bryan Dunagan, preaching

Maundy Thursday Service March 28th at 7:00 pm, Sancutary Commemorate the crucifixion of our Lord with a special Holy Week service of Communion and Tenebrae on Maundy Thursday. Music led by the Chancel Choir, Peachtree Youth Choir and Peachtree Youth Bells.

Dr. Mark Crumpler, preaching.

Community Good Friday Service March 29th at 12:00, Sanctuary An annual community service of Buckhead Churches meets on the campus of Peachtree on Good Friday, featuring an orchestra with Atlanta’s greatest musicians and soloists. Music by Théodore Dubois, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Dr. Vic Pentz, preaching.

Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday March 30th at 10:00 am Join us for a family Easter Egg Hunt at Chastain Park, Saturday, March 30 at 10 a.m. We will hunt Easter eggs and enjoy Chick-fil-A or your own picnic for lunch. Invite your friends and their kids to experience a fun time playing on the playground and hunting eggs. Ages 2 and under will hunt at 10:30 am; ages 3 - 5 will hunt at 10:45 am; and ages 6 and up will hunt at 11:00 am. Then invite your friends to church on Easter Sunday!

Easter Sunday March 31st Celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Sunday morning at Peachtree with a beautifully filled sanctuary of lilies, a magnificent floral cross and handbells on the front lawn, music by the Chancel Choir with brass, and a special gift to every worshipper from Senior Pastor Dr. Vic Pentz.

“I Believe in Doubt” Scripture: John 20:24 - 29 ............................................................................................

Sanctuary 8:45, 10:00 and 11:15 Dr. Vic Pentz, preaching Summit 8:45 and 11:15 Bryan Dunagan, preaching

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Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 5

Twelve Years of Easter Giving Since his arrival, Vic Pentz has given a gift to the congregation on Easter Sunday. These gifts serve as a recollec2002 Butterfly Pins tion of the Resurrection From the very beginning of Christianity, the butterfly has been a symbol for Jesus for the coming year. The Christ. In the beginning, Jesus was a humble caterpillar, an ordinary Apostle Paul said to the carpenter. Isaiah says, “He had no form Corinthians, “Now I would or comeliness, no beauty that we should desire him.” On Good Friday, he entered remind you therefore into the cocoon of the tomb for three days. Then on Easter morning, Jesus brethren that Jesus rose burst out of the grave arrayed in all his glory as the risen Son of God. from the dead.” These gifts symbolize the new life that Jesus Christ can bring through the power of his resurrection.

Here’s a review of Vic’s gifts.

2004 Pewter Pocket Pieces Once again, these small tokens served as a reminder of the presence of the Risen Christ in each life – something tangible to hold onto. A reminder that you never have to be without Jesus.

2005 Seashells Easter is not about some remote, historical figure. It’s about the risen, triumphant Lord among his people today.

He is here in all his glory. Jesus is walking on your beach today. “Do you love me, do you love me, do you love me?” If you answer “Yes, Lord, I love you”, at whatever level, you will turn the page and like Peter experience a new chapter in your life.

2003 Polished Stones

2001 Mother of Pearl Crosses from The Holy Land

Jesus, in his Resurrection body, entered a locked room whose doors were shut. The stone at the tomb wasn’t locked away for Jesus’ benefit, but for ours – it was as an aid to our faith that God’s power raised Jesus from the dead. These stones serve as a reminder that the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within you.

God wants us to become people of the peace of Good Friday, of the deep reconciliation of the cross.

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www.peachtreepres.org

2008 Sand Dollar

2011 Pewter Crosses

The famous poem The Legend of the Sand Dollar reminds us of Christ’s death and resurrection.

A unique collection of Pewter Crosses served to remind us of the words of the apostle Paul, who said, “Now I would remind you therefore brethren that Jesus rose from the dead.” Jesus Christ brings new power through his death on the cross and resurrection.

2006 Keys “Jesus is the Key” was the title of Vic’s Easter sermon in 2006. These keys are war-era artifacts from England and serve as a reminder that Jesus can open the locked doors of our life.

2012 Seashells

2009 Ascension Windows

2007 Coins Every coin has two sides. The head of this special coin exclaims “Christ Is Risen Indeed!” The tail side, “Stop Doubting & Believe!,” reminds us that Christ is with us and walks beside us.

Seashells again served as a reminder that the risen Jesus who appeared to the disciples on the beach is alive and walks with you everyday.

A replica of the beautiful stained glass in Peachtree’s sanctuary. Jesus says, “By going away from you, I will come closer to you.” Our Lord’s move up over the world was His way of plunging deeper than ever into the lives of His followers.

2010 Peacock Feathers In early Christianity the peacock represented the resurrected Jesus.

Just as the peacock loses its feathers Jesus went to the cross, suffered and died only to be resurected on the third day— our risen and glorious King.

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Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 7

ARTS Therapy

Planting the seeds of God’s kingdom.

By: Kimberlie Marsh

Peachtree member Kimberlie Marsh left Atlanta in January 2013 to serve in the mission field.

This recent journal entry on her blog chronicles a joy working in a home for girls victimized by trafficking. To follow Kimberlie’s blog: http:// kimberliemarsh.blogspot.com.

For two days last week I was able to go to a different aftercare home I had not been to before. I went with the team from the UK and it was such a great time. They are very specific in their plan and objectives in the homes and spend so much time working on what exactly they do with the girls. I am beyond thankful to be able to see them in action and to see the impact they had on the girls. It was a big picture goal they were seeking, all revolving around self image and building confidence and their self esteem.

They all came with different skills, whether that is drama, dance, or voice.

They honed in on those specific categories so well. The girls really responded well with all the different aspects, it was so cool to see. I was able to help out with things and have direct contact with the girls which is definitely something that I love to do.

It is awesome to see a team with such skill that can use so many different things, but they all flowed well into one another and nothing seemed forced or like it didn’t fit.

Coming Soon.

They did dancing, singing and crafts that all revolved around their main topics of instilling characteristics like strength, joyfulness, courage, generosity, perserverance, and other things. In addition to being able to be there with them, I was able to speak to each one of them about their respective talents and how they go about planning and carrying out the services. They never do crafts or games just for the sake of doing it.

Every single aspect of the day is planned for a purpose and for an overarching objective. I appreciate that so much because so many teams can come and do random things but its so wonderful to see a team that spent at least 3 hours every night working on making the best use of their time and resources.

Additionally, they left their toolkit and information for every part of their trip so that we could hopefully replicate it with other groups. It is such an asset to the team. I was definitely sad to see them go!

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At Lent, the custom is that we’re supposed to give something up.

Every year, it’s the usual suspects: Soda. Alcohol. Sweets.

Swearing. Social media. Fast Food. Chips.

And of course the king of all Lenten sacrifices: Chocolate.

Poor chocolate. The guilty anecdote to a stressful life.

But does a chocolate abstinence program really help others?

This year, we have some tasty advice:

Go ahead and eat the chocolate. Serve instead.

Get connected with one of Peachtree’s 30 Days of Serving. w w w. p e a c h t r e e p r e s. o r g / 3 0 d a y s

SUNDAY

LaAmistad (2:30-4:30pm) Assist Students during Sunday Study Hall

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Agape Community Center (3:15-4:15pm) Tutor Elementary School Students

Foster Care Support Foundation (10am-2pm) Sort and Fill Orders for Foster Families

Buckhead Christian Ministry (10am-1pm) Bag Groceries in Food Pantry

LaAmistad (3:30-5pm) Assist Students with Homework and School Projects

10 Covenant House Georgia (5:30-7pm) Prepare and Serve Dinner for Homeless Youth

11 Georgia Avenue Community Ministry (9am-12pm) Organize and Clean Storage Closets

17 Calvin Court (2-4pm) Bingo with Senior Adults

18 Clifton Sanctuary Ministries (4-6:30pm) Wash Linens and Eat Dinner with Residents

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25

12 The Open Door Community (8:30am-1:30pm) Serve Lunch

19 Agape Community Center (3:15-4:15pm) Tutor Elementary School Students

26

13 Buckhead Christian Ministry (10am-1pm) Bag Groceries in Food Pantry

20

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Atlanta Day Shelter (10:30am-12pm) Serve Lunch for Homeless Women and Children

14 LaAmistad (3:30-5pm) Assist Students with Homework and School Projects

21

15 Atlanta Mission (6-8:30pm) Provide Childcare and Activities at My Sister’s House

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Atlanta Habitat for Humanity (8am-4pm) Build Peachtree’s 148th House Street GRACE (9:30am-12pm) Pack Food Bags

16 Atlanta Habitat for Humanity (8am-4pm) Build Peachtree’s 148th House Wellspring Living (10am-12pm) Yard Work

23

Wellspring Living (11am-2pm) Sort, Tag, and Clean at Resale Boutique

27 Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 9

Why are

YOU

a part of Peachtree?

By: Rebecca Madden

Getting the Full Spectrum on the Red Dot Initiative The reasons people come to Peachtree, and the reasons they stay, are vastly different.

On January 13, 2013, the red dot initiative was launched.

Perhaps you initially came because of the outstanding reputation Peachtree has in the Atlanta community. Many people do. They also come because of the campus, scope of programs, friends, and variety of worship styles.*

About 500 Peachtree people attended 19 dessert gatherings hosted in homes in communities throughout Atlanta including Alpharetta, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur, Dunwoody, Marietta/E. Cobb, Ponce, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Vinings & Virginia Highlands.

As it turns out, the reason that people stay at Peachtree is because of life-changing relationships that adults & children build with people of similar, Christ-centered values and interests. The relationships are strengthened by worship, but built on programs that foster and nourish strong relationships with God and other members.

In the coming years, Peachtree is well positioned to help people discover the authentic and life changing impact of relationships with others and God – to make them possible and nurture them across a person’s lifetime. Out of these relationships comes commitment, and from commitment comes confidence. And in confidence, we discover the initiative to love God and serve one another. We’re excited about facilitating these connections. So, in 2012, Peachtree “google earthed” our 6700 members. We were amazed how Peachtree people literally cover metro Atlanta.

If Peachtree is to be about helping people to build Christ-like, transforming relationships, we realized that we need not only to help people connect at Peachtree on Sundays, but to help people connect and develop relationships where they live Monday – Saturday.

If you were able to participate in the initial launch, perhaps you witnessed a unique buzz and energy. This energy is called koinonia, which is a Greek word the Bible uses to describe the special intimacy that exists among Christ’s body.

Red dot is expanding. Soon, we will have more red dot events that will help us to: • CONNECT with one another through red dot Dinners with a Purpose, Picnics in the Park and more • COLLABORATE as we dream about how to impact our communities beginning with serving together during Peachtree’s 30 Days of Serving and growing together in an Experiencing God group study, so that we not only change ourselves, but we • CHANGE our communities too.

red dot goes green!

One couple joined the Ponce red dot dessert and met another couple. They discovered they only live 1/2 mile from one another. They now carpool to the kids music program on Wednesday nights at Peachtree! Saving gas and creating community between moms and kids!

red dot blessing!

An older couple came to the red dot dessert in Buckhead West. They haven’t come to Peachtree for very long, and they haven’t joined. Recently they called the red dot host and asked for help getting groceries. The red dot host took care of their needs.

She was being the hands and feet of Jesus right where she lives!

To join the red dot community nearest you, visit www.peachtreepres.org/reddot. *

According to the Centennial Worship Initiative research survey, 2011.

peachtreepres.org/reddot 10 Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013

www.peachtreepres.org

A Singular Moment:

Worship with Louis Zamperini

By: Len Wilson and Steve Adams

I

f you attended worship at Peachtree on Sunday, January 27, 2013, you experienced a rare treat. Louis Zamperini, 96 year old Olympian, Word War II Prisoner of War and the subject of NY Times bestseller Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, paid a visit to the Peachtree campus.

Peachtree rolled out the red carpet for its privileged guest, with altered services times, live simulcast online to multiple worship venues, and a specially-configured sanctuary set.

In return, the almost 6000 people who attended got to experience what senior pastor Vic Pentz called “the most electric Sunday” in his 40 years of ministry.

A Spectacular Morning A 34-minute, award winning CBS documentary, originally produced for the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, created a palpable energy and set up a spectacular reveal as Zamperini entered the sanctuary.

After an extended standing ovation, Zamperini offered backstory and cutting room floor scenes of his life, including his repatriation to the United States following the war. He spoke with insight, deprecation and humor.

Of highest interest was his experience at the 1949 Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles crusade was a milestone for Graham and propelled him to the national stage as an evangelist. It was also the site of Zamperini’s newfound peace in Jesus Christ and freedom from the ongoing trauma of wartime suffering.

Zamperini shared his untold life as a believer in the decades since his conversion, including the act of forgiving his tormentors, life as a national figure, and the daily disciplines and activities of his life as a believer.

www.peachtreepres.org

Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 11

An Unbroken Spirit Louis Zamperini was a troubled youth who discovered a life direction through running. Gifted with a natural ability, he received much acclaim running track at the University of Southern California, and was selected for the 1936 United States Olympic team that competed in Berlin, Germany. His roommate was the legendary Jesse Owens. While he did not medal in Berlin, he ran the final lap of the 5000 meter race in 56 seconds, at the time a world record and worthy of attention from German chancellor Adolf Hitler, whom he met personally.

Preparations for the 1940 Games were interrupted by war. Zamperini was drafted into the Army Air Corps, eventually becoming a B-24 bombardier. In May 1943, while on a search and rescue mission, Zamperini and his fellow crewmen crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Louis and the pilot drifted 2,000 miles over 47 days, eventually making landfall on the Japanese controlled “Execution Island.” At the time of their capture, each man weighed 80 pounds, half of Louis’ Olympic weight.

Zamperini spent the next two years incarcerated at various POW camps, mostly at the mercy of a sadistic Japanese sergeant. He and his fellow prisoners endured unspeakable pain and suffering. A man of considerable will, Louis refused to succumb to the relentless abuse, deplorable living conditions and near-starvation to which he and his imprisoned comrades were subjected.

At the end of the war, American troops liberated Zamperini and his fellow POWs. Louis was repatriated and recognized as a true national hero. He returned to his hometown, married and attempted to move on. But the horrors of his war-time experiences haunted him. He began to drink heavily, and his marriage suffered.

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When a young Billy Graham set up a tent in Los Angeles in 1949 and led his first major revival meeting, Zamperini’s wife attended. She gave Louis an ultimatum: attend that night’s revival or face a life alone. With reservation, Zamperini joined his bride, and encountered a surprising result: Zamperini turned his life over to Jesus Christ. As Zamperini described the experience, “From that point forward, my nightmares ceased.” He would experience a complete spiritual and personal renewal.

A Profound Witness Ever since, Louis Zamperini has lived and told a powerful story of faith. He continues to speak to groups of all ages, encouraging them to face and triumph over the challenges of life. Zamperini celebrated his 96th birthday on the plane to Atlanta to visit Peachtree.

Having been a celebrity most of his life, Louis is used to the spotlight, yet handles his fame with aplomb, using it to further the story of Christ.

Mr. Zamperini’s life story has been chronicled in the biographical novel Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption (Random House) by celebrated author, Laura Hillenbrand. Ms. Hillenbrand’s previous literary triumph, Seabiscuit: An American Legend, became an international best seller and the basis for an Academy Award nominated film. Unbroken is in development for major release through Universal Studios, with Angelina Jolie slated to direct and the Coen brothers scriptwriting.

www.peachtreepres.org

Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 13

The Dietrich

Bonhoeffer Tour

By: Barbara Donnelly Lane

The following article appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal and is reprinted by permission.

Eric Metaxas spoke on February 21 at Peachtree Presbyterian in Atlanta. He is the widely acclaimed author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, which has been heaped with awards and praise since its 2010 publication.

It was this book that led Metaxas to meet former President George W. Bush, who has never made a secret of his Christian faith, and then President Barack Obama at the 2012 Prayer Breakfast at which Metaxas was the keynote speaker. Metaxas is also well known for having been a writer on the very popular Veggie Tales series for children and for his work with the noted Christian Evangelical leader Chuck Colson.

Though it was impossible to count all of the other people who had converged in Buckhead on an overcast Thursday night to hear more about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran theologian whose opposition to Hitler landed him on the gallows just a few weeks before the end of World War II, I would estimate a crowd of close to two thousand. Surveying the full pews in front of him, Senior Pastor Dr. Vic Pentz quipped, “For the cerebral Christian, this is what a revival looks like.”

Indeed, much of Metaxas’s speech focused on the idea that Bonhoeffer was a serious intellectual from a family that understood the value of education and rational thinking. In fact, Bonheoffer’s father was an influential psychiatrist and neurologist, and his mother had a teaching degree, which she used to home-school her eight, brilliant children.

In highlighting such biographical facts—and then Bonhoeffer’s own record of study—Metaxas underscored how a man can worship God with not just blind emotion but with an attempt at whole understanding.

This is an important message for people living in a society that often mocks religion.

Having grown up in a church-going house that did not dig into those deeper questions of faith, Metaxas mentioned how he himself had been a young man who went off to university completely unequipped to defend any sense he’d once had of God. With a sardonic smile, he then advised the lesson learned was, “If you go to a place like Yale, don’t go with an open mind.”

Apparently Metaxas felt he had opened himself up too completely because whatever faith he had enjoyed as a child was quickly 14 Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013

stripped away in a profoundly secular environment. This set him adrift in the inevitable darkness that shadows the thinking of purposeless atheism.

Yet Dietrich Bonhoeffer, no slouch as an academic, played a large part in reigniting within Metaxas the light that would lead him back to a belief in Christ. After all, Bonhoeffer earned his PhD from Berlin University at the astonishingly young age of twenty-one, and thus had views that were undergirded with serious study and careful consideration.

Personally, I found this point one of the most interesting in the talk.

Consider for a moment that many Americans have a foundation in faith that is cultural and emotional. This was true for Eric Metaxas, and this foundation quickly crumbled under the weight of intellectual challenges.

However, Bonhoeffer’s faith—per our understanding of his life— was always based on reason. When he worshipped in Harlem while studying in New York, Bonhoeffer discovered a more personal and interactive relationship with a living God. It was at this point that emotion was added on top of solid knowledge, and his relationship with Christ only deepened.

In other words, Bonhoeffer’s foundation was intellectual. He had a strong framework of faith that could not be easily shaken by the skepticism that so often topples those who are steeped in ignorance about their own religions. With learning came love.

His beliefs fully cemented, Bonhoeffer could not in good faith stand silent in the face of Nazi oppression. He spoke up for Christianity in even the early days as Hitler’s regime began to hollow out the church and twist it into something evil and unrecognizable.

Further scorning the concept of “easy grace,” he then actively took part in the resistance movement. For this, his corpse would eventually be burned at Flossenburg and mingled with the ashes of the Jews he had been called by God to defend. Dietrich Bonhoeffer went to his death knowing exactly what he was doing.

Ultimately, in bringing attention to this great man’s story, Eric Metaxas is exhorting others to seriously consider the meaning of their own faiths and the extent to which they live their beliefs.

On this front, Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s legacy is one of clear inspiration.

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PEACHTREE

FELLOWS By: Len Wilson

We sat down recently with Fellows Dean (and Student Ministry Director) Joe Ryan to discuss this important new initiative in the life of Peachtree.

Here’s some of the conversation: What is the new Peachtree Fellows program?

The Fellows program is a new Peachtree initiative which aims to train and prepare the next generation of leaders for the church and beyond. The Peachtree Summer Fellows program is a 10 week, paid program for college and seminary students who are pursuing God’s calling in their lives and discerning if serving the church is where God is directing their futures. The Fellows program is framed around three values: knowing, being, and doing. These stand for what you will learn, how your faith will be formed, and what you will practically experience. All three are vitally important to the holistic maturation of emerging leaders.

www.peachtreepres.org

The church has hosted interns before. What makes this different?

What kind of response have you seen so far?

In years past, we have only hosted summer interns in Children’s and Student Ministries. With the Fellows program, the number of ministry opportunities has stretched to include the whole spectrum of church leadership. In addition to opportunities to serve in Children’s and Student Ministries, we have expanded the program to include areas to serve in young adults, creative arts, missions, recreation, pastoral ministry, and worship.

On February 1st we launched the Peachtree Fellows website (www.peachtreefellows.org) which shares all the important information about the summer fellows program, and gives potential candidates an opportunity to apply to the program. We have already many several good applications for summer fellowships and will continue receiving them through March 30th. We are extremely encouraged by the quality of people we have received applications from so far.

What do you hope to see happen?

Ultimately we want to see the lives of people changed because of and for the glory of Jesus Christ. We believe the Peachtree Fellows initiative will help us take huge steps towards doing this.

A 10 week summer fellowship is a relatively short amount of time, but it is enough time that can be used in incredible ways to help college and seminary aged students discern the calling God has placed in their hearts. We want to come along side these emerging leaders and give them training, coaching, practical ministry experience, and encouragement as they discover the ways God wants to use them to have a Kingdom impact.

Any other details you want to share?

We are looking for great candidates to apply for summer fellowships.

We encourage people to check out the website for more information (www.peachtreefellows.org), and to share this opportunity with anyone whom they think would be a great fit for this new program.

Peachtree POST | SPRING Issue • 2013 15

Periodicals Rate US Postage Paid Atlanta, GA

PEACHTREE NEWS Periodicals Postage Paid in Atlanta, GA Published semimonthly by Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 (U.S.P.S. 601600) April 1, 2002 Postmaster: Send address change to Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30305

PEACHTREE KEY DATES March 16 March 24 March 28 March 29 March 30 March 31 April 7 April 7 April 18 April 21 May 5 May 5 May 12 May 19 June 2 June 3-6 June 9-13 June 9 June 16-21

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Experiencing God Weekend: Henry Blackaby Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Community Good Friday Service Easter Egg Hunt Easter Sunday New Sermon Series: I Believe in Doubt Memorial Sunday Peachtree String Quartet Peachtree Handbell Concert | Atlanta Concert Ringers New Sermon Series: Psalms: Real Help for Real People Children’s Choir Musical-The Story-Tellin’ Man Mother’s Day Services Global Commitment Sunday Communion Services Vacation Bible School Camp Ducktown – Middle School Camp An American Pops Concert Rutledge – High School Camp

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