Spring 2024 CrossTie by Smoke Rise Baptist Church

CROSSTIE Your Smoke Rise Baptist Church Magazine | Spring 2024

IN THIS ISSUE 4

Newcomers Lunch

From the Pastor

6-7

The Season of Lent

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Pledge Sunday

10-11

5 F RO M THE PASTO R

During Advent, I asked everyone to “amble” instead of rushing to Christmas. What if we linger a little this year during Lent? What if we take the time to slow down, instead of speeding toward Easter? What if we take the time to listen to Jesus’ words, to watch Jesus’ actions, to seek to discover in Christ what is actually our true calling.

Ten Years of Family Mission Trips

A Retirement Celebration

Sabbatical

14-15

Ministry Collaborative for Young Adults

16-17

Children and Youth Retreats

A CrossTie Devotional

Graduation and Children's Sundays

Weekday School Summer Camps

The Academy of the Arts

Connect with

10 PL EDG E SUN DAY

Our budget pledge season is already underway at Smoke Rise. It is a time when we encourage faithful givers to renew their pledges and to sustain regular and recurring giving practices that empower our church. If you are not a consistent giver, we encourage you to prayerfully consider a commitment to regular and recurring giving to our budgeted ministry plan at Smoke Rise.

13 SA B B ATICA L

During the summer of 2024, Rev. Becky CaswellSpeight will be taking a six-week sabbatical with the full approval and unanimous support of the Personnel Committee. Becky began her ministry at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in the summer of 2014, answering a call to serve as the minister to children and families. During her tenure, her role and responsibilities have changed and expanded to include children, families and faith formation for the entire congregation.

Stop by Our Office

5901 Hugh Howell Rd. Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Give Us a Call 770.469.5856

Visit Us Online

smokerisebaptist.org

Easter Party March 30th at 10:00 am Four Age-Graded Egg Hunts An Easter Egg Store Face Painting Games If you can volunteer or have any questions, contact Becky Caswell-Speight at rcspeight@smokerisbaptist.org

Our Ministers B e c ky C asw el l - Spei gh t

Minister of Families and Faith Formation rcspeight@smokerisebaptist.org

Pa g e F u l gh am

Missions Associate missions@smokerisebaptist.org

Ch r is George

Senior Pastor cgeorge@smokerisebaptist.org

Bar t McN ie l

Associate Pastor of Administration, Ministry Support and Congregational Care bmcniel@smokerisebaptist.org

James S mith

Pastoral Care Associate jsmith@smokerisebaptist.org

D anny Vancil

Minister of Music and Worship dvancil@smokerisebaptist.org

Hannah Vassar

Minister of Youth and Congregational Connection hvassar@smokerisebaptist.org

Newcomers Lunch March 17th

Following the Worship Service in the Fellowship Hall We look forward to a time of fellowship with our new members from 2023/24 and our current visitors.

RSVP with Martha in our church office at 770.469.5856

New M em be

Ba Pat

rnett

I had a wonderful conversation with Pat Barnett, as I sat in one of her recliners earlier this year. When Pat joined our Smoke Rise community of faith this last year, she jumped in headfirst.

She had moved here from Troy, Alabama, where she had lived most of her life, in order to be closer to her children. Her daughter, Kim and Kim’s husband, Charlie, and grandson Quade and his wife Kara, are also members of our congregation. Pat has had a lifelong love of people, demonstrated mostly at Troy University, where her late husband worked as a professor and later served as provost. During that time, Pat planned socials, cooked, cared for and hosted students who couldn’t go home during the holidays. As I spoke with Pat, it was obvious that she carries her love for people wherever she goes.

As an active member of the Seekers Sunday school class, Pat has expressed that it is “the most caring group of people who show concern for one another with a lot of love.” She mentioned several gatherings or socials where the Seekers class gathers for lunch and a chance to hang out outside of Sunday school. The class is a big source of connection for her to other parts of Smoke Rise activity. Pat joined us when we organized the travel group to go to north Georgia last fall and has enjoyed participating in Danny's Monday Morning Music and Missions group. She cites several personal friendships that have grown since becoming a part of Smoke Rise. She loves the music that Smoke Rise offers in worship, and is grateful for the place of connection that Smoke Rise is for her. If you are a new member or a visitor at Smoke Rise, I invite you to our next visitors and new members lunch in the fellowship hall immediately following the worship service on March 17th! It will be a wonderful time of fellowship where we will get to know one another and an opportunity for the ministers on our staff to visit and get to know you. It will also be a space where any questions you have about Smoke Rise can be answered. A tour of the church will also be available. - Hannah Vassar, Minister of Youth and Congregational Connection

From the Pastor A Season to Linger

by Chris George, Senior Pastor Lent is truly a journey on the “road less traveled.” Our destination is the cross and then, and only then, the resurrection. We cannot get to Easter without first going through Good Friday. It’s a strange season because it culminates with both sorrow and joy. We are overwhelmed by the reality of Jesus’ death, then awed by the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. So many feelings are wrapped in this season. Chuck Poole writes, “It makes you wonder if so much joy has ever landed so near to so much pain. The answer, of course, is yes. It happens this way all the time. Joy and pain have always lived in the same neighborhood, on the same street, at the same address. Holy Week’s compression of deep pain and high joy into small space looks a lot like real life in the real world. There is a lot of pain. But, if there is a lot of pain, there is also a lot of joy.” God sustains us in those seasons of pain and joy, love and loss, success and struggle. Sadly, the joy sometimes gets lost more easily than the pain—perhaps because pain weighs more than joy. Pain has more gravity than joy has helium. That may be what Georgia writer Lewis Grizzard had in mind when he said, “Losing feels worse than winning feels good.” So, the temptation is to sacrifice joy on the altar of pain and to avoid Lent entirely because we know it’s only taking us much nearer to Good Friday’s cross. During Advent, I asked everyone to “amble” instead of rushing to Christmas. What if we linger a little this year during Lent? What if we take the time to slow down, instead of speeding toward Easter? What if we take the time to listen to Jesus’ words, to watch Jesus’ actions, to seek to discover in Christ what is actually our true calling. What does it look like to linger? Our bodies need for us to learn to take some time, to wait and to exercise patience. Our minds, often running even faster than our feet, also require us to find a few moments to slow down and center ourselves. If we fill our lives with things, we rarely have or take the time to process and understand our experiences. Our minds are running on overdrive. Stress consumes us. Pressures mount all around us. We want quick fixes and immediate solutions to our problems. But sometimes, if we step away from our situation, looking carefully at our lifestyles, and embracing for just a moment the process of patience, we can see more clearly. The Quakers are a small Christian sect strong in the Northeastern part of the United States. They have certain sayings that seem foreign and even counter-cultural to us, but which reveal a part of their unique perspective. “Don’t just do something; sit there.” Or, “Hurry up and wait.” They believe strongly that their worship involves waiting. They sit silently in an effort to re-center their lives. These Quakers are convinced and convicted that “those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” For them, the practice of patience is more than some archaic idea from the past, but an essential part of their worship and their lives in a busy, loud and chaotic modern world. This Lenten season, we can learn from them. We can linger and we can listen. We can worship most joyfully, if we take that road less traveled. Jesus told his disciples, “Stay awake and watch with me” (Matthew 26:40). Friends, don’t fall asleep; this will be a special season.

WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL FORMATION DURING THE SEASON OF LENT

Worship

Devotional

February 18 · The First Sunday in Lent Finding a Way in the Desert · Mark 1:9-15 Febuary 25 · The Second Sunday in Lent What and Why · Mark 8:27-38 March 3 · The Third Sunday in Lent The Most Ignored Commandment · Exodus 20:1-17 March 10 · The Fourth Sunday in Lent More Powerful than Poison · Numbers 21:4-9 March 17 · The Fifth Sunday in Lent To Know and to Be Known · Jeremiah 31:31-34

Journeys Seven Last Words of Christ

February 21 - March 20 Wednesdays at 6 PM | Fellowship Hall Led by Chris George

This year's devotion book for Lent will be Seven Words by Susan Robb. It will be available for purchase in the office beginning February 4th for $10. Contact Martha at mabner@ smokerisebaptist to purchase a book.

Atonement: Jesus' Life, Death and Resurrection February 26 - March 25 Monday at 9:30 AM | Room 223 Led by Harrison Litzell RSVP with Terry Shields at 404.451.2294

LINGERING ON

Holy Week From Hosanna to Hallelujah and the Valley in Between

Palm Sunday ‧ March 24 at 11:00 AM Hosanna!

The grand Palm Processional featuring all of the choirs and brass.

Maundy Thursday ‧ March 28 at 7:00 PM A Service of Holy Communion

Join us as we traverse the valley between the hosannas and the hallelujahs.

Good Friday ‧ March 29 from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM

A meditative experience building off of the Journey Lenten Study and the Lent Devotion.

Easter Sunday ‧ March 31 at 11:00 AM Hallelujah!

N HIS WORDS

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:16

Psalms, Hymns &

Spiritual Songs Presented by the Sanctuary Choir, Youth Choir and Orchestra

Sunday, April 14, 2024 | 7:00 PM Thank you, Smoke Rise Baptist Church, for your overwhelming praise and support of last fall’s program, How Sweet the Sound. It gives me great pleasure to announce our major Spring musical event, Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. This program will again feature our Sanctuary and Youth choirs, as well as our outstanding keyboardists and full orchestra. Mark your calendar and remember to invite your friends, family and neighbors. - Danny Vancil, Minister of Music and Worship

Yonder Gospel Music Night Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 PM in the Chapel

Pledge Sunday . March 24

Pledge Sunday

The importance of pledging and giving to our general fund. by Bart McNiel, Associate Pastor of Administration, Ministry Support and Congregational Care Our church budget year that runs from April through March (also known in accounting terms as our fiscal year), is coming full circle once again. We will close our fiscal 2023/24 budget year on March 31 and start out fiscal 2024/25 budget year on April 1. The regular and recurring gifts received each week or month are a core component to the financial health of our church. Our budget pledge season is already underway at Smoke Rise. It is a time when we encourage faithful givers to renew their pledges and to sustain regular and recurring giving practices that empower our church. If you are not a consistent giver, we encourage you to prayerfully consider a commitment to regular and recurring giving to our budgeted ministry plan at Smoke Rise. We are a vital congregation because we are a generous congregation. Faithful givers enable our congregation to meet its budget and flourish as a community of faith. Gifts to our budgeted ministry plan help us fully fund the maintenance of our wonderful campus and its facilities and support our staff and ministries each day, week and month of the year. Designated gifts are always welcome, and we receive many such gifts at Smoke Rise. But without general and regular gifts in support of the budgeted ministry plan as a primary and core commitment of our membership, the worship, fellowship, ministries and mission work of our church would not be as vibrant or sustainable. Please prayerfully consider your role in fulfilling our pledge to worship, learn, care, serve and give at Smoke Rise in support of our general fund. Whether your financial abundance is large or small, each member is encouraged to listen for God’s call to give as he or she has prospered to support and sustain the worship, fellowship, ministries and missions of our family of faith.

Important Dates Budget Q&A Sessions

February 28 at 4:00 and 5:00 PM Before the church vote, you will have the opportunity to discuss the new budget and to ask questions pertaining to it. We will meet in room 223 or via Zoom using the meeting ID Number: 879 8632 4769 and password: SRBC (all uppercase). You can also access the zoom link at smokerisebaptist.org/budget-qa/ or in that week’s Wednesday Preview email. th

Church in Conference

March 10th Immediately Following the 11:00 AM Worship Service After the worship service the church will be called into conference to vote on the budget for fiscal year 2024/25. You will receive a copy of the budget in the mail ahead of time and it will be available in that week's Tie that Binds publication.

Pledge Sunday

March 24th Pledge cards will be sent in the mail on February 14th. If you don't receive one, you may pick one up in the office. You may submit your pledge card any time during pledge season. Then on Pledge Sunday we will invite everyone who has not submitted a pledge to do so.

Service and Connection A Decade of Family Mission Trips

by Becky Caswell-Speight, Minister of Families and Faith Formation In the fall of 2013, our brand-new lead pastor, Chris George, approached then Interim Family Minister, Emily Holiday, with the idea of hosting a weekend mission trip for families. She, along with Tim Adcox, then our minister of missions, along with our ministry intern, Alice Horner Nelson and the volunteer team led by Teri Moore brought the trip to life. The first team stayed at a large cabin in Montreat, NC, and served by cleaning a domestic violence shelter in Asheville and caring for the families there. By the second year, the family mission trip had grown, filling the available number of spaces within 24 hours, and had outgrown the housing arrangement. A search began for new locations. Each following year, we found new locations as our group expanded. Our family mission trips have taken place in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee as we served alongside many great ministries in those areas. Traditions during the trips—like Amanda Coe Burton’s guacamole and

children ditching their parents to hang with other families—have generated laughter, brought smiles, and created lifelong memories for all who have attended.

But some child, as we pack up, will always ask, “Why can’t we all just live together all the time?” causing the adults to both laugh and pack up a little faster. It indicates how important it is for all our families to see that serving is most meaningful when done in community. Mission Trip creators Alice Horner Nelson and Emily Holladay once said, “The Family Mission Trip is a very beautiful and rare thing to witness.” Both of these, who are now leading their own congregations, recognized the strong impact of missions which involves whole families within the church family. It has been a gift and something that is difficult to replicate in congregations outside Smoke Rise Baptist. While these trips have grown and evolved over the last 10 years, Family Mission Weekend continues to gather families for 72 hours to worship together, to care for one another, to serve God, to learn from one another, and to give to communities outside of our regular living spaces. All of us who have participated are stronger because of it.

Celebrating a Decade of Family

Mission Trips Family Mission Trip March 8-10 | Chattanooga, TN $250 Max per Family

Deposit of $100 is due at registration, see link below for a second payment amount.

Help us celebrate Jill Wade April 28 in the fellowship hall following the worship service.

Jill Wade started working for Smoke Rise in June 1994 as the assistant to the minister of singles and recreation. That role eventually evolved into the assistant for missions and recreation. Along the way, Jill also served as the front desk administrator and, most recently as a financial secretary. During her time at Smoke Rise, Jill remembers most fondly her role with missions. Jill described what she experienced in those years as "one of the biggest transformations at Smoke Rise." Along the way, she undergirded and supported many notable endeavors and accomplishments. Jill remembers all the hard work that went into starting a day camp and after-school program, adopting a basketball program from another nearby church, and running recreational programs for men, women and children. She helped host a refreshment station for the 1996 Olympic workers in Stone Mountain. And she recalls the excitement of working to organize the first Fall Festival, a tradition at Smoke

Rise—a tradition that continues today as Octoberfest. Church staff members remember all the many staff Christmas parties and special events where Jill gave freely of her time and talent to decorate and set a table of fellowship, joy and gratitude. When the long overdue office renovation was begun, Jill helped oversee many key aspects of the creation and implementation, drawing on her natural gifts for design. She participated in many cleanup projects, including establishing in more recent years a well-organized records archive room. To each task set before her, Jill has brought a care and grace that is singularly hers. Her creativity and kind resolve are brightest when she is preparing programs and clearing spaces to receive others well. Her hospitable soul shines in all she touches. May the Lord bless Jill in her retirement and continue to use her talents to bless others and the ones she loves for years to come. -Bart McNiel, Associate Pastor

Thank you for 30 years of service. I worked with Jill for 24 years, and I can say it was one of my favorite things about working at Smoke Rise. She showed versatility, excellent people skills, an amazing work ethic with creativity following everything she did. This unique combination of skills made each event in which she was involved excellent. Whether it was a basketball league of a thousand, a Valentine’s banquet, a car show, a mission Sunday service and banquet, or planning the staff Christmas party, if Jill did it, it was better than you could have hoped. Jill, thank you for 30 years of ministry. It was a privilege to serve together. Thank you for your great work and your friendship. -Tim Adcox

Jill Wade is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. I had never met anyone who could speak such fluent Tim Adcox. In fact, the only two people who understood his Mission Budget system were Tim and her! She was a truly amazing individual, a great encourager, a team player, and with a genuine love for the Lord. I am so grateful to have had the great privilege of serving with her. Blessings, Jill. -Ernie Forester Jill Wade is one of the finest staff members to ever serve in a church. Her work ethic, people skills, positive attitude, attention to detail and warm, welcoming personality endeared her to all of us who worked alongside her every day. How grateful I am our paths crossed, and that I had this privilege. Thanks, Jill, for 30 outstanding years behind that desk. Best wishes as you retire and spend more time with family and friends. - Bob Browning

mind, soul and spirit. Some of her planned activities include a silent retreat for reflection and writing, the study of child development and education at The Fred Rogers Institute, and learning about the arts and spirituality at Chatauqua Institute. Along with these study and educational opportunities, Becky will set aside time to spend with each member of her family, reconnecting and renewing relationships through shared activities and experiences.

We are certainly thankful for Becky’s wonderful ministry among us and excited about this well-deserved opportunity for her to experience a season of rest and renewal.

As our church employee handbook states, “Smoke Rise Baptist Church’s sabbatical policy supports lifelong learning and effectiveness of our full-time ministers in their lives and ministries." Sabbatical is granted for the purposes of study, renewal and growth that will directly benefit SRBC.

At Smoke Rise, we are familiar with the importance and value of sabbatical leaves, because we have seen the results of this season of renewal in the lives and ministries of other ministers. In the last few years, Dr. George, Rev. McNiel, and Danny Vancil have enjoyed meaningful and memorable sabbatical experiences, returning to us refreshed with a renewed passion for ministry among us. Becky’s sabbatical will include activities that feed the

Along with Becky, our committee and congregation feel a sense of anticipation and excitement about this important season for professional study, renewal and growth as well as personal time to rest, reflect and share with her family. - Colin Harris, chair of the Personnel Committee

Ministry Collaboratory for

YOUNG ADULTS

Beginning in September of last year, a group of young adults from Smoke Rise Baptist Church was put to a task through a grant from Princeton Seminary with the goal is of hosting a “pop-up” event, led by young people to reach out and build a community that we want to reach, but have not been able to find since before the pandemic. We, along with 18 other congregations from around the United States, worked for four months, planning events to bless our respective communities. Through this task, the Smoke Rise Young Adults have learned to stretch themselves and work together on an event that none of us could have developed alone. Recognizing that many in our young adult generation participate in a season termed in 2013 as “Dry January.” We played off the Dry January idea and created a sober Speakeasy event in the middle of downtown Tucker. It incorporated 1920s old games, a social experience inviting participants to seek out the “rival Speak Easy owner,” and a mocktail tutorial led by Ebby and Adam Arnold. It was a good time and a safe place for young adults from around metro Atlanta to participate and hopefully ease some of the loneliness young adults often feel.

SPRING

M O N DAY, A P R I L 2 2 6 : 30 PM Contact MaryLynn Manley to host a table. Tickets for this event will go on sale March 17th before and after worship.

OUR SPEAKER - SUSAN SPARKS Born and raised in North Carolina and pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City, Susan Sparks is a trial lawyer turned preacher, comedian, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, award-winning nationally syndicated columnist, and Harley-riding cowboy boot addict. Her time with us should be as entertaining as her description.

Baptist Freedoms

April 10- May 1 Wednesday at 6:00 PM Fellowship Hall

Racial Reconciliation Mondays at 7:00 PM Zoom Meeting

Support groups Grief Support Group

Neurodiversity Caregivers Group

This support group is for anyone who has lost a loved one, whether it was a recent loss or years ago. We meet one Sunday a month from 5:00-6:30 PM in room 223. The group is led by Adam Arnold and Jim Smith.

This new support group is for caregivers of family members with anxiey, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD and ASD. We meet one Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM in room 308.

Spring Dates: March 17 . April 21 . May 19

Spring Dates: March 26 . April 23

W i nt er R YOUTH The Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend was an opportunity for an amazing weekend conference with many of our Smoke Rise students. We gathered with students from 24 other CBF churches, rounding out to about 440 youth in all. Our students were able to worship with other teenagers from across the southeast as we listened to our very own Ruth Perkins Lee deliver four brilliant sermons. I’ve told several people that it was the best youth conference I have ever attended, and it was definitely the most fun! Our students bonded well with one another, and I was reminded of the care, consideration, and compassion our young people have for each other. They hold space for each other and will sit with one another in times of both darkness and light. We so often hear gloomy predictions for the future of the church. But I came away with renewed hope for the church moving forward. We have a bright future. -Hannah Vassar, Minister of Youth and Congregation Connection

R etreat s

KIDS Smoke Rise children attended the second Annual Georgia CBF Midwinter Retreat in January. The children bonded with one another as well as with other students throughout Georgia. From playing “gaga ball” and learning about our CBF mission partners, Carson and Laura Foushee, to a glow-in-the-dark movie night and worship, our kids had the opportunity to grow in their faith and perspective. The theme of the weekend focused on being the salt and light in God's world. They learned how these ideas are spoken of in the Bible and the ways these students can add flavor to the world. The weekend was a blessed one that will live with the students and the adults who joined them for many years to come. - Grace Staggs, Children's Ministry Intern

A CrossTie Devotional God of the Unlikely Hero

by Jonathan Bowers, Youth Ministry Support On a particular recent Sunday, as I was teaching the youth Sunday school group, we were talking about the story of Gideon as part of a series about how the Lord can choose the least likely individuals to carry out his plans. For those unfamiliar with the passage which can be found in Judges 6, Gideon was a weak boy, the son of Joash. He was threshing wheat in a winepress so the Midianites, an invading force, wouldn’t be able to find it. The angel of the Lord came to him in the middle of this task and told him that he must lead the charge to save Israel from Midian. Gideon replied, “Pardon me, my Lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:14). This statement really struck a chord with me as I remembered my feelings when Hannah asked me to start working with our youth back in August. I had felt the exact same way. Even though I felt I was the least likely person in my family to be working in this capacity, I accepted the charge. Now, I can honestly say I have loved this period in my life and am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity I’ve been given to get to know so many exceptional young people. In the beginning, I was nervous, feeling that I wouldn’t be good at the job or that the students wouldn’t like me; but I have felt warmly welcomed. Now, I have to ask, have you had a moment like this? I expect many of us have had moments in our lives where we have felt woefully underprepared for a task that we’re expected to complete. Even if we were the best person for the job, we just couldn’t see it because of the very human feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy. After testing God several times, Gideon eventually did what the Lord asked of him and the people of Israel were freed from the Midianites. God truly works in the most unexpected ways, and through people that would have never expected to do these spectacular things. Gideon is definitely not alone. David was the youngest in his family but was able to slay the greatest fighter with only a slingshot. Noah was an aging man who had a family and enough knowledge to build a boat. Jonah literally did everything in his power to run from his calling, and the Lord had to drag him kicking and screaming before he would do what he was asked. Throughout the Bible, there are stories of the least likely individuals doing amazing things. It’s a lesson that applies to all of us. We just need to keep our eyes open and notice what we can do when the time comes. Dear God of the unlikely hero, thank you for giving us all the chance to have a small part in your greater plans. Help us see opportunities as they arise and give us the courage to walk boldly with you. In your name, we pray, Amen.

Graduation Sunday Help us celebrate our seniors on May 19 Lauren Smith - I plan to attend the University of Georgia and double major in psychology and music therapy.

Skylar Shaffer - I will attend Georgia Gwinnett College to pursue a business degree with a focus on finance.

Children's Sunday May 5 | 11:00 a.m Worship Service

The Creativity of Christ

SMOKE RISE WEEKDAY SCHOOL

KIDS SUMMER

5th 1 s e g A grade Dates Monday-Thursday June 10-13* June 17-20 June 24-27 July 8-11 July 15-18 July 22- 25

CAMP Register

Cost

smokerisebaptist.org/srbws/

We have several payment options. $150 for 9:30-1:30 $200 for 9:30-3:30 or Daily rates $50 Extended care daily rate $20

Weekday

*June 10-13 is Vacation Bible School from 9am-12pm. There is no cost for kids ages 3 and up who are potty trained. 1's and 2's will be $75 for the week. Care for all children from 121:30 will be $50. From 12-3:30 will be $125.

limit ed s pots avai labl e!

Non-refundable $25 registration fee per child

School

Sibling discount 15%

The cost includes snacks and special activities.

Dear Smoke Rise,

We are excited to offer day camp for our preschool and elementary school students this summer! This is the first time we have tried something like this and we need your help! We want to be able to offer this as a way to provide additional income for our Weekday School teachers. It is something the Weekday School families have been asking for over a number of years! Many of our Weekday School families need childcare throughout the summer so they can continue to work to provide for their families. However, some are unable to cover the cost of camp. Would you consider sponsoring a child or family this summer? While we are grateful for any amount you are able to contribute, six weeks of camp for a single child costs around $2000.00. Gifts can be made online or in person, designated for Weekday School Summer Camp. Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to join us in serving our community! 20

With grateful hearts, Rashette and Rebekah

An Update from the Academy of Arts Junior Theatre Festival

Students from the Academy of Arts drama program enjoyed a weekend at the Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) sponsored by Playbill, Disney Musicals, and Music Theater International. JTF Atlanta is hosted at the Cobb Galleria each January and brings in over 6, 000 students from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and the USA. Drama troupes perform for adjudication, watch Broadway stars perform, and spend time in music, dance, and acting workshops. This is our fourth year participating in JTF Atlanta. Our team performed a 15-minute excerpt from Disney’s Aladdin for adjudication. One of the highlights this year was having our Aladdin, Jacob Kim invited to dance on the Big Stage with Broadway’s original Aladdin, Adam Jacobs! Three drama troupes prepared Aladdin for their adjudication and Adam Jacobs invited the three Aladdins to join him in a special dance before the entire festival! What a thrill for Jacob to be on the “big stage” with a Broadway star! Our troupe was honored to earn “Excellence in Music” and bring home another trophy to add to our collection! Way to go Smoke Rise! -Denise Burcham, Academy of Arts Director

Smoke Rise Academy student, Jacob Kim (far right) dances with Bradway star, Adam Jacobs, and “Aladdins” from other drama teams.

New Classes Have you ever dreamed of writing your memoir, a short story, poetry or even a novel? Now is your chance to join a writing workshop with Mrs. Victoria Crosby. The Academy is thrilled to have Mrs. Crosby join our staff! If you don’t already know her, Victoria writes for the Smoke Signal, Our Town Gwinnett / DeKalb, and presents poetry readings at Smoke Rise and other local venues. We are offering adult and children’s classes in creative writing. Contact the Academy office if you are interested in joining a daytime or an evening class. In addition to leading the writing classes, Victoria is teaching some of our young piano beginners. If you have a child or know someone who is looking for a teacher remember the Academy! Victoria enjoys teaching the young beginners and has endeared herself among some of our four-year-old pianists!

Connect and Engage at

Smoke Rise Baptist Church Spring Events March Dates 8-10 Family Mission Trip 14 Men's Prayer Lunch 17 Grief Support Group 23 Teacher Retreat 24 Connections 24 Palm Sunday 24 Pledge Sunday 26 Neurodiversity Caregivers Group 28 Maundy Thursday Service 29 Good Friday Meditation 30 Easter Party 31 Easter Sunday

April Dates 11 Men's Prayer Lunch 14 Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Concert 19 Youth Event at Altitude Trampoline Park 21 Grief Support Group 22 Ladies Spring Event 23 Neurodiversity Caregivers Group 28 Connections

May Dates

Weekly Schedule Sunday 9:00 am - Coffee and Donuts 9:45 am - Sunday school 11:00 am - Worship Service 5:00 pm - Children and Youth Activities Monday 10:30 am - Music and Missions Choir Wednesday 5:00 pm - Dinner 6:00 pm - Prayer and Journeys 6:00 pm - Youth and Children’s Activities 7:00 pm - Sanctuary Choir Sunday morning Sunday school zoom links and worship live stream are available at smokerisebaptist.org/streamingatsmokerise/. The Wednesday evening live stream can be found at smokerisebaptist.org/wednesdayevening-activities/

Weekly Communications

Sign up with mabner@smokerisebaptist.org for our Wednesday Preview and Sunday Preview emails to get access to quick links to all our online programing. Stay up to date with upcoming events with our weekly newsletter The Tie that Binds.

5 Children's Sunday 8 Yonder 9 Men's Prayer Lunch 19 Graduation Sunday 19 Grief Support Group 24-27 Youth Sing and Serve Atlanta 29 Children's Wonderful Wednesday

Lesson Archive Find our past sermons and Adult Bible Study lessons on our website. Sermons: smokerisebaptist.org/2024-sermon-archive/ Adult Bible Studies: smokerisebaptist.org/journeys/

We are off on another adventure! Save the dates for these upcoming trips brought to you by our Smoke Rise Travel Team.

An East Coast Road Trip

MAY 13-18

The highlights will include: Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Duke University Chapel in Durham, North Carolina

ECUMENICAL EXPERIENCES

Local Excursions

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart March 21 | 10 a.m. Tour The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annuciation April 18

Stay up to date with trip details at smokerisebaptist.org/travel/.

UGANDA

MISSION TRIP July 31-August 10 Cost: $2,500-$3,000 If you are interested contact, Wilson Echols at 404-771-5215

Address Correction Requested

Children and Youth

Summer Activities Sing and Serve Atlanta

Youth Choir | May 24 - May 27

Wonderful Wednesdays May 29 · June 26 · July 10 · July 31

Youth Passport Missions 6th-12th Grade | July 1-5 Berea, Kentucky Costs $275

at 6:00 PM

at smokerisebaptist.org/youth/

Vacation Bible School

PassportKids! Camp

June 10-13 | 9:00am-12:00pm

Registration opens April 2nd at smokerisebaptist.org/family/vbs/

3rd-5th Grade | July 14-17

Eatonton, Georgia Costs $250 Register by April 6th at smokerisebaptist.org/children/