The Big Tent
Friday, June 12
Dinner
Friday evening, peacemakers gathered for a simple meal at Atlanta's North Avenue Presbyterian Church, sponsored by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and hosted by the Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. The church’s food service ministry provided the meal. Proceeds benefited peacemaking ministries of the church and the presbytery. As the peacemakers enjoyed the dinner, amazing stories of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ were shared.
Jeff Meyers told of North Avenue’s weekly Men’s Community Bible Study. Participants in the study include homeless men and college students. Grace abounds as the love of Christ is shared and new understandings and relationships are formed.
The Rev. Dr. Scott Weimer, senior pastor at North Avenue, spoke about Street GRACE (Galvanizing Resources Against Child Exploitation) is a non-denominational alliance of churches dedicated to ending the commercial sexual exploitation of children. North Avenue leaders played a key role in creating this ministry which could serve as a model for other communities.
The Rev. Dr. Betsy Lunz spoke about The Open Door Community’s ministry to build relationships with and support of some of the most neglected and outcast of God’s children: the homeless and our sisters and brothers who are in prison. The Open Door also seeks to dismantle racism, sexism and heterosexism, abolish the death penalty, and proclaim the Beloved Community. The Peacemaking Committee of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta is among the partners of The Open Door.
Refreshed and inspired, the peacemakers returned to the Hyatt where the Big Tent continued.