The Diocese of Atlanta

The Chattahoochee Convocation from our Diocese leads us through devotions before the cross, as we consider the final words of Jesus on Good Friday. Watch here: https://episcopalatlanta.org//the-seven-last-words-devoti/

Crucifixion Crucifixion ain’t no fiction, said a 90’s rap group. As followers of Jesus, we agree. The Crucifixion of a man named Jesus from Nazareth is a historical fact. It was the public lynching of a man who stood at the intersection of politics and religion and spoke of God and neighbor. For his words and his work, a politician ordered his destruction to appease the faith community. This grotesque spectacle climaxed on a garbage dump outside the city walls while his mo...ther watched. No fiction. It would be awful enough if that was the only time Jesus was crucified but it wasn’t Crucifixion continues. Like Judas, we betray for silver. Like Peter, we publicly deny his friendship. His love makes a lonely walk right in front of us. Unlike Simon of Cyrene, we see but don’t join. We pierce his side with our arrogance. We shrink his idea of neighborliness. We disfigure his vision of generosity to satisfy our greed. We long to sit at the tables he would have flipped over. All are guilty. None are innocent. Crucifixion wasn’t our once and past deed, crucifixion is our relationship to Jesus now! If there is any hope for us and for the world, it is to see the hope revealed through the horror; to see our reflection in the mirror of this Good Friday and finally decide to live. Listen to conversations focused on the intersection of life and faith in Bishop’s podcast, For People: https://buff.ly/2Nfy8L6

Camp Mikell is excited to announce that they will be able to offer a summer program this year. Just like every summer, the safety of the campers, counselors, and staff is the first priority. Camp registration is open. There is limited capacity, registration is first come first serve. Register here: https://buff.ly/3uDKxIF

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry’s Easter 2021 message. Watch below.

For People with Bishop Rob Wright celebrates its 50th episode with special guest Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. Join us for an engaging conversation about Easter, its impact in the real world, and what it all means as followers of Jesus and people of a world more divided than ever before. This is part of a special 2-part release. Part 1 is now available, and part 2 will premiere next Friday, April 16. ... Listen now: https://buff.ly/323RuGw.

Coordinates The first thing Jesus does when he’s raised from the dead, is find his friends behind locked doors in fear and offer Peace. Peace, not the absence of hardship, but the presence of liberation. He shows his wounds to his friends. What a defiant act. He bears no shame because of his wounds. He’s liberated, so his wounds are a part of who he is, not all of who he is. And then just like Harriett Tubman, the liberated Jesus shares the coordinates to freedom with his friends. As I have been sent, I now send you. Peace isn’t relaxing on a chaise lounge safe from the world's bite; peace is the presence of purpose. Peace is being liberated from purposelessness. Peace is partnership with Spirit. Fear, wounds and a lack of purpose each can capture and kill, but Jesus comes with his way, truth and life to make us free. John 20:19-31

Have you watched all 5 videos? Check out the 5 Lenten Questions video series with @revrobwpage. Each video covers questions about faith, community, joy, and more. We hope this season of Lent you have had the opportunity to reset and begin again with God. Watch the video series here: https://buff.ly/3qYm7by

The new Youth in Leadership interview series premieres tonight, March 31, at 7:30 PM. These interviews will feature youth who have stepped up in evident ways in their call to embody Jesus’ work: to lead with love - especially during the pandemic. The first episode will feature Arianna Cantillo, Digital Media Intern of Episcopal Youth Community of the Diocese of Atlanta - eycdioatl with Bailey Toms, a high school senior and parishioner of St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Dunwoody, GA, for a conversation on leadership. Watch the premiere here: https://buff.ly/2QWm5nm

For People’s 50th episode will feature special guest Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. Tune in tomorrow, April 9, for this momentous edition. For People is available across most audio platforms and at https://buff.ly/39FrlPX

In recent days there have been big changes to the voting laws in Georgia. In this special edition of For People, Bishop Rob Wright is joined by Georgia State Senator Kim Jackson, who is also an Episcopal Priest in the Diocese of Atlanta. They discuss Georgia’s new laws and how they will impact access to voting. Listen to the discussion here: https://buff.ly/3sBq4DS

In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful. Alice Walker

We are Easter people resurrection people, we must remember the suffering of Good Friday. The darkness. On that day and in how we choose to live our lives today. In last week’s episode of For People, Bishop Rob Wright discussed why Jesus' crucifixion is relevant today, why it is easy to forget about the cross, and what Good Friday tells us to do as people of faith. Listen here: https://buff.ly/3uslVlY

This Thursday at 7 PM the The Cathedral Book Store's Conversations With Our Priests will feature Rev. Ed Bacon, Interim Rector at St. Luke's Episcopal Church - Atlanta, GA and the Rev. Dr. Theophus ‘Thee’ Smith, Priest Associate at The Cathedral of St. Philip and Associate Professor of Dept. of Religion at Emory University to discuss Beloved Community, loyalty, betrayal, and atonement. Learn more: https://buff.ly/3lnkl0L

We take this day, Veterans Day Nov 11, to honor those who have served our country and thank them for their service. Find resources for supporting military members & families on our Community Engagement page here: https://buff.ly/3eRA1ag

What is it about being a follower of Jesus that lends some to study the bible for their own agenda and others to imagine multiple frameworks? In last week’s episode of For People Bishop Rob Wright was joined by the Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary for a discussion on how we use our imagination when we read the bible. Listen here: https://buff.ly/3n7WYZr

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the virtual choir worship video that will premiere at our Diocese's Annual Council. Submissions are due ASAP. All are welcome to participate regardless of your church affiliation, location, or age. Learn more and submit your video here: https://buff.ly/2TGZ6Lb

Share your news, stories, and virtual events with us. If you have something that you would like to share across the Diocese, please submit information here: https://buff.ly/38GZ5xm

We’re still looking for people to join the virtual choir worship video that will premiere at our Diocese's Annual Council. All are welcome to participate regardless of your church affiliation, location, or age. Submissions are due soon. Learn more and submit your video here: https://buff.ly/2TGZ6Lb

In this episode of For People, Bishop Rob Wright is joined by special guest Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary. They discuss imagination in the bible and the wonder we encounter when we open ourselves up to imagining the bible in a non-linear fashion. Listen here: https://buff.ly/3eubGqI

Choose By the time you read this, our Country will have chosen a Presidentmaybe. It’s a sacred responsibility to be able to participate in making a choice like that. In choosing we give voice to our values, our priorities, and our allegiances. In choosing we commit our energies and aptitudes. It’s no wonder then that Joshua, Moses’ successor, gathered the tribes of Israel and asked them to make a choice. Choose this day," he said, whom you will serve. He went further th...an that, he said, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. His general invitation and his personal declaration were not arbitrarily arrived at. He made his choice based on the character of God and what God had done. His choice factored in God’s faithfulness to his ancestors when they were oppressed and later immigrants. He made his choice based on the fact that God had provided for and protected his people. What Joshua was certain of is that his fledgling nation would utterly fail if it chose to be out of alignment with Almighty God. Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 https://buff.ly/3gXsVRS See more

Advent begins soon, Nov 29, and although this year will be different, we are still looking forward to honoring this season. Episcopal Relief & Development has activities, prayers, and other resources to help you celebrate Advent this year. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/353CiMe

This Friday, For People welcomes special guest Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary for a discussion with Bishop Rob Wright about imagination in the bible and the wonder we encounter when we open ourselves up to imagining the bible in a non-linear fashion. Listen in this Friday: https://buff.ly/39FrlP

Rev. Kim Jackson, Vicar of the Church of the Common Ground, and other faith leaders have been encouraging members of the homeless community to get excited about voting in this year’s election. Rev. Jackson wants to remind this community Your voice matters and you have a right to advocate for yourselves. Read more here: https://buff.ly/3jR5vhz

Webster's dictionary refers to a zombie as, "someone who appears to be lifeless and unresponsive to their surroundings." Strangely enough, you don't have to look far to see people claiming their love for Jesus in one breath and then speak with malice towards the other loudly in the next. In this week’s episode of For People Bishop Rob Wright talks about understanding when we have a Zombie moment, and choosing the teachings of Jesus in loving neighbors. Listen here: https://buff.ly/3mLCe9F

Prayers for the sick. We invite you to pray with us for those that have died from COVID-19 on this All Souls Day.

Join us today, Nov 1, at 4 PM EST for Holding on to Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry will give a sermon and you will see some familiar faces from The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and Imagine Church. Watch here:https://buff.ly/37II1sx