The First Christian Church of Decatur is inviting the Decatur community to an open conversation about the unused gymnasium/community center that sits on the church property in order to gather ideas on how to revitalize it and make it a valuable asset for Decatur families. Two open sessions are scheduled; Wednesday, August 18th at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall and Saturday, August 21st at 10am. Here are more details from James, Senior Pastor at First Christian Church:
Dear Friends:
Greetings! I do hope this note finds you well.
You are invited to participate in an open conversation. The First Christian Church of Decatur is holding open conversations on both August 18, at 7:30PM in our Fellowship Hall, and again on Saturday, August 21 at 10AM in our Church and Community Park and Playground on Nelson Ferry Road.
This is an open conversation for both the church and the wider community to discern whether to formulate plans and collect resources to build a new community recreation center dedicated to promoting programs, which could then benefit the citizens of the Decatur community by providing excellent facilities and staff for neighborhood programs such as afterschool education and tutoring, health and wellness, sport and athletics, meeting rooms, language and cultural projects, mental health and spiritual wellness services, and so forth. Currently we have a gym facility we have chosen to close for a variety of reasons, which leads us to ask you and each other, “What can we do with our land to help meet specific needs in Decatur?”
There is a valid and practical precedent for such an open conversation and an expectant hope.
In 1998, First Christian Church of Decatur hosted an open meeting to ask our neighbors, “What do you think should be done with our land on Ponce and Nelson Ferry?” In 1999, residents of the Ponce De Leon Heights neighborhood joined hands with the members and friends of the First Christian Church of Decatur to revitalize 1.3 acres of church property with the goal of creating a church and community park. A Playground Task Force was formed, and its 5 members met monthly for close to ten years, producing a capital fund campaign, a terrific park, and one Decatur Home Town Hero — Mr. John Hashimoto. By 2003, we raised over $75,000 in donations, including a $5,000 grant from the Decatur Beer Festival circa 2000; $20,000 from city residents; and $50,000 from the membership of the church. The funds were pooled to plan, grade, build, and maintain a park and playground that is loved and used by an average of 200 families per week throughout the year. Somebody say, “Amen!”
Practicing hospitality is a central tenet of this congregation’s faith journey. For the Christian Church having an open door is not only an ecclesial policy, it is a way of being. Formed in 1921 and relocated from North Adams Street to downtown Decatur in 1950, First Christian Church of Decatur has a long and significant history of civic-minded ministry. We are delighted to open our doors “eight days a week” to host Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, local and federal Elections, music lessons and recitals, other churches, community organizations and local boards, a lawn for viewing fireworks, a park for playing and enjoying carnivals, and safe space for city-wide gatherings around spiritual and social concerns. We calculate that while our church has 100-125 worshipers on Sunday morning, we regularly welcome an average of 1,000 people per week in our facilities, including the church building and playground.
We built a gym in 1970 that was widely used by a variety of church and city groups for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, dances, aerobics, and roller skating. By 1997, the gym had fallen into disrepair for a variety of reasons, and is currently not in use. However, the congregation is ready to begin to raise the following question with our city’s citizens and one another: “What can we do with our land to help meet specific needs in Decatur?” Out of this open church and community conversation may emerge (1) the will and (2) the way to establish a new Church and Community Center to foster and build relationships, bodies, minds, and souls. Or, it may not! Come, listen and share and let’s discern together where the Spirit is leading us.
If you have any questions or concerns or suggestions, please contact me in person at the church, by phone at 404-378-3621, or by email at citykid4evr@gmail.com.
Shalom,James
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The Rev. Dr. James L. Brewer-Calvert
Senior Pastor
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
601 West Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, Georgia 30030
404-378-3621
Grab your mummy and dance if you dare at Leapin’ Lizards Third Annual Halloween Bash, featuring Dean Donut and his Monster Mash Dance Party.
As a special event boooo-nus, patrons may enter children in Leapin’ Lizards online Halloween costume contest. Just bring a small bag of canned goods or $5 to donate to the Atlanta Food Bank. For each donation, James Adam Hill Photography will photograph the child on Leapin’ Lizards spooky set. Children will be entered into an online costume contest and the winner will receive a free portrait session with James Adam Hill Photography and a gift from Leapin’ Lizards. One free 4×6 print per donation; additional photos may be purchased in packages.
