Friday Focus
News you need for the week of
AUGUST 29, 2025
Stock the Shelves at the CAC
Dunwoody UMC is the congregation of the month at CAC, so let's help them stock their shelves! Grab a food list and red bag after worship, or click HERE to help make sure nobody goes without food in our community!
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Current Announcements
Wednesday Night Supper
Join us for Wednesday Night Supper! Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:15 p.m. If you would like to register for WNS, please click HERE. You also have the option of emailing Debbie Collins or calling at 770-394-0675, ext 111. Reservations are due by the end of day on Monday. Please do your best to adhere to this reservation deadline so there will be a meal prepared for you. The cost for Wednesday Night Supper is $10 for an adult meal, $5 for a child meal (3-11 years). Children under 3 years eat for free.
VEiL Meet & Greet
VEiL invites you to enjoy "Whittling" a selection of carvings by Jim Labus on display in the Library from now until the end of October. We hope you will also join him there following any of the worship services on Sunday, September 7, for an informal Meet & Greet.
Religious Hate is Spreading - An Urgent Call to Action
Religious hate is on the rise, as seen in recent news reports and troubling videos. Now is the time for the Atlanta community to come together and stand against it. Your involvement is crucial. Sunday, September 7, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Atlanta. Why Attend?
Every congregation in the Atlanta region has the responsibility and potential to build interfaith relationships. This program will provide concrete guidance on how to make that happen. Get Involved. We strongly encourage you to attend—and to invite friends from any Atlanta-area synagogue or church. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Click HERE to register and learn more.
Tour The Doves of Peachtree Road UMC
Join other adults for a tour of The Doves of Peachtree Road UMC on Thursday, September 11. Described as "a breathtaking installation of origami doves ascending through the sacred space of our sanctuary - inspiring peace, hope, and wonder," the doves are located in the sanctuary of Peachtree Rd UMC. You can view images and learn more HERE. We will leave the church parking lot at 10:30 a.m., stopping for lunch at The Bucket Shop on Lenox Rd at 11:00 a.m. and arriving for our 1:00 p.m. docent-led tour of The Doves. No cost to attend, the only cost will be for your lunch. For more information, contact Rev. Kathy Brockman by email or by calling the church office. Please RSVP HERE so we know how many to expect at lunch and on the tour.
New Member Dinner
DUMC's Hospitality Ministry invites all new members who joined in 2024 to attend a New Member Dinner and conversation with the pastors on Wednesday, September 10, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Children are welcome to participate in Wednesday night activities. Email Hospitality to let us know you’re coming!
Get Involved
This 1-hour session allows participants to learn about different ways to get involved within the life of Dunwoody United Methodist Church, as well as meet others who are new to the church. Sessions are guided by participants' interests, and therefore each session is different. We will meet in Conference Room B at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28. Come learn of the many ways you can get involved at Dunwoody UMC! Email Hospitality to let us know you’re coming!
This September, DUMC is working to stock the shelves for the Community Assistance Center - one of our mission partners that works to provide basic needs assistance to prevent homelessness and hunger in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. Click HERE for a list of most needed items, and bring them to the donation bins here at DUMC - or directly to the CAC!
Step into the spotlight! Join our congregational partner, Community Assistance Center, for a dazzling evening under the Broadway lights at their annual benefit gala. Enjoy a seated three-course dinner, drinks, live entertainment by the City Springs Theatre Conservatory, and exciting silent and live auctions — all in support of CAC’s mission to help local families stay housed, fed, and financially stable. Saturday, September 20, Crowne Plaza Perimeter Atlanta at Ravinia 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta. Click HERE to get your tickets today.
BPBMA has a mission to provide weekend meals to food-insecure children in the Metro Atlanta area to enhance their mental and physical health. Dunwoody UMC is supporting that mission as a Community Buddy. Each week DUMC will have volunteers pick up nonperishable food from the BPBMA warehouse here in Dunwoody. The food is delivered to DUMC and packed by volunteers to be taken to area elementary schools for students to take home for the weekend so that they have food to replace the meals they would receive at school during the week. You can register here to participate in Backpack Buddies. There are three different opportunities: picking up food and delivering it to DUMC for packing, packing meals (approximately 35 meals), or delivering packed meals to Dunwoody Elementary. There are specific times for some jobs and others have some flexibility. Contact Bo Lane for details.
Volunteer with Hightower Homework Club at Crossroads Church (4805 Tilly Mill Rd.) from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday during the school year. There are classrooms and plenty of room for the kids to play outside. Children, from kindergarten to 5th grade, receive instruction and homework help from qualified teachers. Volunteers are needed to assist the teachers, give individual homework help as well as provide playground supervision. Volunteers are welcome to make their own hours. If interested contact Rich Reynell or click HERE for more information or to start the process for volunteering.
Upcoming Disaster Response Training & Deployments
If you would like to be informed of upcoming domestic disaster relief trips and training, please visit dunwoodyumc.org/missions to be added to the D.A.R.T. Disaster Assistance Response Team Group. As opportunities arise, you will be alerted via email from the Group Leader. Please see the following upcoming opportunities.
· DARE trips are scheduled for the 3rd week of every month
· Contact Leonard Scarboro at 706-340-2221 for details.
Adult Children of Aging Parents (ACAP) North Atlanta
ACAP North Atlanta offers in-person programs on the second Tuesday of the month. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and presentations begin at 5:30 p.m. Attending our monthly programs is absolutely free! Join us for our next program on Tuesday, September 9 - My loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. What do I do? Click HERE to learn more and RSVP to our upcoming program.
Mom's Group for Littles
Are you a mom with a little one in Kindergarten or younger? Come join our community of moms as we share experiences, offer support, learn, and build friendships as we discuss the challenges and joys of motherhood. We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Young Adult Suite w/ occasional off-site meetings. Nursery is available for 6+ months beginning in September contact Meredith Dunn. To learn more contact Rev. Grace Guyton.
Sunday School Options
We all need people who help encourage us to be more like Jesus. At DUMC one of the best places to find your people, is in a Sunday School class from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. We have 18 offerings that span every season of life and concurrent offerings for kids and youth. Click HERE to see a full list of options or stop by a Welcome Center on Sunday morning. You can visit a different class every week if you want, and we promise your people are here!
Disciple II w/ Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger (Online)
Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. Starting Tuesdays, August 26, 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m., Online. This class is currently full.
Disciple II w/ Rev. David Melton, Bob Mathews and Joy Gregory
Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. Starting Wednesdays, September 3, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Wesley Room. Click HERE to sign up!
Jesus in the Gospels w/ Elizabeth Schroeder and Beth Hall
Study Manual content illuminates some aspect of the Jesus in the Gospels each week and connects Scripture to daily life and Jesus’ call to discipleship. Starting Wednesdays, September 3, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Room 244/246. Click HERE to sign up!
Jesus in the Gospels w/ Rev. Kathy Brockman and Megan Cann
Study Manual content illuminates some aspect of the Jesus in the Gospels each week and connects Scripture to daily life and Jesus’ call to discipleship. Starting Wednesdays, September 3, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Room 255/257. This class is currently full.
Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It
Wesley's message and his faith continue to speak to 21st-century Christians—calling for a revival of our hearts and souls so that our world might be changed. Join Adam Hamilton for a six-week journey as he travels to England, following the life of John Wesley and exploring his defining characteristics of a Wesleyan Christian. Wesley's story is our story. It defines our faith, and it challenges us to rediscover our spiritual passion. Led by Jody Wirtz, Robert Stovall, and Rev. David Melton. Cost is $15 for the book or you may purchase separately. Starting Wednesdays, September 3, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Room 242/244. Click HERE to sign up!
A Path to God: The Enneagram as Spiritual Practice
The Enneagram is growing in popularity as a personality typing tool, but it is so much more! The Enneagram is a valuable tool for spiritual formation. Learning our Enneagram type can help us identify specific ways in which we are invited to share God's love with the world, the patterns that hinder our ability to do so, and the spiritual practices that help us refocus on God and our true calling. Join us as we explore this fascinating tool. Kristen E. Vincent is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of five books on spiritual formation. She is a Certified Narrative Enneagram Practitioner with extensive experience writing and teaching about the Enneagram. Kristen has a Master of Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School, is a graduate of the Academy for Spiritual Formation, and is currently studying at the Haden Institute. Kristen lives with her husband, Max, a United Methodist pastor, and their child, Matthew. Starting Wednesdays, September 3, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Asbury Room. Led by Kristen Vincent. Click HERE to sign up!
Women’s Study: Short Stories by Jesus
Dive into the parables of Jesus with DUMC’s Women’s Ministry! Join Rev. Calissa Dauterman for a study of Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine, held from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Thursdays September 4 - October 9. This 6-week study brings modern relevance to the parables by helping us understand their original context and how Jesus’ first followers would have heard them. Purchase study materials HERE. Starting Thursdays, September 4, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Room 255/257. Led by Rev. Calissa Dauterman. Click HERE to sign up!
Resident Disciple w/ Rev. Garrett Wallace
As Christians we are called to pattern our lives after Jesus. To go out in the world and bring healing where there is brokenness and hope where there is despair. It can be hard to know how to do that in a world filled with so many issues. In this 12-week course we will learn about different areas of ministry (inside the church walls & in the community) then put what we’ve learned into practice. If you’ve taken Disciple I and are ready to take the next step in your discipleship journey, consider being a Resident Disciple. Starting Sundays, September 7, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Conference Room B.. Click HERE to learn more!
Disciple II Fast Track Into the Word Into the World (Men Only)
Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. A 24-week study, not including breaks for holidays, led by Pat Morgan. Classes meet for a total of 24-weeks, studying Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts for 12 sessions each. Daily preparation is manageable, with 3-5 chapters of the Bible to read each day. Starting Monday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Thomas Coke Room. Click HERE to register.
Disciple I Fast Track w/ Rev. Garrett Wallace
Disciple I Fast Track, is an adaptation of the original, Disciple Bible Study. This study provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track is a 24-week study with 12 weeks each in the Old Testament and New Testaments. Starting Wednesdays, September 10, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Parlor. Click HERE to sign up!
Fall Musikgarten Classes
The Dunwoody UMC Music Department is excited to offer baby music classes for caregivers and babies, newborn up to 18 months. This ministry is designed to provide dedicated time each week to have fun making music while bonding with your child. We will be using the well-known Musikgarten curriculum. Classes are offered at the church on Tuesdays from 9:15-9:45, September 9 - December 3. Cost: $145 first child,(cost includes family materials) and $100 for an additional child. Click HERE to register. Questions, please contact Nicole Norgaard.
DUMC Choirs
The music ministry of Dunwoody UMC is excited to kick off another great season. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you might participate in and support the musical life of this church. We have choirs for all ages, from 3 to 93 and beyond; handbell choirs for 3rd graders through adults; opportunities for instrumentalists in a variety of styles and capacities, and more. We invite you to click HERE to get more information about our opportunities, and to be connected with someone who can tell you more. Also be sure to check out dunwoodyumc.org/music for updated concert and performance information, as well as more information on how you can serve.
Shrek the Musical
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure full of laughter, heart, and high-energy fun! Shrek the Musical brings your favorite characters from the beloved DreamWorks film to life in a colorful, magical stage production that's perfect for the whole family. Join Shrek, a grumpy yet lovable ogre, as he embarks on a quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona—only to discover that true love and friendship can be found in the most unexpected places. With a hilarious script, dazzling costumes, and a catchy, crowd-pleasing score, this show is a celebration of individuality, acceptance, and the joy of being yourself. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic—grab your tickets now and step into the swamp for a show that’s ogre-the-top fun! Thursday, 9/25 – Saturday, 9/27 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 9/28 at 2:00 p.m. Click HERE to purchase tickets and learn more. Sponsorship opportunities are available, click HERE to learn more.
Dive into the parables of Jesus with DUMC’s Women’s Ministry! Join Rev. Calissa Dauterman for with a study of Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine, held from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Thursdays September 4 - October 9. This 6-week study brings modern relevance to the parables by helping us understand their original context and how Jesus’ first followers would have heard them. Purchase study materials HERE. Starting Thursdays, September 4, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Room 255/257. Led by Rev. Calissa Dauterman. Click HERE to sign up!
Join us for an 8-week Bible study on Deborah, part of the Epic of Eden series, beginning Wednesday, September 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wesley Room. This study explores one of Israel’s most unlikely leaders—prophet, wife, mother, priest, and judge—who brought order from chaos in a dark era of Israel’s history. Through archaeology, history, and scripture, discover Deborah’s pivotal story and reflect on where God may be calling you to step out in faith today. Click HERE to RSVP and learn more.
Disciple II Fast Track Into the Word Into the World (Men Only)
Into the Word helps readers deepen their understanding of Scripture and make connections between what they already know and what they are reading. Each week you will encounter three spiritual disciplines, learn what they are, and how you can engage those disciplines. A 24-week study, not including breaks for holidays, led by Pat Morgan. Classes meet for a total of 24-weeks, studying Genesis-Exodus and Luke-Acts for 12 sessions each. Daily preparation is manageable, with 3-5 chapters of the Bible to read each day. Starting Monday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Thomas Coke Room. Click HERE to register.
Interested in Communicating Your Event?
Start by submitting a communications request form. This will give us a written record and start the conversation. Need something else? Not sure what you need? We’ll talk through it with you and do our best to help. Reach out to Communications with additional questions.