Sermon Video:

Rev. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II

Sunday, August 28, 2022 – Fall Kickoff

Gregory is the product of Atlanta. He is a proud alumnus of Frederick Douglass High School and on May 10, 1999, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University, where he was inducted into the Emory College Hall of Fame; the first black male bestowed with that honor. Gregory continued his educational journey at Princeton Theological Seminary as a Presidential Scholar where he received his Master of Divinity degree and Ph.D. in Pastoral Theology. Ten years after graduating, he returned to Emory to join the faculty of Candler School of Theology. He is currently an associate professor of pastoral care and counseling. In his second of teaching at Candler, Gregory was awarded Faculty Person of the Year (2010-2011). Three years later Gregory received the Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award, Emory University’s most prestigious faculty teaching honor. He is author of Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for African American Young Men and Fearless Dialogues: A New Movement for Justice, and is the editor of Anchored in the Current: Discovering Howard Thurman as Educator, Activist, Guide, and Prophet.

Dr. Ellison’s passionate perspective on justice, deep roots in the City of Atlanta, and forward thinking approach to local church ministry makes him powerful voice to kick-off our 175 Anniversary Celebration this Fall. Read his full bio HERE.

Sermon Video:

Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers

Sunday, September 4, 2022 – Dragon Con Weekend

Jasmine Rose Smothers loves to inspire.create.encourage. with the people of God. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves as Lead Pastor of the historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church in downtown Atlanta, GA. Pastor Jasmine is a sought after preacher, teacher, workshop leader, church consultant, leadership coach, Birkman Certified Consultant, author, community advocate, self-proclaimed technology geek, creative, and amateur shutterbug who is committed to transformational community ministry!

Pastor Jasmine is co-author of Not Safe For Church: Ten Commandments of Reaching New Generations and Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd-Century Church Movement.

Rev. Jasmine is a 2015-2016 Lewis Center for Church Leadership Community Fellow and a 2018 alum of LEAD Atlanta. In March 2017, Rev. Jasmine was inducted into Morehouse College’s prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Board of Preachers. Rev. Jasmine has been named one of the “12+ Preachers that the English Speaking World Needs Now” by Nevertheless She Preached.

Alongside Atlanta First UMC, Pastor Jasmine’s current focus is developing affordable and attainable housing in downtown Atlanta.

Please visit our STAFF PAGE to see Pastor Jasmine’s full bio.

Sermon Video:

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson

Sunday, September 11, 2022

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson is the resident episcopal leader of the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She was elected bishop by the 2016 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church and consecrated July 15, 2016. A Florida native, Bishop Haupert-Johnson (or “Bishop Sue”) is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.S. in Business Administration), University of Florida College of Law (J.D.), and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.). A proven leader, pastor, and counselor to many, her voice and presence during our 175 Celebration offers hope to the future of the church in Atlanta and beyond as we look FORWARD IN FAITH.

View Bishop Sue’s full bio HERE.

Sermon Video:

Gregory L. Fenves

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Our guest preacher on Sunday, Sept. 18 is Gregory L. Fenves. Fenves was named Emory University’s president in 2020. During his first two years, he has led the university through the challenges of a global pandemic by setting priorities and establishing policies to unite the community, bolster public health, and advance learning, teaching, research, and creative expression—all while charting a course for Emory’s future. He has also focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, launching a series of university initiatives aimed at strengthening Emory’s commitment to social justice. Considering three of Emory University’s past presidents were senior ministers of Atlanta First UMC (I. S. Hopkins served Emory 1884-1888 and First Church 1898-1897, Charles E. Dowman served Emory 1898-1902 and First Church 1905-1906, and James Edward Dickey served Emory 1902-1915 and First Church 1916-1920) President Fenves’ voice and presence in worship means a great deal to this 175 celebration. We honor our historic commitment to higher education and look FORWARD IN FAITH to continued nurturing of the next generation of Christian leaders in Atlanta and beyond.

View President Fenves’ full biography HERE.

Sermon Video:

Allison Ashe

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Allison Ashe is the CEO of one of Atlanta First’s historic community partners, Wellroot Family Services (formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home). Since coming to Wellroot in 2020, Allison and her team launched a prevention services division with evidenced-based programs designed to keep children out of foster care. Allison serves on the board of the United Methodist Association and the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Commission. Allison is also a member of the Leadership Atlanta class of 2017. Prior to coming to Wellroot, Allison led Covenant House for nine years. A person of faith, Allison holds a Master’s degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and has served in a number of chaplaincy roles. Allison gravitated to nonprofit service as a manifestation of her commitment to Christ. Allison is a member of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church and resides in Johns Creek with her husband Paul and three children; Sophia, Miles, and Scarlett.

View Allison’s full biography HERE.

Sermon Video:

Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers

Sunday, October 2, 2022 – World Communion Sunday

Jasmine Rose Smothers loves to inspire.create.encourage. with the people of God. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves as Lead Pastor of the historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church in downtown Atlanta, GA. Pastor Jasmine is a sought after preacher, teacher, workshop leader, church consultant, leadership coach, Birkman Certified Consultant, author, community advocate, self-proclaimed technology geek, creative, and amateur shutterbug who is committed to transformational community ministry!

Pastor Jasmine is co-author of Not Safe For Church: Ten Commandments of Reaching New Generations and Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd-Century Church Movement.

Rev. Jasmine is a 2015-2016 Lewis Center for Church Leadership Community Fellow and a 2018 alum of LEAD Atlanta. In March 2017, Rev. Jasmine was inducted into Morehouse College’s prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Board of Preachers. Rev. Jasmine has been named one of the “12+ Preachers that the English Speaking World Needs Now” by Nevertheless She Preached.

Alongside Atlanta First UMC, Pastor Jasmine’s current focus is developing affordable and attainable housing in downtown Atlanta.

Please visit our STAFF PAGE to see Pastor Jasmine’s full bio.

Sermon Video:

Judge Jane Barwick

Sunday, October 9, 2022 – Pride Sunday

Confirmed into the faith at 360 Peachtree Street, Jane Barwick is a long-time member of First United Methodist as well as active member of the Atlanta community. Jane received her undergraduate degree from the prestigious Wesleyan University and moved on to receive her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law, where she graduated in 1979. She went on to practiced for two of Atlanta’s most respected law firms—Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd & Cadenhead, and Swift, Currie, McGhee and Hiers for over 14 years. In 1995, Jane started her own firm concentrating in family law. For the next 6 years, Jane handled high asset, complicated property division cases for clients sent entirely by referrals. Largely because of a strong calling and because of her desire to work with families in a different setting, Jane closed her profitable practice and began attending Columbia Theological Seminary, where she eventually earned her Masters in Divinity in 2005. While attending Seminary, Jane began working part-time for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity conducting real estate closings. After graduation from Seminary, Jane worked full-time for Atlanta Habitat as its in-house counsel, handling all matters of legal representation for the organization. In 2015 Jane, was sworn in as a Judge for the Superior Court of Fulton County where she now presides. Jane is a member of the Stonewall Bar Association as well as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Emory University. Her wealth of experience and unique perspective in Atlanta in valued as she helps us look FORWARD IN FAITH on this PRIDE Sunday!

Read her full bio HERE.

Sermon Video:

Rev. Robert W. Lee

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Rev. Robert W. Lee is a pastor and public theologian living life in North Carolina. He’s a graduate of Appalachian State University and Duke University Divinity School. Rob’s activism has been featured on MTV’s Video Music Awards, ABC’s the View, and CNN Tonight with Don Lemon. Rev. Lee is a collateral descendent of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, in 2020 he testified before the United States Congress about the need to remove Confederate monuments from public lands. In 2021 he offered a prayer at the Inaugural Prayer Services for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Rob also regularly offers devotionals for the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden. He’s the author of four books, and has preached from such pulpits as the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Foundry UMC in Washington, Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, the American Cathedral in Paris, and Harvard’s Memorial Church. He’s married to Stephanie, and the dad to two amazing daughters. They all live in Statesville, North Carolina with their poodle Frank and golden doodle Maggie. He’s an avid autograph collector as well. Rev. Lee is a perfect voice to speak to learning from our past ties to the confederacy and segregation as a church, and moving FORWARD IN FAITH, in hope of justice, inclusion, and reconciliation in the future.

Sermon Video:

Dr. Helen Jin Kim

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Helen Jin Kim is an assistant professor of American religious history at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Kim studies US religion and history in a global context, focusing on US religious connections to Asia-Pacific, and transnational histories of Asian American religions. She is the author of Race for Revival (Oxford University Press, 2022), and co-author of Family Sacrifices (Oxford University Press, 2019). At Candler, she teaches courses such as History of Christianity in America, Women and Gender in American Religious History, Piety and Politics: Evangelicalism in America, and Pacific Crossings: Religion, Race and Encounter. In 2020, Kim was awarded the Provost’s Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education, and the On Eagle’s Wings Excellence in Teaching Award. Kim completed her MDiv and PhD at Harvard University, and her BA at Stanford University. Kim is a third generation Methodist, a double PK (pastor’s kid), and a member of the UMC Cal-Nevada Conference. At Atlanta First United Methodist, Kim serves as our grow Team Lead.

Read her full bio HERE.

Sermon Video:

Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers

Sunday, October 30, 2022 – Ceremonial Ground Breaking

Jasmine Rose Smothers loves to inspire.create.encourage. with the people of God. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and currently serves as Lead Pastor of the historic Atlanta First United Methodist Church in downtown Atlanta, GA. Pastor Jasmine is a sought after preacher, teacher, workshop leader, church consultant, leadership coach, Birkman Certified Consultant, author, community advocate, self-proclaimed technology geek, creative, and amateur shutterbug who is committed to transformational community ministry!

Pastor Jasmine is co-author of Not Safe For Church: Ten Commandments of Reaching New Generations and Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd-Century Church Movement.

Rev. Jasmine is a 2015-2016 Lewis Center for Church Leadership Community Fellow and a 2018 alum of LEAD Atlanta. In March 2017, Rev. Jasmine was inducted into Morehouse College’s prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Board of Preachers. Rev. Jasmine has been named one of the “12+ Preachers that the English Speaking World Needs Now” by Nevertheless She Preached.

Alongside Atlanta First UMC, Pastor Jasmine’s current focus is developing affordable and attainable housing in downtown Atlanta.

Please visit our STAFF PAGE to see Pastor Jasmine’s full bio.

T-shirts are available for order through Bonfire that celebrate our 175^th anniversary! The shirts are available in multiple styles, colors and sizes. Proceeds from the t-shirt purchases will go towards our Development Project fund. Show the world your love and support for your church with a shirt today!