We Exist to grow Together in Faith
God’s grace is a continual presence in our lives. Through studying the scriptures, prayer, and serving others, this grace will grow our love and understanding of God. We invite you to join our small group studies and Sunday school classes to help you grow in your own relationship with God.
Our adult Sunday School class is taught as a hybrid class at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. You may attend in person at the church or online via ZOOM.
Get Connected to grow: e-mail grow@atlantafirstumc.org for the ZOOM links, information on how to join a small group or attend Sunday School classes, and other learning opportunities. Click the image below to download a handy guide to choosing a study bible.
Study Bible Guide!
Click the image below to download a handy guide to choosing a study bible.
Sunday Morning grow Group Study for Advent:
The Light Is Coming
Sundays at 9 a.m. Eastern Time
For the season of Advent, the Sunday grow Group is taking a deeper dive into the scriptures and lessons of our worship series, The Light Is Coming – And Nothing Will Be the Same.
Join us for a journey together through a season of sacred waiting and holy disruption. Under the glow of candlelight, through ancient prophecy and fresh proclamation, we will prepare our hearts for the arrival of Christ—the Light who breaks into our world and changes everything! Each week, we’ll explore how God’s light brings Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love —not as sentimental ideas, but as powerful forces that reshape our lives, our relationships, and our communities.
The Sunday grow Group meets at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday mornings, in person at the church and online via ZOOM. All are welcome!
Click Here to Register (Optional)
Click Here to Join the ZOOM
Meeting ID: 817 7912 8812
Passcode: 0360
Phone: 301.715.8592
Tuesday Evening grow Group:
The Moral Teachings of Jesus
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Beginning January 13, 2025
Join the Tuesday grow Group this winter as we begin a new study based on David P. Gushee’s The Moral Teachings of Jesus. The growing movement of post-evangelicalism highlights an opportunity to elevate and center the moral teachings of Jesus. So many of those who identify as Christian intuitively know that their old version of faith is no longer working, and they feel a theological vacuum. In this study we will examine forty teachings of Jesus, drawn from all four New Testament Gospels, to clarify exactly what Jesus said about the moral life.
We will meet via ZOOM on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, beginning on January 13, 2026. Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers is the facilitator. Please register HERE to receive the ZOOM link. All are welcome to participate!
Wednesday Evening grow Group
Sacred Playlist
Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Back by popular demand, the Wednesday grow Group is once again spinning and rocking in a series called Sacred Playlist 2.0! Join in the fun as we discuss the Christian themes of favorite songs selected by group members. We listen to the songs together and discuss virtually on ZOOM every Wednesday night. Grab your Bible, a snack, and your ZOOM device, and let’s have fun growing together!
The Wednesday Evening grow Group meets online via ZOOM at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday evenings. You may register HERE to receive the study materials. The links for the song suggestions form and the ZOOM meeting are below. Let’s grow in musical discipleship with God together!
Thursday Morning grow Group
Companions in Christ – The Way of Prayer
Thursdays at 11 a.m. Eastern Time
Orientation – December 4
Classes Begin – January 15
This winter, the Thursday Morning grow Group will undertake a new study based on the book Companions in Christ – The Way of Prayer by Jane E. Vennard.
The Way of Prayer expands on our knowledge of prayer through a ten-week exploration of different forms of prayer practices. Through this exploration, small-group members embark on a journey of genuine discovery—the discovery of different dimensions of God’s grace and love. Prayer is explored through music, dance, gazing, silence, or acts of service. The Way of Prayer teaches us how to respond to God’s invitation into the divine Presence, and it brings a deeper sense of spiritual vitality and encouragement to seek out new ways to pray.
The Thursday grow Group will meet in-person at the church and online via ZOOM, Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. eastern time. Classes beginning on January 15. There is an orientation meeting on December 4 at 11 a.m. The class is led by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Rose-Tucker. Please register HERE if you wish to participate, to receive the ZOOM link. The study guide book is available for purchase from the church at a discounted price. Please contact Mary Jackson (mary@atlantafirstumc.org) to purchase one. All are welcome!
Book Club
Next Meeting: Monday, December 29
Love to read? Join our Book Club on the last Monday of every month to discuss some of the hottest reads in the last several years through the lens of faith. The group meets online via ZOOM.
For the month of December we are reading 107 Days by Kamala Harris. We will next meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 29.
Click Here to Join the ZOOM
Meeting ID: 872.7351.0270
Passcode: 666318
Phone: 301-715-8592
If you need help purchasing a copy of the book, have reading suggestions or any questions, please send an email to grow@atlantafirstumc.org.
Atlanta First UMC grow Survey
Atlanta First UMC is expanding our grow offerings for the coming year to include new long-term and short-term courses. This brief survey will help us gauge interest and shape our new slate of offerings for the 2026 year. Thanks for your interest and your help!
Children & Youth Ministries
We are aiming to relaunch our youth and children’s ministries, and we need your input! To better understand your family’s needs, we’ve created two surveys, one for youth and one for families with children. If this is you, please consider taking 2-3 minutes to fill out the surveys below! We cannot wait to start back as we support our families at Atlanta First UMC!
Atlanta First UMC Children’s Ministry Survey
Atlanta First UMC Youth Survey
Creating a Safe Sanctuary
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a child … welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and in the realm of God.
Jesus also said, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones … it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality and protection to the little ones, the children. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that “children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional and sexual exploitation and abuse.” (¶ 162C).
Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child sexual abuse, exploitation, and ritual abuse [“ritual abuse” refers to abusive acts committed as part of ceremonies or rites; ritual abusers are often related to cults, or pretend to be] occur in churches, large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural, and racial lines. It is real, and it appears to be increasing. Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation within churches. Virtually every congregation has among its members adult survivors of early sexual trauma.
Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved: the child, the family, the local church and its leaders. Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional, and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.
God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and ritual abuse. God calls us to create communities of faith where children and adults grow safe and strong.
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, we have a policy for the prevention of abuse at Atlanta First United Methodist Church and accompanying procedures to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth of all our children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Find a copy of that policy HERE.
This form is for unintentional acts which occur on church property or during church events and someone is hurt. For example: A child falls on the playground; an older adult slips on the floor; a tooth is knocked out during youth basketball.
This form is used when an action is observed that does not require reporting to DFCS, but does require attention by staff or clergy. For example: A Sunday School teacher “loses it” with a class; an adult “in charge” walks out of a classroom to get supplies and leaves children briefly unattended.
This form is used when a volunteer or staff person sees, has been told of, or suspects a child, youth or vulnerable adult has been abused in some way. For example: A youth confides abuse to a counselor; a child comes to Sunday School with bruising and injuries he can’t/won’t explain; a homebound visitor finds a senior adult without food in the house.
This Suspected Abuse Follow-Up Form is used to record additional steps taken by staff to address the Suspected Abuse.
A form to give permission to the church to use your image, or the image of someone you are the legal guardian of, in print, web, video, and all other media. Please fill out separate forms for all adults and children in a given household. Please email the completed pdf form to engage@atlantafirstumc.org.
A form for parents or guardians of children and youth to fill out with emergency contact and insurance information. Please email the completed pdf form to engage@atlantafirstumc.org.