Friday Focus
News you need for the week of
JANUARY 23, 2026
Summer Camps at DUMC!
All Summer Camp registrations (VBS/VBX, art, music, s.t.e.m., basketball, soccer, and performing arts) will open on Monday, February 2! Visit dunwoodyumc.org/summer for more info and to register.
Stay CONNECTED
Stay in the loop—subscribe below to get our Friday Focus
newsletter and other ministry updates delivered to your inbox each week.
Current Announcements
Ash Wednesday Service
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18. Solitary Imposition of ashes will be available in the Sanctuary from 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. We will also offer Ash Wednesday worship at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
Join Us for In-Person Worship
We'd love to see you at one of our worship services on Sunday: Chapel Communion at 8:30 a.m., Modern in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 a.m., and Traditional in the Sanctuary at 11:15 a.m.
Join Us for Online Worship
We offer distinct Modern and Traditional Worship Services online. On-demand streaming begins on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. for our Modern Service and 11:15 a.m. for our Traditional Service on YouTube and Facebook. You can also catch a pre-recorded version of each week's sermon on YouTube. We hope you'll tune in!
Sermon Podcast
If you prefer an audio version of the sermon for on-the-go listening, check out our podcast! You can listen online or subscribe from your podcast app of choice. Search "dunwoodyumc" to subscribe.
Register Your Attendance
Please register your service attendance online. There will be a code on the back of the bulletins and handouts to do this. If you've never used a QR Code before, don't worry...it's easy! Open the camera app on your device. Allow the camera to frame the code until a yellow link appears. Click the yellow box. Complete the form. Or, feel free to click HERE.
Wednesday Night Supper
Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:15 p.m. If you would like to register for Wednesday Night Supper, click HERE! This form is updated weekly. You also have the option of emailing Debbie Collins by phone 770-394-0675, Ext 111. Reservations are due by the end of day on the Monday before. Please do your best to adhere to this reservation deadline so there will be a meal prepared for you.
VEiL Exhibit and Meet & Greet
Visual arts Exhibitions in the Library invites you to enjoy selected works by Susan Anderson, on display in the Library now through the end of February. You are also invited to join her in the Library for an informal Meet & Greet on Sunday, February 1, following any of that morning's Worship services.
End of Year Statements
Check your mailboxes for the 2025 EOY giving statements. You should receive them sometime in the next week. If you prefer, you can access your giving online through DCB. Instructions can be found HERE. If you have any questions, please email Becca Lineberger.
Lay Members At-Large to the North Georgia Conference
The 2026 North Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will be held June 18–20, 2026, at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. Each district will send Youth, Young Adult, and Adult Lay Members at Large to serve and vote alongside clergy and local church representatives, maintaining equal lay and clergy representation. Adult and Young Adult Lay Members at Large may request a $300 expense stipend at on-site check-in. Youth delegates will receive hotel accommodations and meals, and will attend a Youth Delegation Summit in April for preparation. Applicants should be informed and engaged, as Lay Members play an important role in conference decision-making. Districts strive to form a diverse delegation based on age, gender, ethnicity, experience level, and church size. Applications must be submitted online by January 31, 2026: Adult Application and Youth Application (under 19 at time of conference).
The GBHEM Scholarship Portal Is Now Open
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) scholarship application portal is open for United Methodist students seeking scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study at colleges, universities, and seminaries, click HERE. In 2025, GBHEM awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students at over 600 schools worldwide. This financial aid helped students pursue their dreams to serve as the next generation of leaders. You may submit one application each year. The deadline to complete your application is Friday, March 6. Click HERE for more information about how to apply. APPLY NOW.
Stay Connected and Inspired
Sign up to receive resources, news, and uplifting content delivered straight to your inbox. Find encouragement for your daily life, and keep up with the latest happenings across the church through newsletters from United Methodist Communications. Choose to subscribe to one or all of our newsletters and let meaningful, relevant content come to you. Click HERE to learn more.
Serving with the DUMC Hospitality Trailer is a fun way to share the DUMC experience with our community! Sign up to be added to our list of volunteers who pull and set the trailer, who serve treats from the trailer, and/or who provide periodic maintenance to the interior and exterior of the trailer. This is a low-commitment opportunity, based on your availability, and tons of fun! Sign up HERE.
The DUMC Environmental Stewardship Committee (ESC) meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in room 242 at the church. The committee is involved in many recycling initiatives including Wednesday Night Supper, Modern Service donut box recycling, and Food Stock. We are also working on other sustainable projects with the church including solar, composting, and tree planting. All are welcome at our meetings. For more information, contact Ellen Sparks. You can view the tips for February HERE. Sign up HERE to subscribe to the monthly United Methodist Creation Justice Tips.
Are you or someone you know expecting a new baby? If so, please click HERE to fill out the New Baby form. Whether it’s a birth or an adoption, DUMC wants to celebrate the new babies joining our community! Our Knitting Group and United Women in Faith circles have joined forces to create a welcome pack for the newest members of our community and their families. Contact Rev. Garrett Wallace for more information.
Need a ride? We have a golf cart team that is happy to get you to and from the building on Sunday mornings. Look for the banners in the parking lot to see the path that the golf cart will drive. Just stand by your car and someone will be by to get you! Our golf cart is currently running three shifts: 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
DUMC Nametags
Anyone may place a name tag order HERE. All requested name tags may be picked up on the magnetic board behind the Parlor welcome desk. Feel free to leave your nametag on this board during the week for easy access on Sunday mornings. If you need a replacement nametag feel free to leave your current nametag at any of the welcome desks and we'll get it fixed
Prayer Concerns
Do you have prayer concerns that you would like to share with the church? Email them to our confidential email address HERE, and we will be praying for you.
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 / DART trips are scheduled for the 3rd week of every month (subject to change).
· Contact Ken Sexton at 678-523-3905 for details.
Lenten Small Groups
You could come back on Easter, but we’re here to offer some hope and fun before then. In the 40 days beforehand (a season we call Lent that starts on Wednesday, February 18) we’re creating over 50 new small groups (of 8-12 people) with the goal of building new friendships. You’ll meet once a week for 60 minutes (at the church, in people’s homes or coffee shops or on Zoom) to reflect on the sermons each week (you can listen online) and to serve once together. You choose the day/time/group demographic that work best for you. Visit dunwoodyumc.org/lsg to sign up. Maybe this is the new start you need in the New Year! Contact Pastor Eric with questions.
HALT: Tools for Managing Stress
HALT is an acronym for Hunger, Anger, Lonely, or Tired. These are 4 common stressors that may lead you to make poor decisions. Originally developed by addiction counselors as a way for people in recovery from substance use disorder to recognize their own personal triggers for relapse, this is a great tool for anyone who is trying to stay on track with goals or avoid unhealthy or destructive behaviors. Join us on February 4 and 11 at 7:00 p.m. to learn more about how to check in with yourself to see if you are vulnerable to making a poor decision or saying the wrong thing. A licensed professional counselor will help us learn how to come up with a plan for each of these triggers and how to manage them, how to tell if you are feeling one of the triggers, and what to do if you recognize the trigger before making a bad choice. These two sessions will be beneficial for people of all ages and stages. Wednesday evenings, February 4 and 11, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Asbury A. There is no book for this class. Register HERE.
The Importance of Georgia Native Plants
Please join us on Monday, February 9 for a special program on the importance of planting native plants, rather than invasives. Our guest speaker will be Michael Cowan with the Georgia Native Plant Society. We will gather at 7:00 p.m. in the Asbury room. Your garden and entire ecosystem will thank you! All are welcome. RSVP HERE.
Reset: How to Change What's Not Working
This New York Times Bestseller is a revolutionary guide to fixing what's not working—in systems and processes, organizations and companies, and even in our daily lives—by identifying leverage points and concentrating resources to achieve our goals. Changing how we work can feel overwhelming. Like trying to budge an enormous boulder. We're stifled by the gravity of the way we've always done things. And we spend so much time fighting fires—and fighting colleagues—that we lack the energy to shift direction. But with the right strategy, we can move the boulder. In Reset, Heath explores a framework for getting unstuck and making the changes that matter. The secret is to find "leverage points" or places where a little bit of effort can yield a disproportionate return. Then, we can thoughtfully rearrange our resources to push on those points. This class will be taught by four different "business leaders" within our DUMC Community. The book is optional and may be purchased through your preferred retailer. Wednesday evenings starting January 7 - 28, 2026, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Asbury Room. Click HERE to register.
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!
Reformation Tour 2026
Follow in the footsteps of the great Reformers—John Knox, John Calvin, and Martin Luther—on an immersive journey through Germany, Switzerland, and Strasbourg. This inspiring tour is led by Dr. Phil and Elizabeth Schroeder, along with the Revs. David Melton and Joy Melton, and takes place from August 31 to September 12, 2026. For the full itinerary, tour requirements and conditions, and to register, click HERE.
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.
A Deeper Shade of Blues
A Deeper Shade of Blues is a powerful one-man show written and performed by Joel P.E. King, blending storytelling, live music, spoken word, and movement. Through intimate vignettes, King explores memory, identity, fatherhood, mental health, and the complexities of Black masculinity, embodying multiple “shades” of blues along the way. Both deeply personal and universal, the work transforms pain into revelation and healing. Performance followed by a talk-back with the artist. Join us for a 60-minute program—free to attend with registration required. Appropriate for ages 13+. Saturday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Click HERE to register.
The Mountaintop
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall is a magical realist reimagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final night at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, April 3, 1968, following his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. When a bold, mysterious maid named Camae interrupts King’s solitude, their encounter becomes a revealing, often humorous conversation about fear, faith, legacy, and mortality. This blocked stage reading features Joel P. King as Dr. King and Joy Ducree Gregory as Camae, followed by a post-show talkback. Join us for a 90-minute program—free to attend with registration required. Appropriate for ages 13+. Friday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Click HERE to register.
Theater 1548 Presents: Clue
Clue is a fast-paced farce based on the classic board game and the cult-favorite film. Six mysterious guests are invited to a remote mansion, each hiding secrets and armed with suspicion. When their host turns up dead, the evening spirals into chaos as the guests race to uncover who committed the murder, where it happened, and with what weapon. Packed with sharp wit, physical comedy, surprise twists, and multiple suspects, Clue is a high-energy whodunit that keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal—proving that everyone has something to hide, and anyone could be the killer. Don't miss your chance to experience the thrill! Friday, March 13 – Saturday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m. Click HERE to purchase tickets and learn more.
Connected Community Carnival
We are excited to invite all of our Kings & Queens from Night to Shine back to DUMC on Wednesday, March 4, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. for a Connected Community Carnival! Join our Connected Crew (ages 14+) for an evening filled with games, food, a silent disco, and meaningful fellowship. Come learn more about our Special Needs Ministry and discover how you can get involved in this joyful and welcoming community. Register HERE. Many of volunteers will be needed for this event, click HERE to sign up! To learn more contact Connected.
Connected Sunday School
Join us for a small group Sunday school class focusing on life lessons and spiritual growth. To learn more contact Connected.
Connected Community Fellowship
Join us weekly on Wednesday evenings. We share a meal, participate in a social activity, and engage in fellowship. View our upcoming dates HERE. To learn more contact Connected.
Join us for a six-week study of Called by Susan Robb, starting Wednesday, January 7, 7:00 pm in Room 240/242. Explore how God calls ordinary people—like Abraham, Samuel, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Jonah, and the beloved disciple—to bring hope and transformation to the world. Please purchase the book and read Chapter 1 before our first session if possible. Get your book HERE. RSVP HERE.
Are you a reader and do you like to discuss books you've read with others? Then join us, the UWF Book Club. We meet every other month to read and discuss books that are part of the UWF reading program. Our next meeting is Monday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. in the library to discuss The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall & Douglas Abrams. There are one or two copies in the church library (depending on who has checked them out). If you have any questions please contact Angela Go at 404-783-0994 or incoming Book Club chair Amanda Masters.
Calling all moms! While the kids are in Wednesday night programming, take a moment for yourself. Learn and grow with other moms in one of our midweek meetups. Join us in Room 251 at 5:00 p.m. (look for the signs) for a casual, drop-in session of sharing and study. Contact Rev. Calissa Dauterman to learn more.
DUMC offers 8 Circles representing all ages and stages that meet monthly for fellowship, mission work, bible study, and devotions. For information, contact Donna Houseal, Membership Chair, at 404-247-4071, or visit dunwoodyumc.org/women to learn more.
Join us for the 3rd Annual DUMC Men’s Ministry Retreat, March 20–22, at the Tree Topper Lodge at Forrest Hills Resort in Dahlonega, GA. This small-group retreat offers a time of spiritual renewal as we explore scripture in fresh, interactive ways that deepen faith, clarify God’s purpose, and strengthen fellowship. “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things you have not known” (Jer. 33:3). Click HERE to register and learn more. For questions, contact Jim Labus at 404-217-1007.
Fore! Everyone loves Top Golf! Bring your kids, friends, and neighbors and join the 18 Steps to Spiritual wHoleness Golf Ministry for an evening of Top Golf fun on Sunday, February 22 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Your cost of $50 per man covers 2 hours of play and a buffet meal; kids 13 and under play and eat for free compliments of DUMC Men's Ministry. Register HERE.
The 18 Steps to Spiritual wHoleness group will be meeting Friday, February 13 at 7:00 a.m. for a full breakfast and study in the Epworth Room. Rev. David Melton will be discussing Matthew 4:1-11. RSVP by noon the preceding Thursday, and make sure you RSVP for invited friends, too. Please bring your loose change to donate to CAC through the Mission Ministries of the Church. Click HERE to register.
Habitat for Humanity is special! In the last 30 years, DUMC built 34 Habitat houses and helped 34 families elevate themselves from substandard housing. We're building our 35th Habitat House this February - March, and YOU can help make the dream of home ownership come true for another family! Please join us on Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall to hear Ryan Clark, Habitat for Humanity's Director of Partner Engagement, talk about how Habitat impacts lives and how you can be part of this ministry! This event is open to everyone. Plus, we'll have a full southern breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, OJ, grits, and all the fixins! Click HERE to RSVP.
Men: Are you hungry for spiritual growth? BEST MAN Bible Fellowship starts with hot coffee, breakfast, and fellowship at 6:45am in the Fellowship Hall followed by an in-depth scripture lesson from 7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. and guided small group discussion from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. We end promptly at 8am so you can get on with your day. Led by our pastors, we encourage each other to prioritize JOY in our lives - Jesus, Others, Yourself! No registration or RSVP needed. Don't miss a Tuesday due to travel or absence; join via Zoom HERE: Meeting ID: 840 8951 4181 Passcode: 668875. Take a step this Tuesday to become your BEST MAN!
Playtime is DUMC Nursery’s weekday drop-in childcare program for children ages 6 months to 5 years, open to church and community families. Available Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. during the school year, Playtime offers a safe, loving, and fun environment with indoor and outdoor play. It also complements the DUMC Preschool schedule, with early drop-off options available. Learn more by clicking HERE or email Meredith Dunn.
The Nursery's Playtime program offers care for children aged six months through five years. If you are interested in using Playtime to help with your weekday childcare needs, please contact Meredith Dunn.
All VBS/VBX registrations will open on Monday, February 2! Visit dunwoodykids.org to sign up on Monday, February 2!
Club 45 Evenings offers 4th and 5th graders a monthly meeting aimed solely at their age group. We’ll use the monthly Kid’s theme used in all other programming for the month, but delivered in a single worship service. In addition, the kids will fellowship across a meal and participate in interactive activities aimed at digging deeper into the lesson and building community. Club 45 meetings are 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 1 at the Kids Suite downstairs near the gym. Please walk your child in to drop them off, and walk in for pickup at 6:30 p.m. RSVP HERE to help with food orders.
Wonderfully Made
Wonderfully Made is a course about the human body guided by a certified facilitator. It is open to 4th and 5th graders. This course goes beyond the basic school physical education and handles it from a spiritual perspective with an emphasis on bodies being wonderful creations of God. Join us, Friday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Parent Orientation) and Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Kids Session); 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Parents and Kids summary. If you’d like to preview the curriculum, contact Tambryn Freund. Register HERE.
Morning Blend is our version of Sunday School. We have a light breakfast and a lesson. Each week is a little bit different - from local missions projects, to worship experiences, to games days. It’s an awesome time to be with your friends while learning more about Jesus. Sunday Morning (Year-Round) 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. | Youth Lounge | 6th-12th Grade
DUMC is the place to be on Sunday Nights! Our Worship night is filled with engaging games, dynamic speakers, a live worship band, and some of your favorite small group leaders. Plus, there is FOOD! Sunday Night (August - April) 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Youth Lounge, Gym & Fellowship Hall 6th - 12th Grade.
New Friends
New Friends is a group of widows and widowers who enjoy lunch out together once a month. Please join New Friends (Widowed) as they dine out at The Hungry Peach, 5533 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta on Monday, February 9 at 11:30 a.m. for fun and fellowship. Please RSVP by Saturday, February 7 with Betty Moreland at 770-641-8519.
Pryme Tyme Movie
Do you remember the story of The Princess Bride? A young farmhand, thrust into a fairytale adventure, must rescue his beloved from a scheming prince and his formidable foes. Their journey through the whimsical land of Florin is fraught with danger, encompassing perilous landscapes, giant rodents, and miraculous escapes. Along the way, they encounter quirky characters and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, all the while rekindling their love and challenging the forces of darkness. The movie stars Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, and Cary Elwes. There is no charge to attend and no need to register, just come and enjoy! Thursday, February 19, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Young Adult Suite.
Creating the environment to Listen and Hear the voice of God through active and enjoyable experiences in nature. Please join us as we get outside to hike, kayak, fly fish, bird watch (and more) as we explore God’s creation together. Each activity in which we participate brings new people. You are welcome regardless of outdoor experience or where you are on your faith journey. To get on the mailing list, please contact Jim Labus.
Interested in Communicating Your Event or small group?
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.