Friday Focus
News you need for the week of
September 19, 2025
Ladies Night Out, Y'all!
Ladies, please join us on Monday, October 6, at 6:00 p.m. for Ladies Night Out, Y'all - an evening of music, food and fellowship. See old friends, make new ones, and hear author, columnist and keynote speaker, Katie Hart Smith, share her reflections on faith, family, community and the way that storytelling can create a lasting impact. Click the button below 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
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 by 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.
Wellroot: Amazing Grace Offering
DUMC will receive the Amazing Grace offering for Wellroot Family Services this Sunday, September 21. Saying "yes" to a gift to the Amazing Grace Offering enables Wellroot to expand family support programs, equip foster families to meet the needs of the children they care for, and support and house young adults transitioning out of foster care on their journey to adulthood. 100% of your gift goes directly to supporting families and children. Give online at dunwoodyumc.org/give by designating "Wellroot - Amazing Grace" in the Fund drop-down menu.
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.
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!
Blessing of the Pets
Dunwoody UMC is partnering with the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) to host a Blessing of the Pets for the whole Dunwoody community! Bring your four-legged, finned, and feathered friends, and join us at the dog park at Brook Run Park on Sunday, October 26 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., for an afternoon of pet blessings, prayers for healing, and memorial prayers. All are welcome - so invite your neighbors and friends as we celebrate all of God's creatures.
Climate Change – Impacts and Solutions
DUMC’s Environmental Stewardship Committee is pleased to host a meaningful presentation on Climate Change – Impacts and Solutions. Join us for an engaging talk with Larry Heiman, Sustainability and Climate Advocate, who will discuss: The impacts of climate change on our physical world and economy. Climate scientists’ predictions for earth’s climate future. Key sources of climate-warming pollution. Impactful actions individuals can take to reduce emissions. Thursday, October 30, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Wesley Room. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Participants will also have the chance to win a small gift card raffle. This event is free and open to all. As part of a study on science communication, attendees will be asked to complete a short, anonymous questionnaire after the presentation. Register HERE.
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, October 14 - Care options for a loved one after hospital discharge. 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!
Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know
As the Georgia Legislature considers increasing the potency of medical marijuana in our state from 5% to 50% THC, come learn more about today's high-potency marijuana as we dive into a book study of Smokescreen by Kevin Sabet, PhD, a leading expert in marijuana policy who served in the White House under Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama before co-founding the non-profit, Smart Approaches to Marijuana. Smokescreen has been called "a shocking exposé about how 21st century pot, today's new and highly potent form of the drug, is on the rise, spreading rapidly across America by an industry intent on putting rising profits over public health." Come and see for yourself as we seek to learn more about how to make informed choices for ourselves, our families, and our community. Starting Wednesdays, October 15 and October 22, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Asbury Room. Led by Dr. Karen Drexler and Rev. Joy Melton. Based on the book by Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, PhD. called, "Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know." You may buy the book for $20 here or purchase on your own from another vendor. Click HERE to sign up!
The Gospel of Luke
In this four-week course, we will explore the literary artistry and rich theology of Luke's Gospel. Each week's conversation will feature Luke's unique themes and stories. The goal of this course is to develop an appreciation for the Third Gospel's unique witness and to allow the narrative to shape Christian identity. Starting Wednesday, October 15 - November 5 from 7:00-8:30 pm in Room 240/242. Led by Oliver Abgail from The Candler Foundry. 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.
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.