Faith

A Back to School Message from Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks, Senior Minister, Unity Atlanta Church

Published

5 years ago

June 25, 2020

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

“Listen to Your Inner Guru” – Back to School 2020, By Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks, Senior Minister, Unity Atlanta Church

One Sunday morning at church, a visitor gushed with excitement about being there and meeting me. After the service concluded, he thrust paper and pen at me.

“I want you to write something down,” he said and proceeded to advise me about how much I could learn from a local guru.

At one point in my life, I would have taken his words personally, imagining that I’d said or done something “wrong.” But instead, I realized that he was a spiritual seeker and wanted to share something which inspired him. He reminded me of my younger self, when I was discovering my own spiritual path, sometimes gushing unsolicited advice about someone or something I thought others needed to follow.

During that time, when I sought all my answers in books, classes, and gurus, I learned a sacred truth from a blessed teacher who said: “Jenn, maybe you could put all the books in a box for a while and stop searching so hard. Listen to yourself. Then, you can be your own guru.” Her words are some of the best advice I’ve ever received.

Especially during this season of uncertainty, adjustment, and ceaseless information streams, we need time to hear the still, small voice within, our own inner guru. This listening process is the kind of back-to-school work we can do anytime, anyplace, anywhere, because it always starts with us.

One of the best ways to begin is by contemplating some questions about our lives now:

What, of our true heart’s desires, have we enjoyed from our bucket list? What are we doing to enjoy more?
Which books, newsletters, posts, and feeds do we think we should read, especially if someone else recommended them? Do they provide the education and enlightenment we need? What would we love to read, study, or follow instead?
What projects and activities must we do for our own and our family’s well-being? Are we taking enough time for our own self-care? Are we trying to do other jobs or complete tasks which someone else is better equipped to handle?
Which people truly listen and encourage us in living our dreams and passions? Which people try to catch us in their webs of drama and gossip?
When we request advice, do we understand what is said? Are we assisted in determining our own needs? Or does the advice-giver act as if they are the “only” expert, following the “only” path, offering the “only” product there will ever be?
What feels like a drain on our time and energy? What do we truly love doing?

While these questions may take time to consider, the answers will help us learn new truths about ourselves as we begin a new school year, return to the office or re-set our minds to new opportunities that fall often brings. As we keep listening faithfully, we allow our inner guru to guide our discernment. And better than any gold star is the sense of ease and peace of mind we feel in how we choose to live now.

Faith

The Jubilee Year Comes to Peachtree Corners

Published

2 weeks ago

February 12, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Illustration of a Catholic Church with purple background

Peachtree Corners is front and center in the Holy Year of 2025

As Catholics worldwide make their pilgrimages near and far this year for the Jubilee Holy Year of Hope 2025, Catholic pilgrims from around the region will converge at Mary Our Queen Parish in Peachtree Corners to mark this once-in-every-twenty-five-years event.

Though traditionally, many pilgrimage to Rome, Catholics in Georgia who cannot make the overseas journey to Italy have another option here, closer to home. Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer designated Mary Our Queen as the principal shrine or parish for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

About the Jubilee

Catholics have celebrated these Holy Years for centuries, but the idea of a Jubilee is older still and is found in the pages of the Old Testament.

According to Mary Our Queen’s website, “Jubilee years have been held at regular intervals in the Catholic church since 1300, but they trace their roots to the Jewish tradition of marking a Jubilee year every 50 years.”

The Vatican website for the Jubilee shares that these years in Jewish history were “intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land and a fallow period for the fields.”

For Catholics, the Jubilee is a special year for conversion and to deepen their Christian faith.

The last ordinary Jubilee was in 2000, though Pope Francis also called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015-2016.

You can learn more about the Holy Year and Mary Our Queen’s year-long celebration plans at maryourqueen.com/jubilee-pilgrimage.

Community

Take A Walk Back in Time For The Holidays

Published

3 months ago

November 29, 2024

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Three men dressed as the three wise men at a holiday Walk Through Bethlehem event

New experiences await at this season’s Walk Through Bethlehem

An annual must-see holiday event, Walk Through Bethlehem, presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church, will take place over three evenings, December 13–15.

With 1,200 luminaries, Simpsonwood Park is transformed into Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers and witness a live nativity.

A camel as part of a Walk Through Bethlehem holiday event — photo courtesy of Simpsonwood United Methodist Church

Visitors can also enjoy a fire with stories from shepherds, pet live animals and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.

Before your journey ends, enjoy a photo opportunity with a Roman Guard and hot chocolate and cookies.

The details

Walk Through Bethlehem transforms several acres of Simpsonwood Park into Bethlehem Village on the night of Jesus’ birth. After being welcomed by live camels and a census taker, visitors are invited to interact with shopkeepers, witness a live nativity and watch as wisemen bring gifts to baby Jesus.

The special holiday event is presented by Simpsonwood United Methodist Church with the help of more than 300 community volunteers.

What to expect

1,200 luminaries welcoming guests to Bethlehem
Live camels and Roman guards at Bethlehem’s entrance
Shopkeepers in costume interacting with guests
Interactive village with more than 12 individual shops
Animal petting area with donkeys, sheep and more
Shepherds sharing stories around a fire
Live nativity with wisemen bringing gifts
Attendees donating canned goods to Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
Attendees enjoying hot chocolate and cookies

A woman dressed as a shopkeeper from old Bethlehem, surrounded by lit candles and items for sale — photo courtesy of Simpsonwood United Methodist Church

Make plans to attend

Dates and hours

Friday, December 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Simpsonwood Park, 4511 Jones Bridge Cir NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

FREE admission; accepting canned food donations for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries.

For more information, visit simpsonwoodumc.org/walk-through-bethlehem.

Doing Good

UGA Legend Shares Words of Wisdom at Salvation Army Luncheon

Published

9 months ago

May 28, 2024

Arlinda Smith Broady

Former UGA head football coach Mark Richt recently spoke at a Salvation Army luncheon about faith, community, and of course, the Bulldogs.

Photos by Jon Avery of The Salvation Army

The role team sports play in building authentic relationships is pretty apparent, especially the relationship between a coach and the individual players.

Showing strength often means showing vulnerability as well. And sometimes the strongest people can have their vulnerable moments. That’s what the Salvation Army’s ministry is all about – helping those who need a hand.

To further that message, one of the most noteworthy coaches in University of Georgia football history, Mark Richt, shared his insights as the keynote speaker for the 10th annual “Doing the Best” luncheon on May 9 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta NE. The event is one of the main fundraisers for the Salvation Army of Gwinnett County.

Linda McQuaig shaking hands with Coach Richt

Coach Richt’s journey

Richt shared his personal experience of being recruited out of high school and eventually going into coaching, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the journey.

“My mom taught me what it means to love unconditionally,” said Richt. “And my dad and I connected through baseball … he taught me how to love and respect people … unfortunately he’s no longer with us.”

Having that groundwork at home helped underscore the value of relationships in sports, he said, adding that’s what helped overcome obstacles in coaching and in life.

Richt coached the Bulldogs from 2001 to 2015 and The University of Miami from 2016 to 2018. He retired with a record of 171-64.

His UGA win total is second only to Hall of Fame coach Vince Dooley’s. He was named the 2002 and 2005 SEC Coach of the Year and is currently the 10th-winningest coach in SEC history. Last year, he became the fifth coach from Georgia and the fifth Hurricanes coach to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.

Coach Richt with Roxanne Tigue from Primerica

The impact of faith

He shared with the audience how his fait h in God helped him overcome fears and doubts – even while battling Parkinson’s disease, emphasizing his hope in the future glory of heaven.

“I got Parkinson’s, and as most people know, it’s a progressive disease that gets worse over time. It affects your movement. I get muscle rigidity,” he said. “When I got the diagnosis, I thought, ‘Well, what do I do?’”

Coach Mark Richt talking with Scott Slade and Advisory Council Member

He said he decided he was going to enjoy the blessing he had while he could. And he encouraged the audience to do the same.

“We are grateful to have Coach Richt join us for this milestone year of the Doing The Most Good Luncheon,” said Captain Paul Ryerson, commanding officer of The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County. “The need remains high for many in our community, and the funds raised through this event will allow us to continue to serve as a resource and bring hope to our local neighbors.”

Visit southernusa.salvationarmy.org/gwinnett to learn more.

The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County “Doing the Most Good” by the numbers (2023):