Focal Point Summer 2026 by First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

FOCAL POINT

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us - ”

Hebrews 12:1

A publication of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta

From the Pastor

Running the Race

On May 11, our recent high school graduate ran in the Georgia Track and Field State Championships at UGA, competing in the 110-meter hurdles and the 4x200 relay. In doing so, he followed in his older brother, Jonny’s, footsteps who competed in the State Championships in 2021. As many of you know, both boys have taken after their mother who ran competitively in high school and in college.

Competitive running was never something I did. I did not grow up on the track, learning starting blocks, baton exchanges, hurdle technique, or the peculiar agony of waiting for your heat to be called. But over the last 12 years, by watching our boys compete, I have fallen in love with the sport. I have come to love the discipline of it, the vulnerability of it, the way one race can hold months of hidden work. I have come to love the courage it takes to step onto the track, knowing there is nowhere to hide.

It is no wonder the Scriptures return again and again to the image of running. Isaiah promises that “those who wait for the Lord… shall run and not be weary” (Isaiah 40:31). Paul asks the

Corinthians, “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?” and then urges them to “run in such a way that you may win it” (1 Corinthians 9:24). To the Galatians he says, “You were running well” (Galatians 5:7). Near the end of his life, he writes, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). And Hebrews gives us perhaps the clearest charge: “Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

That is the Christian life. It is not a sprint toward personal glory. It is a race of faithfulness. It is run with perseverance, through hurdles, fatigue, setbacks, and joy. It is run in community, with others cheering us on and handing us the baton. It is run with our eyes fixed not on ourselves, but on Jesus, who has already run before us and now runs with us.

So to all who are running the Peachtree Road Race this year, and to all of us running the race of faith: keep going. Run with courage. Run with joy. Run with perseverance. And above all, run looking to Jesus.

Blessings,

Tony

Chronicles from Kenya

2025 marked our 30th anniversary of our mission partnership with St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kenya.

This year, during our February mission trip to Kenya, FPC member Bland Byrne kept a log documenting events and activities throughout the trip.

Byrne has been a member of First Presbyterian for more than 40 years and has raised three children in the church. Throughout his time at FPC, he has served in various roles at the church, including serving as chair of the Global Missions Council, the Guatemala Committee, and on the Kenya Committee.

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

February 15, 2026

10 p.m.

The chorus this morning was music, not croaking. We attended church at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and were treated to a contemporary band and not one but two choirs. We were introduced to, and greeted by, the congregation, and Tony delivered the sermon on the topic of tough love.

The leaders of St. Andrews and our group then met and exchanged information on the work that each congregation is doing. Paul made a presentation of various programs at First Pres, and various elders of St. Andrews did the same for their church, which has an astounding array of ministries. St. Andrews has at least six services every Sunday: one in English,

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

February 14, 2026

Midnight

It was a long day, but we arrived in Nairobi from all over the world. From Atlanta through Paris after 18 hours came Tony Sundermeier, Rob Sparks, Paul Dimmick, Leann Neuenschwander; from Atlanta through Amsterdam came Ann Cox; direct from Paris came Bland and Monique Byrne; Craig Clark and Mary Murdoch were already here after a week-long safari, and Cindy Candler, Katherine Davey and Hollis Wise were also already here to meet us as was GG Gitahi, our friend and unofficial cultural advisor, pastor of the Kenyan American Community Church in Marietta.

Moses Ikere, who has been our driver on numerous previous trips, brought two vehicles to the airport to bring us to the Fairview Hotel where First Pres groups have stayed in the past. It seemed almost like home, and not just because we’ve been here before. We were greeted by the sound of tree frogs, just like the ones in my back yard. Except with much bigger voices. Management assured me the frogs are not as big as they sound.

one in Swahili, one in French, one for the deaf, and two for youth. They operate two children’s homes and also an entrepreneurial program to back new businesses and combat unemployment, among other programs. But as Suzanne pointed out, the God stuff happens when we visit each other and share as we did today. For example, Leann told the story of a visit by one of the Kenyan leaders on his way to a meeting in San Francisco. Her son works in IT in San Francisco, so she put the two in touch and they met. At the time, St. Andrews was thinking about putting their services online, and Leann’s son was able on the spot to jot down a list of equipment they would need. Using that list, St. Andrews was online in time for COVID.

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

February 16, 2026 10:55 p.m.

We began the day by visiting the Giraffe Center in Nairobi, which is a breeding center for the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, one of three giraffe species in Kenya. The fun part of the visit was feeding food pellets to the giraffes, holding one pellet at a time between thumb and index finger while a long, wet, blue-gray tongue snaked it away. The accidental mission part of the visit was discovering that the Center has a small machine to make fuel briquettes out of its wastepaper and plant material, which it uses for part of its own energy needs. We will propose this as a potential business for one of the women in the women’s business program at Mt. Kenya Academy.

The newlydedicated building, with the third floor still under construction. Opposite page: The Embakasi Church with the new building on the right.

We followed the giraffe visit with a visit to an elephant orphanage at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It was exactly what it sounds like, except that they also had an orphaned rhinoceros and its friend an orphaned zebra. The goal is to raise all the animals until they are mature enough to be released to the wild. There were shopping opportunities in the morning.

The afternoon was a visit to the Hawa Children’s Home, a project of the St. Andrews Men’s Fellowship which has received support from First Pres in the past. The home provides a home and education for boys who are orphans or whose own families are unable to care for them. The home is in need of rehabilitation at the moment, and we will need to have discussions with St. Andrews to find a way forward together.

Fairview Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

February 17, 2026 9:23 p.m.

This morning began with a visit to the Karen Blixen House, the author and protagonist of “Out of Africa.” The house is now a museum owned by the Kenyan government and was actually used in filming the Meryl Streep/Robert Redford movie, which all of us are going to watch again.

After a brief stop to shop in a Kenyan store, we proceeded to the Embakasi Church with whom we have partnered to build and outfit a new computer room and classrooms. The church is in a poor area of Nairobi and runs a school for the children of its congregation and children living in the neighborhood.

When we visited a couple of years ago, the school building was a corrugated metal building with three rooms, and there was a separate computer room, which doubled as a science room, containing three old computers without internet access, and a table for science.

We suggested that updating the computers would not cost much, and First Presbyterian could help. The congregation took the ball and ran. The project grew as we collaborated

and added some more money that was in our budget, and today they have a two-story concrete school building with six classrooms (with a third story already under construction), a computer room with a couple dozen new computers and desks, and a separate science room with modern lab equipment including a ventilation hood. The new classrooms contain new desks which were hand-made by the congregation, with supplies bought in part with funds from First Pres.

When we arrived in the school courtyard, we were treated like rock stars by a couple hundred students in uniform, parents, teachers, church and even government leaders. After the dedication ceremony, we were mobbed by students wanting to shake our hands or give us high fives and thank us. We were just thankful to have gotten to participate. “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:23).

Outspan Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya

February 18, 2026 10:30 p.m.

This morning we checked out of our hotel in Nairobi and went first to Kikuyu, Kenya, to visit the Presbyterian University of East Africa. Over 10 years ago First Presbyterian of Atlanta donated money to help build the George Wirth Health Sciences Building on the university’s campus. The building was completed and is used today for classrooms, but due to a tangle of bad luck, questionable management decisions, and national politics, it was never outfitted as the laboratory building it was meant to be. In partnership with our friends at St. Andrews, we met with the administration of the university to see if there might be an opportunity to at least partially outfit the building to be what it was supposed to be. There will

need to be further discussions.

We then visited the nearby Watson-Scott Memorial Church built in 1909, the first Presbyterian church building in East Africa. We also saw the much larger Church of the Torch across the street which was built just nineteen years later to accommodate the church’s growth. How small the world is: Tony’s father-in-law has preached in the Church of the Torch. Finally, we loaded up and headed to Nyeri where we will meet with our partners at Mt. Kenya Academy.

Outspan Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya

February 19, 2026

6 p.m.

Today has been a shorter day. We began by visiting the Senior School at Mt. Kenya Academy (older children) where we received a tour and refreshments of samosas and sweet biscuits. Kenyans feed guests at every stop, so we have to pace ourselves. Mt. Kenya Academy is one of our partners. They send students every year to visit the Westminster Schools for a week and help at our Sunday Morning Breakfast. One of our most successful programs is partnering with the student-run Business Development program which provides micro-finance and business training to women in the community who operate small businesses. Our next stop was at Chaka Church to meet about 50 of the women who are borrowers in the program. When we arrived, they greeted us with song and dance. In the Church, we heard from

the students who operate the program and the women involved in it to learn how it operates to benefit both the students who run the program and the women who participate. This program, which was originally suggested by First Presbyterian, has returned the favor by helping to inspire our Epiphany program. We then went to the Mt. Kenya Academy Junior School (younger children) for lunch, where we met several students, three who receive scholarships funded by First Presbyterian, and one who told us her extraordinary story. She was orphaned by six years old, had lived on the streets, was abused, forced to work, and finally adopted by a Canadian family who has been trying for years to get her papers so she can move to Canadaand she’s only 16, more or less.

Outspan Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya

February 20, 2026

4:30 p.m.

The morning began with a spectacular view of Mt. Kenya from our hotel. Although it is less than 20 miles away and second highest in Africa after Mt. Kilimanjaro, it is obscured by mist much of the time. But not this morning.

We returned to Mt. Kenya Academy Senior school for an excellent student-led presentation explaining how the Business Development program works and what it has meant for them.

After lunch at the school, we met the students at the Chaka Market to visit the businesses of some of the women in the program. The Chaka Market is a large open-air but covered building owned by the county which hosts hundreds of small, closely packed stalls where everything from fruit and vegetables to clothing and kitchen utensils can be found. The stalls we visited sold used clothing, kitchenware and utensils, and shoes. The roads near the market are lined with small stores, some of which are owned by our borrowers.

We visited a clothing designer, a beauty supplies retailer, and finally a small retail shop that we nearly wiped out of Coca-Cola after we had walked all over Chaka in 80 degree weather. How fortunate

that there is a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Nyeri. We also visited a small tree nursery. All of these women seemed to have made good use of their microloans, and the students with us spoke with each of the women, taking notes on the progress of the business. It is hard to say whether the women or the students benefit more from this program.

Outspan Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya

February 21, 2026 10:30 p.m.

We had no meetings scheduled today, so we took the opportunity to visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy outside Nanyuki, Kenya, and go on a safari game drive to see the native animals. Among the animals we saw were impalas, waterbucks, (rescued) chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, water buffaloes, wart hogs, white rhinoceros, one black rhinoceros, zebras,

lots of elephants, and giraffes. The black rhinoceros is blind and so kept in captivity, but so tame that we were allowed to feed it. The equator runs through both Nanyuki and the Conservancy’s land, and those who wanted were able to have their pictures taken with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one foot in the southern hemisphere.

Movenpick Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

February 22, 2026 9:55 p.m.

Today was our goodbye day. We started by worshiping at the Chaka Town church. Rob did the children’s sermon to lots of children; the baby bust has not arrived in Chaka. Most of the ladies in our business development program attend the Chaka church, and they have formed their own choir which sang in the service. The music, the clapping, the ecstatic outbursts were different from how we do it in

Atlanta, but we did our best. It just feels good when all God’s children worship together. The congregation hung around afterwards and said goodbye to each of us like they all knew us by name.

We then went to house of Charity Mwangi, the founder of Mt. Kenya Academy, for a leisurely lunch and conversation. Finally, we had to say goodbye. We loaded into our bus and headed to Nairobi where we split up, some returning to Atlanta and some going on to other destinations.

A classroom in the Wirth Science Building.

Let us run with perseverance the

the race that is set before us

Meet 3 FPC Members who share their stories on Running, Discipline, and Faith

FPC member Brent Wyper has run in races across the globe, but the Peachtree is one of his favorites. You can read more about Wyper and his work with Back On My Feet on the next page.

Brent Wyper Being the feet of Christ

Brent Wyper has run races in London, Sydney, Berlin, Tokyo, and New York, to name a few.

The exhilaration, the challenge, and the sheer sense of joy that come with completing a marathon are integral to the meaning he finds in finishing each race. However, that doesn’t mean each race is easy. It takes training. It takes discipline. There are highs. There are lows. There are challenges.

In many ways, it reflects Wyper’s walk with Christ.

“Running marathons has always felt like a parallel to a long, methodical walk with God. There absolutely are parts of the race where you feel great, everything is clicking, you feel supported, and it’s easier to stay the course. There are also plenty of times in one race when you doubt yourself, feel inadequate, or just run out of gas, and when it’s harder to visualize the finish line,” he said. “It also takes preparation, purpose, and a plan — you can’t just wing it. I think that’s the beauty of the distance, and why I have done

almost one a year since 2007. It is always exhilarating, exhausting, and ultimately an opportunity to grow and learn more about yourself — similar to life and our walk with God.”

Through the years, Wyper has channeled his love of running into Back on My Feet, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction through running, accountability, and community. He began serving as a volunteer with the group and now serves as chair of the organization’s national board.

“Back on My Feet attracted me as much for its connection to our mission as Christians as for the running collegiality. It truly is an example of communities from different backgrounds and circumstances — the volunteers and the members — coming together, celebrating what unites us, and working together to accomplish something that makes us all better,” he said. “And I feel, as runners, we are truly being the ‘feet’ of Christ by running alongside our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness and ultimately helping lead them to programs that tangibly support them with employment and housing.”

and

ON THE PEACHTREE

Of all the races, Wyper has participated in, the Peachtree Road Race stands out as one of his favorites.

“The thing that makes this race stand out is it brings together so much of Atlanta — it is Atlanta’s race. It always has a glow because it is the Fourth of July,” he said.

Wyper has participated in roughly 20 Peachtree Road Races since moving to Atlanta in 1993 and fondly recalls registering by mail on a paper application.

His participation in the Atlanta Track Club has only grown since then. He joined the organization’s Finance Committee in 2024 and continues to support its mission of promoting health, wellness, and connection throughout the city.

He and his wife, Erin, are enthusiastic about having his twin nephews, Ethan and Drew, join him for the race this year.

“I love the Peachtree. It’s all about participation, not performance,” he said.

Above

right: Wyper finishing the Sydney Marathon. Below, Wyper at the finishes line of the New York City Marathon.

Above, Wyper before the Peachtree Road Race with the Back on My Feet contingent.

Dr. Valeda Dent Gratitude Grit &

Dr. Valeda Dent started long-distance running while in graduate school. She’s been running ever since.

Even while juggling a career and raising a daughter, the practice has never waned. The physical exercise is important to her, but running is also deeply multifaceted.

“Running is a choice, but the ability to run is a blessing. This is something that is always at the forefront of my mind whenever I lace up my running shoes. Gratitude is where I start and finish all my runs,” she said.

Through the years, her love of running evolved into racing half marathons and then full marathons. She has completed 19 marathons, including races in New York City and London.

Yet, of all the races she has run, the Peachtree Road Race remains one of the toughest.

“By far, the Peachtree is harder than the other ones because of the heat and the hills. Atlanta’s hills are very unforgiving,” she said.

She has also discovered inspiration for long-distance running in scripture.

“Generally, the scriptures teach us about grit. In longdistance running, at some point your physical — and even psychological — infrastructures will run low or maybe even fail, but the spiritual supports run on renewable energy, so to speak, so they never run out!” she said.

Asked if she has any specific advice for running the Peachtree Road Race, Dent emphasizes the inclines and another brutal facet of the annual event: the heat.

“Do lots of hill training and train in June,” she said.

She has many favorite memories from running the Peachtree Road Race, but last summer was especially meaningful as her brother’s family drove south from Lawrenceville to participate in the event with her.

Dent has been a member of First Presbyterian since 2023. She, her husband, Geoff Goodman, and their daughter moved to Atlanta from New York and joined the church shortly thereafter.

Dent took a minute to snap a selfie in front of the sanctuary in last year’s race.

In it for the long run

Moncure Crowder

In 1978, Moncure Crowder laced up a pair of light blue Nike Waffle Trainers to run the Peachtree Road Race.

He purchases a new pair of shoes every 1,000 miles. At his peak, Crowder was running 1,000 miles a year. This year, he will don a pair of battleship gray Brooks as he participates in his 46th race.

That would be impressive if he were 56 and had started running as an enthusiastic 10-year-old. But Crowder is not 56 years old. He’s 86. And as of late April, he is still pushing himself to drop from 160 pounds to 155 pounds before participating in the formidable Atlanta tradition.

The longevity and focus Crowder brings to running are reflected in his service at FPC. During his years at the church, he has played an instrumental role in multiple areas of

congregational life. He is particularly known for his devoted service and his passion for documenting FPC’s storied history, having served as chair of the Archives and History Committee.

When reflecting on the connection between running and his faith life, Crowder points to 2 Timothy 4:7:

“I

have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

“My choice reflects not only almost 50 years of running (and now walking), but also the fact that I am now 86 and nearing the end of my life. Thoughts of my earthly mortality are never far away,” he said. “Finishing the race can literally be illustrated by my experience last year. In spite of what I thought was adequate training, I ran out of gas at the four-mile mark and struggled to continue walking at any speed. At five miles, I was very close to where my car was parked, and I was seriously tempted

to drop out and head for the nearby parking lot. It took some serious selftalk, but I managed to complete the race with a very poor finishing time.”

Crowder says the faith described in that verse is important not only to his understanding of Protestant Christianity but also to his belief in being a good family man and a good citizen.

FPC member Hill Jeffries has run 40 Peachtree Road Races. When we asked for an interview about running this year, he said, “[40 is] enough.” He told Focal Point, he was sitting this

year’s race out and,“hopefully at a lake somewhere.” He did send us this photo from when he ran the race in 1982.

Are you running this year’s Peachtree Road Race? If so, stop and take a selfie in front of FPC! We’d love to feature your photo in the next Focal Point magazine as we capture the fleet of foot at FPC! Email communications@firstpresatl.org

Above, the 2024 race at Mile 4. Top, Crowder in the 1981 race.

Hootie & The Blowfish leads evening of 6th annual Mental Health Connections Gathering DRUMMER

On a bitter cold February evening, the interior of Fifield Hall was not just filled with music, but with connection, conversation, and care.

The 6th annual Mental Health Connections Gathering, presented in partnership with Will for Hope, the Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta, and First Presbyterian Church, brought together nearly 100 youth, families, and community members for an evening centered on mental health and spiritual well-being.

The speaker at this year’s event was Jim Sonefeld,

drummer and songwriter for Hootie & The Blowfish, author, and mental health advocate. Sonefeld shared his story and performed four songs. Between the pieces, he addressed his own story filled with success, grace, addiction, and recovery.

While music played an important role in the evening, the deeper purpose was to create a space and start a conversation where people could openly engage the realities of mental health, share stories, and find hope in community.

Right, Kate Monk, Jim Sonefeld’s daughter, Sonefeld, and Katie Sundermeier. Above, Sonefeld performed in Fifield Hall before mixing with members and guests, below.

Above, after the event, Sonefeld spent time meeting with members and signing copies of his autobiography. Pictured above are church members and motherdaughter pair Cater Carlton and Cater Carlton. The mother is a former board member of the SCCA, and the daughter is a current board member.

“Bringing music and storytelling together creates space for openness and healing in ways our traditional awareness events cannot,” said Kate Monk, Secretary and Vice President of Will for Hope. “When people hear honest stories of struggle and recovery, it helps them feel seen—and reminds them that healing is possible.”

Those thoughts were echoed by Rev. Dr. Katie Sundermeier, Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center.

“I am so grateful for the ways this partnership has grown over the past six years,” she said. “Through the shared work of Will for Hope, Samaritan Counseling Center, and First Presbyterian Church, we are creating spaces where people can talk about mental health, spiritual struggles, and the support we all need. We are better together.”

Following Sonefeld’s performance, Monk and Sundermeier engaged him in a Q and A session. In

DID YOU MISS THE EVENT?

You can view it by scanning the QR code or visiting our YouTube page.

Church members mix with Sonefeld following the event. From left, SCCA therapist Sarah Balsley, and The Monk family with the Will For Hope Foundation and SCCA supporters.

addition to their questions, they opened the floor to the audience for questions.

The event also highlighted the ongoing work of both partner organizations. Will for Hope continues to build relationships with individuals facing crisis, offering consistent support and pathways toward stability. The Samaritan Counseling Center extends professional, compassionate mental health care to individuals, couples, and families — integrating emotional and spiritual support in a way that reflects the broader mission of the church.

But the lasting impact of the gathering was not tied to a single performance.

It was found in the conversations sparked, the barriers lowered, and the reminder that no one has to navigate mental health challenges alone.

As the event continues to grow, so does its purpose: to nurture a community where honesty is welcomed, support is accessible, and hope is shared.

SUMMER SCHEDULE

May 17:

Final Sunday School of the regular year for all.

May 24:

Memorial Day weekend. One service only at 11 a.m.

May 31–June 28:

During this five-week period, all three services will be held, and Sunday School for all ages will meet at 10 a.m.

All adult Sunday School classes will be combined into one class.

July 5–26:

During this four-week period, there will be one service at 11 a.m., and no Sunday School classes will be offered.

August 2 and 9:

All three worship services resume, along with one combined adult Sunday School class.

August 16:

Kickoff Sunday, with all regular classes launching for the new school year.

September 6:

Labor Day weekend. One service at 11 a.m.; no Sunday School. More than 200 members will be away at the All-Church Retreat.

FPC welcomes Covington as Facilities Director

Wilson Covington began in March as FPC’s Facilities Director and brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Highline Storage Partners, where he oversaw 51 facilities across nine states totaling more than 3 million square feet. In that role, he led teams responsible for operations, maintenance, vendor management, budgeting, and new construction projects.

Covington has been part of the fabric of FPC his entire life. A native Atlantan, he is a secondgeneration member of the church who was baptized and raised at FPC. He has served in multiple roles, including elder, youth and small group leader, Preschool board member, mission trip participant, and volunteer for the Sunday morning prayer breakfast.

He is the husband of Katie Covington, Director of Children’s and Family Ministry and Director of PMO. The couple has two sons, Rhodes and Hudson, who are active in the youth group.

Covington played rugby at Furman University,

where he earned a degree in biology. Ask him to name a mentor, and he cannot choose just one, instead pointing to the lasting impact his parents had on his life and the kindness they taught him.

New Elders and Ministry Leaders ordained

In early May, we held our service to ordain and install Elders and Ministry Leaders. We are grateful for their service to our congregation.

20s AND 30s RETREAT

Our 20s & 30s group gathered for a retreat on Lake Keowee in Seneca, S.C. and experienced a meaningful time of growing closer to one another and to God through beautiful scenery, shared meals, games, thoughtful Bible study, and plenty of laughter.

DEDICATION SUNDAY

We gathered for a moment years in the making—our On the Way Capital Project Dedication! It was a meaningful day of worship, gratitude, and celebration as we gave thanks for all God has done through our congregation.

YOUTH SUNDAY

FPC enjoyed an enriching Youth Sunday. Our Youth led us in worship, including in song, scripture readings, prayer, and senior sermons. The six seniors who preached were Eliza Dolan, Elliana Hartman, Mason Gregory, Merritt Bratton, Luke Sundermeier, and Anna Hollis.

Thirty Confirmands also joined the church on Youth Sunday!