The Rev. Dr. Jim Ellison, founding pastor of Providence United Methodist Church in south Fayette, will be appointed this week by Bishop Lindsey Davis of the North Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church to become the new senior pastor of Atlanta First UMC, located on the historic site in downtown Atlanta.

“Leaving Providence is bittersweet for my family since we’ve been here since the beginning in 1995,” Ellison said. “But we look forward to becoming part of the family of Atlanta First UMC. As the ‘mother’ church of Methodism in Georgia, Atlanta First has a great history, but more importantly, is part of the revitalization of the downtown area. We look forward to being a church that reaches the many who have moved back into the city and now make Downtown or Midtown their home as well as their place of work.”

Ellison, a native of Tyrone and 1986 graduate of McIntosh High School, attended Young Harris College, LaGrange College, Emory University and Asbury Theological Seminary.

Providence UMC has grown from eight families meeting in a living room to the current 905 members with an average worship attendance of 700. Providence’s 100-acre campus is now home to a multipurpose facility, children’s ministry building, scouting camps and additional units for classrooms.

“I am confident that Providence UMC will continue to minister to families in our community under the leadership of my friend and new senior pastor, Warren Huddleston,” Ellison said.

Providence will host a church-wide farewell party for the Ellison family at 7 p.m. Friday, June 15. Ellison’s last Sunday preaching at Providence will be June 17 during traditional services at 9 and 11:11 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10 a.m.

Ellison says, “Saying goodbye will be hard for me, Beth, Will and Ben, but we have made many lifelong friendships here. Providence’s best days are in the future!”

Providence is at 592 Bernhard Road in Fayetteville between Redwine Road and Ga. Highway 85. For more information call the church office, 770-719-8800, or check the website at www.provumc.com

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