Common Ground is a new ministry collaboratively formed by North Decatur UMC and Decatur First UMC – the Greater Decatur Churches. Common Ground is a social justice focused ministry that seeks to build a community where all members of God’s diverse family feel safe and welcomed, both inside and outside of the Greater Decatur Churches. Our mission will be to educate, connect and serve the diverse family of Greater Decatur Churches, with a focus on at risk and marginalized communities. We will meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 6pm-7pm. The first installment of this new social justice ministry will be Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Come early for dinner and fellowship at 5:30pm at Café Decatur. Our gatherings each Wednesday evening will focus on a different aspect or area of need in the realm of social justice. We will invite speakers of various backgrounds to learn and engage in discuss various topics, such as homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, ageism, ableism and how such intersects with our calling to be followers of Jesus Christ. And, then, the big questions -- what do we do and why? Our first gathering will focus on LGBTQ+ youth and the struggles they face in our society, especially when rejected by their families and they find themselves homeless. A local organization called Lost N Found Youth will be joining us for conversation as well as to discuss how we as a church can become more involved in volunteer efforts outside our church walls and get out into the community that is in need. We also plan to discuss the structure of this new ministry a bit more and address how you can become involved. We hope to see you all there.