Church of the Common Ground

Church of the Common Ground

Church of the Common Ground is a church community on the streets of Atlanta living the Good News that we are all God’s beloved. We are people who believe faith, fellowship and a cup of coffee can change lives. We seek to walk in God's love and to be a living witness of love and compassion to others. Most of our members have experienced or are currently experiencing housing instability.  

Site Work

Sunday, 12:00pm-2:00pm; Monday, 10:00am-12:00pm; Wednesday, 10:00am-12:00pm or 3:00pm-5:00pm 

Site work will be in person. COVID vaccine required.

Students will help lead Bible Studies, small group activities, distribute lunches and provide pastoral care for people who are experiencing homelessness. PPE required for all staff and interns. All small group activities are restricted to ten or fewer and will be held outside. There may be an opportunity to assist with the weekly foot clinic as social distancing restrictions allow. Please note that this internship can be physically demanding, because we meet outside regardless of weather conditions. 

Fall 2022 Reflection Group

Tuesday, 3:00pm-4:30pm led by Rev. Dr. Josh Noblitt. 

Spring 2023 Integrative Seminar

Tuesday, 3:00pm-5:00pm

Pastoral Care Class

Students will also enroll in Intro to Pastoral Care PC501 CE 2 in the fall semester, taught by Dr. Emmanuel Lartey (Thursday 2:30pm-4:30pm).

Faculty Academic Advisor

Dr. Kendall Soulen will serve as the academic advisor for Church of the Common Ground students.

Site Mission

Our vision is simple: we seek to be a loving church community for and with those who are often pushed to the margins.  

About the Site

Church of the Common Ground meets outside in Woodruff Park on Sundays. We have offices and storage at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in downtown Atlanta. During the weekdays, we provide programming in front of Central Presbyterian and at the Gateway Center. 

Additional Requirements & Accessibility

All of our ministry locations are readily accessible via MARTA. 

COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Common Ground requires students to wear PPE when mandated by the City of Atlanta. If a student is ill, they will agree not to report to Common Ground. We ask that students commit to practicing their safer living habits (e.g. regular hand washing) both on and offsite in order to reduce their likelihood of infection. Vaccination is required.

Contact

The Rev. Kim Jackson, kjackson@churchofthecommonground.org 

Woodruff Park
91 Peachtree St
Atlanta, GA 30303

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
435 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

Site Supervisor

The Rev. Kim Jackson, a Candler School of Theology alumna, was recently named one of Emory’s 2019 “40 Under Forty”. Jackson currently serves as Vicar at the Church of the Common Ground, our church on the streets of downtown Atlanta that intentionally strives to build community and care for the spiritual needs of the homeless. Jackson, the first black LGBTQ+ person ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, previously served as chaplain at the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and the Atlanta University Center. She currently serves as a State Senator for Georgia District 41. 

Teaching Supervisor

Rev. Dr. Joshua M. Noblitt is Saint Mark’s Minister of Social Justice and Pastoral Care. His work involves leading program, advocacy and volunteer opportunities related to social justice issues in the community, and overseeing pastoral care for the Saint Mark family. Josh completed his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and began his pastoral ministry at Saint Mark in 2005. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Clinical Fellow with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and has a private psychotherapy practice in addition to his pastoral duties at Saint Mark. Noblitt has served on numerous national and local boards, and is currently serving on the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services Advisory Board, and as a charter member of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ LGBTQ Advisory Board. He is an alumnus of the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2011, New Leaders Council Class of 2013 and Outstanding Atlanta Class of 2013. Visit Josh on the web at joshuanoblitt.com.