Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Emmanuel Lutheran Welcomes Pastor

Dr. William Flippen Sr & Bishop H. Julian Gordy

The Rev. William Flippen Jr. (second from right) with brothers The Rev. Richard Flippen (far left) and The Rev. Joseph Flippen (second from left) and his father Dr. William Flippen Sr. (far right)

The Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celerates the installation of the Rev. William Flippin as pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 3050 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30311. His father, Dr. William Flippin Sr., pastor of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, preached the sermon, and Lutheran Southeastern Synod (ELCA) Bishop H. Julian Gordy installed him. Even though he preached his first sermon at the 200-member Emmanuel Lutheran on Easter Sunday and has been there for a month, Flippin said that the installation, which marks a covenant between him and the congregation and God, signals the official beginning of his pastorate.

The ceremony included liturgical dances by the Emmanuel and A New Thing Lutheran Church dancers. The Greater Travelers Rest Church Handbell Choir performed.

Flippin, a 1998 graduate of Morehouse College, is the oldest of four siblings. He spent his teenage years at Greater Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church. He was 14 when his father became pastor there 23 years ago. He has master’s degrees in divinity and theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Emory University Candler School of Theology, and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is completing a Doctor of Ministry from the Ashland Theological Seminary.

Before his call to pastor the 60-year-old multicultural Emmanuel, Flippin served at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus for five years.

He said his vision is to continue that spirit of multiculturalism at Emmanuel. We ask for God's continued blessing on Emmanuel and the ministry they are called to do in their community.

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First Five Freedoms is proud to join Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law, The Temple, and All Saints Episcopal Church for "Faith, Law, & Democracy: A Community Conversation on the Public Good and the Rule of Law" on Tuesday June 2. We hope you will consider joining us for this important discussion. Americans across the political spectrum are grappling with a shared unease: the feeling that something foundational is slipping. Trust in institutions is eroding. The norms that once governed public life are contested. And the concept of the public good — the idea that we share a common stake in fair, just, and accountable governance — is increasingly hard to find in our public discourse. This program brings together faith leaders, legal experts, and engaged community members for an evening of honest conversation about what is at stake. Hosted at All Saints Episcopal Church and co-presented by The Temple, Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law (GLRL), and First Five Freedoms, the event weaves together spiritual reflection, legal analysis, and civic dialogue to address one central question: What does it mean to protect the rule of law — and why does it matter for all of us, right now? The evening will include reflection, analysis, and discussion designed to:

Connect faith, law, and civic responsibility in an accessible, nonpartisan framework
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Faith, Law & Democracy, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta 30308. Featured speakers include: Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, Minister for Public Life, All Saints’ Episcopal Church; Rabbi Lydia Medwin, Associate Rabbi, The Temple; Jill Steinberg, former U.S. Attorney for Georgia’s Southern District; Al Pearson, former University of Georgia Law professor; Richard Griffiths, retired journalist, and president emeritus of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. Registration for this event is free. Complimentary parking, food, and refreshments. REGISTER HERE