The Visual Art and Music of Abe Partridge – February 11, 2023

Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, singer/songwriter, visual artist, and podcaster based in Mobile, Alabama.
Since the release of his debut, Cotton Fields and Blood For Days, in 2018, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours of the Netherlands and the U.K. developing a reputation for moving, passionate, and sometimes comedic, performances at prestigious songwriter festivals and a regular at Nashville’s Bluebird Café. He has performed on the syndicated radio programs, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. When Partridge is not writing or touring, He is creating his folk art paintings, which now hang in art galleries around the southeast and in the private collections of Tyler Childers, Mike Wolfe (American Pickers),
and Rick Hirsch (Wet Willie). His artwork was featured in Stephen King’s 2019 sequel to The Shining – Dr. Sleep.
He painted the cover art for Charlie Parr’s, Last Of The Better Days Ahead (Smithsonian Folkways). He also
created art for Tyler Childers ’2022 release, Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven? Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2AyFTTckC

Artist Statement
I left Mobile when I was 18 in pursuit of a theological education. I attended 4 bible colleges in 4 years… partly
because I couldn’t follow rules, partly because I knew better. I became a pastor of a small Independent Baptist Church in the Appalachians of Eastern Kentucky at 25 years old. When I was 27 years old I became acquainted with a horrible depression. I left the ministry and turned to Art. I have written songs and made paintings like these for years. Only after joining the military and going to war did I decide to begin sharing my art with the world. I never took a songwriting class, nor have I ever had an art class. I always just thought I was weird…

“Rethink preconceived notions.
Question authority.
Create new methods of survival.
See beauty.”

  • Abe

Friday, August 5, 2022 – Art Opening

The Art Guild of the First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta

Invites you to the opening reception of:

The Visual Art of Nancy Emerson White

Friday, August 5, 2022, 6:00-8:00 PM

The First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta

470 Candler Park Drive, Atlanta, Georgia

Free and open to the public!

Artist Statement

When I lived in Sheridan WY, I saw that the college was offering a community class on pottery. I had a small child and few friends as we had recently moved there so it seemed like a place to exercise my mind and hands and meet people. Later when we moved to Idaho Springs, I heard of a class in Ellie Mitchell’s garage where an artist from Central City was giving classes every week. That was when I took up pastel pencil sketching and then oil painting. Ever since then I have found clay classes wherever I lived. It feeds my need for creativity.

Special Music provided by Lonesome Redwing

Lonesome Redwing features bluegrass and old-time fiddle classics, as well as fresh original material.  Kathy, Russell, and Ellen are all natives of Georgia, and are multi-instrumentalist as well as songwriters. Lonesome Redwing has opened for many legendary performers, including Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Claire Lynch, Patty Loveless, and the Steep Canyon Rangers. 

Saturday, November 20, 2021, 1-4 PM

Chilly Chili E-Fest at First E!

Downloadable Flyer:

https://firstexistentialist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Chilly-Chili-Fest-Flyer-2021.pdf

What’s the occasion? We miss each other!

We can gather, socialize, and

lay eyes on each other in a safe way!

It will be a day of outdoor fun and fellowship at First E.

We’ll have FOOD:

veggie

& beef or turkey

chili, and cornbread

beer & soft drinks, live music,

a Peace Pyramid

And other FESTIVITIES!

  Hopefully this will be a way for us to rejuvenate our spirits & morale

since we haven’t been able to gather as a Congregation for so long.


There will be a table for donations, so please bring what you can.


We are very excited to announce the  LIVE entertainment line-up:

Elise Witt and Mick Kinney

with Cuban musicians 

Lisset Rod & Irina Vazquez!

Kathy McGuire!

Debra Hiers, poet!


So bundle up and join us for fun, entertainment and chili on a chilly November afternoon. Watch Robert’s e-Blasts for more information.

This E-vent is sponsored by the Art Guild and the ACTION Committee. 

FRI, 09/17/2021 – PASS THE PLATE PRESENTS:

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE

On Friday, September 17 at 7:30, join us on Zoom to play a rousing game of truth, deception and outright lies.  Share three statements about yourself, two true and one false.  Your job is to make us believe the lie.  The rest of us will attempt to discern the lie. 

The zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/95955377139?pwd=aXVHb3J0bFR0NVRaRi92eCsrY3dSZz09

So, bring the most outrageous true things about yourself and the most believable lies.  Please bring enough for about three rounds.

Suggested donation is $10.00, but any amount will be appreciated.  Come and find out which of your friends are the best liars!

July 16, 2021 – SHOW & TELL!!!

BY POPULAR DEMAND

IS BACK! THE MEMBERSHIP GUILD INVITES YOU TO:

Remembrance of Things Past

Join us on Zoom July 16 at 7:30.  Bring something meaningful to you to share. It can be arts, crafts, pets, a beloved childhood toy, photographs, or anything else you want to tell a story about.  At the first event,  our Congregation shared stories of childhood friends that gave them something interesting, cookware that held memories of family feasts and other fascinating stories from their pasts. So, gather up your meaningful things and tell us why they are important to you.

The zoom link is here:

https://zoom.us/j/92830347666?pwd=MGU5NkpRc0I0YkJ5VWZmejRrM0FkQT09

   We’ll see you and your memories there!

May 14, 2021 – The Membership Guild Presents Another Story-Telling Event:

“9 TO 5” – STORIES FROM WORK

Inspired by the musical based on Stud Terkel’s book Working, the Membership Guild invites you to pour yourself a cup of ambition, gather up your best occupational stories and join us on Friday, May 14 at  7:30 on Zoom.

https://zoom.us/j/92068997547?pwd=WTRFbitKTitrV3A5dDlmQ252YTV0Zz09

Share your tales of never getting credit, being a rung on the boss man’s ladder, putting money in his wallet and the dreams he never took away.

Watch the e-blast for the zoom link and we look forward to hearing about your service and devotion, takin’ and no given’ and tides turning.

Look for information about attending the musical “Working” below, and in the e-blast.

Join us for “Working” – the musical!

The Membership Guild invites you to see the musical “Working” on Wednesday, June 2, at 8:00 pm (rain or shine).  The play is is at the Alliance Theater at the Callaway Plaza Tent.  It is outside, socially distanced and masks are required. We have a block of 12 tickets in pods of 2 or 4. The group rate is $25 per ticket. Reserve your tickets by e-mailing sueking@gmail.com. Tickets are limited, so get them while they’re hot!

April 12, 2026 — Olga Westfall

“Chaplains’ Ministry”

Chaplain Olga Westfall  will share her  story of coming from Ukraine and becoming a US military and Veterans Affairs chaplain.  She  will also share about chaplaincy and what it is all about. 

Facilitator: Rev. Marsha Mitchiner
Musician: Craig Rafuse

April 5, 2026 — Music Service with Pair o’ Dice Duet

“Exigence of Joy”

In troubled times there is a clarion call to stay connected with our sources of strength, resolve, hope, and purpose in our lives. Simple acts of bliss help us sustain humanity and endure crisis. Let’s renew musical congregation with urgent joy!

Enjoy an artistic Celebration of Life Service with the ambient variety of piano, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and vocals by the Pair o’ Dice Duet. With their wide ranging collection of Roots, Swing, International, and original flavors, it’s a roll of the dice!

Composer lyricist Mick Kinney is known for traditional styles like New Orleans ragtime, Cuban Habenera, as well as Appalachian fiddle and banjo.

He will be joined by the amazing Michael Opitz on woodwinds, who has performed often with the Joe Grandson Big Band, Atlanta Latin Jazz Orchestra, & vintage entertainer Tray Dahl’s Jugtime Ragband.

Facilitator: Wade Marbaugh
Musician: Mick Kinney and Michael Opitz, accompanist Jean Heinrich

March 29, 2026 — Rev. Marti Keller

“Flower Celebration”

Unitarians in Prague found spiritual sustenance in the midst of the threat of war in this annual Flower Celebration. It is a ritual service still common in  Unitarian Universalist congregations, and especially powerful in these times.

Facilitator: Sara Drew
Musician: Kristen Hampton

March 22, 2026 — Dr. Jean Heinrich

“Resolve, Resist, and Dance!”

“Existentialism highlights the importance of

..acknowledging what is,

..making choices about how to respond,

..experiencing the full range of emotion without getting stuck in any one,

..nurturing the human spirit.

“To bring the light, one must endure the burning.” — Viktor Frankl

Dr. Jean Heinrich is a licensed clinical psychologist (Existential psychotherapist), founding member of our First Existentialist Congregation, currently our Music Minister, and dancer.

Facilitator: Libby Ware
Musician: The Owls Band

March 8, 2026 — Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner

“Freedom, Fellowship and Character: Jenkin Lloyd Jones and the Quest for Unity”

Rev. Megan Lloyd Joiner reflects on the legacy of early 20th century Western Unitarianism and the wisdom offered by the women and men who sought to put their faith into action to respond to the needs of their changing society. We will explore the lessons their lives and work hold for us during these challenging times.

Facilitator: Rev. Marsha Mitchiner
Musician: Bill Chelton

March 1, 2026 — Abby Tighe

“The State of Public Health”

Abby Tighe helped start the National Public Health Coalition after being fired from the Centers for Disease Control last year.. She will highlight the current state of public health, discussing the turmoil of 2025 at the CDC and how public health professionals are fighting back for the American public.

Facilitator: D. Patton White
Musician: Craig Rafuse

February 22, 2026 — Sara Drew

“All I Needed to Know I Learned from Bonnie Raitt”

Do you have a relationship with a musical artist whose work has influenced you over the course of your life? Sara will offer some personal stories of how Bonnie Raitt has contributed to her life while noticing the intertwining existential themes.

Facilitator: Wade Marbaugh
Musicians:
Kathy Reed and Russell Weeks, members of the band Lonesome Redwing

Lonesome Redwing features acoustic Americana, bluegrass and old-time fiddle classics, as well as fresh original material. They’ll perform a sampling of Bonnie Raitt’s songs!

February 15, 2026 — Valentine’s Day Panel

“Love, Grief and Valentine’s Day”

Who was St. Valentine and how did Valentine’s Day come about? Jan Lister will give the history of the holiday, and a  panel of speakers will talk about their experiences and give thoughts about romantic and family love.

Facilitator: Sara Drew
Musician: Charlie Vogt