FLOURISH: A CELEBRATION OF WORTH & BELONGING
An annual gathering that brings the women of MPCS together in worship and reflection
By Maddie Cuppia, Class of 2026
Each year, the women of Mount Pisgah Christian School gather for Flourish, a night that’s centered on faith, fellowship and community. The event invites Upper School girls, Upper School and Middle School faculty and 8th-grade girls to come together, strengthening the sense of
belonging that defines the Pisgah experience. More than a gathering, the evening reflects the school’s commitment to supporting and encouraging women across every stage of the community.
The night started with an array of crafts and games, followed by dinner, all of which brought the girls in each grade together. After dinner, Juniors Wynn McFarland and Paige Richards, Senior Ellie Scott and teacher David Darnell took the stage, guiding everyone at the event through songs of worship. Singing together with your classmates in a new setting that Flourish provides is something Freshman Bailey Ballard loves.
“I love being close to the stage during worship, and the songs chosen are always amazing. It made us all feel so welcome and close to both our friends and the teachers,” she explained.
When the singing ended, the sermon began. At this year’s event, Savannah Roberts was brought in as a guest speaker to reflect on the idea of “you are enough.” Roberts is currently a graduate student at Fuller Theological Seminary and serves as Children and Family minister at
North Atlanta Church of Christ, where she works with young children and families while still enjoying mentoring teens. Her sermon dove into the themes of worth and identity, contrasting the world’s “measuring stick” of how women should be with a life in which God, as the creator, sets
one’s value as an individual in His image. The message resonated with many, making the night incredibly impactful for those who attended.
“One of my favorite parts of the event is getting the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker,” explained Senior Grayson Barrett. “They always choose a message that is relatable to teenage girls, and it allows us to see that we all go through similar experiences in our lives.”
This sense of understanding within the community that comes from diving into the Word with a new lens builds and strengthens relationships in unique and powerful ways. Freshman Katherine Lottes attests to this, highlighting that Flourish helped her bond with the girls in her grade.
"Flourish is so fun because you can connect with the girls in your grade on a different level. You all have things in common because you all want to be there, and you all want to worship God,” explained Lottes.
Not only does it strengthen the bonds with peers in each grade, but Flourish also strengthens the community of women at Mount Pisgah. Ali Weller, the primary organizer of the event, truly loves this opportunity for girls to come together one night every year and worship.
“I believe that worshiping together and hearing a message that was designed just for us gives us the shared experiences that can make us feel closer,” said Weller.
Barrett also shares this view, highlighting how the event helps elevate her relationships at Pisgah, opening the door to new connections and perspectives.
“At Flourish, I am able to look around the room and see how all of the girls have changed and grown throughout the past years. This helps me feel so much closer to the Pisgah community because we get to connect on a level that isn’t possible during a regular school day,” she explained.
But what makes the Flourish worship experience different from the time we spend in Fresh Air? 9th-grade English teacher Carly Morris explained how the event brings the women of Pisgah closer together best.
“This event is intentionally designed to create space for us to be together without having to fill our typical roles of student and teacher. The adults get to hear the same message that the girls do, we get to stand alongside one another in worship, and we get to spend time with one
another without an agenda,” she said.
Flourish at Mount Pisgah Christian School is more than an event; it’s a reminder that faith, community and belonging glow when people come together. From making crafts to praying hand-in-hand, these moments of gathering and fellowship truly shape and reflect the spirit that continues to shape Pisgah’s women year after year.