Atlanta church inaugurates new homes for the homeless with blessings on Ash Wednesday

Rev. Kim Jackson performs a house blessing inside parishioner Jim Thompson's new unit at The Melody, Atlanta's first rapid housing facility on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Rev. Kim Jackson’s joyful, confident voice echoed outside of a matte black shipping container.

“Oh mighty and everlasting God,” she started, “We thank you for this home. We ask that you would grace it with your presence.”

Jackson stood next to Jim Thompson and blessed his new home. They’re with the Church of the Common Ground, a church without walls that serves the homeless, and they celebrated Thompson’s new home.