God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches eNewsletter Week of December 14, 2020

1. “Forty Days of Prayer to Transform: A Journey to Newness.” Begun on Dec. 12 and continuing daily through Jan. 20, the National Council of Churches and partners will offer prays for hope, unity, and healing. Please join in. During this Advent and Christmas season and into the New Year we put our hope in the ability and desire of…

New testing sites announced last week: 

Free at Riverdale Town Center Monday - Friday (Appointments only)

 https://covid-19.claytoncountyga.gov/   

CovidCareGA Briarwood Recreational Center, Monday and Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, free  …

Advent Opportunities, Studies, and Ideas

Prepare for the holidays and Advent with a silent retreat at Ignatius House. Come for a day or stay overnight, or enjoy new online prayer experiences…

Monday, IMPACT Church, 2223 Sylvan Road, Atlanta 30344, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jefferson Park Recreation Center, 1431 Norman Berry, East Point 30344, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday, shelf stable items, Jefferson Park Recreation Center, 1431 Norman Berry, East Point 30344, 1 - 3 p.m.

Tuesday, St. Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, 2670 Hogan Road, East Point 30344

Tuesday,…

Black Lives Matter. We name that unequivocal truth. Black lives matter to God.

We speak to you as white ordained leaders of Decatur churches that for generations have sought to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, our beloved churches have fallen short of our call and commission to live fully into Christ’s call because we have embraced the self-serving corruption of systemic racism. Too many of our Decatur churches were planted in soil tainted with racism. Too…

The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments released a resource, “Resuming Care-Filled Worship and Sacramental Life during a Pandemic.” The Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship, and Sacraments is an interdisciplinary group of theologians, scientists, physicians, pastors,…

With the gradual reopening of public spaces in many states, faith leaders are now offering recommendations for churches seeking to safely welcome congregants back into their facilities. A sampling is provided below:

American Baptist Churches USA:

Baptist General Convention of Texas …

From the Multicultural Development Institute, Inc. multilingual resource “Living with Worry and Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty” includes psychoeducation about worry and anxiety, and a selection of practical CBT exercises for managing wellbeing including activity scheduling, worry postponement, and compassionate cognitive restructuring. Thanks to the generous contribution of time from clinicians around the world, it is freely available in 20 languages and…

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen

From the Episcopal Book of Common Prayers

"Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book" is a beautiful resource developed by ELCA for those in correctional facilities and chaplains and others in relationships with the incarcerated. 

More…

Visit the website.

Harvard Divinity School–Harvard Medical School Lecture Series on Religion and Medicine

What Faith Communities Can Teach Psychiatrists About Depression…

Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in congregations that use the Stephen Series system. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers—called Stephen Ministers—to provide high-quality, confidential,…