Church Action eNewsletter

Week of November 7, 2022

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc. 



God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

We want your announcements! We are happy to help get the word out about anything you would like the greater faith community to know. Send announcements to…

McAfee School of Theology offers for audit Sacred Listening in Tumultuous Times. This course is taught online by the newest faculty member, Dr. Heidi Miller. This course invites students and auditors to experience the spiritual practice of deep – or sacred – listening as they learn to be fully present with the stories of individuals, communities, institutions, and societies who encounter tumult, impasse, or trauma. They will learn how re-storying emerges through a…

Georgia is expecting 200 Afghan families in the next few months. Is your organization ready?

Islamic Speakers Bureau’s new project will help resettlement agencies working with Afghan newcomers.  There will be an information session for the agencies and anyone else - volunteers, faith communities -who might be interested.  Here's a link to the eventbrite invite to an info session, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m.  …

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of addressing chronic health conditions and health disparities. As churches consider how to address members’ physical and mental health concerns, the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center is making a timely resource available to assist with planning and putting healthy practices in place. The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) online training helps churches create healthier environments that support physical activity…

Flourishing Congregations 

Because there’s never enough money to provide all of the services and support you want to offer, we’re sharing information about a group of Atlanta business leaders who are passionate about their religion and want the churches, as well as temples and mosques, to flourish because they know how critical religious organizations are to a strong, thriving community -  our community needs our religious leadership and their congregations. At no cost to your…

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  …

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,…