Church Action eNewsletter Week of June 18, 2012

[RCCAtl]

 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.   

 Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

 

Go to www.rccatl.org  for a slide show of member churches, featured articles, Community Events calendar, past eNewsletters,  membership information, and other resources.

 

The Regional Council of Churches is a member of Odyssey Networks whose mission is to use electronic media to enrich spiritual life and build bridges of understanding among people of faith. Odyssey Networks is working on 2012 Hours against Hate  with the Department of State and  the London Olympic Games. It involves young people reaching out to someone of a different faith, spending an hour together, and reporting what happened. Odyssey Networks will videotape and produce 2 videos from the best stories! The deadline is July 15 and all the facts are on our website  . Would your youth group like to try this? 

1. The DeKalb Community Service Board is collecting clothing donations tomorrow, Thursday, June 21, United Way’s Day of Action, at the Fox Recovery Center in Decatur, a residential substance abuse treatment program for men many of whom have been homeless. They particularly need gently used men’s clothing and new socks, undergarments, and T-shirts. Drop off your  donation on the June 21 (OR ANY DAY) at the Fox Recovery Center, 3100 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur  30034.  For more info call 404-508-7875.

2. A service of prayer, song, and dance in support of all Roman Catholic women religious (nuns) will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, June 22, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard Ave., Atlanta. The service will provide an opportunity for people to show "what sisters mean to me." All are welcome.

3. A Holy Communion service conducted in both English and Spanish is scheduled at 10 a.m., Sunday, June 24, at St. Bede's Episcopal Church, Atlanta. The special service is planned in place of its regular Sunday schedule of services at 8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. All are welcome. A potluck follows.   

4. Dodd-Sterling United Methodist Church  invites you to join in celebration of the 25th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Robert L. Melson, Sr., June 26- July 1 ,  with special guests at evening services on June 26, 27, 28, and 29 and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 1. These include speakers, preachers, praise teams, and choirs from a variety of denominations.  Church is at 3272 Browns Mill Road, SE, Atlanta 30354. Call the office at 404-361-4135 or 404-576-7062 or email [e-mail] www.dodd-sterlingumc.org

5. Fulton County and the East Point NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) are collaborating with Georgia State University Nutrition Students to teach seniors how to prepare tasty and healthy meals for the summer at a workshop, Tuesday, June 26, 11:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall of PTC Christian Church, 1706 Washington Road, East Point.  Participants will enjoy a free meal and a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to a local grocery.  R.s.v.p. required ; call Leslie Bridges at 404-762-2094.

6. East Point NORC and Fulton County’s Health Department will provide information on all services available through Fulton County Health Services, Wednesday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m. at PTC (Peachtree City) Christian Church in the chapel , 1706 Washington Road, East Point 30344.  Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn what resources are available for adults and children.  Free blood pressure screenings will be available. For more information, contact Leslie Bridges at 404-762-2094.

7. The National Black Arts Festival’s Education and Public Programs division and the Children’s Department of the Atlanta Fulton Public Library present the 2012 Coretta Scott King Awards Book Fair, Wednesday, July 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Library. Books will be given to children at no cost when they present a public library card. This year’s fair features award-winning author Walter Dean Myers and award-winning illustrator Michele Wood. There will be youth writer and illustrator workshops.  Pre-registration is required.  Register at www.NBAF.org

8. National Black Arts Festival presents the 2012 Children's Education Village on Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, from noon to 4 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park. Children and adults are invited to participate in a variety of interactive experiences based on countries of the African Diaspora. Friday, July 13 is for camps and groups only, pre-registration is required. Families are encouraged to attend on Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15. For information, please contact Dr. Collette Hopkins at [e-mail] or 404-224-3464, or visit www.NBAF.org.

9. Those within day-trip driving distance of Montreat Conference Center are in for a treat – a dynamic group of presenters and thought-provoking topic -  and no registration is  required.  The Montreat Conference Center, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Johnson C. Smith Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center are sponsors of this lecture series, now it its sixth year. Visit our website rccatl.org and click on the Montreat Lecture Series on right hand side to read about the Global Shift of Mission series coming up in Montreat July 16-19.

10. Coalition For Homeless People With A Mental Illness will begin meeting quarterly as it meets other times with the RCOH. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 18, at the usual time and location at First Presbyterian Church.  At the July 18 meeting someone from the Regional Commission on Homelessness will be invited to attend and participate in a very frank discussion about Atlanta's lack of progress in achieving the # 1 goal of ending chronic homelessness as we near July 2012, the beginning of the 10th and final year of Atlanta’s 2003 Blueprint To End Homeless in Atlanta in Ten Years.

11. Join American Friends Service Committee, Georgia Peace Center, 60 Walton Street, Atlanta, for the beginning of a month long celebration of the life and dreams of immigrants and refugees with a photography exhibit and events. Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m.  The Visitor: Screening and discussion about immigration, detention, and advocacy for justice.  For More Information call   404-586-0460 x 17

12. The HEALing Community Center needs volunteers for its continued outreach to our communities. Two events are coming up this summer: Health Fair - July 28, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian Ministries, Riverdale; Back to School Health Fair - August 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North DeKalb Mall. Please contact HEALing community Center at 404 564-7749 or [e-mail].  The HCC will host an orientation for volunteers prior to each event.

13. Low Country Boil, Micro-Brew Tasting, and Silent Auction, August 25, will benefit Lutheran Campus Ministry in Atlanta, 4 – 7 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran, Atlanta.  $50 for Hungry and Thirsty (includes Micro-brew tasting and all beverages with meal); $35 for Hungry only (includes soft-drinks, tea only with meal) Get tickets today and R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]. Find out more about Lutheran Campus Ministry and see a great video with Bishop Hanson answering the question, Why Lutheran? at www.gracepeople.org.

14. As July 4 approaches, Pam Durso, executive director of Baptist Women in Ministry in Atlanta, reflects on the dilemma many Baptists face when church and state converge on Sunday morning.  What's a separationist to do? 

Helpful resources for creative and thoughtful worship planning for the July 4th Sunday are found on the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s website and a wealth of resources including an event calendar, http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=327b3cbf18&e=09d6d08597" href="http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=327b3cbf18&e=09d6d08597"">bibliography, http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=d593e3a158&e=09d6d08597" href="http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=d593e3a158&e=09d6d08597"">sermons and http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=e4b22c376b&e=09d6d08597" href="http://thefellowship.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5d63a7a98ab23fc5b848cafa&id=e4b22c376b&e=09d6d08597"">Blog from the Capital.

15. Cascade United Methodist Church, 3144 Cascade Road, remember that shopping is free at the clothes closet on Thursdays.

16. Medicare Diabetes Screening Project has informed us that there are several scholarships still available for the Diabetes Prevention Program.  These scholarships (valued at $325.00 each) are for any senior,65+, who has been diagnosed as prediabetic by their primary care doctor or clinic and who has a BMI> 25 (overweight).  Because this is a prevention program, anyone who is already a diabetic will not qualify for the scholarships. The program is conducted in YMCA’s across town. If you know of any seniors that meet the above criteria and would like to explore this opportunity, please have them call Linda Vaughn at the YMCA at 404-527-7690 to see about getting enrolled. 

17. The Lake Institute on Faith & Giving offers a public forum for exploring the connections between individual philanthropy and faith; and fosters a greater understanding of the ways in which faith both inspires and informs giving. Find research, programs, forums, newsletter, suggested reading and more at  Lake Family Institute .

18. On the next edition of PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Atlanta, will be featured with other faith-based ministries among people with mental illness.  Pbs.org provides a preview and information about local programming.

19. You can sign up for daily meditations of Richard Rohr, who always fills the house when he lectures or leads retreats in Atlanta, from Center for Action and Contemplation at  cacradicalgrace.org .  For today, Summer Solstice, "Today, may Brother Sun, at his zenith, call forth that same sunshine which is in you."

We have reminded you of what a great resource the Alban Institute is by giving away Pinsky’s book about the blessings of including the disabled in the community of faith.   

We have reminded you of the legacy of Wilberforce and his understanding that animals are a part of creation for which we must have compassion and regard by giving a gift from the Humane Society of the film Amazing Grace.  

Today we remind you of the power of the word and that the National Festival of Young Preachers will be in Atlanta in January 2013. I will send a copy of A Beautiful Thing; Sermons from the Inaugural Festival of Young Preachers to whomever requests it first.

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

404-538-0246

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