Church Action Weekly eNewsletter Week of February 11, 2013

[RCCAtl]

 

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

  

 Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

 Church Action eNewsletter

   Ash Wednesday, February 11, 2013 

 

Check the community calendar on our website RCCAtl.org    Underlined words are live links 

“Remember that you are dust” - a reflection on Ash Wednesday from Bishop Rob Wright. 

Ash Wednesday services all over town tonight. Find Lent resources and services, series, and music.  

1. Join the revolution -One Billion Rising in Atlanta tomorrow.  Atlanta will join the largest day of collective action around the world to end violence against women and girls.  Gather on the steps of the Georgia Capitol at 10 a.m.  for speakers and music, and march to Woodruff Park to dance in a huge flash mob at 12 noon.  Stand up with local activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world as to express outrage, demand change, strike, dance and rise demanding an end at last to violence against women.  Volunteer , Friend on Facebook ,  Follow on Twitter at @OBRAtlanta, You Tube,  Sign up.

2. A message from Christians United in God inviting you to help them feed the homeless this Saturday, February 16.  

3.  Lovingkindness Meditation Retreat will be offered Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. The retreat will offer techniques for a more loving attitude toward all beings. The day will include teacher talks, sitting meditation, and walking meditation. Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators. $15 includes lunch. Register here.  If you need information contact [e-mail].  

4. The Rev. Brian Erickson, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Alabaster, Ala., is the featured preacher for the 1st Sunday in Lent, February 17, 2013, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Erickson is the author of “The Theological Implications of Climate Control: Reflections on the Seasons of Faith.”  His sermon, based on the story of the wilderness temptation of Jesus, entitled “Dress Rehearsal in the Desert,” deals with temptation. He says. “The only vaccine to temptation is obedience. Jesus’ escape from the tempter is not a matter of weighing pros and cons and making the best decision; it is a willful choice to submit to God. Again and again and again.”

5. Dr. Catherine Rodland, artist in residence in organ and music theory at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, will perform at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta. A graduate of St. Olaf and Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., and a winner of numerous organ competitions in the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Rodland will perform works by Diggle, Chenoweth and Sowerby. Evensong featuring the Cathedral Schola follows.

6. Lecture, panel discussion and book signing featuring Theologian James H. Cone and his book, "The Cross and the Lynching Tree." Sponsored by the ITC Christian League, February 20, the 7 p.m. lecture and panel discussion will be followed by reception and book signing at 9. Interdenominational Theological Center Chapel, 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Atlanta 30314.

7.  Istanbul Center will host Dr. Scott Alexander of Catholic Theological Union. Dr. Alexander is a regular consultant on Catholic-Muslim relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Dr. Alexander also sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Islamic Law and Culture and serves as co-editor of A Dictionary of Christian-Muslim Relations. For the Midtown Luncheon Series Dr. Alexander will give a talk on Turkey's democratization process and Gülen Movement's contribution to that process,  Istanbul's Midtown Headquarters,  Two Midtown Plaza, Suite 1010, on Thursday, February 21, at 12:00.  Please click here to register and for more information . 
8. Dr. Scott Alexander will speak on the evening of Friday February 22 at the Holiday Inn Atlanta in Roswell.  The topic is "Which Religion Will Win: Triumphalism in Christian-Muslim relations."  The reception will begin at 7:00 pm, with the talk to follow at 7:30.  Please register in advance. Please blocked::http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ohI_4KAlc6BHiyvhTlHZs4bLVFgOFpJjSa_UIb-nm2_kFtqieKLdIcbq-YsE0BTeqOah7S-X4QbMbACKVS7Upzzu2g-VYAf-hG8gSknsJHeA1H2LnjsKSGdeyPir_isHUFW4g9lbsNA1tQijEBpc68caAS3Fdm7sci_Qfo9CwjT-QOBE76IICh66ayQ_6Qkrebc1QGNjVve7J89y3K2ZSyu" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001ohI_4KAlc6BHiyvhTlHZs4bLVFgOFpJjSa_UIb-nm2_kFtqieKLdIcbq-YsE0BTeqOah7S-X4QbMbACKVS7Upzzu2g-VYAf-hG8gSknsJHeA1H2LnjsKSGdeyPir_isHUFW4g9lbsNA1tQijEBpc68caAS3Fdm7sci_Qfo9CwjT-QOBE76IICh66ayQ_6Qkrebc1QGNjVve7J89y3K2ZSyuaIqu1oKVazJjLpzsM39PtQ6Zf9XTnPxlOHaN950Yt91UBBse6C0m7w1kfS3GUGm75qDewzABfb7aSfX-SFXuoXX68RMtPVw==" target="_blank"">click here for more details and to register.

9. Quarterly worship services will be held at historic Zion Episcopal Church in Talbotton. Come experience the beautiful Carpenter Gothic architecture of one of the oldest churches in Georgia. Services will be held Feb. 24, May 26, Aug. 25, and Nov. 24, all at 4 p.m. Guest preachers and musicians will be featured. For more information, contact the Rev. Jeff Jackson at [e-mail]. Learn more about this special place here.

10. A lecture series titled "Religion for the 21st Century" featuring author Marcus Borg will be presented March 1-2 at Brenau University's Pearce Auditorium. Dr. Borg's lectures are entitled "A Crisis in Christian Language: Its Conflicted Meanings Today," "The Goal of the Christian Life," and "The Central Virtues: Mercy and Righteousness? Or Compassion and Justice?" The event is sponsored by Brenau University and four Gainesville churches: Grace Episcopal, First Baptist, First Presbyterian and St. Paul Methodist. For more information, click here. 

11. There is an upcoming Stephen Ministry Workshop for any church interested in learning more about starting a Stephen Ministry program at their church. Officials will be available to answer questions and provide information, Saturday, March 9, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3033 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta   30327. Register by calling Stephen Ministry headquarters in St. Louis at 314-428-2600 or by visiting http://stephenministry.org/workshop" href="http://stephenministry.org/workshop"">StephenMinistry.org/Workshop

12. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate 52 years of worship and service on Sunday, March 3, 3:30 p.m., and Sunday March 10, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pastor Clayton E. Taylor, Sr. and Youth Minister Christopher Taylor, Sr. invite you to join in praise to the Lord for bringing them this far by faith. Join them at 2870 Headland Drive, East Point, 30344. Call the office at 404-349-0660 if you have questions.

13. In honor of International Women's Day, Refugee Women’s Network will host a film screening, Half the Sky, on Friday, March 8 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., at 1431-A McLendon Drive, Decatur, 30033.  Come to learn more about the issues affecting women around the world, and what you can do to make a difference. Please register in advance by calling 404-437-7767 or email [e-mail]. For more information, CLICK HERE.

14. Western Christian Spirituality, March 10-15, featuring the popular instructor, Catherine Gonzalez, professor emerita of church history, this class will pay special attention to the history of spiritual renewal in the church, its sources, practices, and relationship to daily life and look for useful sources for the church and ministry today. This class is open to everyone. Credit towards the Certificate in Spiritual Formation will be given to those who complete the pre and post course assignments. Columbia Theological Seminary, Harrington Center.  Contact [e-mail] for more information.

15. Reinhardt Ministerial Association Seminar, led by one of the most innovative and best teacher ministers available anywhere, Dr. Warren Lathem. He asks, “Why did Jesus say more about money than heaven or prayer? ‘Where your treasure is there your heart will be also’.” Meeting at Canton First United Methodist Church. March 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Yes, you may register on-line. www.reinhardt.edu/RMASeminar

16. Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farm introduces participants to a wide variety of peacebuilding, social justice, and civil rights activities with the goal of inspiring them to consider how they can make a positive difference in their world. Peacebuilders Camp is a program of Koinonia Farm, a farming community in Americus, Georgia with a long history of working for civil rights, peace, and justice. Find out more about this opportunity for young people at Peacebuilders.org 

17. Lenten Madness is back. Vote for your favorite saint and participate in this hilarious take on March competition. 

18. Find out about the Mission 4/1 Earth from the United Church of Christ- wow a million hours of service, 100,000 trees planted during Eastertide 2013. 

19. Resources and treasures from the British Library new in our Biblical and sacred Texts Resource section. 

20. A VA funded research study seeks female veterans to take a sort survey. Please share this with veterans in your congregation or community. The study focuses on life experiences   and the challenges faced. The goal is to understand better the specific experiences of women Veterans and promote their health and well-being. The study seeks a wide diversity of voices. This anonymous, web-based survey conducted by researchers at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System is at www.surveymonkey.com/s/womenvet

 

Be prepared to help people in your congregation toward financial stability through free income tax preparation and financial literacy opportunities.  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  is coordinated by the Food Bank’s Atlanta Prosperity Campaign and the IRS. Learn more and find a tax site near you.

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

 404-201-6448

 [e-mail]  www.rccapilgrims.ning.com

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