Church Action eNewsletter Week of December 17, 2013

[RCCAtl]

 

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

  

 Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

 Church Action eNewsletter

   Week of  December 17 , 2012   

Check the community calendar on our website RCCAtl.org 

Underlined words are live links

 

Those little Advent candles have a lot of darkness to overcome this year…. And although my doubt and anger make it hard for me to believe today, I will keep lighting those little Advent candles like a religious fool until they help me in my unbelief. May their flames be a reminder to all of us that we don’t have to know why God let this happen to know that God was there…. and here, and in those swaddling clothes,  and on that cross,  and in that grave,  and on the throne.  For no amount of darkness can overcome the light. From Rachel Held Evans

Welcome to our newest Regional Council of Churches member church Christians United in God , a French speaking nondenominational congregation worshipping at 1234 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 200B.  Just a couple of years old,  this church has a mighty mission to promote and carry out humanitarian actions, charitable activities, and provide assistance to those in need. Their vision is to reduce the effects of poverty among their neighbors. Toward that goal, Christians United in God founded the Food Service Ministry to feed the homeless on the streets of Atlanta. Volunteers are welcome to help them this Saturday, December 22, in downtown Atlanta, Parking Company of America, across 196 Peachtree Street SW 30303, 1:00 pm to 3:00 p.m. For more info, please call Pastor Credo at 770-355-7900 or email [e-mail].  You can also visit the website blocked::http://www.foodserviceministry.org/" href="http://www.foodserviceministry.org/" target="_blank"">www.foodserviceministry.org for photos of Pastor Credo and the ministry and read more at the FSM blog blocked::http://www.foodserviceministry1.blogspot.com/" href="http:...

1. Candlelight and music all over town on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning—check out the local paper.

2. Alban Publishing announces an end of year sale on 80 titles on leadership, clergy wellbeing, congregational identity, money, and more, just $7.50 each See the array  >>    

 3. Thirty-seventh annual Music of the Holidays presented by the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde, December 20, 8 p.m., 435 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta 30308. Call 404-873-3365 to purchase tickets. This is an Atlanta holiday favorite with works old and new.   

4. A Service of Remembrance, Comfort and Healing will be offered at 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church,  1790 LaVista Rd. just north of Emory University. The service will begin with the tolling of bells for all who were killed Dec. 14 in Newtown, Conn. It will acknowledge that light and dark are both part of life. It will be a time of remembering, walking the labyrinth, lighting a candle, and healing, in the context of a special Eucharist written for the service. All are welcome.

If you do not know about watch night services you should. Begun by Moravians and adopted by Wesley the service continues today in a powerful way in African American churches as it commemorates and brings to life again the experience of slaves on December 30, 1962, as they waited on the eve of the day of freedom.

5. The community has a special invitation to attend Watch Night Services at the Midway Missionary Baptist Church, 2280 Godby Road, College Park, where the Rev. Edward S. Reynolds is Pastor, Monday, December 31, 9:45 p.m. The message will be preached by our First Lady, Rev. Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, as Pastor prays us into The New Year It will be an evening of Celebratory Dance, Music, and Personal Testimonies. Begin 2013 by first coming into the House of the Lord bringing in the New Year on our knees at the altar. For additional information please call the church office at 404-768-5648.

6.  "Take Joy: a Twelfth Night Celebration!" a fully costumed performance that features secular and sacred music, drama and dance of medieval and Renaissance Europe will be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross,  400 Holcomb Bridge Road. The performance is free and open to the public. A reception celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany follows. All are welcome.

7. The Rev. Dr. John Philip Newell, author, scholar, poet, minister, and teacher, is the featured preacher for Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 6, on “Day 1” the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Ordained in the Church of Scotland, Newell is known for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality and interfaith prayer. Newell’s sermon for Epiphany Sunday, based on the story of the visit of the Magi to the child Jesus, is entitled “The Light within All Life.” The program includes interviews with Newell conducted by Peter Wallace, who is executive producer.

8. The Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary invites to all who enjoy sharing songs, hymns, and spiritual songs to two opportunities to worship and sing together during the event, “Resurrection:  New Life, New Song.” Read more>>  

 9. Do take a look at a page from the Emory Continuing Education Catalogue  

 10. What does the Bible have to say about the pursuit of happiness, and how does that fit with modern-day understandings of this complicated phrase crafted by America's founding fathers? A new book edited by Emory University's Brent A. Strawn provides some answers but no quick fixes. A product of the Pursuit of Happiness Project, "The Bible and the Pursuit of Happiness: What the Old and New Testaments Teach Us about the Good Life" points out that happiness is not about prosperity, even though the Old Testament frequently references the accumulation of wealth as a good thing. More>> Video interview with Brent Strawn >>

11. There are new links to register for the Latin American Association’s unique language learning experience that focuses on fluency. Experienced and highly trained teachers in both English and Spanish classes provide an environment in which students are comfortable and excited to learn. The unique experience of Intercambio (Interchange) features students from Spanish and English classes talking with each other about various topics and things they are learning — a great way to increase fluency and learn from someone and help them learn as well. Registration is currently open for January sessions. Learn more or sign up today for blocked::https://thelaa.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/Home/RegisterforSaturd... orblocked::https://thelaa.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/Home/RegisterNow/tabid... classes!

12.  Do you know which church claims to be the oldest in Atlanta?

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Reminders:  The National Festival of Young Preachers  opens in two weeks in Atlanta,  Read about it    

Remember the special uninterrupted showing of Odyssey Network’s “One Christmas Story” on Christmas Eve at 11:35 p.m. on CBS. Read more>>  

 

This is a crucial time for the Red Cross as blood supplies drop during the holidays.  Atlanta American Red Cross blood drive at the Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Rd NW, December 27.  To schedule an appointment go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code arcboard or call 1-800-RED-CROSS . 

Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, be prepared to help people in your congregation toward financial stability through free income tax preparation and financial literacy opportunities. More>>   

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Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

 404-201-6448

 [e-mail]  www.rccapilgrims.ning.com

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