Church Action e Newsletter Week of August 5, 2024

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone. 

1. The Student Body premieres Friday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m., with additional performances this weekend, Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m. Dr. Aaron Levy, professor of English at Kennesaw State, has written this play for teens and their adults. It concerns more than one mental health issue. This play will be co-produced by Destination Theatre and directed by Megan Cramer, Director of Fine Arts at The Galloway School, at the school’s Chaddick Theater. Next weekend the Saturday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m. matinee will feature an interfaith talk back after the show that will explore insights and wisdom from several faith traditions. We are excited to welcome the Rev. Donavan Pinner from Ebenezer Baptist Church and Justin Milrad from the Blue Dove Foundation. Tickets and information at The Student Body — DESTINATION THEATRE.

2. The Rev. Winnie Varghese, rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, is the featured preacher August 11 on “Day 1” with host Katie Givens Kime, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.   She draws “Walk in Beauty” from the story of Elijah’s wilderness journey to Mount Horeb found in I Kings 19.4-18. Starving and exhausted, he asks to die, but is twice awakened from sleep to hot bread and water.  “So let us watch for bread on hot stones. Seek out some pita or fry bread or a tortilla if you can. Especially on those days when you have nothing left. When even the miraculous power of God has somehow not won the day,” she says. “Food for the journey. From the people of the land. Enough.” “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for 79 years and is currently distributed to radio stations across America and overseas. For more information, check http://day1.org.   Hear it in Atlanta on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m.The next in-person planning meeting for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration is Monday, August 12, 7-8:14 p.m., at Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Rd, Marietta, GA 30062. Consider joining the 15 participating congregations. Click here for the Zoom link (it's more fun to attend in person) The interfaith choir welcomes anyone who enjoys singing.

3. 3. At a virtual Town Hall the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute will present and discuss key findings and recommendations from their Georgia Budget Primer. This publication offers an in-depth analysis of the state’s FY 2025 budget, highlighting crucial changes and trends that affect our communities and lives. Experts include Staci Fox, GBPI president; David Schaefer, VP of Research and Policy; Danny Kanso, senior fiscal analyst and director of legislative strategy; Ife Finch Floyd, economic justice; Leah Chan, health justice; Hillary Dong, health policy fellow; Ashley Young, education analyst; Ray Khalfani, worker justice and criminal legal systems. Tuesday, August 13, at 3:00 p.m. REGISTER FOR THE TOWN HALL

4. The Red Cross is hosting a community blood drive at Atlanta History Center, August 14, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The organization provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, all from volunteer donors. Supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross ...

5. Healing Life’s Hurts, August 16 – 18. Just as we have a natural process to stop the bleeding and heal our physical wounds so too we have a natural grieving process to heal emotional hurts.  This retreat at Ignatius House, Sandy Springs, directed by Fr. Matt Linn, SJ will slowly walk through the healing of a hurt with its five stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression (shame and guilt), and acceptance (discovering our gifts). Come to not just be healed of your hurts but to go forth with new gifts. Register

6. Sacred Harp Singing in Carrollton, August 17, 10 a.m., Emmaus Primitive Baptist Church, Oak Grove Road, Carrollton. Dinner on the grounds at noon so bring some food if you’re so inclined. COVID info: This is an indoor singing. Masks are welcome but optional. If you have any symptoms, please sit this one out.

7. Gov. Roy Barnes will call for the exoneration of Leo Frank at the 109th memorial service for Frank who was wrongly convicted of having murdered Mary Phagan in 1913. An innocent man, he was lynched in 1915 a few miles from the Marietta Square. He has never been exonerated for a crime he did not commit. Join Rabbi Steven Lebow and Governor Barnes to help clear the name of an innocent man. “There is no statute of limitations on doing the right thing!” Sunday, August 18, 5:00 p.m., Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Rd, Marietta 30062.

8. All are invited to join Pastor Roger Vest, Douglasville UMC, in a hybrid (in person and via zoom) book study on some of the essentials of the United Methodist theology and practice. This is an 8 week session beginning Wednesday, August 21, from 5:30 till 6:30pm, “Unrelenting Grace: A United Methodist Way of Life.” Bishop Ken Carter shows us how to come together and embrace grace, seek holiness, and build meaningful connections promoting strength and healing. The book evokes insights and courage to overcome feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation. Go here to find out more and sign up - https://form.jotform.com/242057090730046 
9. Trauma is a pervasive part of human experience. A majority of Americans will experience at least one potentially traumatic event by the time they’re 18, and collective atrocities have shown that trauma is not just individual but also collective. A course that starts August 22 from The Candler Foundry will equip you to deepen your understanding of the concept of trauma trauma and the kind of support you can offer to those in need. Scholarships are available for this course, email [e-mail] for more information. Course Template — The Candler Foundry (emory.edu)
10. Faith & Grief Retreat at Shallowford Presbyterian Church Have you recently lost a loved one? Are you grieving a loss from long ago? You are not alone, and you are invited to join this multi-session workshop as we explore grief and our own stories in a supportive environmentwith others. Participants will meet on Shallowford's campus, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta 30345, the weekend of August 23-25. Facilitators will be Shelley Craig, Carolyn Shaffer, and Lindsey Thames.Click here for more details and to register. 
11. Center for LifeLong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary offers ”What’s Next for Me? Discerning your next ministry career or calling? August 26-28. Whether you are looking to discover your vocational passion, change your ministry context, enter a new field, or discern a post-retirement second career, this coursewill provide both method and process to discover your next calling. REGISTER HERE
12. “Raise your digital ministry I.Q.” August 28, 12-1:30 p.m., in person and online from Mercer School of Theology, with Dr. Stacy Dandridge, associate pastor of digital ministry and technology, and the Rev. Kristian A. Smith, host of Holy Smokes. This is a free event with lunch for in-person attendees. To register contact [e-mail]. 
13. Did you know that A Home For Everyone In DeKalb has compiled an amazing list of resources for unhoused or struggling individuals?  From meals, assistance in applying for food stamps, domestic violence shelters, and veterans services.  You can find it and way more here. 
14. Lawrenceville Spiritual Retreat with Immaculée Ilibagiza, Sept. 6-7, St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 319 Grayson highway, Lawrenceville. For information call Elizabeth at [phone] or Angella [phone]. giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/34f886e7-c667-4bf7-93d9-939df5a6a85d
15. Ignatian Intergenerational Women’s Companion Retreat, Sept. 6-8, will embrace the wisdom and opportunity that exists between generations. In a society that sometimes discourages us from bringing our full selves to intergenerational spaces, this weekend offers a unique invitation to openly lean into a community of women spanning different ages and life stages. Whether you come with your mother, daughter, aunt, niece, mentor, mentee, friend, or partner, this retreat is an opportunity to find companions who accompany you on the journey of understanding and becoming “you.” Register is open here. 
16. Atlanta Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages continue on the first Saturday of each month. Each is a 2.7 mile loop starting and ending at Old Water Tower Park, Auburn Avenue, starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, and Dec. 7. For information contact [e-mail]
17. 2024 Spirituality and Emotional Wellness Conference, Saturday, September 7, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Elizabeth Baptist Church, 4245 Cascade Rd, SW, Atlanta. The conference features Dan Gillison, Jr., the Global CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the largest mental health advocacy organization in the world. The conference also features Willie Moore, Jr., radio personality, host of a nationally syndicated radio show with over two million listeners. Registration is now open for this free conference. Register - FREE!!
18. The Bells of 1906. The Coalition to Remember the 1906 Race Massacre invites your congregation to join in this year’s commemoration (1906AtlantaRaceMassacre.org). Here’s a ready opportunity to foster more civic unity in our city by including an event in your race and reconciliation programs that marks our annual Days of Remembrance. At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, participating congregations throughout the city will toll their bells 25 times for each of the twenty-five known victims of the massacre. Contact Rev. Dr. Brendan A. Jenkins, [e-mail] 770-690-0915, to confirm your congregation’s participation. More information will follow on events around this commemoration.