Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 13, 2015

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Weekly Church Action eNewsletter

Week of April 13, 2015

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and you will find many opportunities to participate in raising awareness or learning more in this week’s eNewsletter. Visit www.CHIPGeorgia.com for resources.

1. Welcome to Atlanta to the Alliance of Baptists 2015 Annual Gathering, at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305,  April 17-19, 2015. Mahan Siler, an Alliance founder, will preach at the 11 a.m. Worship service on Sunday, April 19. Find out more about this here.

2. The Board of Trustees for Columbia Theological Seminary announced April 14 Dr. Leanne Van Dyk will be the school’s tenth president. She is currently the Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Dr. Van Dyk’s appointment is effective July 1, 2015.

3. Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB) honors the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Roberts, Jr. with special airings of his memorial services. Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. handpicked Dr. Roberts to lead Ebenezer Baptist Church in the 1970's and over the years, he led his congregation inside Ebenezer Baptist and outside as well by launching community outreach programs, a food co-op, and a day care center for older adults. Commemorative Service on Friday, April 17, at 10 p.m. and Saturday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m. Highlights from A Service of Witness to the Resurrection for Dr. Roberts will air on Wednesday, April 22, at 9 a.m., Friday, April 24 at 10 p.m., and Saturday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m.

4. Brews to Boycott, support Georgia Cares at Monday Night Brewing to raise awareness of child exploitation and trafficking, 2 – 4 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 670 Trabert Avenue, Atlanta. Tickets are $10; mention Georgia Cares at the door and $2 will be donated to victims. For more information visit www.GACares.org or call [phone].

 

5. The Rev. Dr. Stephen Montgomery, Idlewild Presbyterian Church, Memphis, is the featured preacher on Day 1, Sunday, April 19. He earlier served churches in Tucker and Doraville. Read a transcript, hear a podcast, see conversations with pastors and authors, find your local station at Day1.org

 

6. The Edge-Cannon Lay Organization of Big Bethel AME church will celebrate Lay Day, Sunday, April 19.  At 7:45 a.m. the speaker will be Ms. Kabrina Bass, Director of Christian Education for the 6th Episcopal District (State of GA) of the AME Church.  At 11:00 a.m. Attorney Ceasar Mitchell, 7th President of the Atlanta City Council will be the speaker.  Founded in 1847, Big Bethel AME Church, the oldest predominantly African American congregation in the Metropolitan Atlanta area, is located at 220 Auburn Ave, NE.  All are invited to attend what will certainly be inspiring worship experiences.

 

7. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter, celebrates nine years of extraordinary leadership in public service with “Delta Week,” seven days of free events to enrich community life for local residents of all ages, starting Sunday, April 19. The public is invited to attend. Internationally, this Christian sorority has promoted public service, education, and social action for 102 years. The Douglas-Carroll-Paulding Counties Alumnae Chapter has more than 200 sorority members and was national “Chapter of the Year” in 2014. For a detailed list of the upcoming events and sites visit here.

 

8. Healing Hearts is a six-week parental grief support group for parents who have lost a child to a drug overdose.  The group is offered by Care and Counseling Center of Georgia in partnership with Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church.  This is a weekly support group, started April 14, meeting on Tuesdays, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., it is an open group so you may begin next week.  Glenn Memorial UMC is located at 1660 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, GA 30307.  Gather in the Church School Building Parlor.  Please contact Karon Ferguson at [phone] x407 or [e-mail].

 

9. Through The Eye of The Needle: The Art of Esther Nisenthal Krinitz An event commemorating Holocaust Remembrance and in recognition of Genocide Prevention and Awareness month, Sunday, April 19,  from 7 – 9:30 p.m.,  Congregation Gesher L'Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta 30022. More than 40 years after the Holocaust, Esther Nisenthal Krinitz depicted her remarkable story of survival through a stunningly beautiful series of fabric collage and embroidery panels. Read more about this and the award winning documentary, special guest, and sponsors at our website and artandremembrance.org.  This program is free and open to the community. However, reservations are required, so Reserve your seat now.

 

10. Join Compassionate Atlanta and Neshama Interfaith Center for the next Community Conversation on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Coffee Bianco, 1585 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell 30076. “Our planet is our house, and we must keep it in order and take care of it if we are genuinely concerned about happiness for ourselves, our children, our friends, and other sentient beings who share this great house with us.” ~~ The Dalai Lama.  Click here to R.s.v.p. on the Facebook event page, or email [e-mail]  For more information see  www.compassionateATL.com and www.neshamainterfaithcenter.org

 

11. Emmaus House Gala, Thursday, April 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Carter Center. Purchase your tickets and learn more about this fun evening here. 

 

12. Thriving Children Gala Hair and Fashion Show, Friday, April 24, 7 p.m., in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theater, will support The Center for Children and Adults, a home for children 12-20 who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or commercially exploited. More information and tickets at www.atlthrivingchildren.org

 

13. Remember the Creation Care Conference coming up on April 24-25 at Decatur First UMC with Glenn Memorial UMC and the special youth conference. Find out all about it at www.ngumc.org/creationcare

 

14. City of Refuge will host the I WILL INTERVENE CHALLENGE 1-Day Suicide Intervention Workshop on April 25 from 8:30 to 4:00 at 1300 Joseph E Boone Blvd. (formerly Simpson Road) Atlanta 30314.  This workshop is open to all with interest in learning the skills that are saving lives and also offers 7 hours of CE credit for mental health professionals.  L3 (Listen-Learn-Lead) Suicide intervention Training was developed by Armed Forces Mission and the Master Resilience Institute to strengthen both civilian and military communities.  Register today at www.iwillintervene.com.  

 

15. Bishop B. Michael Watson, Resident Bishop of the North Georgia Conference United Methodist Church, will be the guest preacher on Sunday, April 26, at 10:00a.m. at Columbia Drive United Methodist Church, 2067 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30032. For more information email [e-mail].

 

16. Please register for the “Life After Prison” conversation at the Training and Counseling Center of St. Luke’s, April 29, 6 p.m. More and registration here.

 

17. Arts in the Garden takes place on the Skyland Trail main campus from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on May Day, May 1, with art demonstrations, exhibits, musical performances, artists market, and plant sale. Admission is free. Open to the public. Whether artists, musicians, or poets ... or accountants, executives, or chefs, Arts in the Garden celebrates the strength and talents of all individuals living and thriving with a mental illness. For information about how you might participate select a link.  Sell your art in Artist Market > Display your art in the Art Exhibit > Exhibitor and Advertising Information > Organization Exhibit > Logo Advertising >   In-Kind Donation Opportunities >

 

18. DeKalb residents are gathering in the honor of those living with a mental health condition and their loved ones, Friday, May 1. To the Decatur Square at 7:00 p.m. for Street Theater and at 7:30 for the Vigil. Wear your green. Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness DeKalb County Affiliate. For information contact 404-604-2350 or [e-mail]. You will also find us at www.namidekalb.com

 

19. Sandy Tolan, May 1, 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church Decatur, Children of the Stone chronicles Ramzi’s journey--from stone thrower to music student to school founder--and shows how through his love of music he created something lasting and beautiful in a land torn by violence and war. It’s a vivid portrait of life amid checkpoints and military occupation, a growing movement of nonviolent resistance, the prospects of musical collaboration across the Israeli–Palestinian divide, and the potential of music to help children everywhere see new possibilities for their lives. Conversations at First Baptist Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030, hosts this event sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book; no tickets or reservations are required.

 

20. An Out of the Darkness Campus Walk takes place at River Ridge High School in Woodstock on May 2.  Funds raised allow the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

 

21. A yard sale to raise funds for outreach ministries is planned from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 1673 Jamerson Road NE, Marietta 30066. There will be food and fun, too; all are welcome.

 

22. The Metro Atlanta Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting a  Mental Health First Aid training, Saturday, May 2, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at  Perimeter Church, 9500 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, Georgia 30097.   Information about MHFA can be found here.  Space is limited and cost is $15 per person.   Online registration only at afsp.

 

23. You are invited the Rainbow Village 20th Annual Golf Classic, Monday, May 4, at TPC Sugarloaf! There are some exciting things happening at Rainbow Village, a transitional housing community and program for homeless families with children, and your support is needed.  After a shotgun start at noon, four-player teams will have 4 ½ hours to enjoy the beauty and challenge of TPC Sugarloaf. Dinner will be provided by Outback Steakhouse. After dinner and the award ceremony, guests will have the opportunity to compete to win exciting raffle prizes. Registration deadline is Monday, April 27. To register, visit rainbowvillage.org. If you have questions contact Linda Cerjan at [e-mail].

 

24. “Building Hope in the Holy Land” The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem invite you to learn more about life in the Holy Land today. Brother Andrew de Carpentier, Director of the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Jordan, will talk about their ground breaking work with the deaf and deaf blind in a volatile place. Anne Lynn, President, AFEDJ will share the many education and healing ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem.  All are welcome. Friday, May 8, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta.  Please R.s.v.p. to Alison de Lavis at [e-mail] or [phone] by April 28.

 

25. Summer Institute on Theology & Disability $50 Early Bird Discount until April 20. Presented by Bethesda, and hosted by the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University, Atlanta, the 2015 Summer Institute on Theology and Disability, begins Tuesday morning, May 26, and concludes Friday evening, May 29. Register here.

 

26. Maybe you’ve heard of The Moth, a NYC non-profit bringing back the art of storytelling. Well, Epworth UMC falls in step with communities across the country to follow the ancient tradition of storytelling, bringing into the mix the music of the Blues, family friendly - come as you are to listen or speak, or sing and dance. 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, Dobbins Hall / Community Center (Education Building) Click here for a map of this location, handicap accessibility, and parking. Find out more; email Rob [e-mail] or call [phone]

 

The 2015 Farmers Market season is underway. We’ll have more each week.

 

• Freedom Farmers Market at The Carter Center, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Come to the market at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, on Saturday, April 18, for a chef demo by Steven Satterfield of Miller Union, the Farmers Market birthday party with a visit from the Fairywood Thicket farm animals, and much more. Saturdays, April-December, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Cathedral parking lot.

• FARM, Farmers' Atlanta Road Market, is open every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. through October at St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, intersection of Atlanta Road and the East West Connector in Smyrna. The market promotes locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as other local cottage industries. Proceeds benefit Path to Shine. More here.

• Brookhaven Farmers Market is open Saturdays, April 18 through December 12, at University Baptist Church, 1375 Fernwood Circle NE, Brookhaven, GA  30319.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]

404-201-6448