Church Action eNewsletter Week of February 18, 2019

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Some new Advocacy Days at the Capital have been announced. See the list here.

1. Today, Tuesday, Feb 19, at 6:30 p.m., End Money Bail DeKalb / NAACP Criminal Justice meeting, Bethel Baptist Church, 1890 Second Ave 30032. All are welcome!

2. The Aquinas Center at Emory has launched “Aquinas Emory Thinks” a new blog site. The purpose is to inspire thought and conversation about critical, current issues. St. Thomas Aquinas was not afraid to engage with "thought leaders". His work was suspect in his day because he drew on knowledge from philosophers as well as from Jewish and Muslim sources. The Aquinas Center encourages conversation across faith and secular sources, fostering an intellectually vibrant Catholic community. You can visit and subscribe by clicking the button below. Aquinas Emory Thinks

3. Those of you who work with young people will be interested to know that Gov. Kemp has announced the My GCAL app for Apple and Android smartphones. This app is designed to reach Georgia’s youth in times of need. GCAL is staffed by caring professionals - including licensed clinicians - who are available 24/7 to address behavioral health crises, make referrals for treatment, and dispatch mobile crisis response teams.

4. Decatur Presbyterian Church has another job opportunity, part-time financial administrator. Here is the link to the job posting. 

5. A bill has been filed in the Georgia House of Representatives to protect children who have experienced commercial exploitation or trafficking. Representative Efstration, with the bipartisan support of many others, sponsored this bill to protect youth victims from criminal liability and ensure that they receive trauma-informed services. Learn more about this bill and ways you can get involved in this im...

6. New AIB series, What is? explores the Jewish mystical concepts of reality, time, consciousness, free choice, God, and Evil with Rabbi Ari Sollish of the Intown Jewish Academy. See it Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday at 5 p.m., Thursday at 11 a.m., Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Comcast channel 295, AT&T U-verse channel 6, and livestreaming at aibtv.com

7. The Rev. Becca Stevens is the featured preach on Day1 Sunday at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. Visit Day1.orgto read it now and find many other resources.

8. Georgia WAND 17th Annual Real State of the Union: Arts & Activism Healing Our Community, Saturday, Feb. 23, reception starts at 5:30. Artsxchange, 2148 Newnan Street, East Point 30344. R.s.v.p. to Jewel Howard [e-mail]

9. Georgia Cares community trainings on domestic minor trafficking are coming up Feb. 23 in Cartersville, March 21, in Rome. And April 6 in Donalsonville. Find information at www.gacares.org/community-trainings.html

10. Save Money on Property Taxes with the Homestead Exemption.
• Saturday, February 23 from 10 am-noon at Arthur Langford Jr. Recreation Center
• Sunday, March 3 from 2-4 pm at Metropolitan Library
• Thursday, March 7 from 6-8 pm at Families First
• Saturday, March 16 from 12:30-2:30 pm at Paradise Baptist Church
Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Atlanta City Council Members Joyce Sheperd and Carla Smith, and the Grove Park Foundation have put together a series of workshops to show property owners how to apply for and take advantage of the homestead exemption. Sign up for a workshop here.

11. In 2015, Mohammed Al-Samawi was in hiding in Yemen. As his hope of escaping alive became slimmer, he skyped with a friend from America to say his last goodbyes. His friend, Daniel Pincus, is a long-time American Jewish Committee leader who happened to be with Joey Alexander that evening. Daniel asked Joey to play a song since they believed it might have been Mohammed’s last time to hear music. Hear Mohammed’s incredible story of survival Feb. 23, at 7:00 p.m., followed by Joey’s performance at 8:00, at the Rialto Center for the Arts at G.S.U. Use discount code MAJC19 for 15% off of your ticket. Purchase Tickets Here

12. You are invited to an enjoyable and informative Prayer Breakfast “When Will the Power Come Back On?” with focal points by Dr. Anthony Alford. Our prayers are powerful both individually and collectively. Please join in support of one another wherever we are in our prayer life. Register at benhillprayerbreakfast.eventbrite.com by February 24. What's in it for you? A hot, delicious breakfast, good fellowship, and powerful information and encouragement to help you get to the next level when you pray. For more information, contact Gail Stafford at [e-mail].
www.benhillumc.org

13. Come join Faith in Public Life at the state Capitol for coffee and conversation about the biggest issues affecting people of faith before walking across the street to talk with your legislators. February 25, at 9:30 a.m., Tull Conference Room, Central Presbyterian, 201 Washington St SW, Atlanta. Email [e-mail] if you're interested in coming, and F in PL will help you connect with your legislators beforehand and make your day as productive as possible.

14. On Monday, February 25, a “Lunch and Learn” 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Ellis Room in the Richards Center Refectory, Columbia Theological Seminary. Seminary students, faculty and staff and community guests are invited to bring their own lunches or purchase from the serving line. Columbia Theological Seminary alumna Katie Archibald-Woodward artist of “Our Home is the Holy Land” will share remarks and a video presentation related to her work in the Holy Land. On Tuesday evening, February 26, an artist’s reception will take place from 4:30 – 7:00 pm in the Harrington Center, 2nd floor. Light refreshments will be provided. The artist will share brief remarks at 5:45 pm.

15. The 2020 Census will be critical in determining how much federal funding our local schools, roads and hospitals receive. Please save the date and join Faith in Public Life on February 28, 8:30 a.m. at Ben Hill United Methodist Church for a training about the importance of the 2020 Census and what people of faith can do to ensure that all communities are fairly and accurately counted.Register

16. Free screening of Sweet Auburn Blues followed by a panel featuring filmmakers Alahna Lark and Shonda Harper, lead historian Karcheik Sims-Alvarado Ph.D., and Nina Villani, one of the film’s lead writers — moderated by Ricci De Forrest, curator of the Madame CJ Walker Museum. Thursday, Feb. 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Atlanta BeltLine Center. Space is limited. RSVP now!

17. Phoenix Flies 201, a celebration of Atlanta’s historic sites, begins on March 2 and Saint Mark UMC in Midtown is an opening day feature. See the entire schedule

18. Northside Drive Baptist Church will host 2 tours of its stained glass windows, Thursday, March 7, 11 am-12 noon & Tuesday, March 19, 11 am-12 noon. Led by art historian Jordan Clark and Senior Minister James Lamkin, the interpretive tours of the Willet Studio faceted windows will take place in the darkened sanctuary where the Christian story of God's revelation to humankind (and the church's history and involvement in the world) can be viewed and appreciated. R.s.v.p. to Will Mathews at [phone] or [e-mail]

19. The H.O.P.E. team will share best practices, contacts and resources they use with great success with others desiring to help those experiencing homelessness in the first Certified Homeless Advocate Training. A pin can be earned after completing 4-5 service hours at a shelter from an approved list within 90 days of the presentation. Training Forum conducted by the GSU-Police H.O.P.E. Team with Continuum of Care partners, SafeHouse, Gateway, Covenant House, Good Day – Good Deeds, and further assisted by GSU Faculty & Staff. Saturday March 2, 2019 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Atlanta Campus – location to be announced. Register by emailing your reservation to Professor Rusty Tchernis at [e-mail] See the entire program here. 

20. “Wade in the Water” All Saints' Episcopal Church welcomes Theodicy Jazz Collective for an evening of music and conversation. The concert and sing-along will focus on the historical roots of jazz, blues, and freedom songs, and their strong connection to spirituality. Saturday, March 2, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., 634 West Peachtree St, NW, Atlanta 30308. With repertoire from Mozart's to spirituals like "Wade in the Water," this concert explores the deep spiritual roots of improvised music. Incorporating sounds from jazz, gospel, Latin America and Africa, the music is a constant prayer, sometimes a cry of joy, sometimes a shout for action, sometimes a deep, silent, hope. You will not want to miss; this all-ages concert is free and open to the public.

21. Elana Zaiman, rabbi, chaplain, and spiritual leader, has written “The Forever Letter: Writing What We Believe for Those We Love” inspired by the centuries-old Jewish tradition of the ethical will. A forever letter is a perfect way to share your most precious possessions: your values, wisdom, dreams, and love with the people who matter to you most. Zaiman offers tools, guidelines, and examples for grandparents and parents to embrace this concept. Forever Letter Writing Workshop March 3 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Atlanta 30327, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

22. The Gloria in Excelsis was written by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford for the coronation of King George V in 1911 and included in the order of service for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Peachtree Road United Methodist Chancel Choir, Georgia Boy Choir, and full orchestra will perform the Gloria as part of The Crown: Music from the Coronation, March 3. Tickets available now! www.prumc.org/events.

23. Cajun Queen Sonja Young Annual Gumbo Cook-Off Fundraiser for the Maya Angelou Teen Center at the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, March 5. The flavor of Mardi Gras in the Big Easy here in HotLanta, with delicious samples of the classic delicacy prepared by five of Atlanta’s top Cajun restaurants and chefs. For information contact Gavin McGuire at [phone]. Click HERE to purchase tickets. Space is limited, reserve your spot today! 

24. Shallowford Presbyterian Church invites the public to Ash Wednesday Service With a low-cost dinner before the service, March 6, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Come at 5:45 p.m. for dinner before the service. Children under 5 free; children 5-12 $5; youth and adults $8. Family maximum is $25. R.s.v.p for dinner to Danielle Lawn, [e-mail]. Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta 30345, .7 miles east of I-85 in central DeKalb County. Phone: [phone] www.shallowford.org/event/ash-wednesday-dinner-worship/

25. Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Praying the Stations of the Cross for Victims of Human Trafficking, Thursday, March 7, 7:00 p.m., 3740 Holtzclaw Road, Cumming, 30041, sponsored by the Good Shepherd Council of Catholic Women.

26. We had an incorrect link for this book study and pilgrimage. Dr. Catherine Meeks, Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, will lead a five-week book study on “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” by James Cone culminating in a pilgrimage to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Sat., April 13. Sundays, March 10, 24, April 7 4:00–5:30 p.m., at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St NE, Sundays, March 17, 31 4:00–5:30 p.m., All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Register online here. For more information, contact The Rev. Kim Jackson at [e-mail] .

27. Barbara Brown Taylor launches her latest book “Holy Envy” at Conversations at First Baptist, Monday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m. Taylor recounts her moving discoveries of finding the sacred in unexpected places while teaching the world’s religions to undergraduates in rural Georgia. This event is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by Conversations at First Baptist, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030. No tickets or reservations are required. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.

28. 2019 Annual AACTS Conference, Lithonia, Georgia (metro Atlanta), from Wed., March 13 through Fri., March 15. With the theme Tic Tock! S.O.S.: Save Our Souls Time Is Running Out, Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. will convene church leaders and leadership teams during an action-driven, three day, conference. Presented by African American Churches Transforming Society (AACTS). AACTS is a collective of African American Churches working together to develop and expand initiatives, services, processes, programs and resources to help our communities and people thrive and prosper. Much more information, schedule, and Get Tickets 

29. Make plans now to join Lutheran Church of the Redeemer as they welcome Diana Butler Bass. Dr Bass will speak about her new book, ‘Grateful’ and help us see how we can choose gratitude. Redeemer invites all to join in this opportunity to cultivate a habit of thankfulness! Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, March 24, presentation on gratitude from 2 – 4 p.m. She will preach in the morning at the 9:45 and 11:00 worship services. Please register for the 2:00 presentation by going to this link

30. Find out about ongoing individual and family NAMI support groups in Cumming here.

31. Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:30 at the Lake Oconee Community Church. This group exists as a resource for caregivers, providing an outlet for the sharing of experiences, an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, and a place of confidentiality and emotional support. Refer to LOCC Links f or dates, modifications in the schedule, or to register for weekly emails. For information contact Linda Robinson or Becky Matheny.

32. PreachingandWorship.org aims to provide easy access to excellent on-line resources for preparing sermons and worship services for a wide range of denominations and traditions—a bit like a Google, Bing, or Yahoo search, specifically designed for preachers. This site is a collaborative project of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Christian Classics Ethereal Library/Hymnary.org with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. To date, 90,016 web-pages are accessible through this website.

33. From the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary, a four-week online course, Contemporary Readings in Christian Education: Youth and Youth Ministry, with Anna Brown, for persons interested in deepening their understanding of contemporary issues in Christian Education, starts March 4. Click here to learn more.