Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 14, 2013

[RCCAtl]

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

 

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

 

The National Festival of Young Preachers held in Atlanta two weeks ago was a wonderful event full of spirit and power. Read more about it  

Tax season is upon us, but it doesn’t have to be painful.  Be prepared to help people in your congregation toward financial stability through free income tax preparation and financial literacy opportunities. More>>   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.

1. The Career Ministry at Holy Spirit announces a special panel for January 17. Each one will have something to offer candidates, so come at 6:30 p.m. and don't forget to bring your target companies so that you may effectively participate in PinPoint Networking, exclusive to the ministry. Guests are: Joe Treanor, President RoseBud Technologies; Cory Ruth, Director Program Management at Governor's Office of Workforce Development; Jessica Kenney, Staffing Manager at Snelling Staffing Professional Services-Atlanta; Robyn Coward, Marketing and Communications representing SPSU Continuing Education; and Steve Piejak, Linkedin Key Account Executive. This meeting will start on time, don’t miss a minute.  You may register at Meeting Notification sign-up.   Directions and opportunities.  

 2. What’s Calling You Now? Vocation Workshop, Saturday, January 19, 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Hospitality Suite at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. One’s calling or vocation is not a one-time matter but a life-long journey.   Participants of all ages will have opportunities to explore our gifts and reflect on the places where our interests can meet the needs of the world in a variety of settings and ways. Facilitated by Elaine Nocks and Eric Cain with the Center for Vocational Reflection at Furman University.  $18 includes lunch and book.  Register at www.prumc.org under Events.  For more information, contact Lindley Curtis at blocked::mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]"">[e-mail] or 404.240-8203.

3. The Jung Society of Atlanta presents a lecture Saturday evening, January 19, at 7:30 p.m., Integration: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s (Unfinished) Therapy With the Soul of America by Jennifer Selig, Ph.D. who teaches and chairs a department at Pacifica Graduate Institute.  Selig is also an author and her lecture will be based on her book about Dr. King and his leadership.  She will explore the concept of cultural therapy and the way Dr. King used Jungian concepts in his leadership to heal the nation from its neurosis around race, to bring about the beloved community, plus this unfinished work as it is faced today. Trinity Presbyterian Church at 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta 30327. Jung Society members – free; public - $20; students - $10. Additional information is at www.jungatlanta.com .

4. A special MLK service of worship and celebration, Sunday, January 20, will bring Lutherans together to remember MLK's vision of justice and inclusive, beloved community. The service will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 3099 Chapel Hill Rd in Douglasville 30135. As a part of your offering, please considering bringing bags of rice that will be used for the Lutheran Day of Service. 

5. The Cathedral Schola Evensong in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. Included will be an arrangement of a spiritual "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" arranged by Canon for Music Dale Adelmann. All are welcome.

6. A Martin Luther King Day Piano Recital is planned at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Decatur. Terry Lowry will play music of black classical composers from the Caribbean, Haiti and other locales. Donations will go to the piano fund. A reception follows. All are welcome.   

7. You are Invited to "Care for Creation" with  Atlanta's Interfaith Community at the Second Annual Multi-Faith Worship Service, Sunday, January 20, 6 p.m., at the at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College, 830 Westview Drive Southwest  Atlanta, GA 30314. Speakers include Bill Bolling, Atlanta Community Food Bank; Alexis Chase, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light; Dr. Khalid Siddiq, Al-Farooq Masjid of Atlanta; Rabbi Bradley Levenberg, Temple Sinai; Brother Shankara, Vedanta Center of Atlanta; Gareth Young, Red Clay Sangha (President of FAMA); and representatives from the Gurdwara Sahib/Sikh Study Circle.  Service will be followed by a brief candlelight procession & vigil at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on the Chapel Plaza and a coffee, tea and cookie reception in the African-American Hall of Fame on the 2nd floor of the Chapel. 

You're  invited to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Monday, January 21, Morehouse College.  Students, Faculty and community members will travel to sites throughout the city to offer service under the theme "Diversity with Sustainability."  Both events are open to the entire community; youth and young adults are especially encouraged to participate.

8. A is for Arab: Stereotypes in U.S. Popular Culture exhibit open now until February 2. This exhibit is free and open to the public.  Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta, Ga 30340. [e-mail] Alif also offers Arabic lessons. Arabic for every one: come and study Arabic at the ALIF Institute. Visit the website www.alifinstitute.org. Or contact the institute at 770-938-8770 or blocked::mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]"">[e-mail]

9. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Reflection with Dr. Diana l. Hayes, “Gift of God, Gift to the World: Giving of Ourselves”, Jan 21 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ignatius House Retreat Center (Sandy Springs.) For detailed info or, to register visit www.IgnatiusHouse.org  or call 404.255.0503.

10. Three widely respected Georgia academic choruses - the Georgia State University Singers, Walton High School A Cappella, and Dutchtown High School Concert Choir - will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, 681 Holt Road, NE, Marietta.  These choirs have been selected to demonstrate exemplary choral performance at this year's Georgia Music Educators Association's Annual In-Service Conference in Savannah. Composers range from Sweelinck and Sacred Harp to India's "Mozart."  It's a free concert and no tickets are needed.

11. Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize winning author of the acclaimed America in the King Years trilogy, is back with another historical book relating fascinating stories of everyday heroes who helped the civil rights movement triumph. The book brings to life eighteen dramas highlighting the essential moments of the civil rights era of the 1950’s and 60’s beginning with the speech that turned a twenty six year old Montgomery minister, Martin Luther King, Jr., into a national figure. Talk and book signing at the Atlanta History Center, Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 8:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased to reserve a seat. See  Atlanta History Center.

 12 . Cobb Faith Partnership meets on January 23 at noon. Newly elected President Coakley Pendergrass invites all in the community who work, professionally or on a volunteer basis, with faith based ministries, in congregations, or in serving agencies to come for the first meeting of the 2013.  Turner Chapel AME Church492 North Marietta Parkway Northeast Marietta, GA 30060.

13. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church will showcase artist Rick Berman and his “Miracle of Fire” display in Ventulett Gallery on January 24.  Doors open at 6 p.m. that Thursday at the church, 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy. N.W., Sandy Springs. Rick teaches art classes at Chastain Park and will soon travel to Italy where he will teach students from the UGA who are studying in Cortona. On his upcoming display, Berman says, “When pots are placed in a ceramic kiln and fired to extremely high temperatures (up to 2400 degrees F.) amazing things happen. The intense heat and pressure generated inside the kiln renders the same phenomenon that occurs in nature over millions of years in just a matter of ten or twelve hours. Clay and metals are transformed to stone and glass.” The event is free and open to all in the community.

14. On January 26, the Interfaith Children's Movement is holding the ICM in Cobb “Celebration of Children, Learn, Pray, Act” at Turner Chapel AME Church, 492 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta, 30060, with support from Cobb Faith Partnership. This is an all-day event, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Attendees will participate in learning sessions and action work groups about the issues facing children in Georgia (such as, juvenile justice, child sexual exploitation and trafficking, student achievement/school climate, foster care, anti-bullying and others).  Complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served to registered participants. To register, please go to www.interfaithchildrensmovement.org.  For more information, please write to blocked::mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]" target="_blank"">[e-mail].

15.  Founded in 1988 by Celebrations of Discipline author Richard Foster, Renovaré  serves to promote a bold vision for personal and corporate spiritual renewal that is practical, insightful, and rewarding. Drawing on the example of Jesus Christ and the traditions of Christians who have gone before us, a Renovaré Essentials Conference encourages people to develop renewed, sustainable, and enriched spiritual lives. Saturday, January 26, 2013, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Registration from 8 a.m.-9 a.m.) at LaGrange College Turner Hall. Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, The Pastoral Institute, and The Greater Atlanta Presbytery. More information.  

16. A reminder that the 2013 Tri-J Homeless Census count will be conducted on January 28 and 29. The Pathways Community Network Institute will need approximately 350 volunteers and is asking for volunteers from faith- based communities and organizations.  Our website has most of the information or you can contact Mike Bolds at Pathways Community Network Institute, 404-639-9933 ext. 323

17. Cathedral of St. Philip Antiques Show and Tour of Homes is January 31-February 2, 2013. All proceeds will go to Refugee Family Services, which supports the efforts of the approximately 3,000 refugees who arrive in Atlanta each year to become self-sustaining, productive citizens.  In particular, funds will be used to promote the agency's Literacy Success Program which is designed to help women in the job market and provide educational support for children of all ages.  For more information, please go to www.cathedralantiques.org.

 

 18 . Hundreds of Georgians from across the state will raise a collective voice to stop domestic violence, Thursday, January 31.   Event begins with breakfast and educational briefing at 8 a.m. at Georgia State University Student Center House and Senate Salon, 360 Student Center , Atlanta 30303 (corner of Piedmont Av. and Gilmer St.) It will conclude at 1:30 at the Georgia State Capitol. To find your legislators, and for additional information about this event >> . To R.s.v.p. Click Here   

19. Luther College Nordic Choir, one of the top college choirs in the nation, will present a concert at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, at the University of Georgia Performing Art Centers, Hodgson Concert Hall, 230 River Road, Athens. Conducted by Allen Hightower, the choir will perform sacred choral works.  Tickets cost $15 for the general public and $5 for students. To purchase tickets, visit www.pac.uga.edu or call 706-542-4400.

20 . MAC Souper Bowl Cook Off, Saturday, February 2, 12:30-2:30 p.m., at North Avenue Presbyterian. Congregations supporting the Midtown Assistance Center are holding a “Souper Bowl” Cook-Off. Enter a dish or come taste — there will be special activities for children. Admission will be donation of $5 or 3 cans of soup or canned foods. Please contact MAC at 404-681-0470 or [e-mail] for more information.

21. 2nd Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Soccer Coaches’ Clinic on Saturday February 2, 2013. This is a FREE event for soccer coaches of any level, lunch will be provided, must register! SPACE IS LIMITED! Register online at www.fcagwinnett.org/soccer

22. How Religion Inspires Positive Change. Georgia State University’s Department of Religious Studies invites you to "Moving Atlanta to Higher Ground” on Wednesday, February 6; Reception 5 – 6 p.m.; Event 6 -7:30 p.m. Rialto Center for the Arts, GSU, 80 Forsyth St., N.W., Atlanta 30303. Moderated by WXIA’s Ted Hall, Higher Ground’s Atlanta faith leaders, the Rev. Joanna Adams, Imam Plemon El-Amin, the Rev. Joseph Roberts and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, will discuss the ways that interfaith efforts can contribute to a better Atlanta. Please R.s.v.p. to Alicia Clay by clicking here.

23. The Spirituality of "Stuff" in the Gospel of Luke, February 7-10. What do our possessions have to with our life of faith? Our “stuff” is not merely decorative in our lives, accoutrements meant only to shape and decorate the outside world. Our “stuff” has become “stuffing.” It gives us and our lives shape and sustains us in a way Luke would have trouble recognizing. How can we bridge this gap? Instructor is Eric Barreto, Columbia Theological Seminary, Harrington Center. 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. If you are interested contact [e-mail]

24.  Media Day at The Interdenominational Theological Center is February 7, 10 a.m. – 12, learn the history, see the center in action, and hear plans for the future. At ITC in the Costen Building rooms 101-103.  This year, ITC will celebrate 55 years as the destination for men and women interested in an education committed to a liberating and transforming spirituality; academic discipline; religious, gender and cultural diversity; and justice and peace. For more information contact [e-mail] or call the office at 404.614.6394.

25. Time to register for the ChurchWorks Conference to be held Feb. 25-27 at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Sponsored by Current, CBF’s network of young leaders and CBF’s Missional Congregation Initiative. Register at www.thefellowship.info/churchworks. Network, enjoy fellowship, and worship with others who care about making church work.

26.  For the 13th straight year about 120 people with gather March 1-3 for a weekend of "doing art" at Mikell Camp and Conference Center in Toccoa. Twelve offerings this year include Zentangle, pottery, wood turning, painting, stained glass and weaving. "As usual, there will be a time for participants to gather to reflect on the spiritual and theological dimensions of creativity," says Elizabeth Allan of Atlanta. For a full description and information about registration go to mikellfolkschool.com.   For assistance, contact program director Tracy Schroeder at [e-mail] or registrar Melanie Struble at [e-mail]. Folk School fills up so make your choice soon.

27. Save the date, and get started raising funds for Hunger Walk/Run! March 10 will be here before you know it, and thousands will gather at Turner Field for the 29th year of fighting hunger in Georgia. Don’t miss out on this event -- it’s a day of fun for your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers -- well, everyone really! Register yourself or your team today.

28.  Faith Talk 970 WNIV Pastors Classic Golf Tournament. Pastors will enjoy a FREE round of golf at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm chosen as one of the “Top 10 Public courses in Georgia.” Monday, April 1 (Monday after Easter). This is a great opportunity to fellowship with other local Pastors, unwind from the busy Easter season, and sharpen your golf skills on their exquisite driving range prior to tee-time. Check-in begins at 9:00a.m., but all players must be on-site by 10:30.  Shotgun start at 11am. Lunch will be provided on the carts with a dinner and awards ceremony at the conclusion of the game. Reserve your spot for 2013! Please note: All players must be pastors (e.g., senior pastors, associate pastors, youth pastors).   Faith Talk 970 WNIV Atlanta and 104.7 fish .   

29 . Read about Meet Your Muslim Neighbor on AIBTV  

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We have come across some unusual and interesting resources lately : 

The Rural Clergy Training Program announced “The Clergy Connection” Newsletter created to keep interested rural clergy, chaplains, Veterans Service Organizations, and others informed about caring for, serving, and supporting Veterans living in rural areas. See the first issue . Visit the Rural Clergy Training web page to learn more.

Textweek.com is an ecumenical online resource used by thousands of pastors, background research, artistic and liturgical resources for worship, sermon starters, weekly reflections.

 

WomanPreach! Inc. is a non-profit organization that brings preachers into full prophetic voice around issues of equity and justice both in the pulpit and in the public arena  especially as related  to Womanist/Feminist concerns of equity and justice.   

The  mission of Baptist Women in Ministry it to be a catalyst in Baptist life, drawing together women and men in partnership with God, to illuminate, advocate, and nurture the gifts and graces of women.   

The Digital Image Archive is a useful source for artwork that illustrates passages from the Bible, provides portraits of Luther, Melanchthon and other reformers, and much more. It includes thousands of images and is searchable by keyword or Scripture text, and is available to all without charge through the Pitts Theological Library at Emory University.  

Reviewing two new books about St. Francis, New Yorker writer Joan Acocella has written an entertaining and informative article about Francis's life and his place in Church history. 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

 404-201-6448

 [e-mail]  www.rccapilgrims.ning.com

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