Church Action eNewsletter Week of May 29, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of May 29, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

Does your congregation or ministry operate a food pantry? At the suggestion of someone involved with a pantry, we plan a networking event for food pantry operators, a time to talk about challenges, successes, and new ideas. Please send us contact information for anyone, volunteer or employed, who might be interested. Send name and email to [e-mail] 

1. North Fulton County Mental Health Collaborative presents N.E.W. Mental Health Connection, Thursday, June 1, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Join Beth Clay, executive director of N.E.W. Mental Health Connection of Fox Valley, WI to learn more about their community model and discuss what might be replicable .  Visit their website to learn more about NEW. Register here.

2. The Atlantic Institute invites you to Interreligious Dialogue and Human Rights: Affirming our Solidarity: Leading pathways to unity and peace through Dialogue, Service, and Human Rights, symposium and Iftar dinner, Saturday, June 3. 2 p.m. 591 North Main Street, Alpharetta 30009 This is an opportunity to learn with community leaders and interfaith experts. Contact the Rev. Diane Dougherty at [phone] if you have questions.  More information and registration.

3. Grace United Methodist Church and Global Ministries' Center for Mission Innovation invite you and your congregation to Boundless Spirit: A Pentecost Festival of Story and Song. This festival of creative worship will take place on Saturday, June 3, 5:00-6:30 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, 458 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308. The ecumenical event will feature artistic and musical leadership from congregations throughout the Atlanta area and highlight the Spirit’s movement in the Church, in the world, and in our hearts. A brief reception will follow. You won’t want to miss this vibrant worship experience! If you have questions, contact Calissa Dauterman, Minister for Spiritual Formation and Growth at Grace UMC, [e-mail] or 404-876-0073, or visit bit.ly/BoundlessSpiritFestival.

4. Bring the whole family and even sing along with Capitol City Opera at a Disney Caberet, Sunday, June 4, 2:00 p.m. Community concerts are free but a suggested donation of $10 will help cover costs and support the mission and programs of Capitol City Opera. Highpoint Community Episcopal Church, 4945 High Point Road, Atlanta 30342.

5. The Atlanta City Council will recognize First Congregational Church for its 150th Anniversary and Rev. Dwight Andrews for his leadership on June 5. Congratulations to an anchor of downtown offering worship, fellowship, music, youth programs, and a community center!

6. Flat Shoals Primitive Baptist Singing School with traditional singer and teacher Richard Lee DeLong is next week, Monday through Friday, June 5-9, 7-9 p.m. at 2052 Fairview Road, Stockbridge 30281.  Contact Jesse Roberts 678-432-6175 or email: [e-mail].

7. Don’t miss these opportunities to hear Quaker George Lakey next week. Both events are free and open to all.

• George Lakey book talk and signing of his latest Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right – And How We Can, Too, Friday, June 9, 7:30 p.m., Atlanta Friends Meeting, 701 West Howard Ave., Decatur 30030. Light refreshments and childcare available. For more, contact Susan Firestone, [e-mail].
• A Nation Divided – Where do we go from here? Strategic planning workshop with Lakey. Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m. – noon, Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Dr., Decatur 30030. For information and to register, contact Leslie Withers: [e-mail].

 

8. Congregation Bet Harvarim offers a weekend, June 9-11, with nationally acclaimed author and spiritual teacher Rabbi Rami Shapiro to explore the spiritual practice of recovery and the spiritual drain of unhealthy dependence. Registration is required, please R.s.v.p. by Monday, June 5. Click here for more information and registration. 

 

9. Peachtree Christian Church  is pleased to announce that it will host Dr. Willie Jennings of Yale Divinity School for a symposium concerning the dynamic relationship between faith and race, Sunday, June 11, 5 p.m.\. The symposium will be held in Peachtree's sanctuary with a reception to follow. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase Dr. Jennings' revolutionary new book, Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible. In addition to this wonderful evening event, Peachtree Christian invites all to hear Dr. Jennings preach during its 11 a.m. worship service. All are welcome.

 

10. Bishop I. V. Hilliard, Senior Pastor of New Light Christian Center Church in Houston and the president of MaxLife Network, along with his wife, Pastor Bridget Hilliard, will host a one-day Faith Tour, Friday, June 16, at 7:00 p.m., at The Body of Christ Church International, U.S.A., 3650 Flat Shoals Road, College Park. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome. Please call [phone] if you have any questions.

 

11. Join Charis in welcoming Pastor Linda Herzer to discuss her new book The Bible and the Transgender Experience, June 20, 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books. More information

 

12. The Moorish Science Temple of America, an Introduction, Sunday, June 25, 3:00-5:30 p.m., Downtown Decatur Library Association, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur 30030. The MSTA was born in the early part of the 20^th century as part of the post-Civil War recovery period. It serves as a religious community for African-Americans to practice Islamic principles and preserve ethnic cultural practices. This is an important opportunity to further our knowledge of the diverse religious traditions which make up the Greater Atlanta community.

 

13. Fulton County Schools Faith Summit, June 27, Join Superintendent Rose and Interfaith Children’s Movement for a collaborative event that will engage Fulton County's faith leaders with school leaders in support of students, families and education. Buckhead Church, 3336 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta 30326. Please be sure to R.s.v.p., you can do that here.

 

14. With conference for churches in ministry with the poor is August 26 at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. Topics will include serving immigrant and refugee populations, hunger relief, asset-based community development, prison ministry, affordable housing, best practices in local benevolence , and more. Tickets are $30. Click here to purchase tickets.

 

15. Koinonia Farm has announced that registration is open for the Clarence Jordan Symposium 2018.  Building Up a New World will be March 8-10, 2018, in Americus, welcomed and hosted in two churches that blocked participants from Koinonia 75 years ago. This will be the 75^th birthday of the farm and a crowd is expected.  Read all about the 2018 Clarence Jordan Symposium.      Register for the Symposium.

 

16. Looking for a way to serve your community? When money is tight, saving money on your grocery bill can go a long way toward helping ease the anxiety. King Foods offers an opportunity for anyone to save money on high quality food for their family. They are looking to partner with local congregations to serve people of all economic statuses. Interested in learning more? Stop by their website at www.kingfoods.org or contact Rev. Roger Vest at Powder Springs First United Methodist Church at [e-mail].  

 

17. See a complete list of Columbia Theological Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning upcoming classes, on the campus and online, and events here, visit the Center for Lifelong Learning page, or visit the CTS home page to find out even more. 

 

18. WonderRoot focuses resources on supporting the development of Atlanta artists through the Walthall Artist Fellowship and over the last five years has helped catalyze a magnificent roster of artists’ careers. Applications for this next year’s fellowship cohort are due June 9. Is there an artist in your congregation? Consider letting folks know about this opportunity. Application details here. For more information visit WonderRoot  here.  

 

19. Did you know that Caron hosts free parent and family support groups for anyone who has a child or family member in treatment, recovery, relapse, or active addiction?  These are safe and supportive places for compassionate cross talk. They meet every other Tuesday alternating between Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Family Life Center, and Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Sandy Springs. Contact Nancy Zintak, [phone] or [e-mail], if you are interested in joining or starting a group in your area. Coming up June 13 at NWUU and June 27 at Second-Ponce de Leon.

 

The Atlanta Interfaith Manifesto urges interfaith cooperation and denounces religious bigotry.

Find out more and become a signer at atlantainterfaithmanifesto.org

 

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox  for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]