Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 25, 2013

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

   Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

Weekly Church Action eNewsletter

Week of November 25, 2013

Check the community calendar on our website 

 

 

The faith community has a unique role in supporting people living with mental illnesses. Find a list you should have at hand of signs and symptoms that indicate a person should be referred for professional help in the Prepare section of Compassionate Congregations Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry at www.chipgeorgia.com/

1. Meals On Wheels Atlanta Needs Your Help This Holiday Season.  Hundreds of seniors in metro Atlanta are unable to buy and prepare food for themselves. You can help by devoting around 2 hours of your time to deliver meals on Thanksgiving Day and/or Christmas Eve! To sign up or for information, contact Jason Tucker, at 404-351-6194 or [e-mail]

2. Radcliffe Presbyterian Church will host its annual Hanging of the Green service on Tuesday, November 26, at 6:30 p.m., with a holiday reception to follow.  Come usher in the holiday, help deck the halls, and join in singing and praising God at the beginning of this Advent season.  Radcliffe is located at 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr., Atlanta, GA, 30318. 

3. Join Host Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins for an exciting conversation about Prophetic Preaching. He brings two exciting guests to Religion Roundtable on AIB TV this week: Dr. Valerie Bridgeman, of Woman Preach, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded to give preachers a full prophetic voice around issues of equity and justice, and Dr. Matt Fleming, Preaching Instructor at Columbia Theological Seminary whose work focuses on the theological formation of preachers as they prepare for the challenges of the 21st century church. Join them on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.

4. The Rev. Dr. Ted A. Smith, assistant professor of preaching and ethics at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., is the featured speaker Dec. 1, the first Sunday of Advent, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. For more information, call toll free 888-411-DAY-1 or check the program’s website, http://day1.org. 

 

5. Advent Revival at Central United Methodist Church, 501 Mitchell Street SW, Atlanta 30314 , where the Rev. Yvette Massey is Senior Pastor,  www.centralumcatl.org  The community is invited to worship with Central on December 1, 2, and 3. Reverend Telley Lynette Gadson, St. Mark and St. Matthew UMC, Greenville, will preach on December 1 at 6 p.m. On Monday, Dec. 2, Dr. Gregory S. Williams from Golden Memorial UMC, Douglasville will preach at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, the Rev. Marlon Harris, New Life Baptist Church, Decatur, will preach at 7 p.m. Dinner will be served on Monday and Tuesday compliments of the church.

6. The DeKalb County Board of Health will observe World AIDS Day 2013 with a series of educational and testing events.  The theme is “Getting to zero:  zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.”  World AIDS Day is Sunday, Dec. 1. On Monday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., Free 20-minute HIV testing at Scores Sports Bar and Video, 2425 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur  30035. Thursday, Dec. 5, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Free 20-minute HIV testing at Vinson Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur  30030, Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free 20-minute HIV testing The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall, 2801 Candler Rd., Decatur 30034.

7. Table Talk at Emory/Candler School of Theology with Dr. Gregory Ellison on December 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Explore theological education at Emory/Candler. Prospective students are invited to a casual dinner with Dean Jan Love, members of the Admissions team, and current students. Dr. Ellison, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, will give a talk entitled "Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for Marginalized Populations." Dr. Ellison is the author of "Cut Dead But Still Alive: Caring for African American Young Men" and the co-founder of Fearless Dialogues, a grassroots community empowerment initiative to improve the lives of African American young men. His current research focuses on caring for marginalized populations, pastoral care as social activism, and 20th and 21st century mysticism.  Register here.

8. Dec. 4, Wednesday 6:30 p.m., “The Stones Cry Out" film about the Palestinian Christian story from 1948 until today, after the 55 minute movie, 3 Palestinians who are U.S. citizens & live in Metro Atlanta, eye witnesses of 1948 Nakba,  will share with us what they remember- a Medical doctor, a priest and a minister & then Q& A. ALIF Institute 3288 Marjan Dr, Atlanta  30340. www.alifinstitute.org 770-936-8770.

9. Rehearsals have begun for the annual Advent/Christmas Music Celebration at Lake Oconee Community Church. Practice with the group on December 5 at 6:30 p.m. or just come to the service, Sunday, December 8, 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. Click here for location information. mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]" target="_blank"">Click here for more information.

10. Holy Darkness:  Advent Evening Prayer - Come away from the holiday rush and noise for a time of stillness, contemplative prayer, sacred readings, and group reflection, around the theme of Holy Darkness—see and receive the gifts and God that come in the darkness.  Join Kimberly Broerman, spiritual director at Deep Waters Center for Prayer and Exploration, and others on Thursday evenings, December 5, 12, and 19, 6:30-8:30 pm at Amerson House Spirituality Center, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.  After a time of worship, we i stay for a nourishing meal and conversation around the table.  Come for one or all, but do let us know so we can prepare with you in mind.  Contact Kimberly at 404.275.3328 or [e-mail] to sign up.

11. Come shop for the holidays at the annual Crossroads Holiday Bazaar on December 6! DeKalb Community Service Board clients will display their paintings, jewelry and more! The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richardson Health Center's Bohan Auditorium, 445 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030. Crossroads Peer Support is a mental health program of the DeKalb CSB that provides structured, scheduled activities that promote socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, and maintenance of community living skills. For more information, visit www.dekcsb.org or call 404-370-7460.

12. Safe America’s Open House and Tailgate Barbecue! Saturday, December 7, 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.,  Safe America Foundation Headquarters, 2480 Sandy Plains Rd., Marietta, 30066. Your $20 tax-deductible donation provides you with barbecue and a raffle ticket to win a 32” JVC flat screen television! Featured attractions include an afternoon appearance by TV personality John Bachman, sidewalk art contest, “teen tracker” app demonstration, airbag demonstrations, anti-texting safety app by sprint, for a specified donation you will receive a bike to donate to a needy kid, donation-generated chipped window repair, neck message, and headlight checks and repolishing. Please R.s.v.p. to Deborah Worley, at [e-mail], or [phone].  

13. A Christmas Fine Art & Crafts Christmas Fair and Episcopal Church Women's Bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Andrew's-in-the Pines, Peachtree City. More than 20 juried vendors will be selling selected fine art and crafts, including pottery, original art, textiles, jewelry, glass art, candy and angel decor. The ECW will have baked goods on sale as well as a golden elephant sale.   Proceeds benefit ECW programs and community outreach.  

14. "Enlarging Our Heart: To Embrace the Love of God" is the theme for an Advent Quiet Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. The Rev. Canon Beth Knowlton will lead the day at the Lanier House. Cost is $20 and includes lunch.  Information: 404-365-1034 or mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:jmahood@stphili... 

15. Candlelight and Carols with the Festival Singers, Saturday, December 7, 9 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, 458  Ponce de Leon, Midtown, Atlanta.  And Sunday, December 8, 4 p.m., at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church, 2160 Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna, featuring the Choral Ensembles of Sprayberry High School. Tickets are available at the door or online at http://www.FESTIVALSINGERS.ORG

16. The Rev. Dr. Davis Chappell, senior pastor of Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn., is the featured speaker Dec. 8, the second Sunday of Advent, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Chappell came to Brentwood la after serving churches in Atlanta and North Georgia for 30 years, including 12 years as senior pastor of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church. Chappell’s “Day 1” sermon for the second Sunday of Advent, based on Zephaniah 3:14-20, is entitled “A Prophet’s Joy.”

17. “Simply Christmas” Sunday, December 8, 10:30 a.m.  All are invited to enjoy the Apostles children's Christmas musical.  This is a joint worship service. Apostle is at 6025 Glenridge Drive, NE, in Sandy Springs.  The service will be followed by Apostles' Annual Congregational Meeting. Sandy Spring Apostles Church.

18. The Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society will present its annual Choral Concert for Christmas at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JqUip4Pnm14EqFLUFg4bw2nPRlMOTKDZlK5k..., 105 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta. All are welcome; admission is free.

19. The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, Senior Pastor, and Dr. Tony McNeill, Worship & Arts Director, with the Worship & Arts Ministries of Ebenezer Baptist Church in collaboration with “Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral Drama & Dance Ministries” will present “Anticipation: Advent Worship Service” on Sunday, December 8, 2013, 4 p.m., in the Horizon Sanctuary, 407 Auburn Avenue, N. E., Atlanta, GA 30312.  [phone].

20. You are invited to hear the Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship perform “Song of Simeon, A Christmas Journey” on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 pm.  This 14-piece ensemble will tell the Christmas story through music and verse at Sandy Springs Christian Church-conveniently accessible from GA400 and I-285.  Last year's recording of this performance was acclaimed by NPR and the WSJ as one of the five best holiday albums of 2012!  Hear it live as performed by musicians that have played nationally and internationally and recorded with artists including Natalie Cole and CeeLo Green. Tickets are $15, $10 for students with id.  Groups of 10 are eligible for a discount.  Visit www.SandySpringsCC.org for tickets or more information.

21. Musica Sacra, First Presbyterian Church, presents two short one-act Christmas operas that tell the story of hope, wonder, and healing the night Christ was born,  “Amahl and the Night Visitors”  and “The Christmas Rose.” Tickets $10 adults, $5 children. For information call 404-228-7732 or see www.firstpresatl.org Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.

22. St. James' Episcopal Church, Marietta, will host an Advent Quiet Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14. The Rev. Zachary Thompson, associate rector at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, will lead the program, "A Time of Quiet before the Christmas Rush."   Included will be short exploratory lectures, periods of silence, reflections and personal writings, and closing with Holy Communion and a light lunch. Cost is $20 per person. Register by phoning 770-428-8964.

23. Christmas Holiday Celebration and Dinner 2013 to build friendship between the Christian and Muslim communities hosted by ISA mentorship Atlanta and Atlanta Sabeel Chapter,  Saturday, Dec 14, 5 p.m. Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Rd,  (Corner of Clairmont & North Druid Hills Rd)  Decatur 30033. R.s.v.p. by Dec. 11 to Najah Abukhdeir at [e-mail]. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. To pay go to http://www.mentorshipatlanta.com/ Click on the “Donate Button” print and bring payment confirmation for admittance to Dinner. To pay by check, make payable to  ISA/Mentorship Atlanta, and mail to Husan Komic, 3555 McClure Woods Dr, Duluth, GA 30096. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

24. L'Arche Atlanta Holiday Potluck and Singalong, Saturday, December 14, 6 – 8 p.m., St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Rd, Atlanta  30319. Come bring a dish and share fellowship and music.  L'Arche Atlanta hosts monthly social events for people with and without disabilities of all ages. L'Arche invites us to build relationships and believes that our differences enrich the lives of us all.  For information, email [e-mail] or call Lisa Persons, [phone].

25. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, will present its 10th annual Christmas Concert: Festival Sounds of the Season at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in Sisters Chapel at Spelman College. The concert features the St. Paul's Choir under the direction of Trey Clegg, with performances by the Men's Chorus, the Women's Chorus, the Handbell Choir, Chamber Singers & Voices of Praise, along with guest musicians from The Atlanta Symphony and Opera orchestras. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JqUip4Pnm14EqFLUFg4bw2nPRlMOTKDZlK5k...; proceeds will go to St. Paul's outreach ministries.

26. The Soldier and the Refusenik: Two Israelis. Two Choices. One Conclusion. Maya Wind and Eran Efrati, two Israeli activists, will share their experiences of joint Palestinian-Israeli struggle for justice and equality. They will discuss direct action and protest in the West Bank and efforts to educate the Israeli public about the occupation. Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. presentation. Oakhurst Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 222 E. Lake Dr. in Decatur.

27. Walk, don’t run, through Advent with It’s Advent! This new daily devotional app is suitable for all ages and features the artwork of renowned cartoonist, Jay Sidebotham. Scripture readings and the Sermon on the Mount bring the anticipation of Advent to life. Email the daily messages to friends and family, or post to your favorite social media feeds. A handy built-in journaling feature allows you to collect your thoughts throughout the season of Advent. It’s Advent! is compatible with all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices  running iOS 7.0 or greater. And it is .99 Go here for more information or here to download the app.

28. Georgia WAND's internship program empowers young women in both metro Atlanta and rural Georgia with skills to help build the progressive movement, organize in their communities, and advance the mission of a local organization. Interns create learning goals for their time at Georgia WAND and work on long-term projects as well as day to day tasks in the office. Currently communications, development, organizing, and general interns for 2013 are sought. Call 404-524-5999 or email [e-mail] to apply or learn more. 

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]

404-201-6448