Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 27, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of November 27, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

 

 

Christmas can still change the world. Visit Advent Conspiracy for information and resources. This movement was begun by Christian pastors out of dread for the season. 

 

1. A reminder of the Jung Society meeting this weekend. Living More Fully in the Shadow of Mortality, James Hollis, Friday, Dec 1, 7:30 p.m. lecture.   Workshop Saturday, Dec. 2, Steps to the Recovery of a Personal Journey.  CEUs available. Sandy Springs Christian Church, 310 Johnson Ferry Rd, Sandy Springs   See www.jungatlanta.com  for specifics.

 

2. Judgement Day at Pearlie Gate Court, a fun-filled spiritual comedy appropriate for all ages. Ralph J. Bunch Middle School Auditorium, 1925 Niskey Lake Road, SW, Atlanta, 30331, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. This is a fund raiser for Stillman College; checks should be made to Stillman College Alumni Association. Send ticket requests or donations to Ms. Alice Hamilton, President, Stillman College Alumni Association, Atlanta Chapter, 1631 County Line Road, SW, Atlanta 30331. You may also make arrangements through any alumni contact or buy them at the door. Tickets are $15.

 

3. L'Arche Atlanta community annual Holiday Party with potluck dinner, caroling (if you have an instrument, bring one!), raffle prizes, a holiday photo booth, and a hot cocoa bar.  Saturday, Dec. 2, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Columbia Theological Seminary, Dining Hall, 701 Columbia Drive, Decatur 30030. Please bring a dish to share that will serve 6-8. All are welcome to these social events for people of all abilities. 

 

4. Leah Calvert and Friends will provide bluegrass-gospel music and Brooks Holifield will speak at Meridian Herald’s 25th annual Southern Folk Advent® Service. Saturday, Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. at Old Church on the Oxford College campus. Admission is free. This years’ service features the majestic singing of Atlanta tenor, Timothy Miller.  He sings the dramatic folk hymn “The Morning Trumpet.” Also soloing will be Georgia opera star Brent Davis. The event will include a brief memorial to Georgia bluegrass legend, Sonny Houston, who led and played with the Folk Advent band for 24 years before passing away this past summer. More information>>

 

5. The Day1 preacher this week is Dr. Robert T. Baggott, senior minister of the Community Church of Vero Beach, UCC. Prior to accepting the call to Vero Beach in 2004, he served churches in Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis. His sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 3, is based on Mark 13:24-37. Find it and other resources at Apocalypse, Not Now. Hear it in the Atlanta area at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 FM and AM 750 WSB.

 

6. Smells & Bells - An Evening Of Advent Music & Worship at St. John's Episcopal Church, College Park, Sunday, Dec 3, 7:00 p.m. The Handbell Ensemble presents a short concert featuring a variety of approaches to ringing, from change-ringing to peals and squeals as their beautiful tones ring the rafters. Members of the Atlanta Schola Cantorum and the St. John's Choir will lead in the singing of Candlelight Compline, the ancient "good night" prayer of the church. Hymns, chants, psalms, and responories will resound in the church's splendid holiday setting. This is an evening of wonderful High-Church Advent music you will not want to miss. And it's free! 3480 E. Main St., College Park 30337.

 

7. David Thomas of the National Institute on Drug Abuse will present a webinar especially for faith-based and community leaders on understanding pain and prescription drugs Thursday, Dec. 7, 12 to 1 p.m., EST. Dr. Thomas will also talk about the influx of dangerous synthetics that are increasing the risk of overdose for youth and other vulnerable populations.   Register here.

 

8. A celebration of the Winter Solstice— silence, music with flute, viola, and guitar, and poetry. Come and take a resting place.  Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. It’s a gift.  No fee.  Donations accepted. Apple cider following.  Mary and Martha’s Place, St. Dunstan’s' Episcopal Church, 4393 Garmon Road NW, Atlanta 30327. 

 

9. St. John's Episcopal Church, 3480 E. Main St., College Park, Saturday, Dec 9 at 4:30 p.m. Vivaldi 2X - The Choral Guild Of Atlanta sings Vivaldi's Gloria & Magnificat.  These great canticles of the Christmas season are "must hear" holiday music. The city's oldest community choral ensemble, will present both pieces, which are replete with choruses, solos, and small ensembles, along with string orchestra. After the concert, performers and concert-goers are invited to a holiday reception in honor of the CGA. This event is free, open to the public.

 

10. Just Voices 17th Annual Christmas Concerts will be Christmas Rhythm and Brass

Saturday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Virginia Highland Church, 743 Virginia Avenue NE, Atlanta 30306

Sunday, December 10, 4:00 p.m., Holy Trinity Parish, 515 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur 30030.

Adults $15 - Students and Seniors $10. www.justvoices.org

 

11. Christmas with Atlanta Master Chorale, Saturday, December 9, 8 p.m.; Sunday, December 10, 4 p.m. Christmas connects past to present, sounds to memory, music to spirit. We wait together for the birth of a promise; of new life, peace and joy. We celebrate together the coming of the light, sing together carols of the season, listen in wonder to the song of the angels. Travel with the Atlanta Master Chorale to the manger in Bethlehem and experience once again the beauty of Christmas. purchase Saturday tickets; purchase Sunday tickets

 

12. Register here for or call [phone] for Grief and the Holidays: Navigating the Holidays After a Loss, Dec. 10, Sandy Springs UMC.

 

13. Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Forum presents the annual Taste of Faith, Sunday, Dec. 10. 4 – 6 p.m., Atlanta Unity Church, Dec. 10, 3597 Parkway Ln, Norcross 30097. The religious communities of Atlanta will introduce you to their celebrations with displays, food samplers, and joy-filled conversation. If you have questions contact William Voss at [e-mail].

 

14. There will be an 8-hr Mental Health First Aid Certification Training Dec. 11 & 12, Monday evening 5-9 p.m., Tuesday evening 5-9 p.m.  The total cost is $20 which covers the manual and the three year certification.  The training will be at Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Community Resource Center, Annex C.  There are a limited number of spaces, contact Dr. Herman Haynes if you are interested. [e-mail] or [phone].

 

15. At the Table interview with the Rev. Dwight Andrews, pastor of First Congregational Church will air on AIBTV, Thursday, Dec. 14, at 8:30 p.m. with encore presentations Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 9 a.m.

16. The Georgia Boy Choir will be at Peachtree Road UMC, 3180 Peachtree Road, on Dec, 15 and 16 singing classics, Christmas carols, and holiday favorites accompanied by a full orchestra. Ticket information.

 

17. AMIS Christmas International House will be in Atlanta on December 16, 2107 - January 1, 2018.  If you can host a student or two for 1 or both weeks, please sign up here. This is a wonderful way to show hospitality and enrich your holidays!

 

18. Sounds of the Season, a concert to remember, Saturday, December 16, at 6:00 p. m. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 3050 Cascade Road, SW, Atlanta 30311. Featured artists include T. Renee Crutcher, Pamela Best, musical selections from Sammy and the Stingrays, and more.  

Admission is free, but love offerings are accepted and appreciated. 

 

19. Coro Vocati will present a thrilling Christmas concert at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree, Atlanta 30308, on Sunday, December 17, at 3 p.m. Ticket information here.

 

20. And, don’t forget Christmas on Clairemont with a hundred voice festival chorus, full orchestra, piano and organ, benefiting  DEAM and hosted by First Baptist Church, Decatur. Details.

 

21. Capitol City Opera's Madrigal Singers will present an evening of traditional a cappella Christmas and holiday carols and songs from the Renaissance and Baroque periods plus a few contemporary surprises, all in beautiful period costume. Experience the joy of the season with music in the acoustically superior setting of the sanctuary at High Point Episcopal Church. Adults and children of all ages are welcome. Sunday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m., 4549 High Point Road, Atlanta 30342. Tickets are just $10.

 

22. Give better, live better this holiday season with the Uplift your World Ethical Trade Holiday Gift Guide. All featured gifts support workers, the environment and Catholic Relief Services.

 

23. The world-famous, ever-talented, and supremely generous artists/activists, the Indigo Girls, will host a benefit concert for Georgia WAND. Mark your calendars for Jan 4. GA WAND members will get 24 hours advance notice to purchase tickets to this to-be-sold-out-show.  You might want to join now.

 

24. Save the date for the Spring LAMP Symposium on Saturday, February 17, 2018. This full-day event will be held at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and will explore religious and scientific perspectives on the future of life here on earth and elsewhere. 2016 Leadership and Multifaith Program of Ivan Allen College at Georgia Tech and Candler School of Theology. For info [e-mail]

 

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]