Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 7, 2022

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of November 7, 2022
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc. 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

 

We want your announcements! We are happy to help get the word out about anything you would like the greater faith community to know. Send announcements to [e-mail].

Prayer for Civic Engagement, Tuesday, November 8, is Election Day
 
Sovereign God, your Son Jesus lived within the structures of society even as he spoke truth to those in power and challenged systems of oppression. Empower us to be courageous disciples and responsible citizens. Grant that our lives in the public realm be grounded in love for our neighbors, care for the most vulnerable in our midst, and respect for the common life we share, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (From All Creation Sings hymnal)
 
1. Powerful Tools for Caregivers from Atlanta Regional Commission Aging and Independence Services starts today, Monday, November 7 running through December 12.  Please share and use this LINK to register. This is a virtual workshop 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. for Caregivers in Georgia.
 
2. The Atlanta Community Food Bank welcomes youth volunteers ages 8 and up, with their families, back to the Food Bank.  As the holiday season approaches, volunteering is a great way to celebrate the spirit of giving. To register volunteers under 18, email [e-mail].

3. Hear from Rev. James Woodall and Prof. Mark Ellingsen of ITC, co-authors of Wired For Racism: How Evolution and Faith Move Us To Challenge Racial Idolatry, on "At the Table," premiering Tuesday at 8 p.m. on AIB-TV.  You can get more on this subject and other resources for your ministry by contacting ITC at [e-mail] More times: Tuesdays 8 p.m.; Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays 12 & 6:30 p.m.; Fridays 2 & 10:30 p.m.; Saturdays 10:30 a.m. & 10 p.m.; Sundays  8:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
 
4. Mental Health America Georgia offers Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR): Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, Nov. 9, 6-7:15 p.m. This program is designed to teach lay and professional "gatekeepers" the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. Gatekeepers are people who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, police officers). Register here.

5. The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice, Wednesday, November 9, 1 p.m.  Hosted by Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, Father Patrick Saint-Jean S.J., will speak about spirituality, racism and prison ministry. Virtual event. REGISTER

6. Join an important post-election conversation on Thursday afternoon at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. “The Future of American Democracy: Post-Election Reflections,” Candler's James T. and Berta R. Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership invites you to consider the outcomes of the 2022 midterm elections and the future of democracy in the U.S. with Andra Gillespie, Associate Professor of Political Science, Emory; Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation, Dentons; Michael L. Thurmond, CEO, DeKalb County; Moderator: Bill Nigut, Senior Executive Producer, Political Rewind, on Thursday, November 10, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. in Room 252 of Candler's Rita Anne Rollins Building, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta 30322. This event is free and open to the public, with registration required at https://form.jotform.com/223038002445141

7. The Presbyterian Historical Society and Columbia Theological Seminary  invite all to a book talk, book signing, and reception with author William Yoo, author of “What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church, Harrington Center Chapel, Thursday, November 10, 4-6:30 p.m.  R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]

8. The Political Theology Network commemorated Charles Mills’ life and the 25th anniversary of The Racial Contract with a series of scholarly reflections. Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., Biko Mandela Gray, Syracuse University; Asaf Angermann, University of Louisville; Christophe Ringer, Chicago Theological Seminary; Holly Randell-Moon, Charles Sturt University; Tommy Lynch, University of Chichester; and Uzma Jamil, McGill University will continue the conversation at https://villanova.zoom.us/j/97403185997?pwd=djJ3eHNTMGdTNkdKVzhUbkh...

9. Join Paulist Father Steven Bell as he discusses “Blindness, Fear and Anger: Three Fates of Toxic Polarization...and How Our Faith Can Deal With Them.” Virtual evening event, Thursday, November 10. REGISTER

10. Remember Wilderness Works celebration of 25 years of providing underserved children time in safe and nurturing environments – largely in nature and the outdoors, Saturday, Nov. 12, 6-9 p.m., Garden Hills Recreation Center. For tickets visit www.wildernessworks.org.

11. The Rev. Bill Carter, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, Pa., is the preacher Nov. 13 on “Day 1.”Carter is a well-known jazz pianist who founded and leads the Presbybop Quartet, which has a new album out called “The Dancing Calvinist.” “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for 77 years and is currently distributed to 200 radio stations across America and overseas. Hear it in Atlanta on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. For more information and many resources check http://day1.org. 

12. St. Luke's Chorister Festival with Bruce Neswick, FRSCM, music director, and Matthew Brown and Caroline Robinson, festival organists, will offer Choral Evensong, Sunday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. A reception follows in J. Coleman Budd Hall. 435 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta 30308.

13. Organist Käthe Wright Kaufman, associate director of Music and Worship Arts at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, will perform at the Cathedral of St. Philip in person and livestreamed on the website. Included are works by Herbert Howells, Gerald Finzi, Francis Jackson, Percy Whitlock, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, and A. Herbert Brewer. Sunday, Nov. 13, 3:15 p.m. Following the recital, the Cathedral offers a service of Choral Evensong at 4:00.

14. Respite Care Atlanta offers meaningful fellowship and engaging activities to people with mild to moderate dementia. It is housed at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. The program depends upon volunteers in many ways. Would you like to help? Attend a volunteer info session Nov. 14, 10-11 a.m., Contact Jane Brann at [e-mail].

15. Shallowford Presbyterian Church youth (grades 6-12) are hosting the Annual Evergreen Sale to help fund their 2023 Summer Choir Tour. Inventory includes Christmas trees (while they last), roping, and wreaths (plain or decorated). The last day to order is Monday, Nov. 14 at shallowford.org/shop. Pick up day is from 9 a.m. to noon on Sat., December 3. Please consider supporting these middle and high school singers! 

16. 12^th annual Supportive Housing Conference is Nov. 14-15, Georgia State University College of Law, 85 Park Place NE, Atlanta 30303.  Learn what is on the forefront of service delivery, program implementation, and development to prevent recurrence of homelessness in our state. Distinguished speakers and attendees include national and state experts, state agency leadership, academics, researchers, practitioners and housing providers from across Georgia and the Southeast.  Register to Attend in Person  Register to Attend Virtually; Conference Program Continuing Legal Education has been applied for through the State Bar of Georgia for attorneys, courtesy of Georgia State University College of Law. Hotel information is at this link. Contact Hosted by the Georgia Supportive Housing Association (GSHA)  , co-hosted by the Center for Law, Health & Society, Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth, and Center for Access to Justice at Georgia State Universtiy College of Law.

17. Memory Boosters Support Group at Lake Oconee Community Church meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, 10-11:30 a.m.  If you know someone with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia, this group will provide the opportunity to socialize and maintain cognitive skills with games and activities.  For more information, contact Ellen by clicking here.

18. On behalf of City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens members of the faith community are invited to a technical workshop of the Faith-based Development Initiative. Thursday, Nov. 17, 9:00–10:30 a.m., St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St, Atlanta 30308. Register here.
 
19. Join the Shallowford Family Counseling Center for a two-day spiritual retreat led by best-selling author and poet, Mark Nepo, Friday, Nov. 18 & Saturday, Nov. 19. Nepo will lead the group in spiritual practice to deepen relationships and conversions with life and overall connectedness. Register online for the retreat and/or a free Saturday evening poetry reading at shallowfordfamilycounselingcenter.org

20. Weekend Retreat: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Nov. 18-20. Ignatius House 6700 Riverside Dr., Sandy Springs.  Directed by Mark Dannenfeser, the retreat will teach the practice of mindfulness meditation (present moment, non-judgmental awareness) and its application to stress reduction, self-reflection, and the mobilization of inner resources to support health, healing, spiritual enrichment and personal growth. Cost $600. https://bit.ly/3gXoriS

21. Great Romantics: Chopin with Jakub Kuszli, Chopin Prizewinner, performing, concert at First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309, Saturday, Nov. 19, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m., Purchase Tickets

22. A Workshop on how to have respectful conversations, Sunday, Nov. 20, 3-6 p.m. ET , Cost: FREE! There can be a lot of stress among family members and friends who are divided politically, and polarizing public conversation doesn't help. In this online workshop you will learn and practice skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. Sponsored by the SE Synod Advocacy Committee ELCA. Find more and register at Braver Angels: a Workshop on How to Have Respectful Conversations

23. Join neighbors for a joyous time of praise and thanksgiving at the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service at Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305, Sunday, November 20, 4 p.m.  
 
24. “Imagining Multiple Models of Ministry with Youth” from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. This blog and video series features a variety of perspectives on multiple models of ministry with youth. Pastoral leaders from a range of Christian traditions and denominations reflect on their ministry work with youth through the lens of several key values: youth agency, theological questions, role of parents and families, intergenerational relationships, and multiple pathways. Learn more >>
 
25. Visit Kessler Conversation for the latest conversation with exhibition curator and Pitts' Head of Cataloging and Rare Book Cataloger, Dr. Armin Siedlecki, live on YouTube. Unlike the previous conversations, Armin and Bo Adams chat together from within the current gallery exhibition, “So That It Pierces and Rings Through the Heart: Martin Luther’s September Testament and 500 Years of Bible Translation”

26. Personal, private connections with Creation’s natural rhythms instill a sense of healing, nourishment, and wellbeing for body and soul. Kanuga Spiritual Retreats offer personalized retreats based on individual needs and preferences. Select from a menu of guided experiences such as sound bathing and spiritual direction, or simply be present in nature. Spiritual Retreats | Kanuga.  Kanuga is a little over 3 hours from Atlanta.

Visit our website for a clergy toolbox for mental health ministry, and more . . . 

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter