Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 9, 2015

[RCCAtl]

                                                                               God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

                                                                                   Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

                                                                       Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 9, 2015

                                                                                                   Veteran’s Day 2015

Is it time for your congregation to consider becoming designated a Veteran Friendly Congregation by Care for the Troops? Find out more...

Lots of wonderful Advent and Christmas music on our website.  

1. The fall exhibit at Candler’s Pitts Theology Library showcases works from its Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection, with a focus on the significance of the Ten Commandments to the Protestant Reformation. “That We a Godly Life May Live: Luther’s Interpretation of the Ten Commandments” runs September 28 through January 15, 2016, in the Pitts Exhibit Hall.

2. Join the next Interfaith Children’s Movement in Cobb meeting, Thursday, November 12, 4:00 p.m., Tillman United Methodist Church, 940 Concord Road, SE, Smyrna 30080. Learn how you and your faith community can take part in improving the well-being of Georgia's children. Help provide weather shelter for the students of the Global Village Project, an innovative special purpose middle school for girls who are refugees from their home countries with interrupted schooling. Bring a sturdy, easy to operate umbrella to the meeting

3. Conversations at First Baptist, Diana Butler Bass, Grounded: Finding God in the World, Diana Butler Bass, leading commentator on religion, politics, and culture, follows up her acclaimed book Christianity After Religion by arguing that what appears to be a decline actually signals a major transformation in how people understand and experience God. Bass will be at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur GA 30030, Nov. 12, 7:00 p.m.

4. The Jung Society of Atlanta presents a lecture, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” this Friday evening, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. and a workshop, “Conscious Relationships” on Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  by Jerry Ruhl, Ph.D., psychologist, teacher, and author. The lecture will explore key aspects of loving. The Saturday workshop will discuss the changing nature of relationships. Location is Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Rd., N.W., Atlanta 30327. The public is invited.  Additional information is at www.jungatlanta.com. 

5. Lauda Musicam of Atlanta and Uncommon Practice, an a capella vocal ensemble, will present a concert at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Rd , Atlanta. The concert is free of charge, and donations are welcomed.

6. Hear the 8^th sermon in the Faith & Science in the 21^st Century series from Day1 featuring Dr. Luke Powery, dean of Duke University Chapel. Dr. Powery will preach on “Continuing Education.” Find your local station or hear or read the sermon now at Day1.org.

7. Organist Michael Britt of Baltimore will give a recital at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. He will perform works by Schelat, Fedak and Utterback. There is no admission is charge. St. Philip’s is at 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.

8. World Affairs Council and CARE present  CARE: Reaching the Last 10% Innovations in Global Education. Indu Pant, Program Director at CARE Nepal, Jan Noorlander, CARE Cambodia, Cristy McLennan, CARE Zimbabwe, and Suman Sachdeva, CARE India, will discuss key advancements made by CARE in the global education arena. The discussion will be Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at CARE USA Headquarters, 151 Ellis St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.  Register Here

9. The Dean’s Lectures at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, focus on systematic theology from a Wesleyan perspective. November 18, 1:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., “The Name of the Trinity in Wesleyan Perspective: An Ecosystem of Praise and Solidarity,” by R. Kendall Soulen 86T, director of the Master of Theological Studies program and professor of systematic theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. Following the example of Charles Wesley’s Hymns on the Trinity (1767), he will suggest that perhaps the most appropriate way to name the Trinity is really a vibrant ecosystem of ways. Soulen will consider the nineteenth century black female evangelist Zilpha Elaw to illustrate what this means. Register here today.

10. Silent Dialogues: It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Thursday, November 19, 7 - 10:00 p.m. Silent Dialogues is an interactive art show with you as the co-creators. A team of spoken word artists will guide you through the exploration of community issues. We will eat, drink, and connect with our innermost souls and raise money for accrediting Reclaim It Atlanta's job training program.  874 Gallery, 874 Joseph E Lowery Boulevard Northwest, Atlanta 30318, Tickets.

11. The Work of Our Hands Artists’ Market, Nov. 19-22, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta 30305. This show of fine art, folk art, and handmade gifts benefits art programming at Emmaus House, Holy Comforter, and other Atlanta area non-profits. Find hours and reception details at the bottom of the home page of our website RCCAtl.org  

12. The Gilead Sabbath Initiative addresses issues of welcome and affirmation of LGBTQ people in faith communities and elsewhere. Drew Konow, scholar in residence at the Religious Institute, will be in Atlanta Nov. 20-24 and is looking for opportunities to speak about the initiative. He may be reached at [e-mail] or at 203-222-0055.

13. Join Atlantic Institute for its second annual Giving Thanks Dinner, Friday, Nov. 20, 7-9 p.m. Dr. Loyd Allen, who holds the Sylvan Hills Baptist Church Chair of Baptist History at Mercer University's James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology, and Zeki Saritoprak, a professor of Islamic studies and the Director of the Bediuzzaman Said Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carrol University, will speak. This event is free, but space is limited, so please register here! 591 N. Main Street, Alpharetta 30009.

14. Warning this service may cause clapping and dancing in the aisles! The annual Blue Grass Sunday at Church of the Redeemer, November 22, 10:30 a.m., 5185 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta 30342

15. The congregations of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, St. Anne's Episcopal, Northside Drive Baptist, New Hope A.M.E., Northside Drive United Methodist, and Trinity Presbyterian churches will celebrate together the annual interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, with Rev. Pam Driesell of Trinity Presbyterian Church preaching. All are invited to share in this celebration of gratitude.

16. Christmas is a time of joy, but sometimes recent loss, life struggles, or memories from the past can cloud the joy of the season. Oak Grove United Methodist Church offers a Service of Hope, Sunday, November 29, 4 p.m. which gives people the opportunity to be honest about the difficult feelings while claiming the hope we have in the Christ of Christmas. Childcare is available by reservation.  Contact Tricia Fazio [e-mail] or 404-636-7558, ext. 238 by November 23 to reserve childcare. 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033. More info www.ogumc.org.

17.  2015 World AIDS Day Mass of the Archdiocese of Atlanta will be celebrated by Archbishop Wilton Gregory on Tuesday December 1 at 7 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.  The Mass remembers all those who have died of AIDS and those living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends and caretakers. It also prays for those working to find a cure and those providing programs and support systems to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.   IHM is located at 2855 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta 30329.  A reception will immediately follow the Mass.  All are invited.  For more information, call Kathy at [phone]. Resources and info from U.S. Gov.

18. Advent & Christmas Choral Concert featuring the  Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society and University Choir,  7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta. The concert will benefit the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center and the Clark Atlanta University Choir.  A freewill offering will be taken.

19. Joyful Noise Gospel Choir Concert at Agnes Scott College, Gaines Chapel, Presser Hall, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 8:00 p.m. No admission charge. The public is invited.

20. The nativity scenes, more than 300, from around the world are back at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. Many of the nativities are accompanied by scriptural quotes and hymn texts. Exhibit dates are Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, and from Wednesday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 13.   

21. Seventh Annual Taste of Faith, Sunday, December 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for the event. The Roswell Community Masjid, 345 Market Place, Roswell, GA 30075 is again generously hosting the Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship celebration. Members of Atlanta’s diverse faith communities are invited to sample delicious dishes from diverse religious and cultural traditions and enjoy dialogue and fellowship. No reservations are required and there is no charge for attendance. Friends and family members are always welcome.

22. The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) will host its inaugural Global Transformers Gala 2015 to honor global political, civic, and spiritual icons whose life’s work and leadership – inspired by their faith – addressed societal ills, influenced nations, and transformed societies across the globe. The dinner and ceremony will be Friday, Dec. 11, 7 – 10:00 p.m., Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse in Atlanta 30337. The ITC will honor ministers of the civil rights movement for their unwavering leadership with a Global Transformer Award. The ITC will also pay special tribute with a Light of the World Award to two Nobel Peace Prize Winners whose humanitarian work inspired and changed nations. For more information about the Gala and to purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit itc.edu  or contact Edith Love via email at [e-mail] or phone at 404-527-7767.

23. Career Quest at Catholic Church of St. Ann serves the unemployed and workers at risk. Their goal is to increase self-perspective and the development of the skills required to secure a job and awareness of the job market. It meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Look for signs stating JOB NETWORK TONIGHT. Evenings include networking, coaching, workshops, and special speakers. Everyone is welcome, there is no charge, and dress is casual.  4905 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30062.

24. Many wonderful offerings for the upcoming months at Columbia Theological Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning visit www.ctsnet.edu.

25. Read the newsletter from Bread for the World.  Rev. Sharon E. Watkins was a participant at an interfaith summit last month where Bread and other partners brought together 100 religious leaders to discuss how to end hunger and poverty by 2030. There is an article adapted from remarks she made about ending hunger in our time.www.bread.org

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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