Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 10, 2016

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of  October 10, 2016

 

 

1. The 500^th anniversary of the Reformation will be celebrated in 2017. Do not miss the exhibition at Pitts Theological Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Martin Luther, Lucas Cranach, and the Promise of Salvation, now open. The centerpiece is Law and Grace by Lucas Cranach the Younger (ca. 1550) on loan from the State of Saxony-Anhalt. You can see documents, images, and how the stuff of sixteenth-century everyday life was infused with the theology and the spirit of Luther. Read about it and sign up for a tour here. If you are thinking about a trip to the heartland of Luther’s legacy contact the German National Tourist Office for wonderful opportunities and information. Email [e-mail].

 

2. A reminder of the presentation of findings of a study on relations among racial, ethnic, and immigrant communities in Atlanta. Join the conversation and network with other organizations working on these issues. Friday, Oct. 14, 4-6 p.m., King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, 449 Auburn Ave., NE, Atlanta 30312.

 

3. Treble Choristers of the Choir of Men and Boys, Saint Thomas Church, New York, will be at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Friday, October 14, 7:30 p.m. The choir of St. Thomas Church is one of the finest choirs in North America and is under the direction of their brand new conductor Daniel Hyde. Tickets are available at stphilipscathedral.org/concerts or at the Cathedral Book Store. 

 

4. Deadly Consequences: A Community Discussion on Gun Violence, Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. , Spelman College, Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D., Academic Center Auditorium. This forum is the outcome of a letter that focuses on the impact of gun violence in our communities signed by President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., and more than 35 HBCU presidents.  Dr. Deborah Prothrow Stith, C'75, public health scholar activist and practitioner, is keynote speaker. An exciting and thought-provoking agenda with insights from social justice scholars and members of the Atlanta community has been planned.

 

5. The Seedtime and Harvest Greenhouse and Gardens of the Friendship Center at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 737 Woodland Ave. SE 30316, is sponsoring its last plant sale of the season Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  It will open with a Pet Blessing (bring your actual animal or a picture) and will include a bake sale. Planting fall veggies, herbs, and flowers and shrubs should be in full swing. All plants are organic from organic seeds. Come see the gorgeous annuals, the variety of perennials, and the edible offerings from the gardens – fig jam, famous pepper sauce, and hot pepper jelly.

 

6. Dr. Larry Goodpaster, Bishop-in-Residence at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, is the featured preacher on Day1 this Sunday, Oct. 16. Unleashing the Power of Prayer is his sermon. Read it, hear it, find your local station and many resources at Day1.org.

 

7. There are three Sundays left in the Spelman College Alumnae Preacher Series hosted by Spelman College Sisters Chapel: Oct. 16, the Dr. Sheron C. Patterson, Communications Director of the United Methodist Church of North Texas; Oct. 23 the Rev. Kimberly R. Scott, Women Ministry Leader, Faith AME Zion Church, Atlanta; Oct. 30 Minister Whitney R. Bond, Ph.D. student Chicago Theological Seminary. Spelman College, 350 Spelman Lane SW, Atlanta 30314. Services are at 11:00 a.m.

 

8. Music in the Garden events happen at Woodlands Garden, 932 Scott Blvd., Decatur 30030, year round in a screened pavilion with seating for about 40 people. Upcoming performances are Oct. 16, 23, and 30 between 2-4 p.m. Performances are free and take place rain or shine. The performers are mostly local musicians who may be selling their CDs or have a tip jar. They are donating their time and talents, so if you can, be generous.  Find out more here.

 

9. Faculty & Guest Artists Chamber Music Concert at Spelman College, Sunday, Oct. 16, 3-4 p.m., LLC II Auditorium (map). This concert features Dr. Hyunjung Rachel Chung, piano; Dr. Qiao Chen Solomon, violin; Karen Freer, cello; Aku Kadago, dance.  Free and open to the public. More details here.

 

10. The United Methodist Men of Central United Methodist Church will host a community job fair on Wednesday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the church’s fellowship hall, 501 Mitchell Street SW, 30314. There will be signs around the church directing visitors to the hall. For additional information, contact Mr. Browning at [phone]. 

 

11. Suicide Prevention Coalition Georgia education series presents Faith and Mental Health, Friday, October 21, 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m., The Link Counseling Center, 348 Mt. Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs 30328.  Faith can have a protective effect but can also be a deterrent for people seeking help.  Stigma still exists in our churches.  We must balance the spiritual, psychological and medical support that our congregations need.  Hear from Marti Vogt about one church's journey to adopt a Mental Health/Suicide Prevention Ministry. There is no cost but registration is required. Get more information  Register Now!

 

12. Holy Cross Cathedral invites the community to a Fall Festival, Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Food, Fun, Kids’ Games, Flu Shots/Simple Health Screenings.  Everyone Welcome!  3836 Oak Grove Road, Loganville, GA  30052. Call the church at [phone] if you have questions.

 

13. The Rev. Dr. Percy D. Johnson and the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia are hosting a dialogue and discussion session entitled Re-imagining and Re-visioning the Church for Service in Dangerous times. Its objective is to offer pastors and church leaders strategies and tools to revitalize and re-think what it means to be the church called to engage an ambiguous and complex society suffering with complex traumas. This event is Saturday, Oct. 22, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, 1814 Clairmont Road, Decatur 30033. Registration is $45; register by calling the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia at [phone] and speaking with the receptionist.

 

14. Dealing With Compassion Fatigue As Clergy is this fall’s complimentary bagel brunch, Wed., Oct 26, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. Led by Julius Jessup and Rebecca Short, staff therapists with both professional and personal experience, this session will explore the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue and multiple safeguards to address and prevent it. Clergy, chaplains, and professional church workers are invited. This seasonal event is held at the home office, 1814 Clairmont Road, Decatur 30033. R.s.v.p. by emailing [e-mail].

 

15. IInteractive discussion on domestic violence/intimate partner violence with a focus on teen & young adult intimate partner violence, October 29.  First Christian Church Atlanta, 4532 Lavista Road, Tucker 30084 will hold a public conversation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Partnership Against Domestic Violence and other community organizations will share vital tips for individuals, families, and communities. For information you call [phone] or email  [e-mail].

 

16. Join LAMP and Candler’s Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership for a film screening and workshop on refugee resettlement at the Clarkston Community Center and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. This is an opportunity to hear from Clarkston’s most creative and influential refugee leaders, celebrate the gifts that refugees bring to our region, and think collaboratively about what we can do to create and sustain diverse, dynamic, and welcoming communities. If you work with refugee communities or care about refugee issues, this will be a fantastic way to learn more about what is happening in our city and region. Free and open to the public and lunch will be provided at noon on November 2. Participants may register for the full event or for the morning or afternoon sessions only. For more information, contact [e-mail]. Register by October 25. Register for Film Screening (November 1);  Register for Workshop (November 2) .

 

17. An educational day away from your normal routine, hear from and interact with the nation’s best religion researchers as they discuss their findings about critical topics. Four 90-minute sessions specifically designed for religious leaders and clergy, seminarians and denominational executives at the discounted fee of $35 for the entire day. Attendees are also welcome to explore the other sessions at the conference. The Intercontinental Hotel, 3315 Peachtree Rd NE Buckhead, Friday, October 28, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with optional events till 7:30. Register the day of the event only, at the SSSR/RRA registration desk. Contact [e-mail]. This event is sponsored by the Religious Research Association in conjunction with the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion.  All information is here. 

 

18. Leadership and Anxiety in the Church an ecumenical workshop by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree Street, Nov. 2. Click on the link for all information and a registration form.

 

19. Hart Readers will explore The Moviegoer by Walker Percy, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Walthour Library, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta 30305. Wry and wrenching, rich in irony and romance, this book is an American classic.

 

20. Brian McLaren, prominent global activist, progressive pastor, and public theologian, comes to Decatur, Thursday, November 3, for a conversation on how Christianity is abandoning punitive notions of deity in favor of a creative god of love and nonviolence. McLaren’s new book is The Great Spiritual Migration:  How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian. McLaren’s visit is part of the Conversations series at First Baptist Church, in partnership with the Georgia Center for the Book.  The November 3 discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the church’s sanctuary at 308 Clairemont Avenue and is free and open to all. 

 

21. The Hillside International Truth Center Community Outreach Ministry will hold its fourth annual Circulation Day Saturday, November 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to circulate new or gently used items to others. Items may be donated Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4. Hillside is located at 2450 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta  30311. For more information, call [phone] or email [e-mail]. 

 

22. Central Presbyterian Church invites you to an exclusive screening of Out of Order, on Saturday, Nov. 5, 5 p.m. This new groundbreaking documentary reveals the complex and painful struggles faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer faith leaders as they confront entrenched bigotry and work to build loving support within their churches. The film follows the journeys of several ministers and people seeking ordination across the country.  Executive director of More Light Presbyterians and star of the film, Alex McNeil, will host a Q&A after the screening. This event is free and open to the public.

 

23. Atlanta Community Ministries and friends gather each year for a time of fellowship, food, and deep prayer. The ACM Day of Prayer this year is Monday, November 7 (the day before the election). This year, perhaps more than at any other point in recent memory, we need the power of prayer. This year there are two opportunities for to join in a Day of Prayer event. The lunchtime event will be at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Buckhead and the dinnertime event will be held at Blueprint Church in the Old Fourth Ward. Make plans now and invite your friends. More details and registration instruction are available here. If you have questions, don't hesitate to send a message.

 

24. Registration is open for the 6th Annual GSHA Supportive Housing Conference, November 7-8 at the State Bar of Georgia. Topics include HUD 811 Program, the National Housing Trust Fund, Project Open Doors, challenges posed to supportive housing providers, and an important panel of prominent leaders discussing Narrowing the Gap to Access in Healthcare in Georgia.  Click to read the agenda and to register.

 

25. Save the date for Joyful Noise Gospel Choir Concert at Agnes Scott, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8 p.m., Presser Hall, 141 E College Ave., Decatur 30030.

 

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox  for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources. We will be happy to include your announcements in an upcoming eNewsletter. Send them to [e-mail].

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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