Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 16, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of October 16, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

 

1. The first wide-open election in seven years for Atlanta mayor will take place this November. On October 19, 7- 9 p.m., the candidates will gather at Trinity Presbyterian Church for a debate. This event will feature 9 candidates: Vincent Fort, Mary Norwood, Peter Aman, Michael Sterling, Kwanza Hall, Keisha Lance Bottoms, John Eaves, Ceasar Mitchell and Cathy Woolard. They will discuss the issues important to people of faith, including housing, criminal justice, gentrification and our city’s environment. Richard T. Griffiths, a longtime senior editor of CNN, will be moderating the forum. Please R.s.v.p.

2. 2017 Outdoor Learning Symposium, Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, 3911 Campbellton Rd. SW, Atlanta 31131. This symposium is an annual fall event that provides opportunities for networking, sharing lessons learned, exciting outdoor teaching ideas, and strategies for taking students outside. All are welcome! Click here for more info.

3. Decatur First Baptist, October 20 from 5:00-6:30 p.m., BBQ fundraiser benefits First School, First Camp, and the Kitchen Ministries under the church’s portico. Options include pulled pork, ribs, and Brunswick stew and sides. You can pay in advance by clicking here and putting your total in the "BBQ Dinner Plates" box under "Category and Funds." In the comment section, please list what your take-out order will include.

4. Maker Faire is here this weekend. Read more>>

5. Big Bethel AME Church, 220 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta, will celebrate its 12th Annual National Children's Sabbath Weekend Saturday and Sunday, October 21-22.  Saturday will feature a forum with a panel of children of the Saturday School Academy and community guests addressing social issues of concern, e.g., race relations among youth, societal bonding, and building healthy relationships.  Worship on Sunday will focus on Moving Forward with Hope: Love and Justice for Every Child. For more information, contact Rev. Bessie Donaldson at [e-mail] or church office [phone].

6. The Rev. Eric Shafer, senior pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, is the featured preacher Oct. 22 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace. “You’re Gonna Have to Serve Somebody,” Shafer’s sermon for Oct.  22, is drawn from the familiar story in which where Jesus replies to the question about whether it is lawful to pay taxes to the emperor.  He says. “Perhaps the key question here is not whose image is on the coin but rather whose image is on us.”  Hear it in the Atlanta area on 95.5 News / 750 AM WSB. Visit Day1.

7. Join American Jewish Committee and community partners for the Atlanta Mayoral Forum, Oct. 24, 7-9 p.m., Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta 30327. This event is free and open to the public, but attendees must register ahead of time and bring a valid photo ID. R.s.v.p. here.

8. Neshama Interfaith Center and Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center present The Friends We Keep: Finding God: An Interfaith Day of Reflection, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Drive NW, Atlanta 30328. This spiritually enriching and uplifting day will include presentations, conversation, and the opportunity to walk around the beautiful grounds of Ignatius House.   All are welcome. Dr. John Cressler, Rabbi Mitch Cohen, and Kemal Korucu, will share their friendship with each other and how that has enhanced their lives and how their religious traditions encourage and support inter-religious dialogue as a path for peace and justice. Cost is $60.  Click here for registration.  For more visit The Neshama Interfaith Center's website.

9. Decatur First Baptist Fall Festival, Wednesday, October 25, from 4:30-7:00 p.m., with carnival games, inflatables, and food available for purchase. This event is geared for the whole family, so come on out, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030, for a great night of fellowship, food, and fun!

10. Gun Violence Prevention Summit, First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 LaVista Rd, Tucker, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Gun violence takes a devastating toll on Georgia; it is one of the 21 states where more people are killed with guns than in car accidents. Join local advocates to discuss policy solutions that can help reduce gun violence in our state. If you have questions contact [e-mail]

11. Author, priest, and professor Lauren Winner will be the distinguished guest speaker for the 2017 Annual Women’s Forum sponsored by Candler School of Theology’s Women, Theology, and Ministry program. Winner will speak on “Cardigan Sweaters, Magnolia Trees, and Brioche: Overlooked Biblical Metaphors for God” on Nov. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Cannon Chapel sanctuary. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register here. Full story  »

12. NAMI DeKalb offers a free weekly support group open to all young adults. This group is for people living with depression, OCD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other disorders. Meetings offer a structured group process led by trained facilitators designed to encourage, support, and empower. Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., starting Nov. 2, First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 Lavista Rd, Tucker 30084.  For more information contact Joanna [e-mail] or [phone]. No registration needed.

13. Benefit for Compassionate Atlanta on Thursday, Nov. 2, includes a performance of Under My Hood. This inspiring performance art brings to life the issues by which so many people are judged unfairly. For this one night, the presenters will have the opportunity to share who they truly are under their hoods and the hope is that we can recognize the humanity in all of us. The VIP reception with the performers and producer is at 6 p.m.; performance at 7. Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie St NW, Atlanta 30303. Tickets

14. Begin Homelessness Awareness Week with a powerful documentary on what it means to live in poverty. Come and hear the stories of real people struggling in real life. Sunday, Nov. 5, 5 – 7:30 p.m. The film (75 minutes long) will be followed by a panel discussion on poverty and homelessness. Donations received to benefit Love Beyond Walls - a non-profit agency in Atlanta battling poverty and the producer of this film. Powder Springs First UMC, 4329 Marietta Street, Powder Springs 30127.  

15. Aquinas Center presents Re-dignifying the Body at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, Monday, Nov. 6, 7 – 8:30 p.m. The presentation will engage Church teaching on the dignity of the human person with the hope of re-orienting (or re-affirming) how we envision the body in a world that is often quick to discard, reduce, or instrumentalize it.

16. Powder Springs UMC will have Smart Money, live stream, Nov. 7, 8 – 11 p.m. This is completely free. The three-hour event will lay out a seven-step proven plan for getting you and your family out of debt, and on track to live and give like you never have before. If you have questions call [phone] or email [e-mail] Get Directions  

17. First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta 30309,  of presents Charles Richard-Hamelin, one of the most important pianists of this generation, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., in  Best of Chopin. Tickets are $20, $15 senior citizens, Students free.

18. Atlantic Institute Annual Early Thanksgiving Dinner will be Friday, Nov. 10. 7-9 p.m. The keynote speaker is Dr. Daniel Hummel, the author of Jesus and Muhammad: Commonalities of Two Great Religions.  Milton Office Park - 591 N Main St Suite 100, Alpharetta, GA 30009. Registration Fee is $10 and registration is required. Click Here to Register!

19. Atlanta Legal Aid Society 2017 Run for Justice is Saturday, Nov. 11.  Don’t fall behind; register now.

20. Cascade Career Network at Cascade UMC offers a Linked In Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 11. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Register here.

21. An education program by the Alzheimer’s Association hosted by North Decatur United Methodist Church, 1523 Church Street, next to DeKalb Medical, Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon. As people with dementia progress in their journey, and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect with these loved ones. Come explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia, and identify strategies to help you communicate at each stage of the disease. Register for this free community event by calling [phone] or Janet Faust [phone] ext 108.

22. Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is celebrating its 150th anniversary in November. The Faith and Initiative Conference is Nov. 9-11 at The Lodge at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Buckhead. Tickets and information. The institution will sponsor a Black-tie Gala and Fundraiser, Saturday, Nov. 11, 7:00-11:00 p.m., at the Buckhead Club of Atlanta, 3344 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2600, Atlanta 30326. Join pastors, professors, and supporters for a delicious meal and fabulous music provided by the multi-talented Atlantan Tony Hightower. Johnson C. Smith provides theological education to advance communities of faith, justice, and compassion across the lines of race, class, ethnicity, and gender. Tickets

23. An opportunity to worship at historic Zion Episcopal Church in Talbotton November 12, 4 to 5:30 p.m. The Rev. Jeff Jackson, rector of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church and diocesan steward of Zion, will be the celebrant and preacher. To learn more about Zion and view photos, visit Zion Episcopal – Talbot - Historic Rural Churches of Georgia. Zion is available for weddings, music recordings and performances, tours, and other events. Contact Fr. Jeff Jackson at (706)-761-0115 for further information.

24.  Orchard’s 14th Annual Day of Prayer, Nov. 13,  offers 3 different opportunities to pray this year: Breakfast in Grove Park, PAW Kids, 7 a.m.; Lunch in Buckhead, Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 11:45 a.m., Dinner in Roswell, Fellowship Bible Church, 6:30 p.m., family friendly, crying babies welcome! All 3 are free but registration is required. Register for one event or all three at www.praywithorchard.com. Join Orchard to pray for so many needs!

25. 2017 Georgia Supportive Housing Association 7th Annual Conference, Nov. 14-15, featuring speakers, panel discussions, policy updates, an opportunity to network, and more. State Bar of Georgia, 104 Marietta St NW, Atlanta 30303.  Get more information.

26. Interfaith Community Initiatives 2017 Friendship Luncheon, Wednesday, Nov. 15, The Ballroom at The Carlos Center, 2500 Clairmont Road (near Clairmont and I85). A Celebration of Uncommon Friendships: A conversation with the founders of the Atlanta Friendship Initiative Bill Nordmark and John Grant. Click here for general admission tickets.

27. We have some news from AMIS, Atlanta Ministry to International Students. Currently more volunteers are needed to be AMIGOS for male students. Individuals, couples, and families are welcome to sign up here. Do you have space at your Thanksgiving table to share your meal with an international student or two?  Sign up here.  Find out about hosting a student or two during Christmas International House, Dec. 16- Jan. 1, host for one week or both. Here is more.

28. Jazz as a Metaphor for Ministry: The Power of Improvisation is the topic Thompson Scholars will explore April 24-27, 2018 at the Center for Lifelong Learning on the Columbia Theological Seminary campus. The application deadline is January 26, 2018. Preference will be given to applicants who have not participated in previous Thompson Scholar seminars. For additional information, including a link to the application, www.ctsnet.edu/lifelong-learning/special-programs/thompson-scholars.

29. Learn how you can help New American Pathways get out the vote in November. Read more>>

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]