Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 9, 2023

[RCCAtl]

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 9, 2023
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone. 

 

1. An Unsung Influencer - SaportaReport We commend this short film about The Rev. Frank Quarles, founder of the Friendship Baptist Church to you.

2. Grief Support Group at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Mondays, 6 p.m., Room 101. For people who have lost a loved one to death. Participants may begin attending 6 weeks or more after loss, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur 30033. For more information, contact Amy Morgan at [e-mail].

3. U.S. Military Veterans Suicide Prevention Program for Fulton County veterans and their caregivers. Free PTSD services by professionals, Sept. – Dec., Mondays 10 a.m. – noon, First Congregational Church of Atlanta UCC, 105 Courtland St, Atlanta 30303. Mental health assessments, individual and group therapy, fitness, nutrition, medication management, and more.  Limited enrollment; register at [e-mail] or call [phone].

4. The Peace Advocacy Team of the Atlanta Friends Meeting is lobbying members of Congress to advance three peacebuilding programs in the State Dept. budget for the coming year:  Atrocities and Genocide prevention; the Complex Crises Fund; and Reconciliation.  Grounded in their Quaker faith, and as a program of the nonpartisan Friends Committee on National Legislation, they speak their truth in a way that respects and listens to the other—building relationships.  If you or your faith community would like to join advocacy on peacebuilding, contact Susan May  [e-mail] or 404-775-5958.

5. From Columbia Theological Seminary--build on the wisdom of Christian spirituality in Seeking God: An Invitation to a Deeper Spiritual Life online starting in January. You’ll explore the course through spiritual literature, group reflection, art, music and video that celebrates biblical traditions while supporting the many spiritual practices of today. Register Here

6. Georgians for an Alternative to the Death Penalty and the faith leaders of color coalition are inviting you to gather on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol for a multi-faith prayer service in observance of World Day Against the Death Penalty. Faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, Mennonite, and other traditions will offer their tradition's witness for an end to the death penalty as well as prayers for all those touched by capital punishment. October 10, begin gathering at 11:00 a.m. and the service will begin promptly at 12 Noon. No registration required. For more information, contact [e-mail].

7. Shallowford Center for Mindful Living at Shallowford Presbyterian Church has a mindfulness retreat coming up.  It will be for those who are new to mindfulness training or would like a refresher course.  The sessions will be on successive Tuesdays Oct. 10, 17, and 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the church, 2375 Shallowford Rd.  The registration fee is $50. Find all necessary information at https://www.shallowfordmindfulliving.org/classes-retreats

8. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30308, ensemble vim , St. Luke’s ensemble-in-residence, in concert, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. 

9. The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra will perform a program of Handel and Bach with the Cathedral Choir and Schola, Friday, October 13, at 7:30 p.m., St. Philips Cathedral. Tickets are available at cathedralATL.org/concerts

10. On Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m., St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta will host a free screening of “The Philadelphia Eleven,” a documentary that tells the story of 11 women and their supporters who organized their ordination to become Episcopal priests in an act of civil disobedience in 1974. R.s.v.p. here

11. The Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology, is the featured preacher October 15 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast. “Something to Take Home From Church,” focuses on Exodus 32:1-14, the familiar story of the golden calf. “Now, this story of Aaron making a false god out there in the wilderness, a golden calf, may seem remote to us — who today worships a golden calf?” he says. “Actually it is a story as fresh as the latest Instagram post or the breaking news on cable TV.” Hear it in Atlanta on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sunday at 7:05 a.m. or visit http://day1.org to read or hear it and many other sermons.

12. Organist George Fergus, director of music at historic Christ Church in downtown Savannah, will perform at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Sunday, October 15, at 3:15 p.m. He will play Marcel Dupré’s Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23. Fergus is a graduate of Yale University and St. Olaf College. He has performed all over the country. The recital is are followed by Choral Evensong at 4:00. Services will be livestreamed at cathedralATL.org  and available subsequently on the  website and the Cathedral’s Facebook pages.

13. Emmaus House invites you to join in the celebration at the Oct. 15, 5-7 p.m., annual Emmaus House Benefit.  Special guests will include Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Bishop Rob Wright and Dr. Beth Sarah Wright. Dr. Wright will share her new children's book. State Representative Phil Olaleye will discuss the challenges facing families on Atlanta’s south side.  Your support allows Emmaus House to continue offering programs and services that improve their neighbors' economic and social well-being.  Register
 
14. Curious about Solar? Join GIPL, Solarize Cobb, and Creative Solar, a vetted solar installer, at East Cobb UMC in Marietta on Oct. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. to learn more about solar energy, its benefits and costs. Learn how group purchasing can make solar more affordable, as well as new Inflation Reduction Act benefits. Learn more and Register.

15. Diamond in the Rough Virtual Priceless Parenting Cafe on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m., with Kendria Johnson, LPC. This presentation will define self-care and the connection to mental health. We will discuss signs that participants could be under such as prolonged stress and we will give practical strategies to manage as well as cope with life stressors. Visit www.ditr.org to reserve your virtual seat.
 
16. The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing invites you to its annual Bishop Frank Kellogg Allan and Elizabeth Allan Lecture Series, Thursday, Oct. 19, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7:00. This year, the lecture will feature a thought-provoking documentary screening that chronicles the racial healing efforts of the Center. Through powerful storytelling and personal narratives, the documentary showcases the Center's dedication to fostering environments where brave spaces are cultivated. Discover the transformative impact of this work and the journey towards racial healing and unity. Seating is limited. This event is free.  R.s.v.p.  [e-mail].

17. Oak Grove United Methodist Church Annual Barbecue, Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., featuring delicious pit-cooked, pulled pork barbecue, homemade Brunswick stew (cooked in 40-gallon cast iron pots), crisp, tangy slaw, secret recipe bbq sauce, pickles, potato chips, and bread. Dine-in guests also have a choice of lemonade or iced tea. The Adult Plate is $12.00, and the Child’s Plate is $10.00. Craft Sale and Bake sale too! 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur 30033, ogumc.org/barbecue. All money raised goes to missions.

18. Cancer Awareness Event, October 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Grace City Church, 4293 Austell Road, Austell 30106. Informative session with awareness resources, light refreshments will be served.

19. Healing Our Losses: a workshop that enables people to begin to heal their unresolved grief and to make necessary changes in their lives, a gift from Dr. Jack Miller, former Catholic priest who founded the Center for Education on Death and Dying and helped establish the Midwest’s first residence for people with AIDS, Saturday, Oct. 21, 12 – 4 p.m., The Church at Ponce & Highland, 1085 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta. R.s.v.p. to [e-mail].

20. Weekend Retreat: Caring for Our Common Home, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. - October 22 at 12:00 p.m., Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Dr., Sandy Springs, Directed by Dr. Rob McDowell, PG The goal of the retreat is to embrace the Holy Father’s call for an “ecological conversion” necessary for all future generations to enjoy the fruits of the Earth.  This is a silent retreat. Guests are expected to maintain a sacred silence throughout the retreat, including at meals, unless otherwise noted. To register: https://bit.ly/44SXvUw

21. Mosaic Quartet in concert October 22, 3:00 p.m., in the chapel at Northside Drive Baptist Church, this powerhouse ensemble is dedicated to creating a more equitable and inclusive future for classical music.  The all-female quartet was formed out of their connection with the Atlanta non-profit Challenge the Stats. Suggested donation is $10 for students and $20 for adults. More information.  

22. Icon Workshop at Holy Innocents’ Church, 805 Mt. Vernon Highway, Atlanta 30327, Oct. 23-27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., weeklong iconography conference with internationally known artist Mary Jane Miller. Information here.

23. Last call for tickets for the Nov. 4 annual Red, White & New fundraiser for New American Pathways is Monday, Oct. 23. Proceeds will support programs that aid refugees on their path from arrival through citizenship, deliver exceptional services that fulfill the needs of refugees and other immigrants, sustainably grow the number of refugees and immigrants served while intentionally expanding the ways they are served, and ensure a welcoming community for all new Americans. GET TICKETS The evening will feature a delicious dinner, silent and live auctions, and entertainment at Savanna Hall at Zoo Atlanta.

24. If you are in the Macon area, you might be interested in “Introduction to Quakerism” with Mary Ann Downey and Bill Holland being offered at Centenary UMC, Sunday, October 29, at 2 p.m. 

25. Georgia nears the six-month mark of Medicaid/PeachCare for Kids redetermination and we can help ensure that all eligible people know what to do to retain their health care coverage. If you work with eligible people, make sure that members know they should turn in their paperwork, even if they are late or think they may not be eligible for coverage. Members have up to 90 days after their redetermination date to turn in their paperwork. If a member is no longer eligible for Medicaid, they may be eligible for other kinds of assistance, like the new Pathways to Coverage program.
 
Share educational tools and resources from staycovered.ga.gov.

• Share *new* instructional videos or present our updated PowerPoint.
• Print materials to hand out at events or keep in your organization’s lobby. And don’t forget – materials are available in multiple languages.

Peace, 
Ethel Ware Carter