Church Action eNewsletter Week of ovember 26, 2012

[RCCAtl]

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Underlined words are live links

 

Tell every teen in Atlanta that the GOSPEL SLAM on Jan. 3, Thursday night of the Festival of Young Preachers is especially for them! Free flashdrives to the first 200, plus prizes for best Slams!  Read all about it here 

1. Have you always wanted to sing in a flash mob? Read here  now – the next practice is tomorrow. And find, too, information on Evolve Atlanta Birth 2012.

2. The 32^nd Annual Apple Annie Arts and Crafts Show  will be held on Friday November 30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday December 1 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 4905 Roswell Rd., NE, Marietta 30062.  The event will feature more than 130 juried artisans, “Blue Light” Raffles, Handmade Quilt Raffle, homemade soups, baked goods, and more. Admission is $3.00.  Children under 12 are Free. No strollers are permitted. For more information, to volunteer, or for directions visit www.st-ann.org or call 770-552-6400 x 6116.

3. Dec. 1 deadline approaches for Evangelism: A New Scorecard (Thompson Scholars 2013) Event, April 30 – May 3, Associate professor of evangelism Ralph Watkins will lead this event. Applications are being accepted through December 1.To read more about Dr. Watkins and this spring’s program, please read this article For program details and application instructions, click here.

4. Do remember the Christmas Fair Trade/ Alternative Gift Sale with music and refreshments at Druid Hills Baptist Church, Saturday December 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All are welcome at DHBC .

 

5. Meridian Herald presents Brooks Holifield, the Sonny Houston Bluegrass Band, Steven Darsey, and the Meridian Chorale in Southern Folk Advent, Oxford, December 1, 4:00 p.m. Please read here for all the details about the service, Meridian Herald, and Old Church, Oxford.  

 6. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory will be the principal celebrant at a World AIDS Day Mass at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 1, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.  All are invited to this special remembrance of those we have lost, those who are living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers, families, and friends.  A reception will follow.   Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is at 2855 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta 30329.  For more information, call Kathy Parker at 404-634-5595. 

7. Rock Springs United Methodist Church, 1100 Rock Springs Road, Lawrenceville 30043, has special Christmas programs this coming week. They will be hanging the greens during the 11 a.m. worship service Sunday, December 2, and that evening is the 5^th Annual Christmas Concert, 6 p.m. The popular Walk through Bethlehem will welcome you on Friday, December 7, 7 – 9 p.m., and Saturday, December 8, 6 – 8 p.m. Church website www.rsumc.org. Call 770-945-7329 if you need more information.  \ 

 

 8. Yakir Englander, director of Kids4Peace Jerusalem, will speak at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, Atlanta. Englander will talk about how the simple principles of Kids4Peace are becoming a true peace movement.  The Rev. Brian Sullivan, rector of St. Benedict's, Smyrna, is president of the Kids4Peace International board and invites others to join him Sunday and "bring a friend (or two or three)." Holy innocents’, is 805 Mt. Vernon Highway, NW, Atlanta 30327.

9. Christmas Atlanta International, Sunday, December 2, 3 p.m., featuring the William Baker Festival Singers, Grace United Methodist Church, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta 30308.Tickets at the door or online , Regular admission $15, Seniors and Students $10, Children 12 and under are free. Call 404-909-8357 or see  www.FestivalSingers.org

10. Central United Methodist Church will hold an Advent Revival beginning on Sunday, December 2, 6 p.m., with Dr. Bernice Kirkland, Senior Pastor of Hoosier UMC and the Hoosier Choir. Monday Bishop James Swanson Sr., Mississippi Annual Conference, with the Central Praise Team and Mass Choir and the Headland Heights Choir will be featured at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, 7 p.m., preacher will be Elder Matthew L. Brown with the Choir from Greater Community Church of God in Christ, Marietta.  Reasonably priced dinner will be available, Monday and Tuesday. Central is at 501 Mitchell Street S.W., Atlanta 30314. Call [phone] or see www.centralumcatl.org for more information.

11. Prize-winning storyteller Carmen Deedy and her Grammy nominated musician husband John McCutcheon in a special evening of storytelling Monday, December 3, at 7:00 p.m., sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by First Baptist Church Decatur Conversations Ministry.  Carmen’s delightful books have won her fans all over the world. John is one of folk music’s greatest living storytellers and instrumentalists. This is a terrific program for the entire family!  There is no charge, but you might make a contribution that will be directed to the DeKalb Library Foundation and a local refugee community support group.  No tickets or reservations required.

12. Atlanta Community Ministries invites your participation at Sabbath Rest Silent Retreat at Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Drive, Atlanta. Tuesday, December 4, noon to 4 p.m. Experience table fellowship together, a brief gathering, silence on your own with provided materials, time for rest and listening for God, and close with group prayer. Come away for time alone with God. It will make all the difference in your life! Questions? Call Becky Shoaf at 404-358-7760. www.atlantacommunityministries.org

13. Acquaint yourself with Candler School of Theology. Sign up for First Tuesday at Candler, an event for prospective students, Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Visit Candler’s campus for a casual dinner with Dean Jan Love, the admissions team, and current students. Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr., Professor of Church and Community, will present a talk entitled, “The Searching Heart: From Commitment to Transformation.” Dr. Smith has written numerous articles and speaks extensively on issues of church and society, congregational renewal, Christian spirituality, and the thought of Howard Thurman. Register online by Friday, Nov. 30.

14. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 515 Ponce de Leon ave., Decatur, will offer a noontime 30-minute performance followed by a light lunch on Wednesdays during Advent. The series features young artists from the Atlanta area. On Dec. 5, Ben Thomas, tenor, is featured, and on Dec. 12, Tyler Walker will perform on the piano. Jonathan Easter performs on the organ on Dec. 19. The programs are free and open to all.

 

15. The Atlanta Unit of Church Women United will hold their regular Annual Christmas meeting on Friday, December 7, at 9:45 a.m. at Peachtree Christian Church, 1580 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta.  All Christian women are invited to attend and join the Atlanta Unit. Rev. Patricia Martin is the President. For more information, please call 404-349-4059, J. Tillman. This very diverse group continues a great tradition for women from all denominations.

16. The joy of the Christmas season is sometimes overshadowed by personal losses or grief. If you have lost a loved one and are dreading the holidays, you are invited to attend Roswell UMC’s annual Service of Remembrance, Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. This service provides an opportunity to focus on cherished memories while prayers, scripture, music, and lighting a candle can bring comfort and peace. Afterward, refreshments will be served in the parlor. For more information, call the church office, 770-993-6218, or visit the web site at www.rumc.com. Roswell United Methodist Church is located at 814 Mimosa Blvd. in the heart of Historic Roswell.

17. Trinity Community Ministries is gearing up for its Ornaments and Offerings event on December 16. Plan to join them between 1 – 5 p.m. on December 16 at 21 Bell Street, Atlanta. Enjoy some decadent holiday desserts and help decorate the trees. Financial gifts are appreciated to help fortify the program. For more information Contact Barbara Hester at 678-521-1251.

18. The Greater Mountain Baptist Church and Pastor Rev. Douglas Demetrius Prather invite the Atlanta community to celebrate their 1st anniversary as a congregation during morning worship, Sunday, December 9, at 11 a.m.  The theme of the anniversary celebration is, “For we have come this far by faith.” Guest speaker for the service will be the Rev. Dante Houston, Senior Pastor of New White Springs Baptist Church, 3346 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in the chapel of the historic Herschel Thornton Mortuary. For more information please contact Ms. Elizabeth Mann at 678-699-1495 or [e-mail]

19. The children and youth of Zion Hill Baptist Church invite you to their Annual Christmas Program, Sunday, December 9, at 5 p.m. You’ll marvel at the beautiful pageantry and seasonal music performed by the children as they present “The Reason Why We Celebrate”. Join in this festive advent celebration of the birth of Jesus ….the reason for the season.  Zion Hill, 6175 Campbellton Road, SW, Atlanta, where Dr. Aaron L. Parker is pastor and members are “Living to Love and Loving to Serve.” Get details at www.zionhill.org

20. The Children's PEACE Center is once again participating in the Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria's "Festival of Trees" with a "Spread Sweet Peace" tree displaying sweet things that spread peace from children and families. From November 19 through January 4, the tree (and 36 other trees) will be accepting donations from the public.  Visitors will have an opportunity to make donations to the Center. Each dollar donation counts as one vote and all contributions will be presented to the 37 participating organization. The non-profit receiving the most public donations by December 18 will be awarded an additional $1,000 by the Embassy Suites Atlanta Galleria.  

21.  The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Chapter of the National Art Honor Society will host the Second Annual Festival of Trees, December 10– January 2. The trees will be judged in competition and wreathes will be made available for auction. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the season during hosted events or during regular business hours! All proceeds will go to Street Grace to help eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the Atlanta area.  Friday, December 14, will feature a student Talent Competition, 970 McElvaney Ln NW, Lawrenceville  30044  More information.

22. Centering Prayer Three Day Retreat led by the Rev. Margaret Marshall and Lynne Lockie at New Ebenezer Retreat and Conference Center, 2887 Ebenezer Road, Rincon 31326, this is north of Savannah near the SC  line. Sunday, 6 p.m., January 27– Tuesday, 2 p.m., January 29. Cost is $300, which includes program, private room with private bath, and six meals. Registration deadline is December 15. Contact Krista Seckinger at [e-mail] or 423- 400-2043 for information. This retreat will have two tracks, one for those who have no experience with Centering Prayer/meditation and one for those who have experience http://www.newebenezer.org/

23. The Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Seminary announces its January 2013 Seminars, starting January 27, “Resurrection:  New Song, New Life.”  A dynamic leadership team, including Mary Louise “Mel” Bringle, William P. Brown, Tony Alonso, Thomas G. Long, Paul Huh, Michael Morgan, and others will lead worship, workshops, and plenary sessions. There will be opportunities for everyone- congregational leaders, musicians, artists, preachers, youth leaders, committee members.  Read here about the seminar and two special events that are open to the public. For a current copy of the event schedule, click here. For full conference information, including links to registration, click here.  

We had a full house and a delicious breakfast this morning at the Civility and Community: Toward Higher Ground  breakfast dialogue with the Rev. Joanna Adams, Imam Plemon El-Amin, the Rev. Joseph Roberts, and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman  with moderator Ted Hall. The discussion was filmed for television and we will let you know when  you can see it. We are thankful for the wonderful hospitality of the Rev. George Wirth and First Presbyterian Church and for the thoughtful participation of Atlanta folks of at least four religions.

  

Go to www.rccatl.org  for a slide show of member churches, featured articles, Community Events calendar, past eNewsletters,  membership information, and other resources.

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

 404-201-6448

 [e-mail]