Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 11, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of September 11, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

 

 

Second-year master’s degree students at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health who are interested in the topics of food insecurity and how faith-based ministries affect community health have chosen a project this semester involving food pantries. This is being done through the Regional Council of Churches and will follow-up the late summer Food Pantry Forum held at Grace UMC. This project will assess the needs of food pantries and probably offer some positive directions for all involved. We hope you will want to be included. Your participation may involve a focus group meeting, a telephone interview, filling out a survey, or a visit to your pantry.  Let us know at [e-mail]

1. Be part of a new thing with The Table Atlanta, an inclusive community where modern worship meets modern life! As of September 10, The Table Atlanta will worship weekly at 5:00 p.m. at 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Atlanta, GA 30342 (St. James United Methodist Church). Visit thetableatlanta.org to learn more.

2. This is Suicide Prevention Month. The SPC Educational Series offers “NRC for Suicide Prevention and Aftercare”, The Link Counseling Center, 348 Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Sandy Springs. Dawn Collinge, educational outreach coordinator at Skyland Trail will speak, 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 15. There is no charge for this program. For more information contact Marti Vogt.

3. Seedtime & Harvest Gardens & Greenhouse at Holy Comforter Church is holding its first plant sale of the season Saturday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Just in time for fall planting, the organic seedlings are ready! Broccoli, collards, kale (dinosaur and dwarf curly blue), red and green cabbage, mustards (including 'Ruby Streaks,' an attractive edible at home in your flower or vegetable garden). For your perennial garden, there are ferns, hostas, toad lilies, wood asters, irises, ajuga, black-eyed Susans and more. Come and support your local and organic  grower. Seedtime & Harvest is a supported employment program of The Friendship Center at Holy Comforter, an inclusive community that promotes the mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of adults marginalized by mental health challenges and by poverty. 737 Woodland Ave. SE, Atlanta, 30316; Contact [phone]; [e-mail]

4. The Rev. Dr. Fairfax Fair, First Presbyterian, Ann Arbor, is the featured preach on Day 1 this week, Sept. 17. Listen in the Atlanta area at 7:05 a.m. on 95.5 NEWS or 750 AM WSB.

5. Join St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Sunday, Sept. 17, 9:15 a.m., for an exploration of one of the most difficult problems in theology: If God is loving and all-powerful, then why do evil, suffering, and death exist? Class will be led by Jeffrey Small, author, speaker, and theologian. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law, Jeffrey teaches a class on world religions at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.  Free.  3098 St. Anne’s Lane, Atlanta 30327; [phone].  For more details take this tiny URL to St. Anne’s web site https://tinyurl.com/ybhzkf7n

6. Piano Concert— Iskander Zakirov will be in concert at Wieuca Road Baptist Church, Sunday, September 17, at 3 p.m. in the Sanctuary. 3626 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30326. A concert you do not want to miss!

7. All Saints’ Concert Series presents three artists of exceptional talent, Summit Piano Trio, Monday, Sept. 18, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Helen Kim, violin, is an internationally known violinist who has earned more than one hundred international awards. Charae Kreuger, cello, has been featured on NPR and is currently principal cellist with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra. Robert Henry is an internationally distinguished pianist. Tickets are $30, $20 for students and seniors, and are available at the door or may be charged online here. 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

8. The Edge Connection, a nonprofit providing comprehensive entrepreneurial education, support, and resources for low- to moderate-income individuals, women, minorities, and veterans, offers a free class on starting a business for current or former military service personnel.  Class begins Sept. 18, attend in person or virtually (in real time). This class is available to non-veterans for a small fee. Email [e-mail] for more details.

9. In 2014, an average of 20 Veterans a day died in this country from suicide. The S.A.V.E. Suicide Prevention Overview webinar Sept. 20, 3-4 p.m., from the V. A. Community Clergy Training Program will introduce you to:  knowing the signs of someone who is thinking of taking their lives (both acute and chronic); how to ask if someone is feeling unsafe, wanting to die, worried about their future; validating their experience while offering support and expediting their care. Register and get more information.

10. Make plans to join Family Life Ministries in celebration of 35 years of helping the most needy in Hapeville, College Park, and East Point. Mr. Jeff Foxworthy is special guest speaker for this event. Sept. 21, 5 – 10 p.m. Tickets and info.

11. Historic Sweet Home Plantation in Pine Mountain, is the site for St. Nicholas’ 15th Annual Lobsterfest Friday, Sept. 22, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Lobsterfest features fresh 1 ½ Maine lobster dinners at $60 each, beef tenderloin dinners at $60 each, and $5 children’s meals. Profits from this fundraiser directly benefit the ministries of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church. For more information about Lobsterfest and dinner reservations, call Bert Tomlin at (706)-767-2100. Sweet Home Plantation (map)

12. The School of Christian Spiritual Formation Conference Series 2017 offering is “Exploring the Richness of the Christian Faith,” Sept. 22-24, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 3431 Trickum Road, Marietta 30066. The faithful and seekers are invited to explore the richness of the Christian faith and become reacquainted with the core tenets of the faith. Find out more about this wonderful opportunity at http://www.holytransfiguration.info/spiritual-formation-conference/

13. Health Promotion Action Coalition Atlanta’s premier health education program is joining forces with Big Bethel AME, National Divine Spiritual Church, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for the Better Health Exchange Forum and Relay for Health Walk, Saturday, Sept. 23, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Walkers will gather at 8 at Big Bethel, 220 Auburn Ave., for an 8:30 start.  Walkers will travel travel to National Divine , Our Lady, then on to WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, 303 Parkway Dr. NE, to join others for the BHE Community Health and Wellness Forum. The forum will feature topics including eating for your blood type, health risks of second-hand smoke, and accessing under-utilized fresh food sources.  Community service providers will be on hand to share resources and information.  The host is WSBTV news reporter Tyisha Fernandes.  Free admission, registration is required.  R.s.v.p.  here or call [phone].

14. Fearless Friendship - A Silent Action for Justice, Sunday, Sept. 24 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site, 450 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta 30312. With the recent dismantling of DACA and as SCOTUS (Supreme Court) decides on the travel ban, join Compassionate Atlanta to stand with our neighbors. In this sacred silence we recommit ourselves to welcoming strangers, fighting the attitudes and laws that favor one group over another, and defending the values so important to our democracy. Click here for more info.

15. “TheoEd Talks” with leading thinkers from the academy, the church, and the non-profit sector offering 20-minute talks designed to spark meaningful conversations on how we think about the Bible, theology, and faithful engagement in the world will feature Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt Divinity School; Dr. Brent Strawn, Emory University; and Dr. Gregory Ellison, Emory, for the inaugural live recording at First Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Sept. 24, 5-7 p.m. To register or for more information, visit theoed.com  or email  [e-mail].

16. Mary & Martha’s Place, 4393 Garmon Road, Atlanta 30327, continues to offer an opportunity to understand Christianity as a contemplative and mystical path in the Wisdom tradition as taught by Cynthia Bourgeault.  Classes meet at 10 a.m. every other Mondays and will start Sept. 25.  Information and registration at www.maryandmarthasplace.com/programs

17. The American Baptist Historical Society invites you to this year’s annual event, “Let It Not Happen Again.”  Over the past year we have heard calls for a registry of Muslims and for prohibitions on immigrants and refugees from specific countries.  We hear echoes of the attitudes that allowed injustices to be perpetrated against Japanese Americans during World War II.  This year marks the 75^th anniversary of the executive order that required all people of Japanese descent to move away from the west coast.  At 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, Mr. Yosh Nakagawa will share his experience as a native of Seattle who was relocated as a young child to Minidoka, Idaho.  Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Ex. Dir. of American Baptist Home Mission Societies will offer a contemporary call to justice.  This event is free and open to the public.  It will be held on the Atlanta campus of Mercer University.   Complete information.

18. United Methodist Men of the North Georgia Conference Igniting Faith Retreat 2017! Is Sept. 29-30 at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.  Click Here To Register Online

19. Oktoberfest, Monday, Oct. 9, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Lake Oconee Brewery (map) Details  With the Lake Oconee Brewery, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is sponsoring this event. All profits will be given to Lake Oconee area charities. Please R.s.v.p. by October 2.  $40 per ticket. Ticket price includes German dinner and two raffle tickets.  Cash bar available.  Local favorite Eddie Byrd will provide the music and there will be dance contests (polka and shag) and a Wine Bottle Ring Toss.  Raffle prizes include a Green Egg, Fox Theatre tickets, jewelry and more.

20. The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church will be at Candler School of Theology for a lecture, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 – 8:45 p.m. This event will include a keynote address by the Presiding Bishop on moral leadership. There will also be a panel discussion including the Bishop Curry; Bishop Wright from the Diocese of Atlanta; The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr. from Candler School of Theology; and The Rev. Kim Jackson, Ass. Rector at All Saints, Atlanta. This event is open to the public. Cannon Chapel, Emory University (map). Doors open at 6:30.

21. Interfaith Children’s Movement welcomed a record number of people at the Annual Call to Action Prayer Breakfast last year. This year’s event at The Temple will honor Imam Plemon El Amin for his forty years of active interfaith engagement and advocacy for a better tomorrow for all children.
October 26, 7:30-9:30 a.m. Reservations and more information.

22. Covenant House Job Fair Thursday, October 26, 8:30- 11:30 a.m., Covenant House Gym (map). The Rotary Club of Brookhaven and Covenant House are offering employers an opportunity to meet candidates. Wondering where you can find an exceptional employee? The answer is at Covenant House.  “It was the best job fair I have ever attended," said the Market Manager of Costco. The Covenant House not only provides shelter for young adults experiencing homelessness but it provides guidance and support along the way preparing them to enter the work force and be productive citizens. If you want to help out email Mike Swahn at [e-mail] or Regina Jennings at [e-mail]

23. The 2017 Spirituality Conference at St. Philip's Cathedral will feature Barbara Brown Taylor, Saturday, October 28.  The focus will be Holy Envy: Learning to Live with Religious Difference. Registration and information is at  Spirituality Conference

24. Save the date. Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Hear Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), Episcopal Bishop Robert Wright and his four co-authors of a new book on the death penalty at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 805 Mt. Vernon Highway NW, Atlanta 30327. This event is free and open to the public. 

25. The US Human Rights Network Conference will be in Atlanta December 7-10 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.  Registration is open here.

26. Do you want to know more about what it means to be a Christian? Do you want to serve more faithfully? Have you always wanted to learn more about the Bible or theology? PATHWAYS can help. PATHWAYS Theological Education (Southeast Conference, United Church of Christ) offers online courses for all who seek to deepen their knowledge and who want to bring their questions about Christianity into a conversation with other learners. PATHWAYS also brings a full curriculum for people seeking a practical theological education and who may be answering a call to authorized ministry. Participants come from near and far around the United Church of Christ and beyond. All are welcome to the 4-week long Explorer Series courses and 6-week long foundational courses. For more information, go to pathways-ucc.org or contact the Rev. Valerie Coe Lowder, [e-mail] 

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]