Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 28, 2026

[RCCAtl]

1. When someone causes harm, restorative justice offers an alternative to punishment—one centered in accountability and repair. American Friends Service Committee’s California Healing Justice Program has long worked to make restorative modalities the default method of addressing harm. They have created a new Restorative Justice Toolkit with resources to support communities practicing restorative justice. Access the toolkit.
2. Lunch & Learn with Dr. Dock Hollingsworth. Biblical Interpretation: Why & how do serious & sincere students of the Bible end up with radically different interpretations? Four sessions, Mondays, Sept. 21, 28, and Oct. 5, 12. Lunch at 12 p.m., sessions at 1:00- 2:00. Big Canoe Chapel, 226 Wolfscratch Village Circle, Big Canoe 30143. Register at Lunch & Learn Sept & Oct 2026
3. Getting Your Development House in Order: Building a Foundation for Lasting Fundraising Success, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Federal funding shifts are creating uncertainty across the sector, making strong fundraising systems more important than ever. Join CFGA, Nonprofit Finance Fund, and Alloy Fundraising for a practical session on building the development function nonprofits need to succeed. Who should attend? Executive directors, development professionals, and board members from any nonprofit in the metro Atlanta region interested in leveling up fundraising operations for financial success. Register for this opportunity from the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta at Register for the September 22nd webinar.
4. Concerts on the Green presents Sunset Dance, Friday, Sept. 25, 7 – 8:30 p.n., at St. John’s Horse Shoe Lawn. Come for a delightful evening of free music, stories, and good times featuring Mike Spring and Otto the Orchestra! Bring your friends and neighbors and come enjoy an evening of great music, good company, and fun. 3480 E. Main St., College Park 30337.
5. BUILD | together - a concert of new orchestral music by living composers reflecting on the current moment. Tickets available now! Emory Presbyterian Church, 1886 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta 30307, Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. Find tickets at www.atlcmc.net/tickets .
6. Episode 4253 of Day1 features the Rev. Matthew Ian Fleming, teaching pastor at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., and founder of Church Anew. His sermon is drawn from Psalm 78. Read or hear it now at day1.org . Tune your radio to WSB 95.5 and 750 AM on Sunday at 7:05 to hear the program. Fnd the extended podcast wherever you get podcasts.
7. University of Georgia Choral Project will perform at 3:15 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 27, the Cathedral of St. Philip in person and livestreamed at cathedralATL.org. Over the past several years they have performed all over Georgia, under their director, Colin Mann. They will perform works of Gustav Holst, Caroline Shaw, and Henrich Schütz. Following the recital, the Cathedral offers its weekly service of Choral Evensong at 4 o’clock, sung by the Cathedral Schola.
8. Friends Peace Teams offers a 2-hour participatory program in which you will experience the history of the colonization of Turtle Island, the land that is now known as the United States. The story is told through the words of Indigenous leaders, European/American leaders, and Western historians. Engage with this history through experiential exercises and small group discussions. You are invited to consider how we can build relationships with Indigenous peoples based on truth, respect, justice, and our shared humanity. Facilitated by TRR’s Native and non-Native teams. Appropriate for high school students and adults. The same workshop is offered in Sept, Oct. and Dec. Sunday, Sept. 27, 4-6 p.m. REGISTER HERE.
9. Faiths United to Save DemocracyPoll Chaplain/ Peacemaker de-escalation training opportunities on September 28 and October 15, virtual, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Please use the link above to sign up.
10. Join The King Center for a special screening of Be Still & Know: The Polly Sheppard Story on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The film shares the remarkable journey of Polly Sheppard, one of five survivors of the tragic June 17, 2015 mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, and her profound message of faith, forgiveness, and healing. Immediately following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Polly Sheppard during an intimate fireside chat with Dr. Bernice A. King. This event invites the community to engage in meaningful dialogue, honor the power of hope, and explore pathways toward greater understanding and unity. Register today.
11. The Support Group for the Families and Friends of Alcoholics/Addicts is now meeting at First Methodist Church, 202 W. Broad St, Room 206, Greensboro, every other Wednesday, 6:15-7:45 p.m. For more information, please contact Larry or Joyce.
12. Come for an unforgettable evening of incredible food, local brews, and meaningful connections at Brews & Bites! This unique culinary experience will feature tastings from seven amazing local chefs, each showcasing their culinary talents, along with craft beverages, great conversation, and the opportunity to connect with others who believe every child deserves the chance to succeed. Whether you're a longtime friend of The Ansley School or are just learning about our mission, Brews & Bites is the perfect opportunity to experience our incredible community while learning more about our work. Thursday, Oct. 1, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Monday Night Brewing, 933 Lee St SW, Atlanta 30310. Brews and Bites
13. On the first Friday in October, Oct. 2, Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church welcomes the community to its biannual Barbecue and Sweet Shop—one of the church’s longest-running and most cherished traditions. Featuring savory barbecue, Brunswick stew, and homemade sweet treats, this event has nourished both body and spirit for generations. Mt. Carmel is at 5100 S Old Peachtree Rd, Peachtree Corners 30092.
14. Cascade United Methodist Church warmly invites you to join them for a special Centennial gathering: A Century of Cascade: Three Generations, One Unfolding Story, Saturday, Oct. 3, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 3144 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30311. Dr. Gregory C. Ellison II will lead an intergenerational conversation exploring the Black church's influence across generations, and asking an important question: "What must the Black Church become for the century ahead?" Dr. Ellison, one of Cascade’s own, is a professor at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and founder of Fearless Dialogues. He will be joined by three generations of Cascade leaders for a candid conversation about the church’s past, present, and future. All are invited to this meaningful time of reflection, vision, and renewed commitment to the work God is calling the Church to do in the years ahead.
15. We Hold These Truths: Your Story Is America’s Story, Oct. 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Join Church of the Incarnation for a live performance of “American Dream” by Atlanta playwright, Jeilianne Vazquez, followed by facilitated conversation with friends and neighbors over dinner. Hosted by the Rev. Lynne Washington as a part of 1906 Remembrance Week. This event is free. Make your reservations at Out of Hand Dinners Presents: We Hold These Truths — Out of Hand Th....
16. The Trey Clegg Singers will be in concert at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta 30305, Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:00 p.m. The Sacred Journey: Songs of Mystery, Soul , and Living Praise. Find tickets at https://www.thetreycleggsingers.org .
17. World Quaker Day is Oct. 4. This year’s theme is “Let Peace Be Among Us”, with the supporting Bible passage Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy.” On this day, Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) will host an extended Global Online Worshipto bring Friends together across borders, languages, and Quaker traditions. 
18. Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation 2026 Evening in the End Zone, “A Night of Spectacles!” supports the mission of bringing vision care to uninsured and underinsured Georgians. Find ticketshere. Every ticket purchased helps provide vision screenings, eye exams, and affordable glasses for children and adults who would otherwise go without. Oct. 6, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.
19. Preach 2026 grew out of a simple but persistent recognition: something has shifted in the preaching moment, and many of us have felt it for some time. Across traditions and contexts, preachers have been carrying questions that no longer have easy answers: how to speak truthfully in divided communities, how to hold faith in the face of uncertainty, how to proclaim something that is both ancient and urgently needed now. Conference beings Oct. 18 and it will be livestreamed. See the amazing line up of speakers and workshops. and learn more here.

 

19. Join North Avenue Presbyterian Church Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 11:00 a.m. as NAPC member Norman Underwood shares his thoughts on Democracy, Voting and Georgia Elections in a conversation with son, Lee Underwood. As an attorney with a prominent law firm, executive secretary to Governor George Busbee, and a judge on Georgia’s Court of Appeals, Norman Underwood has a long legacy of public service. A light buffet will be available. Please consider a donation of $10 to cover lunch when you register HERE. 
20. Memorial Drive Ministries is conducting a winter coat drive. Each Tues and Thurs through Oct. 31, they will receive coats, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., all sizes, all colors, scarves and gloves are welcome! Drop off at 5140 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain 30083. The mission of Memorial Drive Ministries is to foster diverse Christian worship, innovative social services, and transformative relationships on the Memorial Drive campus.
21. Why now: Loving our neighbors to the voting booth If your church has never participated in Get-Out-the-Vote efforts, you may be asking, “Why now?” Cooperative Baptist Fellowship advocacy fellow and pastor Brooke Holloway Blake invites church leaders to consider that question and explore how churches can help their neighbors participate in the voting process—now and in the years to come. Find her advice to help neighbors to the voting booth here.