Resources

[RCCAtl]

Bible Study Children's Christian Formation Church Administration Infertility Creation Care Devotionals Disability Worship Seasonal Resources and more...

Advocacy, the voice of faith in the public arena

2020 Georgia is a broad alliance of community leaders and organizations. The common goal is to promote a balanced approach to budget and revenue solutions that meet the short and long-term needs of our state and its people.

Bible, Bible Study and Sacred Texts

 

Information, essays, articles on the King James Version of the Bible

 

Two thousand years after they were written and decades after they were found in desert caves, some of the world-famous Dead Sea Scrolls went online for the first time on Monday in a project launched by Israel's national museum and Google. Read the story Here. Go to the site Dead Sea Scrolls

 

Guide to Popular Bible Translations offered here by Cokesbury

 

 

Common English Bible A new translation available online.

 

The African American Lectionary, more than 5000 pages of free material presenting all the annual days of the African American church and more Visit it here.

''Daily Grace’’, iPhone app from Women of the ELCA, is now available! Daily Grace, an on-the-go companion for your journey, offers a faith reflection every day. Go to dailyGrace for more information and to download this free app.

 

The free Bible app for smartphones holds a huge selection of  free Bible versions and plans to help track progress reading scripture.  Maybe you can challenge yourself to read the whole Bible in 2012?

Luther Seminary's Enter the Bible has extensive historical, theological, and literary analyses of every book in the Bible with supporting information about ancient Near Eastern history and culture. It includes passage-by-passage comments on biblical texts, many of which also offer links to video presentations by biblical scholars. It has maps, glossaries, identifications of biblical people and places, and art images. If you create a free account and log in, you can save links, take notes, and follow ready-made study paths.

Read the Bible in a Year, a schedule from the N. GA Conference, UMC.

OpenYale free online courses in New Testament and the Hebrew Bible taught by Yale professors.

Revised Common Lectionary

Common Lectionary designed especially for Baptist, Reformed and Free Church/Congregationalist traditions.

Audio Bible Study from BaptistWay Press.

ScriptureEcho an unusual and dramatic process for reading scripture in a group.

Launched this January, a new service called FaithElement brings several innovations to small group Bible study for youth and adults. The materials are free for church groups to use, with funding coming from sponsorships. You won’t want to miss FaithElement and The Faith Lab; read more and find links at FaithElement

Find The Gospel of Contradiction: An Interview with Mary Gordon and other essays and materials about our sacred texts at Patheos

Regional Council collection of Bible On Line resources.

Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World at the Royal Ontario Museum has closed but the website still offers fascinating lectures by authorities on the scrolls and the world that produced them. The Anne Tanenbaum Lecture Series explores the Scrolls’ continued relevance to the Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths. ROM

Maps Old Testament, New Testament and more
Map of sites in story of Jesus
Interactive Bible Maps
Map of Paul's first Missionary Journey

Children and Youth

The Partnership at Drugfree resources.

Runaway Youth Safety Act from the Alliance to End Homelessness read about it, facts and advocacy needs and opportunities .

Timothy Project offers Summer Mission Projects. The Timothy Project coordinates summer mission activities that are youth-oriented. For upcoming opportunities or or more information, visit Timothy, [e-mail] or call 877-333-9986.

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church, wrote a blessing we have included at RCCAtl.org . You might copy it and print it out on a card to hand out to any LGBT youth who may someday find themselves at risk.

The Columbia Theological Seminary Youth Ministry Leadership Initiative Certificate Program Entire schedule for the coming year.

To seek help for a child who may be a victim of commercial sexual exploitation call 404-602-0068.

Free groups meeting in the area for those concerned with eating disorders.

Safe America Foundation offers a number of different programs on teen driving safety and drivers education.

GodlyPlay Children's Christian Formation.

Interfaith Children's Movement

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia’s 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline is a toll-free and confidential resource for all Georgians. The Helpline offers emotional support, information, and referrals to community resources on any family issue, Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) or [phone]. For more information, see PreventChildAbuse.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with Liz Claiborne, Inc. have developed a new online training, "Dating Matters: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention." The training will help educators, youth leaders, and others working with teens understand the importance of healthy relationships and how to prevent violence before it starts. Find out more and participate at CDC.gov

Passport Summer Camps, summer camp with a mission, for your children or youth group's summer plans. Check out the options for children and youth in varying locations with exciting options to fit your ministry goals at Passport.

Underage alcohol use contributes to risky behaviors such as violence and drunk driving as well as poor academic performance. Youth who use alcohol before age 15 are 5 times more likely to become alcohol dependent than adults who began drinking at age 21 and are at much higher risk for serious health consequences as adults. Resources for Red Ribbon Week to Stop Underage Drinking at StopAlcoholAbuse.

Under Your Influence has a wealth of information and ideas to combat underage drinking.

Male Responsibility Program, Adolescent Health and Youth Development, is in the process of scheduling Wise Guys training. The curriculum is designed to prevent adolescent pregnancy by teaching young males self-responsibility, primarily in the area of sexual development. Conducted by caring, trained, adult facilitators, the program helps youth to identify their long-range personal and career goals and encourages them to focus on their goals as they make decisions throughout adolescence. If you are interested please contact Phillip Oliver at [e-mail].

Fulton County’s Neighborhood Union Health Center Tweens and Teens Clinic for youth between the ages of 10-12 and teens 13-18 years old. The Center will offer expanded services to meet the specific needs and concerns of adolescents. The Clinic will open every fourth Thursday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., during the after school hours. Neighborhood Union Health Center is located at 186 Sunset Avenue in Atlanta. For more information call 404-612-4665.

National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Catholic Charities Atlanta’s Pregnancy, Parenting & Adoption Program offers Parent Talk, a resource for new parents who need pregnancy and parenting education, who need to prepare for a new baby and need extra support, or who have a 6 month old infant or younger. Parent Talk will help provide a healthy and secure environment in which to raise a child. Contact Catholic Charities at 404/885-7274, or 404/885-7466.

UNICEF Report on the World's Children

Look at beltline.org for student oriented Atlanta Beltline activities and ideas to get your young people involved in greening and building the community — get engaged, create a program, make a difference in the lives of our future leaders.

Church Administration and Bricks and Mortar

Need help with Ministry Business? Candler School of Theology will offer the National Institute in Church Finance and Administration during the month of June, as training toward professional certification in Business Administration. NICFA consists of four weeks of on-campus seminars and one individual project. Satisfactory completion of the seminars and a project allows participants to apply for certification as a Church Business Administrator (CBA) through the National Association of Church Business Administration. NICFA also meets the criteria for denomination Certification as well. For more information and to register visit Certain.com

National Institute in Church Finance and Administration at Candler 2011

Copyright Information for Churches

Alban Institute essay on congregational management

Lifelong Learning Announces ‘’Social Networking Media in Congregations: Possibilities & Practicalities’’ July 26-29. The Center for Lifelong Learning invites you to this interactive event designed to help church leaders explore, plan, launch, and maintain social networking media such as Facebook, ConstantContact, Twitter, blogs, YouStream, Skype, Flickr, and podcasts. You'll learn how to choose from the huge array of social networking options, based on what your ministry wants to accomplish. Read about this and other opportunities at Columbia Theological Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning.
ctsnet.edu.

Partners for Sacred Places is the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization devoted to helping congregations and their communities sustain and actively use older and historic sacred places.

Help for Church and Synagogue Libraries. Church and Synagogue Association

From FCS urban ministries, Community Grounds Cafe provides churches and businesses with their coffee needs (and all fair trade coffee), and in doing so, provide work for someone who wouldn't otherwise have it in South Atlanta. Visit Community Grounds or contact Jeff Delp, [e-mail], for more information.

Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as StewardshipDownload this great resource- remember you must log in but it only takes a second.

Community Organizing, Faith-based

ABLE Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment.

Creation Care

Earth Covenant Ministry, a partnership among congregations of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and other faith-based organizations and individuals responding to the biblical and denominational call to renew right relationship with God’s Earth, is now on facebook.

PowerWise from GIPL

ILoveMountainss

Sacred Spaces from the National Council of Churches Eco Justice group for Earth Day 2010. Remember you must log in to download; it only takes a second.

EarthDay website

Greening Your Holidays from GIPL

Earth Day is April 22 suggestions and a listing of events in our community from Georgia Interfaith Power and Light. See RCCAtl.org

Remember that Georgia Interfaith Power and Light has both worship service preachers and teachers and educational class materials and speakers. Contact them at [e-mail] or visit GIPL

Season of Creation focuses on the September Creation celebration but has many resources for year-long worship, sermons, children's programs, etc.

Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as StewardshipDownload this great resource- remember you must log in but it only takes a second.

Death Penalty

Georgians for Alternative to the Death Penalty is the statewide coalition of concerned organizations and individuals working for greater fairness in Georgia's criminal justice system and an end to capital punishment. There are currently active chapters in Atlanta, Macon, and Athens We welcome Sam Gonzalez, new coordinator to the Georgia office. He will be pleased to talk with you or to your congregation about the organization. 678-431-6078.

An interesting website if you are looking for information about the death penalty is Death Penalty Info.

Salt Lake Tribune offers this interesting article detailing the opposition or support for the death penalty that is found among people of faith.

Devotional

Audio and text resources of the Rev. John R. Gunn's popular ‘’Be Still and Know’’ radio ministry are now available at Day1.org, the website of the national ecumenical Day1 radio ministry. Site users will be able to access nearly 200 audio files from the long-running series, as well as hundreds of text files for study, sermon preparation, and devotional uses. Born in 1877, Rev. Gunn was a Baptist minister, author, and newspaper columnist. In 1926, the editor of a Fort Wayne newspaper invited Rev. Gunn to write a brief meditation daily for their editorial page--and he did so for 36 years. For more information, call toll free 888-411-Day-1 or check Day1.org.

Disability

October is Disability Month Visit Awareness to participate in some online training, add your experiences to the disability blog, see inspirational disability success story videos, and more!

Domestic Violence

Partnership Against Domestic Violence crisis line 1-800-33-Haven

Georgia Crisis & Access Line 1-800-715-4225.

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization working to end sexual and domestic violence. One of its guiding principles is that it is possible to transform individuals, families, communities and institutions through education and the power of our faith traditions. Read about this nonprofit with offices in Seattle and Durham at FaithTrustInstitute

Ecumenical/Interdenominational

Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College__

Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)

Emergency Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month. Register your church or organization as a NPM Coalition Member at
READY. You agree to promote emergency preparedness during September. Membership is at no cost and you will receive access to the NPM Website where you can find a toolkit that includes templates, resources, and tips to assist you with promoting emergency preparedness. Your organization will also be listed on the National Preparedness Month website.

Are you ready? The hurricane and storm season is upon us. Do you have a plan for your family or household? Did you prepare an emergency kit? Are you informed?Catholic Charities Disaster Preparedness and Response Program can help you to prepare in case disaster strikes. Speakers can be arranged to address your groups of individuals or provide you with valuable resources to help you get prepared. Please call Ethel Higgins at 770.296.2198 or e-mail to [e-mail]


The Metro Atlanta RSVP Volunteer Program has speakers who are available to make free educational presentations to your senior groups on topics that will help older adults live independent healthy lifestyles. ‘’How to be Prepared for Emergencies & Disasters’’ is one topic. See others at the link below and find a request form there as well. For more information call 404 463-3119 or email [e-mail]. RSVP.

Ethics

Baptist Center for Ethics newsletter

Faith in America

Where have all the Protestants Gone?

Religion across the Americas on Speaking of Faith

Family Life

Catholic Charities Atlanta’s Pregnancy, Parenting & Adoption Program offers Parent Talk, a resource for new parents who need pregnancy and parenting education, who need to prepare for a new baby and need extra support, or who have a 6 month old infant or younger. Parent Talk will help provide a healthy and secure environment in which to raise a child. Contact Catholic Charities at 404/885-7274, or 404/885-7466.

FRAME-Works offers fun and free relationship building events for couples who are expecting a baby or have a new born. For more information or to register, please call Felicia at 1-888-44-FRAME.

Free groups meeting in the area for those concerned with eating disorders.

To seek help for a child who may be a victim of commercial sexual exploitation call 404-602-0068.

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia’s 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline is a toll-free and confidential resource for all Georgians. The Helpline offers emotional support, information, and referrals to community resources on any family issue. Available Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) or [phone]. For more information, see PreventChildAbuse.

Georgia Crisis & Access Line 1-800-715-4225.

Partnership Against Domestic Violence crisis line 1-800-33-Haven

SHARED HOUSING RESOURCE FOR HOME OWNERS AND TENANTS
matches tenants who need a home with homeowners that have a room to spare - also tenants who will provide services for the homeowner in exchange for reduced or free rent. HOUSEMATE MATCH is a United Way funded agency. Call Lynne Dyckman at 678.812.3729, see HousemateMatch or email [e-mail].

FaithTrust Institute offers training and material dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. Office in Durham and Seattle.

Finances

2020 Georgia is a broad alliance of community leaders and organizations. The common goal is to promote a balanced approach to budget and revenue solutions that meet the short and long-term needs of our state and its people.

Credability offers in-person seminars that can help people in your community begin to gain financial control. There are over 40 classes to choose from that can be presented to your church or organization. If you are interested in learning more about hosting a financial literacy course, contact Laura Creamer at [e-mail] or 404-734-5645.

Global/International Justice

World Refugee Day Resources

HalftheSky Overview of Nicholas Kristoff's book Half The Sky , inspiring and to the point on why connecting with women in developing countries is critical. How educating girls and empowering women can help fight poverty and extremism.

Learn how to host a Fair Trade Day.

Learn about TheGirlEffect.

Visit the new website of Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide.

Enough the project to end genocide and crimes against humanity at Enough

UNICEF Report on the World's Children

From FCS urban ministries, Community Grounds Cafe provides churches and businesses with their coffee needs (and all fair trade coffee), and in doing so, provide work for someone who wouldn't otherwise have it in South Atlanta. Visit Community Grounds or contact Jeff Delp, [e-mail], for more information.

Health

 

Marriage

 

Christ the King Lutheran Church is hosting a Love & Respect Marriage Video Conference, with Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs, Friday, February 10, from 6:45 -10:15 p.m., and Saturday February 11 from 8:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Cost is $15 per person through January 30. They will present a dynamic, high energy, and practical two-part video seminar to help couples achieve the relationship of their dreams. Go to www.loveandrespect.com for more information and to register. Childcare is offered. Email childcare reservations to [e-mail]. Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross 30092.

The Care and Counseling Center of Georgia offers a monthly workshop for engaged couples called Preparing for Marriage.  Each couple will receive a notarized certificate, which entitles them to a reduction in the cost of their marriage license if married in Georgia, along with a free one-year marital check up.  For information contact [e-mail] or call [phone], ext. 0. Visit http://www.cccgeorgia.org/marriage.htmlfor more information.

Check Mental Health

 

Preaching

For several years Luther Seminary has offered Working Preacher. This marvelous resource offers exegetical material geared to the weekly lectionary and to other biblical material; resources and insight regarding the craft of preaching; viewpoints and commentary on contemporary culture; and a host of opportunities for life-long learning. It’s all free and offered with the conviction that God uses good preaching to change lives.  Check it out www.workingpreacher.org

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