Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 22, 2025

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

1. The newest exhibit at Pitts Theological Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory, is open. Visit the library's 3rd floor gallery to experience "East Asian Buddhism and the Christian Encounter." This exhibition is a collaboration between Pitts and Emory's Art History department, and it includes items from Emory's Michael C. Carlos Museum and Oxford College Library’s Collection of Asian Artifacts. Learn about the Exhibition.

2. New Grant Chapel AME Church, 1319 Holcomb Ave., East Point 30344, invites the community to an evening of revival, Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. Pastor Eric Vincent Thomas will preach.  
3. Tenth Annual Saving Ourselves Free Health Fair & Community Expo, Sept. 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m., City of Refuge, 803 N Church St, Thomaston, GA 30286. For information call [phone] or email [e-mail].
4. Unveiling Truth: 1906 Commemorative Mural & Community Gathering, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2-4 p.m. Join the Center for Civil and human Rights for the unveiling of a new mural commemorating the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre and honoring the resilience of a community that has endured and thrived. REGISTER >
5. “Day1”, the national weekly ecumenical radio program is excited to announce episode 4201, featuring guest the Rev. Jody Andrade, a transitional minister in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. The episode will air on Sept. 28 and is hosted by The Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime. “Day1” can be heard in the Atlanta area on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. The program is also accessible online at Day1.org, on the “Day1” YouTube channel and Apple and Spotify podcasts. For 80 years, Day1® has been sharing new life through great preaching. Day1 is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media. Learn more at day1.org.
6. Rev. Kamau Welcher and the members of First Baptist Church East Pointwill celebrate their 137th Church Anniversary on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.  The guest speaker will be Rev. Christopher Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas.  The church is located at 2813 East Point Street, East Point, Georgia. All are welcome to attend.
7. Cellist Jesús Castro-Balbi will perform at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Sunday, Sept. 28, at 3:15 p.m., in person and livestreamed on cathedralATL.org. He will play Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012. Cellist Castro-Balbi teaches at Kennesaw State University. A graduate of Conservatoire National Supérieur (France), Indiana University, Yale University, and Juilliard, he has been featured as soloist with orchestras in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Following the recital, the Cathedral offers its weekly service of Choral Evensong.
8. A reminder of Ahavath Achim Synagogue's Response to Antisemitism and Hate Committee’s invitation to a screening of the powerful documentary Refuge, followed by a panel discussion Sunday, Sept. 28. This event will feature the film's producer, Erin Bernhardt, and Chris Buckley, a former white nationalist featured in the film. This is a free event; you must register by Sept. 24. Click Here to Register.
9. For 50 years, the Atlanta Greek Festival has brought the sights, sounds, and spirit of Greece to Atlanta. What started as a small gathering of families has grown into one of the city’s most cherished cultural celebrations rooted in tradition, built on community, and filled with joy. This year, Return to the Village. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, you’ll be welcomed like family. Taste the food, hear the music, walk through history, and create your own story in a village brought to life. Here’s all you need to know. The Atlanta Greek Festival
10. Cup of Truth: Navigating Free Speech. As part of the Decatur Book Festival, authors Julian Winters and Kelly Quindlen join the National Center for Civil and human Rights for a conversation on censorship, storytelling, and the real-world impact of book bans on young adult literature. Saturday, Oct. 4, 12:45 – 1:15 p.m., Decatur Library, Young Adult Stage. LEARN MORE>
11. Memorial Drive Ministries seeks to end disconnectedness among the diverse refugee communities of Clarkson by fostering diverse Christian worship, innovative social services, and transformative relationships. Join in celebration of the beautiful ways welcome is being extended through MDM at Bridge to Belonging Saturday, Oct. 4, 5 – 7 p.m. at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, dinner catered by Refugee Women’s Network, encouraging messages from Senator Jason Esteves; former interim executive presbyter, Rev. Dr. Jane E. Fahey; and Executive Director of the International Community School, Fran Carroll. Purchase Tickets
12. Out of the Ashes: Our Story in Song, join The Trey Clegg Singerson Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305. "Out of the Ashes" is more than a concert title—it’s a journey. The program invites you to walk through grandeur, grief, resilience, and renewal. The music will move from the ceremonial to the intimate, from lament to unshakable joy. In each act, we travel deeper into the human spirit—hearing how voices, cultures, and stories rise together to tell one unbroken story of hope. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online or at the door. Click Here to Purchase Tickets
13. The 17th Annual Turkish Food Fest is October 4 and 5, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. both days. Experience a weekend full of authentic flavors, cultural performances, and family fun, all with free admission. As part of Atlantic Institute’s efforts to promote intercultural dialogue, they join the Turkish Food and Cultural Festival organized by the Istanbul Cultural Center with a booth. Come by to enjoy delicious Turkish cuisine and take part in a celebration that brings together people and values from diverse cultures. Istanbul Cultural Center of Georgia, 591 N. Main St Suite 100, Alpharetta 30009. Free parking & shuttle at Alpharetta Elementary School, 192 Mayfield Rd, Alpharetta 30009, complimentary shuttle service provided.
14. Join the Aquinas Center on Tuesday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Candler School of Theology for the continuing Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. Ty Monroe, PhD will present "Faith in History: Nicaea 1700". Click to register
15. Guadalupe: An American Pentecost, Dr. Nancy Pineda-Madrid, October 9, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Aquinas Center Candler School of Theology. Dr. Pineda-Madrid will share how the Marian apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an American Pentecost and leads both Catholics and believing Christians to live their faith more fully. 10/9 Registration - Guadalupe:.
16. Come October 9 for an evening of strikes, spares, and solidarity as bowling teams compete for justice. Lace up your bowling shoes and bring your A-game to support Cobb Legal Aid. Whether you're aiming for a perfect game or just looking to have a ball while supporting a great cause, this night promises to be right up your alley. Sign up your team today and help knock down barriers to justice, one pin at a time! TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS
17. Guadalupe: Un Pentecostés Americano, Dr. Nancy Pineda-Madrid, 10 du octubre, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 2140 Beaver Ruin Rd, Norcross 30071. Reconocer a Guadalupe como un Pentecostés Americano es importante porque sirve para animar a los cristianos y católicos creyentes a vivir nuestra fe con mayor autenticidad. Esta conferencia explorará lo que significa identificar a Guadalupe como un Pentecostés Americano. 10/10 Guadalupe: Un Pentecostés Americano
18. Ignyte 2025, Thursday, Oct. 9 - Sunday, Oct. 12, National Center for Civil and Human Rights. This dynamic, four-day experience unites emerging youth leaders, seasoned advocates, business trailblazers, and community changemakers to reimagine what equity looks like across generations. REGISTER >
19. National Council of Churches invite you to join them in celebrating their 75^thAnniversary! The National Council of Churches was founded in 1950 during a time of tumult following the end of World War II. Now, 75 years later, we are in another time of tumult where Christian unity and witness for justice is vitally important. If you are in Boston Oct. 13-16, or maybe you would like to go to Boston, join in celebration of the dedicated work of generations of leaders who have shown us the way as we face today's challenges and chart a course for the future. Come and remember those who came before us, celebrate today's Christian witnesses, and experience the future of ecumenism. For more information and to register, visit https://nationalcouncilofchurches.us/ncc75/
20. Sarah Coakley to Probe Mysticism in October McDonald Lectures. Coakley, Anglican priest and Norris-Hulse Professor Emerita at Cambridge University, is Candler’s 2025-2026 Alonzo L. McDonald Family Chair on The Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. In this role, Coakley will present two public lectures on October 15 and 21. The lectures take as their collective theme “Re-thinking ‘Mysticism’ and ‘Mystical Theology’ in Turbulent Times.” Learn more and register to attend the McDonald Lectures in person o....
21. Candler’s Black Church Studies program will host Josef Sorett, dean of Columbia College and Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor and Vice President for Undergraduate Education at Columbia University, as the speaker for this year’s Howard Thurman Lecture on Oct. 16. Learn more and register to attend the Thurman Lecture in person or ....
22. New-Young Adult Mock Interview Workshop from Mental Health America of Georgia on Oct. 20 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with the Leadership, Empowerment, and Access Program this fall. Participants will gain confidence, refine interview skills and prepare for career success. Participants can be between the ages of 16-30 from all over Georgia. Click HEREto learn more information and to register.
23. Save the date, Oct. 25, Nosferatu (1922) featuring John D. Schwandt on organ at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. Schwandt is one of the most multi-faceted organ professionals working today. At home in many genres of music, he can be encountered in concert across America, on episodes of American Public Media’s syndicated program Pipedreams, accompanying silent films in churches, concert halls, and theaters, on a CD by the rock band Shiny Toy Guns, as leader of hymn festivals, consultant on organ projects, and as judge and clinician.
24. Save the date for Organ Spooktacular, a concert benefitting the historic Austin Organ at Trinity United Methodist Church.  Help save the iconic 1912 Austin Organ from the wrecking ball. With the redevelopment of the church building to provide affordable housing for seniors, this amazing organ needs to find a new home.  Friday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m., 265 Washington Street, SW, parking validated, donation at the door. Contact [e-mail] [phone] for more information.
25. Registration is open for Summa Theological Debate Summer Camp 2026, July 14-22. Summa on the beautiful campus of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., brings together high school students from across the country to explore life’s biggest questions through theological debate. Visit summa.sewanee.edu for more information.
26. Each time you shop, donate, or volunteer at the ReStore, you help Atlanta Habitat for Humanity transform communities through neighborhood revitalization, education, innovative development, and partnerships. Visit Atlanta ReStore to find out more.
27. Do you know about Kind30? Find out about the call for acts of kindness during the month of October. We encourage you to visit www.kind30.org.

Peace, Ethel Ware Carter