Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 24, 2025

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

 

Read on for a number of wonderful free Advent resources.

 

Does your organization plan a big event this season? Leftover food can feed hungry people. Visit Second Helpings Atlanta to find out about this volunteer cadre that rescues food and delivers it to ministries and pantries.

 

A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

O God, we thank you for this earth, our home;

For the wide sky and the blessed sun,

For the salt sea and the running water,

For the everlasting hills

And the never-resting winds,

For trees and the common grass underfoot.

We thank you for our senses

By which we hear the songs of birds,

And see the splendor of the summer fields,

And taste of the autumn fruits,

And rejoice in the feel of the snow,

And smell the breath of the spring.

Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;

And save our souls from being so blind

That we pass unseeing

When even the common thornbush

Is aflame with your glory,

O God our creator,

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

     --Walter Rauschenbusch

 

1. Bishop Rob Wright has a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Jenny M. McBride, Associate Rector of All Saints' Atlanta and president of the International Bonhoeffer Society. Jenny shares how reading Bonhoeffer at an urban house of hospitality opened a door from evangelical ideas to lived formation. That path led her into prison classrooms where fashion small talk mingled with raw theological questions, and where “helping” gave way to being helped. Listen Here
2. You can watch the National Thanksgiving Day Service at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. We are invited to reflect on this season of gratitude and generosity during this service, which can be joined via livestream. Gather to give thanks through word and song for the blessings of our lives. Details and Livestream.
3. Join Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for “Making Room,” a daily devotional journey from Nov. 30 through Christmas. Written by members of the CBF family, each reflection invites you to pause, breathe and make space for Christ’s presence through Scripture, story and prayer. They’re offering two guides—one for adults and one for children and families, with reflections and activities for home, Sunday School, or worship. DOWNLOAD DEVOTIONALS Wherever you read, may these devotions help you make room for hope, peace, joy and love this Advent!
4. Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding! Christ is near, we hear it say. These words invite us to stop and truly listen. This digital book offers daily reflections from Luther Seminary’s faculty and community that awaken hope and help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Each daily reading calls us to cast away the shadows of despair and to hear again the thrilling voice of God’s love breaking into our world. Use this link to get your free Advent Devotional Luthersem.edu/resources/advent-devotional-2025/
5. Columbia Theological Seminary’s staff, students, and faculty have created Advent resources. Wreath Liturgy, playlists, downloadable Advent-themed art, video Sunday school lessons, moments for Holy pause and so much more. Click HEREto access
6. Want to receive a daily pairing of art and music from Art & Theology in your inbox during this Advent and Christmas season? Sign up here. Posts will run from November 29, the day before the first Sunday of Advent, to Epiphany on January 6.
7. Day1 Episode 4210, Nov. 30, features the Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. She shares her sermon “Reading Our Story Backwards,” based on Matthew 24:1-8, 32-44. On this First Sunday of Advent, she invites us to see the promise of redemption through new eyes, reminding us that knowing God’s ending gives hope to our beginnings. Hear it in Atlanta Sunday at 7:05 a.m. on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM. And, the program is also accessible now online at Day1.org, on the “Day1” YouTube channel and on Apple and Spotify podcasts. So you can listen any time.
8. Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30, at 4:00 p.m., the Cathedral of St. Philip will offer its annual Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols, also available via livestream on the Cathedral website and on the Cathedral’s Facebook pages. Those who have attended this candlelight service in past years know what a perfect opportunity it is to step back from the hectic pace of the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas season, and take a few moments to contemplate its real meaning. The Advent service includes the ancient O Antiphons, one after each of the seven lessons. These Christian texts invoke the Messiah to return and each is sung to ancient and beautiful plainchant. Whether you best sense the eternal through timeless chant, or wonderful choral music, or popular carols sung by all, there is something for everyone in this service. Admission is free and all are invited. Why not invite someone to attend? It may turn out to be one of the best gifts you give.
9. Awaiting the Light: An Invitation to Advent Reflection. Advent invites us into a sacred pause - a season of quiet anticipation and deep hope. As the world around us hastens toward the holidays, the Ignatian path gently calls us to slow down, to notice where God is moving in the stillness, and to awaken to the light that dawns in our own hearts. In this season of waiting, we are invited to listen: to the whispers of God’s promise, to the longing within us for renewal, and to the presence of Christ already here and yet still coming. Join Ignatius House for an Advent retreat or day of reflection. Click on link for registration information. December 1 - Advent Day of Reflectionwith Andy Otto, MA; December 3- Advent Day of Reflection with Sarah Otto, M.Div. ; December 4 - Men's Advent Evening of Reflection with Fr. James "Jim" Fleming, SJ; December 5-7 - Advent Retreat: A Journey of Advent Hope with Sr. Susan Arcaro, r.c.; December 12-14- Advent Retreat: The God Who Comes Close with Steve Siler, MA
10. Celebrate Advent at Columbia Theological Seminary with two sacred gatherings that draw us deeper into the Magnificat Way, a journey of joyful courage, justice, and hope inspired by Mary’s song. Magnificat Service, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 10:10 a.m. in Harrington Chapel. Lessons in Carols, Friday, Dec. 5. At 10:10 a.m. in Harrington Canter Chapel, 701 S Columbia Drive, Atlanta 30030.
11. Entering Advent Worship: "Be the Light," Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attend this special service (morning or evening) of encouragement and joy, led by Shallowford Presbyterian Women, for the entire community, 2375 Shallowford Rd NE, Atlanta 30345.RSVP for Lunch
12. The holidays are approaching and everything around us says connection, gatherings, and family closeness. But for many of us this season can bring something entirely different: grief, uncertainty, and a deep ache for the life we used to know. If you’re feeling the weight of that you’re not alone. Give sacred room to these feelings at a Blue Christmas Celebration, St Edward’s Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Dec. 3 at noon in the chapel. You are invited to share this invitation with those who are grieving in their communities of faith. This will be an ecumenical service of remembrance, prayer, hope, reflection and music for all those experiencing loss of any kind. A simple reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Please R.s.v.p. by Nov 26 to 678-389-1077, [e-mail]. Ecumenical and all are welcome.
13. Final Kessler Conversations of Fall 2025 at Pitts Theological Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Conversations focus on a single contemporary theme and trace it back to the Reformers. These conversations are free and open to the public, but registration is required. This fall, the topic is “Reforming Intelligence: AI and the Legacy of the Reformation.” Visit http://pitts.tl/kesslerconversations to register and to view all 21 conversations from the past. Wednesday, December 3, “Expanding the Reformation Corpus with AI-Powered Transcriptions” by Serena Strecker, Yale University.
14. From Mental Health America Georgia Outreach Wellness Learning (OWL): Living with Mental Illness, Thursday, December 4, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Mental illness during and after pregnancy can have profound adverse effects on the mother, baby, and loved ones. Through this seminar, participants will understand the prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), describe common PMAD's signs, symptoms & treatment options, and demonstrate effective ways to screen for postpartum depression using the Edinburg Screening Tool. REGISTER HERE.
15. Advent Taizé Prayer, Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur 30030. Join a candlelight ecumenical prayer service of contemplative congregational singing from the Taizé Community. Instrumental music supports a peaceful atmosphere of scripture, singing, and silence. Parking along the street in front of the church. Tea and cookies following. For more information visit www.taizeatlanta.me.
16. A Guns to Gardens safe surrender event for unwanted guns (no ammunition) will be held at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, 118 Second Avenue, Decatur 30030 (enter parking from East lake Drive), Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone can bring unloaded gun stored in the truck of your vehicle. If you feel it is no longer safe or desirable for you to have a gun in your home, this is a way to responsibly dispose of unwanted guns without returning them to the gun marketplace! Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens. Co-sponsors are Columbia Drive Presbyterian Church; Druid Hills Presbyterian Church; North Decatur Presbyterian Church; Oakhurst Baptist Church; Peace and Global Witness Presbytery Partnership; Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church; and Saint Mark United Methodist Church. A $50 grocery gift card is available while supplies last.  For more information call 404-378-6284. 
17. Sewanee’s 66th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be celebrated at All Saints' Chapel, two services—Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.—feature walk-up seating, and doors will open an hour in advance of the service. If you can't make it to the Mountain, the service will be livestreamed on Saturday at 7 p.m. Find more information about attending the services at https://new.sewanee.edu/.../festival-service-of-lessons.../
18. Evolving Employment Opportunities: Building the Future Workforce Through AbilityOne Mon, Dec 8, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Bobby Dodd Institute. As the workplace continues to evolve, new opportunities are emerging for people with disabilities. This session explores how collaboration is transforming disability employment, from traditional entry-level roles to sustainable, higher-skill careers. Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams. For employers and business leaders seeking to engage disability talent and strengthen their workforce, nonprofit and community organizations focused on employment and inclusion, workforce development professionals looking to align training with high-demand career pathways, and advocates and policymakers committed to shaping the future of equitable employment.
19. Theological Reflection in Older Adulthood. From Lifelong Learning at Columbia Seminary. Our pastors, parents and other loved ones who shaped us are aging. In this course, you'll learn how theological reflection with older adults can help them address the challenges of aging through faith seeking meaning. January 19 – February 27, 2026 (Online). Register at Theological Reflection in Older Adulthood

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

Read on for a number of wonderful free Advent resources.

Does your organization plan a big event this season? Leftover food can feed hungry people. Visit Second Helpings Atlanta to find out about this volunteer cadre that rescues food and delivers it to ministries and pantries.

A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day
O God, we thank you for this earth, our home;
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
--Walter Rauschenbusch

1. Bishop Rob Wright has a conversation with the Rev. Dr. Jenny M. McBride, Associate Rector of All Saints' Atlanta and president of the International Bonhoeffer Society. Jenny shares how reading Bonhoeffer at an urban house of hospitality opened a door from evangelical ideas to lived formation. That path led her into prison classrooms where fashion small talk mingled with raw theological questions, and where “helping” gave way to being helped. Listen Here
2. You can watch the National Thanksgiving Day Service at the National Cathedral, Thursday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. We are invited to reflect on this season of gratitude and generosity during this service, which can be joined via livestream. Gather to give thanks through word and song for the blessings of our lives. Details and Livestream.
3. Join Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for “Making Room,” a daily devotional journey from Nov. 30 through Christmas. Written by members of the CBF family, each reflection invites you to pause, breathe and make space for Christ’s presence through Scripture, story and prayer. They’re offering two guides—one for adults and one for children and families, with reflections and activities for home, Sunday School, or worship. DOWNLOAD DEVOTIONALS Wherever you read, may these devotions help you make room for hope, peace, joy and love this Advent!
4. Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding! Christ is near, we hear it say. These words invite us to stop and truly listen. This digital book offers daily reflections from Luther Seminary’s faculty and community that awaken hope and help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Each daily reading calls us to cast away the shadows of despair and to hear again the thrilling voice of God’s love breaking into our world. Use this link to get your free Advent Devotional Luthersem.edu/resources/advent-devotional-2025/
5. Columbia Theological Seminary’s staff, students, and faculty have created Advent resources. Wreath Liturgy, playlists, downloadable Advent-themed art, video Sunday school lessons, moments for Holy pause and so much more. Click HERE to access
6. Want to receive a daily pairing of art and music from Art & Theology in your inbox during this Advent and Christmas season? Sign up here. Posts will run from November 29, the day before the first Sunday of Advent, to Epiphany on January 6.
7. Day1 Episode 4210, Nov. 30, features the Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. She shares her sermon “Reading Our Story Backwards,” based on Matthew 24:1-8, 32-44. On this First Sunday of Advent, she invites us to see the promise of redemption through new eyes, reminding us that knowing God’s ending gives hope to our beginnings. Hear it in Atlanta Sunday at 7:05 a.m. on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM. And, the program is also accessible now online at Day1.org, on the “Day1” YouTube channel and on Apple and Spotify podcasts. So you can listen any time.
8. Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30, at 4:00 p.m., the Cathedral of St. Philip will offer its annual Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols, also available via livestream on the Cathedral website and on the Cathedral’s Facebook pages. Those who have attended this candlelight service in past years know what a perfect opportunity it is to step back from the hectic pace of the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas season, and take a few moments to contemplate its real meaning. The Advent service includes the ancient O Antiphons, one after each of the seven lessons. These Christian texts invoke the Messiah to return and each is sung to ancient and beautiful plainchant. Whether you best sense the eternal through timeless chant, or wonderful choral music, or popular carols sung by all, there is something for everyone in this service. Admission is free and all are invited. Why not invite someone to attend? It may turn out to be one of the best gifts you give.
9. Awaiting the Light: An Invitation to Advent Reflection. Advent invites us into a sacred pause - a season of quiet anticipation and deep hope. As the world around us hastens toward the holidays, the Ignatian path gently calls us to slow down, to notice where God is moving in the stillness, and to awaken to the light that dawns in our own hearts. In this season of waiting, we are invited to listen: to the whispers of God’s promise, to the longing within us for renewal, and to the presence of Christ already here and yet still coming. Join Ignatius House for an Advent retreat or day of reflection. Click on link for registration information. December 1 - Advent Day of Reflection with Andy Otto, MA; December 3 - Advent Day of Reflection with Sarah Otto, M.Div. ; December 4 - Men's Advent Evening of Reflection with Fr. James "Jim" Fleming, SJ; December 5-7 - Advent Retreat: A Journey of Advent Hope with Sr. Susan Arcaro, r.c.; December 12-14- Advent Retreat: The God Who Comes Close with Steve Siler, MA
10. Celebrate Advent at Columbia Theological Seminary with two sacred gatherings that draw us deeper into the Magnificat Way, a journey of joyful courage, justice, and hope inspired by Mary’s song. Magnificat Service, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 10:10 a.m. in Harrington Chapel. Lessons in Carols, Friday, Dec. 5. At 10:10 a.m. in Harrington Canter Chapel, 701 S Columbia Drive, Atlanta 30030.
11. Entering Advent Worship: "Be the Light," Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attend this special service (morning or evening) of encouragement and joy, led by Shallowford Presbyterian Women, for the entire community, 2375 Shallowford Rd NE, Atlanta 30345. RSVP for Lunch
12. The holidays are approaching and everything around us says connection, gatherings, and family closeness. But for many of us this season can bring something entirely different: grief, uncertainty, and a deep ache for the life we used to know. If you’re feeling the weight of that you’re not alone. Give sacred room to these feelings at a Blue Christmas Celebration, St Edward’s Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Dec. 3 at noon in the chapel. You are invited to share this invitation with those who are grieving in their communities of faith. This will be an ecumenical service of remembrance, prayer, hope, reflection and music for all those experiencing loss of any kind. A simple reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Please R.s.v.p. by Nov 26 to 678-389-1077, [e-mail]. Ecumenical and all are welcome.
13. Final Kessler Conversations of Fall 2025 at Pitts Theological Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Conversations focus on a single contemporary theme and trace it back to the Reformers. These conversations are free and open to the public, but registration is required. This fall, the topic is “Reforming Intelligence: AI and the Legacy of the Reformation.” Visit http://pitts.tl/kesslerconversations to register and to view all 21 conversations from the past. Wednesday, December 3, “Expanding the Reformation Corpus with AI-Powered Transcriptions” by Serena Strecker, Yale University.
14. From Mental Health America Georgia Outreach Wellness Learning (OWL): Living with Mental Illness, Thursday, December 4, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Mental illness during and after pregnancy can have profound adverse effects on the mother, baby, and loved ones. Through this seminar, participants will understand the prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), describe common PMAD's signs, symptoms & treatment options, and demonstrate effective ways to screen for postpartum depression using the Edinburg Screening Tool. REGISTER HERE.
15. Advent Taizé Prayer, Thursday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon, Decatur 30030. Join a candlelight ecumenical prayer service of contemplative congregational singing from the Taizé Community. Instrumental music supports a peaceful atmosphere of scripture, singing, and silence. Parking along the street in front of the church. Tea and cookies following. For more information visit www.taizeatlanta.me.
16. A Guns to Gardens safe surrender event for unwanted guns (no ammunition) will be held at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, 118 Second Avenue, Decatur 30030 (enter parking from East lake Drive), Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone can bring unloaded gun stored in the truck of your vehicle. If you feel it is no longer safe or desirable for you to have a gun in your home, this is a way to responsibly dispose of unwanted guns without returning them to the gun marketplace! Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens. Co-sponsors are Columbia Drive Presbyterian Church; Druid Hills Presbyterian Church; North Decatur Presbyterian Church; Oakhurst Baptist Church; Peace and Global Witness Presbytery Partnership; Saint Bartholomew Episcopal Church; and Saint Mark United Methodist Church. A $50 grocery gift card is available while supplies last. For more information call 404-378-6284.
17. Sewanee’s 66th annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be celebrated at All Saints' Chapel , two services—Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.—feature walk-up seating, and doors will open an hour in advance of the service. If you can't make it to the Mountain, the service will be livestreamed on Saturday at 7 p.m. Find more information about attending the services at https://new.sewanee.edu/.../festival-service-of-lessons.../
18. Evolving Employment Opportunities: Building the Future Workforce Through AbilityOne Mon, Dec 8, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Bobby Dodd Institute. As the workplace continues to evolve, new opportunities are emerging for people with disabilities. This session explores how collaboration is transforming disability employment, from traditional entry-level roles to sustainable, higher-skill careers. Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams. For employers and business leaders seeking to engage disability talent and strengthen their workforce, nonprofit and community organizations focused on employment and inclusion, workforce development professionals looking to align training with high-demand career pathways, and advocates and policymakers committed to shaping the future of equitable employment.
19. Theological Reflection in Older Adulthood. From Lifelong Learning at Columbia Seminary. Our pastors, parents and other loved ones who shaped us are aging. In this course, you'll learn how theological reflection with older adults can help them address the challenges of aging through faith seeking meaning. January 19 – February 27, 2026 (Online). Register at Theological Reflection in Older Adulthood

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter