Church Action eNewsletter Week of May 28, 2012

[RCCAtl]

 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.   

  

Remember that all events listed in the eNewsletter are placed in the Community Events Listings on our website.  Newsletters are archived  there at  eNewsletters -- with the most recent featured below the slide show of member churches on our home page under Featured RCCA Activities.   

Go to www.rccatl.org and click on Join the Regional Council to open an application.   

 

Feeding those who are homeless?  If your  church or group is bringing food/meals to downtown/mid-town and would like to maximize the  effect on those who are being served, a forum is being established to have that conversation. If interested contact Stan Dawson at [e-mail]   

1. This week customers can shop for FREE tomorrow, Thursday, May 31 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Cascade Clothes Closet at Cascade UMC, 3144 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30311. Specials include summer clothing for women, men, and children— including shoes, furniture, and 4 children’s bicycles!!! For more information contact Allene McCollum, Outreach Coordinator at 404-582-0364.  

2. Job Fair for all interested women at the 62nd Women’s International Convention of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). To respond to the high rate of unemployment faced by women today the Convention will host its first Women’s Job and Career Fair tomorrow, Thursday May 31, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with national and local corporations in attendance. All women are invited. The Fair will focus on opportunities for Women in the health field, human services,  technology, the construction industry, and the military. Visit www.cogic.net and click on the 62nd Women’s International Convention & Crusade banner for additional information. Event is at the Georgia World Congress Center.  

3. Volunteers are needed to help makeover the classrooms that Refugee Family Services will be using for Summer Camp.   They may have this handled but if you have any time tomorrow or Friday and would like to help paint and set up at 5561 Memorial Drive, Stone Mtn., email [e-mail]

4. Cascade UMC Music & Arts Ministry invites the community to Wholly, Holy Thine Women's Chorus Wellness Weekend & Concert, June 2-3.  On Saturday, June 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., health experts will share ideas on how to take care of our temples. The focus will be on cardiovascular disease, stress, obesity, and other diet related health issues.  Proceeds will benefit C.H.O.I.C.E.S., a non-profit which fights childhood obesity.  Email Grace White at [e-mail]  to find out more.

5. Central Presbyterian's Summer Series 2012 will explore issues in the Middle East from the ancient world of the Bible to the modern conflicts that threaten international security and hopes for an Arab spring. Series begins June 3 at 9:45 a.m. with a presentation by Father Michael B. McGarry, C.S.P., the 18th president of the Paulist Fathers and  rector of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Theological Studies in Jerusalem, 1999 to 2011.  He has written extensively on Christian-Jewish relations and serves on the Advisory Board for Christian-Jewish Relations for the US Catholic Conference of Bishops. For the full line-up of topics and speakers for the summer, as well as recommended reading,  read more...   

 6. The Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA) has announced that author Mirabai Starr’s upcoming visit to Atlanta will include a visit to the Vedanta Center of Atlanta, 2331 Brockett Road, Tucker 30084, on Sunday, June 3, at 11 a.m.  We had previously announced her June 3, 6:30 p.m. appearance at First Baptist Church, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, as a part of the Conversations at First Baptist series of public dialogues. Starr’s latest book is God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. 

7. Longing for a new way to be Christian together? Join spiritual director Kimberly Broerman for an exploration in how to re-engage our Christian faith and re-imagine church in fresh, and life-giving ways.  Thursdays in June, 7-9 pm, Deep Waters Center for Prayer and Exploration. Through the sharing of stories and struggles, discussing Diana Butler Bass's provocative new book, Christianity after Religion, and communal practices of prayer and discernment, seek what it means to be Christian, to be the Church in our 21^st century context. Cost is  $75.  Call 404-275-3328 or mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]"">email Kimberly for more information

8. Church of the Incarnation would like to share information about its upcoming Vacation Bible School, "No Friend Like Jesus," June 11-15, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ages 5-12.  If this does not conflict with your church's summer offerings, Incarnation would love to have your children join them for a week of fun, learning, and love. You can find more information about the curriculum here. The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 2407 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta. Contact the church office at 404-755-6654 or [e-mail] for registration information.

9. Dr. Ray Arsenault, award winning author of Freedom Riders: 1961, will speak at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, 946 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW, Atlanta, on June 15, at 7 p.m. See the award-winning documentary, Freedom Riders, and meet Civil Rights legends who risked it all for African Americans to have the right to vote. This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited. Doors open at 6:45 pm. For more information call 404 549-8676.

10. Information on World Refugee Day, June 20, 2012.

11. I Am Here: The Healing Journey of the Caregiver with Kevin Sharpe, Saturday June 23, 8:45a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Convent of St. Helena, 3042 Eagle Drive,  Augusta 30906. Register through [e-mail]   or call 706‐798-5201, ext 1. Cost is $40.  Nearly one of every three Americans is a family caregiver for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member.  Caregivers suffer high levels of stress which contribute to their own health problems. Caregiver stress can continue to compromise a person’s immune system for up to three years after they have stopped being an active caregiver.

12. Smyrna Presbyterian Church Campmeeting and Revival, June 24-29, 2920 Highway 212, SW, Conyers   30094. Smyrna Presbyterian Church was founded in 1827. Situated at the still-piney edge of Atlanta in Conyers, Smyrna PC  ministers from a beautifully wooded, 30-acre campus; the church is the home of old "Camp Smyrna," where one hundred seventy-eight annual campmeetings have called Christians back to an evangelical heritage and fostered caring fellowship over the years. Down load the details of the event and see who’s preaching at http://www.smyrnapc.com/Forms/CampMeetingInfo.doc Contact 770-483-8962  or [e-mail] for answers to any questions you may have.

13. TEAM CCCG will run the Peachtree Road Race on July 4. Care and Counseling Center of Georgia, a non-profit interfaith organization, has been around as long as the Peachtree Road Race. CCCG offers counseling in 17 locations throughout metropolitan Atlanta.  Every day the CCCG counselors cheer people on - individuals - families - children.   They see amazing stories of courage, strength, and hope.  Of course, there is sometimes exhaustion along the way, but the CCCG counselors and chaplains offer a helping hand through the hurdles in life.  CCCG serves those of every age, gender, race, sexual orientation, creed and ethnic background, and seeks to make its services affordable to all. Learn more about Care and Counseling Center of Georgia  here  and about how you can help CCCG reach its 2012 Road Race goal here ..   

 14. Please let veterans in your congregation or with whom you work know about a free 3 day Veterans and Arts Symposium at Eastern Kentucky University, July 5-7. It is amazing, take a look at Military Experience .   Atlanta’s ArtReach will hold three workshops; 30 vet organizations will be there. The ArtReach Foundation’s mission is to influence and assist, through creative expressive arts therapies, the growth and development of children and adults who have experienced the traumatic effects of war, violence, and/or natural disaster

15. The Hope Store provides a place where you can donate your unneeded items, receive a donation tax receipt, and know that 100% of the profits from the sale of your items will be supporting Street GRACE for the month of June! Volunteers are needed to help with stocking, organizing, intake, etc. This is a great opportunity for youth groups, student groups, families, and individuals. Hope Store, 9850 Nesbit Ferry Road, Suite 10, Alpharetta 30022. Check the June calendar for availability here.  Please register for a volunteer shift by sending an email to [e-mail].               

16. Resource for family ministers— Understanding God's Gift of Baptism “This booklet offers an ideal guide for parents, guardians, sponsors, and anyone who wonders about the meaning of the sacrament of baptism; why babies and small children are presented for baptism in the United Methodist Church and how baptism shapes Christian life,”   says Melanie C. Gordon Director of Ministry with Children, GBD UMC. This book was written by Sara Webb Phillips, senior minister at Brookhaven UMC, and L. Edward Phillips. Available on Amazon of course.

17. A national ecumenical partnership was announced this week by Episcopal Relief & Development‘s NetsforLife® program partnership and the United Methodist Committee on Relief to prevent and control malaria in 21 sub-Saharan African  in 21 countries where malaria is endemic. “The goal ... is to decrease sickness and death due to malaria, build local organizations’ capacity to mobilize their communities against this disease, and strengthen connections across faith denominations, sectors and countries in order to share knowledge and develop best practices,” Episcopal Relief & Development President Rob Radtke said in the release. Both partners work with churches and grassroots institutions to fill gaps in health service coverage and develop solutions that fit the community. 

18. Women’s Pilgrimage to Italy, September 14-26, 2012.  Join Atlanta spiritual director Kimberly Broerman and others for a journey of soul, exploring, and discovering the sacred in Rome, Assisi, Siena, and other Tuscan towns. Broerman says, “Practicing a rhythm of contemplative prayer and immersion experiences in the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and textures of this beautiful and mystical land, we’ll seek to awaken to ourselves and a deeper sense of God.”  Click http://www.kimberlybroerman.com/workshops/tuscan-pilgramage.html" href="http://www.kimberlybroerman.com/workshops/tuscan-pilgramage.html"">here for more details.

19. StandUp for Kids, is a nationally recognized and acclaimed volunteer-run, non-profit organization committed to the rescue of homeless and street kids. Volunteers go on the streets and reach homeless youth and provide a caring, temporary adult relationship. Volunteers also provide food, hygiene products and referrals to additional resources. “Street Bags” are needed. For a list of specific items needed, please click here. These bags are given out during Street Outreach as well as at the Outreach Center.  Can your group, seniors, youth, ladies, retired folks, help assembling kits or donating the items and/or gift cards. Please contact Leigh Jones at [e-mail] or call 404-954-6683

20. A reminder that the Third Annual Summer Institute of Addiction, July 15-21,  offers an opportunity for clergy, counselors, and members of congregations, communities,  and families to learn about the many facets of addiction disease and the recovery process, as well as addiction’s devastating impact on individuals and families. All information is  here...   

 21. Contextual Preaching by Aaron Carr, AoP 2012, read a reflection from a young preacher on his work at an archaeological dig at the site of ancient Shikhin, a small village just a few miles from modern Nazareth.  

22. If your congregation operates a food pantry you should know that changes in the dates of food stamp issuance this coming August and September may cause a gap in assistance for some people and increasing  requests for help. Informational flyer    

 

 Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

404-538-0246

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