Church Action eNewsletter Week of July 18, 2011

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
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1. Monthly Meeting of Coalition for Homeless People With A Mental Illness, Wednesday, July 20, 3:30 to 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 16th Street at Peachtree Street, Room 156. Leadership of this group is now shared between Alan Harris and Adam Seeley of Central Outreach and Advocacy. The program will focus on building a “road map” that fully addresses the gaping hole in the ability to treat homeless men and women with mental illness and/or a chronic substance abuse problem from the streets all the way into permanent housing. A small group will be formed to draft a plan of action for the MH/AD Council to consider at its September meeting. If you are interested in being a part of this small group or have comments, please e-mail Adam [e-mail] or [e-mail].

2. Want to discover an affordable, Christ-centered, SACS accredited school for your son and daughter, Pre-School through Grade 6? Attend the Open House at Christ Lutheran School, 2719 DeLowe Dr, East Point, (Intersection of DeLowe Dr and Montrose) on Thursday, July 21 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) or Saturday, July 23 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.). If you submit a completed application on either day, you only pay half the Registration (saving $87.50) per student. (Plan to submit application and payment by cash, check or money order that same day.) Phone Randy at 404-767-2892 or [e-mail] for more information.

3. “Excuse me but what about us, the children?” Parents of Bethune, Herndon, Kennedy, KIPP WAYS and Washington. Your presence is needed tomorrow for “A Conversation on Protecting Our Children from this Cheating Scandal,” Thursday, July 21, 6:30 p.m, at Simpson St. Church of Christ, 810 Joseph E. Boone Blvd., Atlanta 30314.

4. Stripped chronicles personal gain, loss, sacrifice and sheer determination of a high profile athlete. Former Super Bowl running back and Green Bay Packer Dorsey Levens stars in this play riddled with intense dramatic scenes, tested faith, unyielding perseverance, and comedic overtures that will leave theater goers laughing, crying, and sharing stories long after the final curtain. Special ministry group discounts are available. July 27, Ferst Center, Georgia Tech. Tickets and more information at levenscommunications.com or 770-883-4821.

5. Building Bridges: Uniting to Combat Human Trafficking in Georgia, Monday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Georgia State University Student Center, 44 Courtland St., Atlanta 30303. Directions and Parking Information will be sent with your confirmation. Flyer here.Hosted by United States Attorney's Office Northern District of Georgia with Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Governor's Office for Children and Families, DeKalb County District Attorney, Fulton County District Attorney. This one-day summit convenes a broad consortium of law enforcement, victim service providers, NGO's, and members of the community to discuss the growing problem of human trafficking in Georgia. Panelists will discuss federal and state laws available to combat trafficking; highlight services available to victims of human trafficking; and discuss community responses to human trafficking.

6. Training Session on Public Benefits Programs, Wednesday, August 3, 1 – 5 p.m. Understanding Asset Building Programs and the Myriad of Rules Governing Federal SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and Related Work Incentives for People with Disabilities. This 4-hour workshop will give participants a basic understanding of many benefit programs offered by the local, state and federal government. Applications and rules can be confusing or changed periodically. If you are working with someone with a disability, you won't want to miss the most up-to-date information. Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta 30318. To attend, please register online by July 29 Here.

7. Federal and State Immigration Law presented by the Young Leaders of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta featuring Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director of GALEO, State Representative Scott Holcomb, and an additional speaker to be announced. Moderated by Amna Shirazi, Shirazi Law Group, Inc., Wednesday, August 3, Registration 6:30-7:00 p.m., Briefing 7:00-8:30 p.m., Atlanta International School, 2890 North Fulton Drive, Atlanta, GA 30305. $10 for World Affairs Council Members. $15 for non-members. Registration information Here.

8. ICM hosts next Children’s Issues and Advocacy Forum - Parental Nurture, Thursday August 4. Parental Nurture: Healthy Father-Child Relationships and Healthy Immigrant Families. Forum is free and open to the public; continental breakfast served. Registration: 8:30 a.m., Forum 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Central United Methodist Church, 501-7 Mitchell Street, SW, Atlanta 30314. Central UMC is located at the corner of Northside Drive and Mitchell Street. Major intersection is Northside Drive and MLK. Free parking in church parking lot. Register now by email to [e-mail]. Please reference "Parental Nurture Forum" in the subject line.

9. Cascade United Methodist Church Music Ministry presents the Gospel Choir in Song, Saturday, August 6, 4 p.m. Church like it used to be, celebrating the gospel tradition. Everyone is encouraged to bring at least one non-perishable food item (canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soup, peanut butter, jelly, etc.) to the concert. Cascade's Outreach Ministry will use the donations to stock a food pantry at the church. For more information, please visit www.cascadeumc.org

10. Being Bearers of God is the theme for a quiet day for women 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur. The Rev. Patricia M. Grace, associate priest for Christian education and parish life at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, is the retreat leader. She is a graduate of the Haden Institute for Spiritual Direction and the 2011 winner of the John Hines Preaching Award. The day is sponsored by the Holy Trinity chapter of Daughters of the King. Cost is $8. Make a reservation at 404-377-2622.

11. A group from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta plans to join the annual Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage, Saturday, Aug. 13, in Hayneville, Ala. Episcopalians across Middle and North Georgia are invited to participate in the local effort organized by the Diocese of Atlanta Commission on Anti-Racism. People interested in participating may contact Jenna Strizak by July 29, 732-221-7285 or [e-mail]. To learn more about Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama, visit jmdaniels.blogspot.com.

12. Toolapalooza from the Atlanta Toolbank-- Atlanta's best downtown get-down is ready to rock! Friday, August 19, 6-9 p.m., STATS Atlanta, Luckie/Marietta District, On the Roof! Advance Tickets only $25! Purchase your ticket by August 14 and receive special considerations. Join the cause! Enjoy great food, live party, music with local talent Suburban Angst, and the popular "Steal a Deal" auction. Tickets here.

13. Everyday we are bombarded by airbrushed images of beauty. These images have the power to affect how we see our bodies and ourselves. How can we encourage young girls and women everywhere to embrace a more positive image of themselves, both inside and out? Participate in an upcoming Dove Real Beauty Workshop for Girls, 8-12, and Moms. The workshops for Girls are fun, educational, and interactive sessions for young girls and their adult mentors: mothers, relatives, and friends - anyone interested in starting a dialog on beauty and self image with a member of the next generation. Saturday, September 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in Douglasville. There is no cost for this event. Location will be sent upon receipt of R.s.v.p. E-mail your name, your daughter/friend/mentee's name and age to [e-mail] to reserve your place.

14. Remember the 9/11 Interfaith Gathering set for September 11, 2011, in downtown Decatur. This event is free and open to all, five o’clock p.m., in the ballroom of the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center, 130 Clairemont Road. Parking is available at the hotel for a charge and there is free parking at the Decatur First Baptist Church next door. The planning committee includes Atlantans from a variety of faith expressions, including Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims. The event will remember those who died on September 11, 2001, while seeking to shift our combined energies toward the building of relationships between faith communities and across lines that have divided us in the past. To become an endorsing organization, contact the Planning Committee through Jan Swanson, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, [e-mail], 404-622-3399.

15. The remote town of Spoon, Washington just hasn't been the same since sullen teenager, Bella, lost her heart (and nearly her neck) to the mysterious (yet sparkly) vampire, Edward. Hungry for more? Hungry to help? Atlanta Community Food Bank will receive proceeds from a special performance of Next Bite at Twilight: The Saga Continues at Agatha's Mystery Dinner Theater on Sunday, September 18. Tickets are available for purchase online Here.

16. The Cathedral of St. Philip is pleased to announce that registration is now open for A New Harmony, the Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul, a day with J. Philip Newell, Saturday, October 8. Register Today! For more information and registration options see stphilipscathedral.org

17. Rivercliff Lutheran Church, 8750 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, has started a counseling ministry to provide low cost professional counseling to the community. Fees are based on income and start as low as $10 per session. Rev. Dr. Rodger Meyer is the therapist. Dr. Meyer received his Ph. D. in theology with a minor in Psychology from Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo. He studied Redecision Therapy with Bob and Mary Goulding and was recognized as a Clinical Member of the International Association of Transactional Analysis in 1974. He was granted at Masters Decree in Psychological Counseling from the Professional School of Psychological Studies in San Diego in 1990.He is a Pre-licensed Professional Counselor under the supervision of David Markwell. For further information call 770-314-7828, email [e-mail], or go to riverclifflutheran.org and click on counseling.

18. HEAT (Home Energy Audit Training)--Congregations that have received a Power Wise Energy Audit can also sign up to host a Home Energy Audit Training Class to teach congregants about saving money and energy in their own homes. Georgia Interfaith Power and Light held one of these classes at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in November, and two in Milledgeville and Macon in March. If your congregation is interested in hosting a Home Energy Audit Training Class, the first step is to get a Power Wise Energy Audit. If you've already had your Energy Audit, just let GIPL know that you want to host a class. See www.gipl.org

19. Pastors are called to be people who have experienced the holy and show others, by their lives and ministries, how to experience holiness in their own lives. Read The Pathway of Simplicity from Alban.

20. Take time to be grateful. Mincha Moment refers to a moment when you stop whatever you're doing, look around and acknowledge to yourself, how truly grateful you are. Check out minchamoment.com

21. WorkingPreacher.org a most helpful resource for preachers with free exegetical material on weekly lectionary biblical texts, insight on the craft of preaching. and much more.

22. Got 2 minutes and 20 seconds? Listen to a great message at stethoscope.

23. Antioch Baptist Bible College, Institute, and Seminary announces fall schedule with classes in five locations. See abbcis.com

24. Read about pastoral study and sabbatical grants Here.

25. Please notice that the Cascade Clothes Closet has new hours of operation. The closet is open every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., every first Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon, and every second Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The Closet is new and improved with a partnership from Spacemakers Closets... Everything is free and in good condition! For more information contact Allene McCollum, Outreach Coordinator at 404-582-0364. Cascade UMC is located at 3144 Cascade Road, SW, Atlanta 30311.

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta is a partner in C.H.I.P. an interfaith and community-based coalition working to assure that every person in Georgia has meaningful access to the full range of information and services related to mental and addictive illness. See C.H.I.P. for more and contact us at [e-mail].

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Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
100 Edgewood Avenue, Suite 812
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-523-5554
[e-mail]
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