Church Action eNewsletter Week of August 19, 2013

[RCCAtl]

 

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

  

Do you know that the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta is a membership organization made up of congregations, seminaries, institutions, and individuals who believe in and support our mission of creating ecumenical community across our region for the greater good? Email [e-mail] and we will tell you how you can join us in this work.

1. Free shopping at the Cascade UMC Clothes Closet tomorrow, Thursday, August 22, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3144 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30311.

2. If Immigration Reform is an issue in which  you want to be involved you will be interested in a gathering this week with Representative Rob Woodall (GA-7)  Thursday, August 22, 7:00 p.m., Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium 75 Langley Drive. Sent to us by Bibles, Badges, and Business.

3. Radcliffe Presbyterian Church will host "An Evening of Motown," from 7 - 10 p.m., Friday, August 23, in the Reverend Dr. Lloyd Green, Jr. Multi-purpose Room.  You will be entertained by musical artists Toni Byrd, Leonard Julien, III and Walk-up Music.  Tickets are $15.  Please come, enjoy the rhythmic sounds of Motown, and support the ministry of Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, Atlanta 30318..  For more information call 404-799-8286.

4. Summer Concert Tia Rix and Friends - An evening of Jazz and more at Church of the Atonement, August 23, 7:30 – 9 p.m.  4945 High Point Road, Sandy Springs  If you have questions call the church office at [phone]

5. You still have time to register for a  501c3 Non-Profit in A Day Workshop from The Company of Women, a nonprofit providing training and technical assistance to COGIC churches that opens these trainings to other denominations. Atlanta workshop, Saturday August 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 233 Mitchell Street in downtown Atlanta. Rural workshop, Thursday, August 29, 9a.m. – 1 p.m., Bonnie Castle,  2 Post Street in Grantville. To register for these workshops which are open to anyone in the community go to Atlanta  or Grantville.   

 6. Northside Drive Baptist finishes up a summer of discussion about the church in our changing world  with Being a Fruitful Church in a Changing World, a panel discussion, Sunday, August 25, 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall, NDBC, 3100 Northside Drive, NW.

7. The community is invited to a Job Networking “Mini” Job Fair on Monday, Aug. 26, to meet with employers— the list can be found at www.rumcjobnetworking.com.  Job Networking is a ministry of Roswell United Methodist Church located at 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. Activities are in the “B” building. The fair begins at 7:30 p.m. but the full day starts for job seekers at 12:30 p.m. with Crossroads Career Workshops. 

8. Interfaith Children’s Movement 2013 Annual Meeting, Tuesday, August 27, at Druid Hills United Methodist Church, 1200 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta,  6:30. to 8:30 p.m..  A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m.with the meeting at 7. come learn how four faith communities have come together in a collaborative Family Visitation Program for children in Fulton County's foster care system.

9. GreenLaw and the Decatur Book Festival present award winning author Lisa Marsa discussing her new book: "Fevered: Why a Hotter Planet will Hurt our Health - and How We can Save Ourselves." September 1, 1:15 p.m.This is a free event. Decatur First Baptist Church, 308 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur.

10. Action Dash Five cities. One day. One purpose. September 2.  It is not too late to register at www.actiondash.org.  Or contact Kari Nesbitt, 404-881-1991, [e-mail].

11. A free training being held in Atlanta on Sept. 5. would be beneficial to security and emergency preparedness staff of churches and organizations.  Social Media for Natural Disaster Response Training, Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Atlanta, This FEMA certified training is hosted by FEI Behavioral Health and facilitated by University of Hawaii National Disaster Preparedness Training Center. Read more>>  

 12. Suicide Prevention Week begins September 8.  Read The Role of Clergy in Preventing Suicide  Read an Article entitled Stigma A Major Barrier to Suicide Prevention .  From the national Suicide Prevention Lifeline Learn the warning signs of suicide and how to respond.  

13. The Catholic Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament parish’s annual International Cultural & Heritage Celebration is Sunday, September 8. The observance begins with worship and Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration of music, entertainment, and food from the nations of the world and the various regions of the United States. Special activities and entertainment are planned for children and youth. Come representing the country or state of your birth by wear clothing that honors your traditions or bring a dish that represents your heritage. There is no charge to attend. For information or directions go to the website www.mbschurch.com and click the calendar feature, or call the parish office at 404-349-0176, option 5.

14. Rhythms of Grace is a worship service designed for families with kids on the autism spectrum and kids with special needs.  It incorporates biblical storytelling, sensory experience, music, and Eucharist into a worship experience where all forms of physical and vocal responses are accepted and encouraged.  We are all made perfect in God’s image and we are loved!  While created intentionally for families with kids with special needs, the service welcomes all families with extra-wiggly, extra-creative children are to worship together.  September 8 and every second Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Chapel at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree St.  Contact the Rev’d Noelle York-Simmons for more information at [e-mail] or 404-881-0835.

15. Sabbath Rest mini silent retreat, Ignatius House, September 11, 12 noon to 4 p.m. The verse on which this upcoming retreat is based says to us, “Wait for the Lord; Be Strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” Ps. 27:14. $22 covers registration, lunch, and 22 acres at Ignatius House on the river devoted to waiting on God. If you or someone you know can’t afford the cost, scholarships are available. Just contact Becky Shoaf to inquire or to save your spot.  [e-mail]

16.  How do we move beyond the pain of 9/11 to build a better world?  When do we start? Now! Come to Beyond 9/11. Building the Beloved World Community, Wednesday, September 11, 7 p.m., Atlanta Friends Meeting House, 701 W. Howard Avenue, Decatur 30030. Kick off of the Compassion Games with keynote address by State Senator Jason Carter, “Imagine: Atlanta as an Ubuntu City” Refreshments will be served.

17. Day 1 Community Prayer Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., September 12, Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, with Bishop Rob Wright, the Rev. Charles Qualls,  Dr. Jan Love, and Day 1 host Peter Wallace. Registration information is online or by phone at 404-815-9110. Tickets are $20.

18. Pastoral Care Workshop on Addiction. Are people in your congregation are seeking counsel about their problematic sexual behavior. This presentation will cover the basics and prepare you to help members of your congregation make informed decisions.  Presented by Pine Grove Treatment. September 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kingswood United Methodist Church, 5015 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338.  For registration of if you have questions contact Monnie Furlong at [phone] or [e-mail].

19.  Parents: Christian Educators on the Frontlines from Columbia Theological Seminary, September 13-14. Are you a church staff person who is painfully aware of how little time you have with the children in your church? Are you a church staff person, youth volunteer or church school teacher who wishes for some grounding in equipping parents? A parent who needs new tools for being the primary Christian educators of your children? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this event is for you!  Instructor is Dr. Anna Brown.  Details and Registration.

20. The women of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Decatur, will host their eighth annual Tea Social from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at Georgia Piedmont Technical College Conference Center, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston 30021. For reservations (tickets are $20), call 404-243-5539.

21. Registration is open for the Dorothy C. Fuqua Lecture Mental Illness In America, a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta,  September 17, Panelists include Dr. Ray Kotwicki, Skyland Trail chief medical officer, and Linea and Cinda Johnson, co-authors of Perfect Chaos, a daughter’s journey to survive bipolar, a mother’s struggle to save her. Learn More & Register >

22. The Flannery O’Connor Lecture— "Flannery O'Connor, Dostoevsky, and Christ Pantocrator"  by Dr. Ralph Wood, University Professor of Theology and Literature at Baylor University,  author of Flannery O'Connor and the Christ Haunted South, September 17 at 7:30 p.m., Claudia Nance Rollins Building, P Level Auditorium, Emory University. Get your tickets.   

 23. The speakers for the Seventh Annual Jane Baird Lecture, sponsored by the Cathedral Bookstore, have been announced. Meet you at the Bookstore: A Night of Books, Gifts, and Stories, Thursday, September 19, 7 p.m., Child hall, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW,  Atlanta.   Quite a treat is in store as the Rev. Martha Stern, the Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, and Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, come together for story telling, book signing, and desserts.  .  Special recognition will be given to Sue Tierney, the Book Store’s manager, who is retiring in December of this year.  Admission is free.  Please make reservations at [e-mail] or [phone].

24. This September, The Community Foundation’s Neighborhood Fund will host the fifth annual Neighborhood Summit – a unique, region-wide event where residents and community leaders across the 23-county region gather to explore collaborations and exchange ideas to strengthen their neighborhoods The year’s summit will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 8:30-2 p.m. at the Loudermilk Center for Regional Atlanta, 40 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30303 .  Read more>>

25. St. Andrews Presbyterian's Racing for Grace, (R4G), is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 8 a.m.  This is an annual 10K-5K Peachtree Qualifier race that raises funds for youth mission trips.  This summer St. Andrews youth and adults went to Honduras working for Honduras Outreach, Inc. Inc.Read more>>.  http://hoi.org/   To sign up for the race, register on www. active.com;to find information about the race and/or to volunteer, go to www.r4gatl.org.St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4882 LaVista Road, Tucker 30084 http://standrewspresbyterian.org/

26. Practicing the Art of the Present Moment, Columbia Theological Seminary, September 28, the gift of a relaxed morning to become more fully present to yourself and God in the company of others.  Practice presence through simple things -- walking, art-making, writing, and resting.   September 28, leader is Debra Weir.. Details and Registration

27 The Red Door Festival is coming Saturday, October 26, to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Cumming  This annual community-wide event will feature a British Car Show this year. We’re telling you early so you can make application. Read more>>  And vendors and sponsors are being sought. See Red Door Vendor and Red Door Sponsor .  More later about the barbeque and bake sale and  K 9 unit   and the Red Elephant Sale. Proceeds support church ministries. For information, contact Janice Davis, [e-mail].

28. At the Church Wide Assembly of the ELCA in Pittsburg last week, two Atlanta pastors were elected to positions in the church wide organization. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, St. Luke, Atlanta, was elected to the Church-wide Nominating Committee and the Rev. William Flippin, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Atlanta, was elected to the Church Council.

29. AADD’s Family Support Center, 125 Clairemont Avenue, has support groups meeting monthly for moms, dads, and siblings of children living with developmental disabilities, as well as a co-ed social group for young adults with developmental disabilities. If any one in your congregation would like more information the contact email is [e-mail].

30. Although there is some truth to the perceived dichotomy between Torah scholars, often rabbis, and Bible scholars, academic biblical scholarship has revolutionized understanding of Torah and Judaism.   Project TABS -TheTorah.com seeks to bridge the gap with a very interesting feature. Torah and Bible Scholars answer ten questions about their personal journey into the study of Torah and their relationship to biblical texts  This edition features Emory Professor Jacob L. Wright. Read more>>  

 31. Registration is now open for the TriRegional Faith and Community Health Summit to be held in Atlanta, October 4-6, at St. Philip AME Church. The Regional Council of Churches participated in the planning of this conference. Materials state that the summit will educate, empower, and engage leaders from faith- and community-based organizations as they work to improve their personal health, advance the health and wellness of their organizations and communities, and protect the health of future generations. The Community Health Interfaith Partnership (C.H.I.P.) will present its Compassionate Congregations Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry at the summit.    www.TriRegionalSummit.org

Fall programs have begun and many more events are planned this season than in the summer. Please refer to the Community Calendar for reminders.  

 

 

 Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter