Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 28, 2014

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

   Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

 

Dear Reader, the weeks of May 12 and May 19 the Church Action eNewsletter will take a vacation break. If you intend to send announcements please do it early so we don’t miss the opportunity to get your news out.

Children’s Mental Health Sunday, observe it on May 4 or May 11, there is a special congregational prayer on this page on the C.H.I.P.  website.

1. Girl Time, Gurl Talk is a new group for teenage girls, 13-18 years old, being offered by Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. Teen girls can join for a place to find support and education on a wide range of topics and talk about things like handling stress, managing moods, and expressing yourself. The group meets Mondays from 6:30-7:30 at Scott Blvd. Baptist Church (CCCG’s temporary home) and costs $20 per group. Please contact Angela Mendez at Care and Counseling Center of Georgia 404-636-1457 ext. 438 or [e-mail]  for additional information and to register. 

2. Deb Krier, the Socialite, will be sharing her expertise on how to leverage your Internet and Social Media presence to market your church, ministry, business, or yourself at the Job Networking Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church of Austell, 4780 Flint Hill Road, Thursday, May 1. The meeting will start with open networking at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7. Flyer

3. The Center for Teaching Churches, McAfee School of Theology, is opening up a new world of theological practice for seminary graduates and newly appointed ministers making available resources for unique learning and mentoring experiences to undergird their initial approach into ministry.  Through a partnership with Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, Inc. the Center will share with viewers this unique program to encourage and enable those called to the ministry.  The first episode of Younger Voices in Ministry will focus on the Center’s history through the perspective of the Founding Dean of McAfee School of Theology, Dr. R. Alan Culpepper with students sharing their experiences. In the coming weeks episodes will address key components of the Center’s program. “Younger Voices in Ministry” airs on AIB on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. You can catch an encore of the first program on Friday May 2 at 11:30 p.m.

4. Everyday Ethics on AIBTV –second in a two-part series exploring, “Religion, Law and the Ethics of War”. Listen and learn from a distinguished panel of Emory University experts including Professor Edward Queen, Director of the Center for Ethics, Professor Laurie Blank, Director of the Emory University International Humanitarian Law Clinic, Cory Labrecque and Raymond F. Schinazi Junior Scholars in Bioethics and Religious Thought, and Dr. Jacob Wright, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, Candler School of Theology. Everyday Ethics premiered on Monday; you can view it Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m.

5. The Metro chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will host a free prenatal and parenting workshop during the 16th Annual Stork's Nest Blitz: Baby and Health Fair, Saturday, May 3, at The Mall at West End, noon to 4 p.m., with the prenatal workshop beginning at 2 p.m. in the community room (basement level.) The baby and health fair is free and open to the public. Professional health care providers will share wellness information.  Attendees will have the chance to win baby car seats provided by the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and receive special gifts and door prizes. The Blitz is an extension of The Stork's Nest, a collaborative prenatal education program for low-income pregnant women sponsored nationwide by the Zetas and the March of Dimes.  The sorority accepts donations for newborn items, as well as maternity clothes, toiletry items, diaper bags and children’s books to distribute at the Blitz.  For more information contact 404-680-6002.

6. Frances Geiger is the artist featured during May in the gallery at Church of the Atonement, 4945 Highpoint Road, Atlanta. Fran's paintings are colorful, textural explorations often based in nature. She primarily works in acrylics but incorporates elements of collage and other media into her art. A reception will be Saturday, May 3, from 3-5 p.m.

7. Second Annual Intown Collaborative Ministries Arts and Eats Auction, May 4, 4 - 7 p.m. at the Hellenic Center on Clairmont Rd. Enjoy live and silent auctions, live musical entertainment, and delicious food. This auction is the principle fundraiser for Intown Collaborative Ministries and for Glenn’s Snack in a Backpack program. Have fun and help fund work with homeless and hungry families and children. Buy your ticket here! Would you like to donate auction items, help sell tickets, or volunteer at the event? Contact [e-mail].

8. The Agnes Scott College Collegiate Chorale will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. The concert is part of the Epiphany Concert Series. This 30-member auditioned chorus, under the direction of Elise Eskew Sparks, sings a broad range of musical styles from Renaissance to pop. There is no admission fee for this concert.

9. Neshama Interfaith Center will host an introduction to the history, traditions, and practices of the Baha'i faith, including musical and instrumental performances, Sunday, May 4, 6-9 p.m. at the Johns Creek Baha'i Center, 10690 Jones Bridge Rd, Alpharetta 30022.  The speaker will be Gregory Watson, a local businessman, psychologist, and educator. The title is “The Baha’i Faith, One Among Many Faiths – Many Faiths As One”.  A light supper is included in the program for which there is no charge. R.s.v.p.’s are requested in advance to make sure there is supper for everyone. More details here.

10. You are invited to the Interfaith Children’s Movement 5th annual "Coming Together for All Children," Tuesday, May 6, 6:30 p.m., at Central Congregational Church of Christ, Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Keynote Speaker will be Chief Judge Bradley Boyd, Fulton County Juvenile Court. Get more information" href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/r...

11. Do you know someone who is unemployed? Consider referring them to Career Quest. Career Quest meets at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Job seekers can participate in Facilitator Led Networking, 1 on 1 Coaching including resume review and more, and attend a presentation geared to build confidence, skills, and refuel. Website. Do you have questions? Leave a message: 770-552-6400 ext. 6104. St. Ann’s Church, 4905 Roswell Road (Rte.120) Marietta, 30062. Look for entrance with the sign “Job Network Tonight”

12. May is coming to Atlanta, traditionally a crazy month with a flurry of activities. How about some silence to balance that craziness out? Sabbath Rest mini silent retreat sponsored by Atlanta Community Ministries, Thursday, May 8, 12 to 4 p.m., at Ignatius House. Silence, stillness, and solitude are necessities to being with and hearing from God in intimacy. Remember there are scholarships available so that no one will be turned away for lack of funds ($22). When you register just contact [e-mail] and let her know you will need one.

13. "Through the Door," a documentary highlighting the faith community's engagement with prisons, will premiere on Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB) at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Encore presentations of the documentary will run at 9 p.m. May 9; 12 p.m. May 12; 7 p.m. May 13; and 10:30 p.m. May 15. It features stories from Nashville, Richmond, Huntsville, Texas, and Carlisle, Ind., and an interview with President Jimmy Carter conducted at the Carter Center here. Robert Parham, executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, said, “’Through the Door’ explores some of the dynamics driving incarceration and offers stories of hope from the faith community's involvement with those in prison and returning to society," he said. "This is one issue where houses of faith make a measurable difference for the common good."

14. A loss by suicide forever changes lives but having access to tools that support the journey can help. Camp SOS gives survivors support to help them travel this journey in a safe environment. Camp SOS is a family weekend camp for survivor families. Families are defined by who "family" is for you. There have been attendees from 6 to 96 years old and from all over the state of Georgia… moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and friends. May 9, 10, and 11, 5:00 p.m. Friday to 10:00 a.m. Sunday, Camp Twin Lakes, Winder. For a look at the flyer with all the details, click HERE To download the forms and register now, click http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0019Uqv8JTl7aKHnvxisDwMI4woLWQBLmB6abk7... For information on volunteer opportunities, contact SPAN-GA, mailto:[e-mail]" href="mailto:[e-mail]" targe...

15. The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church will observe National Mental Health Awareness Month by offering a free Mental Health First Aid Training at The Grove on Friday, May 9 from 6 until 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.  You are more likely to encounter a person in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack or cancer, so come to learn ways to administer emergency emotional and mental CPR to those who are in need. Space is limited, so please contact Pastor Herman Haynes at [phone] or [e-mail].  You may also go to www.pineygrovebapt.org and register (go to “News & Events”…then to “Latest Announcements”.)

16. A reminder that Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking and Crossroads Career Networking are inviting church pastoral and lay leaders, job clubs, career ministries, and workforce professionals to a conference to learn how to start and grow a career ministry, May 9 and 10 at RUMC. The U.S. Department of Labor will send representatives to provide a panel discussion highlighting the effectiveness of career ministries working in tandem with the Department of Labor. Details and registration.. For information, please call [phone] or visit rumc.com.

17. Bishop Teresa Snorton, the 59th Bishop and the first female Bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church since its founding in 1870, will deliver the address during the 2014 Graduation Exercise for Atlanta’s Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. on the campus of Morehouse College in the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel, 830 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta.  Rev. Aaron L. Parker , Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church will deliver the Certificate of Theology graduation message during the service that takes place on Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church North, 540 Cameron Madison Alexander Boulevard, Atlanta, 30318.  

18. Hillside International Truth Center will host a Mother’s Day Brunch, Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m., 2450 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30311. Come share a loving experience especially prepared for all our mothers. Alicia Ivy, President of Goldberg Concessions, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport will speak. Donation is $20 for adults and $10 for youth 13-17, under 12 free, Call for information, [phone].

19. Healing Hearts of Families USA Ministries extends an invitation for faith organizations, mosques, churches, temples, and groups to join them in building a community playground at a once neglected park.  They need donations, too, of snacks, water, and food for the volunteers. If you own a business and want to know what you can do call 404-289-5277.  May 12-13, pre-build days, and May 14 is the build day.  Fairington Park, 2831 Fairington Parkway, Lithonia 30038 behind Wal-Mart, Panola Road. Email for more information or to let them know you will be there [e-mail]

20. On Wednesday, May 14, at 7:15 p.m., Dougie-The Abolitionist-Hanson, Criminal Justice Chairman, Clayton County Branch NAACP, will talk about his work organizing the "Georgia Coalition to End The New Jim Crow," Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, UUCA is located at the corner of Cliff Valley Way and the northbound I-85 access road between Druid Hills Road (exit 89) and Clairmont Road (exit 91). Please note: The main entrance is off of the I-85 access road, not Cliff Valley Way. For more information, contact Dougie at [phone] or [e-mail]  Click here for MapQuest directions.

21. “C. S. Lewis Onstage” at the Theatrical Outfit in June ,  information.

22. If you have been hearing a bit about “trauma informed” ministry or service and wonder if this has any connection to ministry in your congregation read an article at www.CHIPGeorgia.com

23. St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church has about 40 blue youth and small adult choir robes of various sizes with white cottas. They are free for the asking although if someone would like to make a donation that would be thankfully accepted! Contact Betsy Shuford via email with questions [e-mail]

24. Do you know about Reclaim It Atlanta’s Deconstruction Projects and how you can save money and give to the community? Read more here.

25. The United Methodist Children’s Home has developed Kids For Kids for churches doing VBS this summer. It is designed to make the children in the home a focus of mission, to connect Vacation Bible School kids with the kids at the Children’s Home. Read about it and find it in a letter from the Rev. Teresa Angle-Young, Director of Church Relations at the Children’s Home. Here.

26. Deb Karch, Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Lawrenceville, is pictured on the cover of the May issue of The Lutheran. The feature article, written by Karch, is "Connecting to God's love: My journey through mental illness to faith." The Rev. Bob Mitchell, who serves as pastor at Christ the Lord, contributed an article on what congregations can do to be places of welcome and support for people with any type of illness. A study guide on mental health is also available in this issue and online here.

27. Ribbons of Hope – Invest in Women, Inc. awards each year a $100,000 grant to a non-profit organization that promotes education, health, economic independence, social well-being, or human rights for women and girls. Learn more here. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2014.

28. It is estimated that over 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will repeat the cycle of incarceration. Angel Tree® is the program of Prison Fellowship that focuses on breaking that cycle through ministry to the families of the incarcerated, supporting the reconciliation of the family to God and to the incarcerated parent. Last year over 9600 children were served through Georgia churches. Over 1300 were not served through the church but received a gift card in the mail. Prison Fellowship sees this as a missed opportunity because the main goal is to connect families to the church. Churches and coordinators are needed particularly in Lowndes, Glynn, Polk, McDuffie, Tattnall and Gordon Counties. If your county is not listed perhaps your church would consider serving in another county. For more information or to register contact Brenda McGowan, Southeast Area Director at [phone] or [e-mail]. You can also register your church at Angel Tree® today here!

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]

404-201-6448

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