Church Actiion eNewsletter Week of October 16, 2023

[RCCAtl]

Regional Council of Churches

Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 16, 2023

 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone. 

 
1. New York Ave. Presbyterian Church in DC will host a virtual viewing and discussion of the new “Sabbath” film Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. with filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, former McClendon Scholar Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, and J. Dana Trent, author of For Sabbath’s Sake. For more information or to register see sabbathoctober18.eventbrite.com

2. Cherokee Garden Library of Atlanta History Center will host the showing of a new film, “Landscapes of Exclusion,” produced by the Library of American Landscape History. The short documentary by Forster Films illuminates the seldom-discussed history of segregated state parks in the Jim Crow era. William E. O’Brien, author of Landscapes of Exclusion: Oct. 18, 7 p.m. More information at Cherokee Garden Library Program: Film & Panel Discussion | Atla...
 
3. Decatur Cooperative Ministry invites you to a Faith Leaders Gathering, Thursday, Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m., at DeKalb Access and Resource Center (ARC), 949 North Hairston Rd, Stone Mountain 30083. Lunch will be provided. Free parking in front of the ARC. R.s.v.p. here.
 
4. The Chenault Duo in concert at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St, Atlanta 30308, Friday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. Organists Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault specialize in works written for two performers and have performed throughout the U.S. and in Europe.
 
5. The Baptismal Covenant asks, “Will you strive for peace and justice and respect the dignity of every human being?” This question challenges us to look again and see the dignity in our neighbors and in our own lives. Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright will use the DIGNITY Lens, a seven-pronged transformative set of strategies inspired by this question to address any barriers to authenticity in our communities and in our lives, 2023 Spirituality Conference at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn More & Register.
 
6. Fulton County officials will host Octoberfest Fall Festival, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 21 at the North Fulton Service Center in Sandy Springs. The event will offer access to free COVID-19 vaccines, behavioral health services, Fulton County programs and wellness resources. Festivalgoers can also enjoy live music, food, entertainment and giveaways.
 
7. Recently retired ITC Professor Mark Ellingsen will discuss his books at the Georgia Author Fair in Marietta's Switzer Library Saturday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. He will discuss Finding Peaks and Valleys in a Flat World: Goodness, Truth, and Meaning in the Midst of Today's Mad Chase for Prosperity and Instant Feedback and Wired For Racism?  How Evolution and Faith Move Us to Challenge Racial Idolatry. This is also a chance to meet lots of other Georgia authors.  Drop in on this book-lover's feast at Marietta's Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street.  
 
8. HuDost return to Atlanta for the first time in over 4 years to play Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta with special guests Spirit Messenger, 2650 N Druid Hills Rd NE, Atlanta 30329. Find tickets--$25 in advance, $30 at door-- Tickets. Saturday, Oct. 21, doors at 7:00, music at 7:30 p.m. Brought to you by Jaguar Healing Arts, the Spirit Messengers, and the Atlanta Kirtan Community. HuDost is an Electric-Folk, World-Rock Musical duo who adore collaborating with other musicians, touring the world, and working for social and environmental justice through music, advocacy, and art.
 
9. From the Jung Society: Jung — Dead or Alive with Pete Williams, PhD., online Zoom lecture, Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. CEUs available for LPCs, LMSWs, LMFTs. This discussion will present Jung’s understanding of the dynamic nature of the human psyche -- identify and describe the ego, persona, shadow, complexes, archetypes, and the function of dreams, and explore how the dynamic inter-play between these parts determines and shapes our unique personalities. . . a great introduction to anyone curious about Jungian psychology. For specifics go to jungatlanta.com. The Carl Jung Society of Atlanta provides workshops and lectures for mental health professionals and anyone interested in the body of thought derived from the work of C.G. Jung.
 
10. The Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, priest, educator, and best-selling author, is the featured preacher Oct. 22, on “Day 1.”  “Belonging to the God Who Doesn’t Belong to Us,” is drawn from Isaiah 45:1-7, verses in which the Lord speaks to Cyrus of the power he will give him for the sake of Israel. “Isaiah 45 marked a sea change in our ancestors’ understanding of who God was and how God worked,” she says. “That God was their God, but not only their God; that God worked through them but not only through them.” “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for more than 78 years.  Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, it is currently distributed to stations across America and overseas; the “Day1 Weekly Program” is on all podcast apps. Hear it in Atlanta on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. More information at Day1.org. 
 
11. Interfaith Community Initiatives invites you to the House of Worship Tour, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2 - 4 p.m. at the Red Clay Sangha where World Pilgrim Gareth Young is the lead teacher.   Red Clay Sangha offers meditation, chanting, study, and fellowship. Come and fellowship, meet new friends, and learn more about Buddhism. ICI produces programs to help people of faith connect with persons and communities of various faiths. R.s.v.p to [e-mail] and let them know that you are coming.  For more information, you may also call 404-836-0536.
 
12. Recital for the Feast of St. Luke, Sunday, Oct. 22, 3:15 p.m., with Nick Quardokus of Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30308, followed by choral evensong. 
 
13. Sunday afternoon recital at the Cathedral of St. Philip, Oct. 22 at 3:15 p.m. with Joshua Ehlebracht.  The interim organist at St. Paul’s on the Green in Norwalk, Conn., he is a graduate of Yale University, Eastman School of Music, and the Royal Canadian College of Organists. He will play works by Horatio Parker, Florence B. Price, Mozart, Vierne, and George Shearing. Recital is in the nave and livestreamed at cathedralATL.org/recitals and on the Music at the Cathedral Facebook page.
 
14. Make plans to join Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, and Ismaili Civic for river clean-ups on Oct. 22 and Nov. 12 from 2-4 p.m. These clean-ups are reschedulings of World River Day, originally planned for Sept. 17. Register HERE for the clean-up at Mason Mill on Oct. 22. Register for clean-ups at the Peachtree Creek Greenway in Brookhaven, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur, or Chattahoochee RiverKeeper in Southwest Atlanta on Nov. 12 HERE. Let us put our shared ethics into action as we work together to be better stewards of our Common Home. 
 
15. Coro Vocati will present “Considering Matthew Shepherd” at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 22, at 3 p.m. Click here for more information and to get your tickets.
Learn More about Quakers Uprooting Racism. Join in on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to learn more about the Quaker Coalition for Uprooting Racism and their transformational vision for the Religious Society of Friends.   Register here.
 
16. Georgia State chamber choral group, Voces Amici, presents a concert at Morningside Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. Mark your calendars and more information will follow.
 
17. An Afternoon of Hymns featuring Matthew Brown and Dr. Patrice E. Turner at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 101 Jackson St. NE, Atlanta, with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Sunday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
 
18. Solar should not be scary! Join GIPL, Solarize Cobb, and Creative Solar, a vetted solar installer, at Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta on Oct. 29 from 7-8:30 p.m. to learn more about solar energy, its benefits and costs. Find out how group purchasing can make solar more affordable, as well as new Inflation Reduction Act benefits for customers. Learn more and REGISTER HERE
 
19. 3 Night Ignatian Retreat, Nov. 2 at 6:00 p.m. – Nov. 5 at 12:00 p.m., Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Dr., Sandy Springs, Directed by Jim Fleming, SJ. Retreats at Ignatius House introduce participants to principles of Ignatian prayer and engage them in meditations based on key aspects of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The retreats combine elements of both guided prayer experiences and individual one-on-one conversations with a spiritual director.  This is a silent retreat. Guests are expected to maintain a sacred silence throughout the retreat, including at meals, unless otherwise noted. Register at https://bit.ly/3LBsTjN
 
20. Save the date: The Greater Gwinnett Reentry Alliance  provides resources for returning citizens through a group of faith filled organizations, advocates, and those who have been incarcerated themselves.  Attend and participate in the mission to help returning citizens find resources they so desperately need at the 8^th annual Better Chances Symposium Nov. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- celebrate returning citizens and those who assist them at Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Register at https://www.gwinnettreentry.org  
 
21. Run for Justice returns to Decatur! Lace up those running shoes and get ready to dash, jog, or sprint over to runforjustice.org, where you can secure your tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities for the 33^rd annual Run for Justice. The starting line awaits you in the heart of Oakhurst, Saturday, November 11. Get Tickets/ Sponsorship
 
22. Save the date for the Community Thanksgiving Celebration. At Temple Kol Emeth, on Nov. 16, more than 20 churches, mosques, and temples invite you to gather with them in a showing of community strength that is the spirit of Thanksgiving. In person is better than the live stream because we can only feast on food and fellowship in person. 1415 Old Canton Rd, Marietta 30062. Best to arrive about 6:30 p.m. for parking and seating. Click this Link for Live Stream. Stay for a reception after the celebration for an opportunity to talk with speakers and other guests.
 
23. Pitts Theological Library has made the newest gallery exhibition “The Very Meanest Translation: Reading, Revising, and Replacing the King James Bible in America” available as a virtual tour. See the Virtual Tour. Here you’ll be able to walk through the gallery, read the item labels, and see hi-resolution images of some of the most important English Bibles in history. Come visit the gallery any time the library is open (http://pitts.tl/hours). Contact the library through http://pitts.tl/ask if you would like a guided tour.
 
24. You can view the Pulgram Gallery at UUCA online. The Deep, through Oct. 22, is a
group exhibition of Atlanta artists exploring their spiritual journeys. Using various mediums, they dive deep into an infinite abyss of unknown possibilities, finding the inspiration needed to articulate their experiences through art. Welcome to this visual conversation unpacking the concepts of faith, self-reflection, healing, wisdom, and everything in between. View the gallery online here.
 
Trunk or Treat Events around the area:
 
Trunk Or Treat at St. David’s Church and Preschool for the children and families of Mimosa and Vickery Mill Elementary Schools and surrounding neighborhoods, Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.  If you would like to decorate a trunk, please sign up using Trunk or Treat Sign up!
 
Annual Fall Fest at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2-4 p.m.  Put on your costumes and come for food and fun with trunk or treat, pumpkin carving, food, a chili cook-off, balloon twisting, games, inflatables, prize raffle and football! The event is free and open to the public, so invite your friends! The church working with the Teal Pumpkin Project to be sure treats and trinkets are safe for those with food allergies and intolerances.
 
Trunk or Treat at Northside Drive Baptist Church, Sunday, Oct. 29, 4 – 6 p.m., with inflatables, face painting, a live DJ, and delicious snacks. Please register so there is enough fun for all https://northsidedrive.org/event/2023-10-29-trunk-or-treat/
 

Trunk or Treat at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Sunday, Oct. 29, 6–7 p.m., 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur 30033. Featuring DJ Vince Meglio, youth-run carnival games, and all the Spooktacular Trunks you can imagine! Who will win this year's BEST TRUNK? To host a trunk, come to the back parking lot at 5:30- enter on the Ethridge Inclusive Playground side. This entrance will close to cars at 5:45. While you set up your trunk, your kiddos are welcome to hang out for a Supervised (not-so) Spooooky Storytime in the Portico Lobby. In lieu of a trunk, there will be 8’ tables on hand for people to decorate. In the event of rain, this event will be in the Fellowship Hall with 8 foot tables serving as trunks. More information at ogumc.org/news.
Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter