Church Action eNewsletter Week of February 27, 2012

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

RCCAtl.org

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.

Lenten Resources including community events, series, and study and liturgical aids.

1. Central Outreach and Advocacy Center has issued a call to action concerning HB 861 . Read it at RCCAtl.org

 

2. Due to last minute cancellations, there are a couple of opening in Ben Campbell Johnson’s Thomas Merton and Contemplation class this weekend, March 1-4. The class will be held at Peace Presbyterian Church in Winterville, NC. The class will focus on Merton’s life and work. Click here for more information or to register.

 

3. A prayer vigil for the humane treatment of immigrants is being organized for tomorrow, Thursday, March 1, by a group of members of St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church, Atlanta. On Thursday the Federal Court of Appeals will hear appeals to certain sections of Georgia House Bill 87. Participants will express opposition to the legislation and show support as Christians for those that are oppressed, defenseless, and have no voice.. For more information, contact Wade Mitchell.

 

4. The March meeting of the Southside Ministerial Association will be Thursday, March 1, and is hosted by the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity affiliate at their office, 519 Memorial Drive, SE, right across the street from the Oakland Cemetery. Meeting begins at noon and will be finished by 1:30 p.m. Please contact the Rev. Robby Jackson at 678-378-7311 or [e-mail] to let him know you are coming.

 

5. Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahms's Requiem. A five-week Lenten Study on Thursday evenings at Decatur UCC beginning March 1. Decatur United Church of Christ is located at 109 Hibernia Street. Sign up with the church office at 404- 373-2933.

 

6. Reminder of the World Day of Prayer beginning observed by Church Women United in Atlanta on Friday, March 2, at 10:00 a.m., at Peachtree Christian Church, Peachtree and Spring Streets, Atlanta. All interested women are invited to attend. CWU is a national movement through which Protestant, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and other Christian women may express the dimensions of their faith and work. For more information, please call 770-789-1503, P. Martin, or 678-938-2580, J. Tillman. Read a little more about CWU here

 

7. Creation Care Series featuring speakers from Georgia Interfaith Power & Light on Sunday mornings in March from 10-11:00 a.m. at Sandy Springs Christian Church. March 4: The Call to Environmental Stewardship, Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley, Georgia Interfaith Power & Light; March 11: Earth’s Story in the Old Testament, Dr. Bill Brown, Columbia Theological Seminary; March 18: A House of Prayer for All People, Dr. Dabney Dixon, Georgia State University; March 25: Christian Ethics and God’s Creation ; Dr. Mark Douglas, Columbia Theological Seminary, SSCC is at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, NW, Sandy Springs 30328.

 

8. An exciting new study series begins at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church on Monday, March 5. Read the Bible for Life is focused on growth in biblical literacy and the application of scripture to life. The series at Second-Ponce will be nine-sessions, every Monday during March and April, 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Cost of materials for the study is $25. Childcare will be provided. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Jason Byars [e-mail] for some more details and to sign up. Jason says that you are welcome to let others know about this opportunity.

 

9. Explore seminary education at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. Sign up for First Tuesday at Candler, an event for prospective students on Tuesday, March 6, 6:30-8:00 p.m. You are invited to a casual dinner with Dean Jan Love, members of the Admissions team and current students. Dr. Carol A. Newsom, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament, will speak about "Women and the Word: Snapshots of Women Biblical Interpreters (1500-1800)." Dr. Newsom's current research focuses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Wisdom tradition, the book of Daniel, and apocalyptic literature. She recently served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature. Register online by Friday, March 2 at Candler.emory.edu  

 

10. The next Atlanta Regional Housing Forum is scheduled for March 7 at 9:30 a.m.  The forum will address the potential impact of the Transportation Investment Act on housing, economic development, and transit in Metro Atlanta.  Confirmed presenters include Bruce Gunter (Progressive Redevelopment, Inc.); Douglas Hooker (Atlanta Regional Commission); Jim Stokes (Livable Communities Coalition); and Yvonne Williams (Perimeter CID).  9:30 to 11:45 a.m., 2nd floor Amphitheater, Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St, Atlanta 30303. Register now at www.AtlantaRegionalHousing.org/forum . 

 

11. The Rt. Rev. Gerard Elias Mpango, bishop of the Diocese of Western Tanganyika, will speak at a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, Lenten program at St. Peter and St. Paul Episcopal Church, Marietta. He will preach at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 11. All are welcome.

 

12. Powerful Tools for Caregivers from All About Development Disabilities – a free 6-week class to support caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities, every Wednesday, March 7 - April 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 125 Clairemont Avenue Suite 300 Decatur 30030. Participants will also receive The Caregiver Handbook. To register, please contact Riki Bolster at 404-822-5397.

 

13. Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide invites you to participate in an historic day in our state. On March 13 participate in a day celebrating the passage of House and Senate resolutions declaring April Genocide Prevention and Awareness Month in Georgia the find out more and see the schedule Here

 

14. Jesuit priest, peace activist, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee John Dear, SJ discusses his latest book, Lazarus, Come Forth! at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 2855 Briarcliff Road in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14. The author explores the story of the raising of Lazarus in the Gospel of John, suggesting that Lazarus represents "humanity" stuck in the culture of death, and that Jesus represents "the God of life" calling humanity out of the tombs, out of the culture of violence and war, into "the new life of resurrection peace." This book invites us to carry on Jesus' liberating work by obeying his commandments--to take away the stone that keeps us trapped in our violent culture of war, to call each other out of the tombs, to unbind one another and to set each other free to live in peace and nonviolence. This free event will conclude with a book signing.

 

15. Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship presentation and dialogue on The Baha’i Faith, one Among Many Faiths – Many Faiths as One with Greg Kagira-Watson, Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., Baha’i Unity Center, 2370 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur 30035, Telephone number is 770-981-0097. There is no charge and no pre-registration is required for this event. Just come and bring your family members and friends. Greg Kagira-Watson will provide a comprehensive introduction to the Baha’i Faith – its history, status as a world religion, central tenants of the faith, and administrative structure.

 

16. The Singing Church: Current Practices and Emerging Trends in Congregational Song Conference is coming up Monday, March 19- Wednesday, March 21, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. An ecumenical group of scholars and musicians will explore the emerging practices, leadership skills, and repertories of congregational song. Remember that registration for this conference includes the John Bell concert; tickets for the John Bell Concert only are available at the conference registration site.

 

17. Anne Lamott will be at First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, on Friday, March 23, at 7 p.m., for lecture and signing of her new book, ”Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son’s First Son.” Stunned to learn that her son Sam is about to become a father at the age of 19, Lamott kept a journal about the first year of her grandson’s life. It is full of wonderful, moving details that every parent and grandparent will understand and appreciate, as Lamott describes how relationships throughout her family change and evolve. Sam, Anne Lamott’s son, will be there. This program is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book in partnership with First Baptist Church Decatur Conversations Ministry. No tickets or reservations required; doors will open at 6 p.m.

 

18 . Congressman John Lewis will be the guest preacher at Decatur UCC for Love in Action Sunday, March 25, 11 a.m. service. Congressman Lewis will bring his wisdom, grace, and hope to the worship service. Rev. Glenna Shephard invites the community for a momentous day at Decatur UCC, 109 Hibernia Ave, Decatur 30030

 

19 . If you are curious about the mystical heart of other faiths, a wondrous weekend is in store for you -- the second Interfaith Contemplative Conference, April 13-15, co-sponsored by Interfaith Community Initiatives and Columbia Theological Seminary. Explore, practice, and respond to the contemplative practices of several world religions. Learn the context of contemplative practice in each religion, Hear practitioners describe their experiences, experience a Jewish Sabbath service and participate in guided meditations, enjoy Sufi poetry and music at an evening concert with Coleman Barks, translator of Rumi’s poems. The conference takes place at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. Details about the speakers and registration.

 

20. Dr. Ronald Peters sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace to discuss his work as president of Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, renewal of faith in urban centers, and much more. Hear this conversation of faith and hope, only on Day1. 

 

21. The ELCA Disability Ministry is setting a good example for us as they announce an Accessibility Award. This award will reward ELCA congregations who make significant improvements in their worship settings to accommodate people with disabilities and will to encourage all congregations to work towards making the worship experience enriching for all people, especially people with disabilities.  
See the award application at www.elca.org/disability. 

 

22. Available through the grassroots network Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) is a devotional guide entitled, "Feasting on God's Gifts, Fasting in Sorrow." This devotional has entries for Ash Wednesday, each week of Lent, and for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Each entry has a scriptural focus, opening and closing prayers, and a written meditation. To find it, go to www.presbyearthcare.org

 

23. Jesus Our Brother" is the theme for the Lent online art exhibit sponsored by Episcopal Church and Visual Arts. Click to view and read about it here.  

 

24. Higher Ground's leaders speak with a distinctive, collective voice, helping to raise awareness and to inspire action on key issues affecting the greater Atlanta community to effect positive change. Read more at  http://www.highergroundgroup.org/ 

 

25. Is there a sixteen year old student in your congregation who is interested in a career in public health?  The CDC Disease Detective Camp teaches attendees the fundamentals of CDC’s work in the field of public health and the science of epidemiology. Read about this opportunity at CDC.

 

26. The Timothy Project, based in Asheville, NC, works with CBF churches in the region. TTP connects locally with CBF affiliated churches and agencies, assessing needs and coordinating meaningful mission experiences for student and intergenerational groups. Their website www.TheTimothyProjects.com is a good resource for information. If you are trying to stretch your budget or have a middle-school oriented group, there are 3 night/4 day combined trip opportunities that include mission projects and whitewater rafting.   

 

27. Registration is now open for Passport Summer Camps!

 

Read Festival of Younger Preachers at Academy of Preachers Atlanta January 2013!!

Join Twitter and follow us as we tweet the Bible one chapter at a time. We are @RCCAtl

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

404-538-0246

[e-mail]

Our magnificent mailing list services are kindly donated by combinework.com

Sign up for our eNewsletter at http://rcca.combinework.com/base/standard/extranetmail/register/118

Unsubscribe from our eNewsletter at http://rcca.combinework.com/base/standard/extranetmail/remove/118