Church Action eNewseltter Week of September 25, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of September 18, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

 

 

What does interfaith engagement mean to religious millennials? The perspective of seasoned Atlanta community and faith leaders is invaluable. It is equally important to shine a light on new, fresh voices in this conversation.

“In a world that is more interconnected than any other time in human history, I have observed that many people continue to perceive ‘the other’ in stereotypical or uninformed ways.” Read more of the response from Brittani Magee, Masters of Divinity student at Emory University, at Atlanta Interfaith Manifesto.

 

1. The Cathedral Book Store to welcomes Carl McColman as the 2017 speaker Jane Baird Lecturer on Thursday, September 21, at 7 p.m. The title of his lecture is: “The Christian of the Future Will Be a Mystic.” Read more.

 

2. Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism and the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing invite you to a lecture by Dr. Angela D. Sims this Thursday, Sept. 21, 7 – 8 p.m., All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree, Atlanta. Sims is the author of Lynched: The Power of Memory in a Culture of Terror. This lecture is free; registration is required. Register Here

 

3. As a service to the community and the environment St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church will host an electronic recycling day on Saturday, September 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 2160 Cooper Lake Road, SE Smyrna 30080, near the intersection of Atlanta Road and Cumberland Parkway.  

 

4. Leadership and Multifaith Program (LAMP) at Emory and Georgia Tech hosts engaging conversations about the intersections of religion, science, and leadership.  "Life in the Cosmos: Past, Present, and Future" Sept. 23, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., Georgia Institute of Technology, Engineered Biosystems Building Seminar Room, 950 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta 30332. This event is free and includes lunch. There is a fee for parking, attendees are encouraged to use public transportation. Register here.

 

5. The V. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, dean of Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco, is the preacher on Day 1 Sunday morning, Sept. 24. Hear him in the Atlanta area on News 95.5 or 750 AM WSB at 7:05 a.m. Visit Day1.org to find other stations and many text, audio, and video resources. 

 

6. A reminder of the very special worship service September 24, to highlight the past, present, and future relationship between Decatur Presbyterian Church and Agnes Scott College with the Rev. Sarah Hooker, the new Presbyterian Campus Minister for UKirk preaching the service.  Sunday School is at 9:15 a.m., worship at 10:30. 
Map  Afterwards, there will be fellowship on the lawn.  If you have questions, contact Betty Scott Noble at [e-mail] or visit here.

 

7. TheoEd Talks with leading thinkers from the academy, the church, and the non-profit sector offer 20-minute talks designed to spark meaningful conversations on how we think about the Bible, theology, and faithful engagement in the world. The inaugural live recording at First Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Sept. 24, 5-7 p.m., will feature Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt Divinity School; Dr. Brent Strawn, Emory University; and Dr. Gregory Ellison, Emory. To register or for more, visit theoed.com  or email [e-mail].

 

8. Breaking the Stained-Glass Ceiling: Exploring the Role of Women Catholic Deacons, Wednesday, September 27, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1350 Hearst Drive NE, Atlanta 30319. Pope Francis has appointed a commission to explore the possibility of women deacons in the Catholic Church.  This interactive dialogue will consider the historical evidence of women deacons in the early Church as well as current arguments both for and against such a large change in the Catholic faith.

 

9. Voices for the Earth: A Concert Celebrating the Community of Life, free and open to the public, Saturday, September 30, 7:30- 8:30 p.m., 19:30 20:30 Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce De Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta 30308. This concert is sponsored by North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur First UMC, and Holy Trinity.

 

10. Historic First Congregational Church, UCC, is commemorating 150 years of mission and ministry in Atlanta this year. The inclusive African American congregation invites you to worship with them on Oct. 1 when U.S. Senator Kamela D. Harris will speak at the 11 a.m. worship service. 105 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30303.

 

11. What the Qur’an Meant- Gary Wills, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and bestselling author of What Jesus Meant and other books, has written a new book examining the Qur’an and invites readers to join him in a reconsideration of it. Talk and signing October 4 at 7:00 p.m. at The Carter Center.

 

12. Life Changers 2017 will celebrate changed lives and honor Action Ministries life-changers. Speaker will be Egbert Perry, CEO of Integral and current chairman of Fannie Mae. Coach Bill Curry is the host.  October 6, 8 - 10 a.m., Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta 30339. Get your tickets at here.

 

13. Many denominations do not allow LGBTQ people to fulfill their vocations as ordained clergy.  Some have been de-frocked and others restricted from performing pastoral duties. Shower of Stoles Display will feature 300 stoles at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree St, Atlanta 30308.  

They will be in the chapel, nave, and sanctuary during the week of October 9 through October 15. This event is free and open to the public. More about the project is at www.welcomingresources.org/sosp.htm.  

 

14. Trinity Forum Atlanta, an evening conversation with John Inazu and Eboo Patel, Tuesday, October 10,  6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Atlanta History Center, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, NW, Atlanta 30305. Register Now Hear law professor and legal policy expert John Inazu with author Eboo Patel on Confident Pluralism in a Turbulent Age. More about Trinity Forum here.

 

15. Racial Realities and the Beloved Community with guest lecturer the M. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.  A panel discussion featuring Candler’s Associate Professor of Christian Ethics Ellen Ott Marshall, Bishop of Atlanta Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, and Associate Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, the Rev. Kimberly Jackson, will follow the lecture. Free but registration is required here. Cannon Chapel, Emory University, 515 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta.

 

16. Every 66 seconds another person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and must have care. Another family is thrown into chaos having been given little or no instruction in providing that care. How do we as churches minister to these families? How do we as communities meet their needs? Dr. David Campbell, senior pastor of Due West UMC, and the Caregivers' Ministry invite you to Families Facing Alzheimer's and Related Dementias: A Workshop for Ministers, Clergy, Church and Community Leaders, Thursday, Oct. 12. 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Due West UMC, Building C, Marietta. Register by email to [e-mail].

 

17. Choir members and their directors and organists are invited to join a Festival Choir for Bishop Michael Curry at the National Vergers’ Guild Conference. Purchase and bring socks for the homeless to this service. These will be presented at the altar during the service and then given to Crossroads Community Ministries which serves those who experience homelessness on the streets of Atlanta. Festival Eucharist, Friday, October 13 at noon, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Click here for more information.

 

18. The Moral Injuries of a Country: War’s Legacies and the Agonies of Now, a lecture by the Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, author of Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury After War and senior vice president for moral injury programs at Volunteers for America. Oct. 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Cannon Chapel Sanctuary. Free; registration required here. Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta 30322.

 

19. Bread for the World Sunday Your celebration can be as simple or elaborate as you like… simply including prayers for people who are hungry can be a powerful expression of our faith that god is using our hearts and hands to help end hunger. To help you plan for October 15, or another fall Sunday, free resources are available and there is a kit you can order. Order your free resources today so you have time to prepare. Additional materials, including Spanish resources, are available for download.

 

20. Every morning 13,000 people in Atlanta wake up homeless; 2,500 of those are children. Join the Atlanta Children’s Shelter in the fight against generational poverty, Oct. 17 at City Winery Atlanta. The 15th Annual Achievers' Celebration will honor the remarkable success of families who have persevered. Help raise money to continue to support homeless families striving for self-sufficiency. Purchase Tickets Here!

 

21. The Annual Howard Thurman Lecturer at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, this year is Dr. James Logan, Professor of Religion, Professor and Director of African and African American Studies, National Endowment for the Humanities Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies. The Crucible of Mass Incarceration and the Righteous Scandal & Politics of Jesus will be presented at 11 a.m. on Oct. 18. Register here.

 

22. Stars Dancing to Change Lives, Oct. 21, Concourse Athletic Club. Since 2004, Every Woman Works, Inc. (EWW) Job Readiness Center has helped move over 1,600 women from dependency to self-sufficiency while positively impacting over 4,800 children and the community at large.  This year’s gala fundraiser will feature Victor Blackwell, CNN anchor, as Master of Ceremonies. Register & Buy Tickets 

 

23. Emory University’s Reformation Day, Friday, October 26, 3:00-4:00 p.m., Candler School of Theology. The 30th Reformation Day at Emory will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Kessler Reformation Collection and the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. The day’s programming will explore the question, “Did the Reformation Fail?” The full day includes a reception and viewing of new acquisitions at Pitts Library, chapel service, lunch with music, and an evening concert. A highlight will be a panel discussion with Bishop Julian Gordy, Southeastern Synod, ELCA, Bishop Larry Goodpaster, Candler School of Theology, and Archbishop Wilton Gregory, Archdiocese of Atlanta. You can keep up with the latest developments candler.emory.edu.

 

24. What is the future for interfaith engagement in an increasingly diverse and politically polarized American society? What challenges will religious and civic leaders face? What steps should young people take to develop meaningful multifaith relationships? Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation will host two events on November 1, to explore the challenges and opportunities. Students, young professionals, clergy, and members of the Atlanta community are invited to a lunchtime lecture and an evening dinner workshop with Imam Abdullah Antepli, Chief Representative of Muslim Affairs at Duke University. Both events will be held at Candler School of Theology and are free and open to the public, with registration required. Kosher and halal meal options will be available. Register online by noon on October 25 here.

 

25. Save the date… in honor of its 150^th Anniversary of service and new vision for the future, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary is pleased to announce its inaugural Faith and Initiative Conference will take place November 9-11, at The Lodge at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3417 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305.

 

26. The Orchard Institute offers resources that strengthen the believer’s inner life and provide practical training/consultation for those in ministry. This fall, the Institute is offering:  Discovering and Living out My Life Purpose and Asking - The Art of  Personal Fundraising. Register here.

 

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox  for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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