Church Action eNewsletter of January 29,, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of January 29, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

New date February 20 for next gathering of the Food Pantry Forum with networking, shared information, and door prizes. Send your email to [e-mail] is you are not receiving information about the forum and to let us know you are coming.

1. Gwinnett County is holding a series of open houses to inform the public and obtain input. Part of the mission of the Regional Council of Churches is to promote the voice of faith in the public arena. Here’s a chance to speak up. Events are 5 to 7 p.m. February 1, Lilburn Activity Building, 788 Hillcrest Road, Lilburn; February 12, OneStop Centerville, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville; February 22, Bogan Park, 2723 North Bogan Road, Buford. Find out more at www.Gwinnett2040UnifiedPlan.com.

2. If our announcement of shape note singing at Cannon Chapel, Emory University, whetted your curiosity the informal first Thursday singing at Emory Presbyterian is a good place for you to find out more. Songbooks are available to borrow, buy, or share. They will meet Feb. 1, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Emory Presbyterian Church fellowship building, 1886 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, 30307.

3. First Friday at First, Feb. 2, 6 – 9 p.m., featuring Dwight Andrews and Ralph Jones, reeds; Louis Heriveaux, piano; Terrence Brown, keyboard; Kevin Smith, bass; Robert Boone, drums; special guest Sweet Lu Olutosin. Good Music, Good Food, and Goof Fellowship! The Commons, First Congregational Church, 125 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta 30303.

4. Creative Conversation: Art as Spiritual Awakening hosted by Aijcast will feature Gregory C. Ellison II (Fearless Dialogues) and Patrick B. Reyes (Forum for Theological Exploration) discussing how their pastoral care work centers on creativity. There will also be live art and graphic recording. Friday, Feb. 2, 7 – 10 p.m., Park Avenue Baptist Church, 486 Park Avenue SE, Atlanta 30312. Tickets are $10; get them here.

5. The Legacy Endowment Giving Ministry at Ben Hill United Methodist Church is sponsoring a free Wills and Beneficial Workshop on Saturday, February 3, from 9:30-12 Noon. The workshop will be held at Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road, SW, Atlanta, and will provide you with the basics to create a plan that reflects your desires and goals.

6. Clairmont Presbyterian Prayer Workshop, 9:45 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 3, for anyone looking to deepen or improve their lives in prayer. All are invited and there is no charge to attend and childcare is provided if you specify when you register. It will be led by Dan Hayes executive director of Orchard. Commit yourself to attending by calling the church [phone] or signing up on Clairmont’s website. Space is limited so call soon if you want to participate. Register now here.

7. More Money More Power a training session hosted by Georgia Community Coalition and Partnership for Southern Equity, Saturday Feb. 3, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Learn how to lower your energy bills and find out if you qualify for financial assistance with energy bill payments. Powder Springs First United Methodist Church, 4329 Marietta St, Powder Springs 30127.

8. The Rev. David Hodges of the Saint Francis Foundation is the featured preacher on Day 1 this week, Sunday, Feb. 4, 7:05 a.m. in the Atlanta area on News95.5 and 750 AM WSB. “To Move, to Touch, to Heal” is based on Mark 1:29-39. Visit Day1.org to read or hear it now and find many other resources.

9. First Christian Church of Atlanta presents Crystal McPherson of the Better Business Bureau Atlanta to conduct a workshop on How to Spot Con Artists and Fraud, February 8, from 10 until 11:30 a.m. This workshop is free of charge and open to the community. FCCA is located at 4532 Lavista Road in Tucker. If you have questions, call the church at [phone].

10. Seeds of Hope Counseling will host a monthly 90-minute ecumenical women's clergy group on the second Thursday of each month in Sandy Springs, beginning Feb. 8. This is a place for women to explore together their feelings and experiences about being a woman while navigating our pastoral calls and our personal identities. If you are interested in joining or learning more, contact Rev. Lindsay Geist, LCSW at [phone] or [e-mail]

11. First Baptist Atlanta partnering with the Tim Tebow Foundation will host Night to Shine Friday, Feb. 9, 6-9 p.m. This worldwide movement is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet to a cheering crowd and friendly paparazzi. Not only does this provide an extraordinary experience for these precious people with special needs, but it also provides their caregivers and families time to be cared for themselves. Would you like to help? Volunteer here.

12. St. Teresa’s Church will host "An Introduction to Centering Prayer" Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Instructor is Roberta White from Contemplative Outreach Atlanta. Lunch is included. Registration is required by Saturday, February 3. Find a detailed announcement and registration form at www.stteresasacworth.com. For more information, contact Mary Hutton [e-mail] or Pete Wyman [e-mail].

13. Valentines Workshop for you and your significant other, friends, spouse or just yourself. You will learn to make handmade paper from recycled cotton and linen rags and decorate your Valentines cards. 5:00 to 7:00, Saturday evening, Feb. 10, Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston 30021. www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org

14. First Christian Church of Decatur will commemorate the 20th Anniversary of its ministry with Pastor James and Betty Brewer-Calvert and lift up the many people, including laity, clergy, and staff, who make such a difference in the ministry of the church, Sunday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. If you would like to come R.s.v.p. to [e-mail].

15. Hear John Ortberg, senior pastor at Menlo Church and best-selling author of books on spiritual formation including I'd Like you More If You Were More Like Me, at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Feb. 11, at 11:45 a.m. Ortberg will also preach at the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services. Aaron Keyes of 10,000 Fathers will be the guest worship leader. Peachtree Presbyterian Church 3434 Roswell Rd NW Atlanta 30305, more information at peachtreechurch.org/ortberg

16. Spirituals: The Song and the Story, Sunday, Feb. 11, 5:00 p.m., Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Rd, Atlanta 30305. An incredible concert celebrating the stories behind beloved African-American spirituals, featuring some of Atlanta’s greatest artists. Told through song, word, and dance, the stories are drawn from actual slave narratives, from the book In the Their Own Words by Dr. Eileen Guenther. Featured artists include Tim Miller, Jayme Alilaw, Allen Michael Jones, Sean Savage, Marcus Hopkins-Turner, and members of TrioKollectiv Dance. Participating choirs are Atlanta Music Project, Peachtree Presbyterian, Peachtree Rd Lutheran, Redeemer Lutheran, and St. Luke’s Presbyterian. Suggested donation at the door is
$20.00 / $10.00 for students and seniors. peachtreechurch.org/spirituals

17. McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University is bringing the awesome folks of Homebrewed Christianity to Atlanta for a live podcast recording for the ages, 7-9 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12, at Historic Manuel’s Tavern. Host Tripp Fuller will be talking "Post-Apocalyptic Theology" with Dr. Graham Red Walker so prepare for cylons, white walkers, ice dragons, and possibly the end of the world as we know it (cue R.E.M. over the loudspeaker.) There will be theology games and guest appearances from everybody’s favorite professors and theologians. This is a free event and is appropriate for seminarians, grad students, jocks, nerds, astronauts, grandparents, beer enthusiasts, accountants, and all of your Atlanta friends.

18. Weaving and Unraveling our Shrouds: Encountering Exile in the Psyche with David Solem, Jungian analyst, Friday, February 16, 7:30 p.m. Members $20, Non- members 25, Students $10, Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs. Workshop Feb. 17; Self-Exile and the Soul, Exploring Our Personal Exile Story, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Members $60, Non-members $70. Students $50, CEU’s $25.00 See www.jungatlanta.com for more information.

19. “Prophetic Imagination in the 21st Century” at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Feb. 16— 7 p.m.; Feb. 17 — 9:30 a.m., Trinity Explores presents this free open lecture series with Old Testament scholar and esteemed theologian Dr. Walter Brueggemann. He is the author of many books and scholarly articles, including his groundbreaking book entitled "The Prophetic Imagination. Childcare is available for all weekend events. For more information and to R.s.v.p. visit www.trinityatlanta.org.

20. Who doesn't get a thrill over cucumber sandwiches, ginger scones, and hot English tea in china cups? Heart & Soul High Tea at Holy Family Church, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2 – 4 p.m., a lovely outing for a group. They will reserve a table for you if you contact them. For more information or reservations contact Katie Hawkins at [e-mail] or Michelle Roberson at Holy Family Church [phone]. Map. All proceeds go directly to community charities in Jasper and surrounding county.

21. Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, the oldest A.M.E. church in Decatur kicks off Black History Month on Sat., Feb.17 from 3 to 5 p.m., with a fun, spirit-filled community Gospel Sing-a-Long coordinated by its Minister of Music, Adrienne Nelms-Hickman. The event teaches young and old about traditional Negro spirituals and songs used by African Americans to advocate for freedom, inclusion, and stronger faith. The event is free and everyone is welcome. The church is located at 2977 LaVista Road, Decatur 30033 or call [phone].

22. Anti-Sex Trafficking Lobby Day Georgia , Tuesday, February 20, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., The Historic Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE, Atlanta 30334. Join Georgia's anti-sex trafficking organizations and make your voice heard. 2018 Lobby Day Partners include Freedom Coalition, Georgia Cares, House of Cherith, Out of Darkness, Street Grace, United Way of Greater Atlanta, and Wellspring Living. Lobby Day will be followed by a luncheon hosted by the partner organizations - reserve your seat and lunch with your registration. Registration is required, so please R.s.v.p. today.

23. Elisabeth Von Trapp whose family’s story inspired “The Sound of Music” will be in concert at St. Martin in the Fields, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 – 9 p.m. 3110 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE, Atlanta 30319. Elisabeth Von Trapp is the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp, made famous in the movie The Sound of Music. This is a free concert.

24. The Gift Beyond Sunday Morning is a half-day workshop that will bring together some of Atlanta’s best and brightest in the areas of faith and philanthropy to empower pastors, ministry and lay leaders, seminary students, and non-profit and business leaders whose organizational structure includes a faith-based component. The workshop is for anyone who is involved in volunteer recruitment/coordination or raising money for a faith-based organization beyond the Sunday morning collection plate. Learn from experts how to foster a generosity-filled culture in your organization and how to turn your volunteers into highly-engaged donors. Thursday, Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m. -12 noon at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Breakfast is included with the $25 registration. Visit goo.gl/Qbnf6Tto register.

25. Challenge the Stats and Concerts @ First present a free concert on Saturday, February 24, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta celebrating diversity in the classical performing arts. The concert will feature some of Atlanta's best African American and Latino instrumentalists. A $10 pre-concert Dinner and Discussion opens the event at 5:30 p.m. as WABE's Lois Reitzes moderates a panel of Atlanta arts leaders. Dinner Tickets: challengethestats.org/atlantalaunch/. Contact the FPC Music Ministry for more information [phone] or [e-mail].

26. FAMA Annual Meeting is rescheduled. The program will highlight the important work and future of Interfaith Atlanta as impending merger talks between Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, Interfaith Community Initiatives, and Neshama Interfaith Center begin. A panel of those leading the process will give an update and discuss the future of interfaith engagement. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1450 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta 30307. R.s.v.p. here.

27. Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farm is a unique overnight summer camp where youth spend a week learning how to work toward peace and justice and enjoying farm life, games and sports, field trips, new friends, and exploring the stories of peacemakers past and present. It is a place where counselors and counselors-in-training flourish. Do you know someone who would like to apply, who wants to work toward human rights, social justice, and peace and loves being with 11- to 15-year-old kids? Applicants must be 18 years old (there is a counselor-in-training program for 17 year-olds. June 28 to July 22. Pay is $1,500. Read the job description here. Apply by March 1. For a summer of fun and human rights education in South Georgia contact [e-mail].

28. The inaugural Street Grace Demand an End Gala with Ernie Johnson as the Keynote speaker will be March 8. This will be a fun night of great food and entertainment – raising awareness of the issue of DMST/CSEC and raising money for Street Grace. There are different ticket, table and sponsorship options available for purchase. Link www.streetgrace.org/events/

31. Would you like to show hospitality to an international student studying in Atlanta? Go to the AMIS website and find out more.

32. Tucked away in the Northeast Georgia mountains, Camp Mikell offers the only folk school in Georgia! March 2-4 and space is limited so check it out now. Click on the name for more.

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources. And, send us your announcements to [e-mail].

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.
[e-mail]