Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 2, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of April 2, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Opportunities to commemorate the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are listed in the Community Calendar at www.rccatl.org with a few additions in the announcements below.

1. The new Medicare Cards with new numbers have begun to arrive in the mail. Please remember to tell your congregation that anyone who calls inquiring about their card, Social Security Number, etc. is up to no good. There will be no calls and recipients do not need to request the new card. It will come sometime over the next months.

2. Leadership and Multifaith Program (LAMP) of Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts and Candler School of Theology at Emory University has two events coming up, see below in chronological order for April 12.
“Gender and the Politics of Rights in the Middle East,” April 5, 12 – 4 p.m., GaTech Stephen C. Hall Building, room 102, 215 Bobby Dodd Way NW, Atlanta 30313. Beginning with a lunchtime panel, this half-day event will discuss issues of human rights, gender, and activism in the Middle East. This event is free and open to the public. Register here. Abdullahi An-Na'im, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, Emory University, will deliver the keynote address "The Politics of Rights in a World of Wrongs: Making Rights Relevant.”

3. Celebrating a King: Generational Conversation, in observance of the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, the Spelman College classes of 1968 and 2018 will appear in a panel Thursday, April 5, with a 50 year reflection on the civil rights movement. The session is free and will be held at Cosby Hall on the Spelman Campus at 6-8 p.m.

4. Three Choirs Festival at Peachtree Road UMC, 3180 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. Thursday, April 5, 7-9 p.m. The GSU Choir, UGA Hodgson Singers, and Emory U Concert Choir perform together in this free concert.

5. Spring is here and the Clarkston Community Center is thrilled to invite you to the International Spring Festival – Saturday, April 7 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come for international food, global art, live music, and a variety of plants for sale to start spring gardening off right. 3701 College Avenue, Clarkston 30021.

6. Join Faith A.M.E. Zion Church on Saturday, April 7, at 4:30 p.m., to welcome the Livingstone College Gospel Choir! Livingstone College is a private, historically black, four-year college in Salisbury, N.C. They are releasing their new single "EXALT". Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Faith is at 38 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr., Atlanta 30311. For more information, visit Faith A.M.E. Zion Church at www.faithamezion.org or call the church office at [phone].

7. The V. Rev. Kate Moorehead, dean of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Jacksonville, is the featured preacher April 8 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Moorehead is the author of five seasonal meditation books. Her latest book, “Healed: How Mary Magdalene Was Made Well,” presents a biblical and theological perspective on mental illness. “Peace—I Got This,” Moorehead’s sermon, is drawn from the story of the risen Jesus’ appearances to the disciples found in John 20:19-31. Hear the sermon on News95.5 and 750 AM WSB Sunday morning at 7:05. Visit Day1.org for more.

8. MLK50 Forward official theme is “Together We Win With Love for Humanity.” Academy of Preachers is encouraging its colleagues to join clergy across the world who will be delivering sermons on Saturday, April 7, or Sunday, April 8, that integrate that theme. Find a guide from AoP at MLK50 Sermon Preparation Guide.

9. Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, will deliver the 2018 Berman Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9, in Tull Auditorium at Emory University School of Law. He will speak on "The Tibetan People’s Transition to Secular Democracy." Shortly before Sangay’s election, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama devolved his political power to the CTA making Sangay the first leader of a secular, democratically elected Tibetan government. Sangay’s title was officially changed to sikyong, which translates as president, in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016. The Berman lecture is free and open to the public. To R.s.v.p. visit here.

10. Candler School of Theology welcomes David F. Ford as the 2018 distinguished visiting professor in the Alonzo L. McDonald Family Chair on the Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. Ford is Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus at the University of Cambridge. Ford will give two public lectures, the first on “Jesus in the 21st Century” on Wednesday, April 11, and the second on “Reconciliation in the 21st Century” on Wednesday, April 18. The lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register for the April 11 lecture.  Register for the April 18 lecture by April 10 to receive lunch. Emory University, 1531 Dickey Dr. Atlanta 30322.

11. “ Why Do We Look Up at the Heavens?” a LAMP lecture by Guy Consolmagno, Director of the Vatican Observatory, April 12, 7-9 p.m., Ga Tech TSRB Building Auditorium, 85 5th Street, NW (at Spring and 5th). The question masks a deeper question: why do individuals choose to spend their lives in pursuit of pure knowledge? The motivation behind our choices, both as individuals and as a society, controls the sorts of science that gets done. It determines the kinds of answers that are found to be satisfying. And ultimately, it affects the way in which we think of ourselves. This event is free and open to the public.

12. Videos are available from the annual symposium, "Religious & Scientific Perspectives on the Future of Life" in February. here. Recordings of the keynote and individual speakers' presentations are available under the tag "LAMP 2018."

13. Yom Hashoah Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony, performance by the Atlanta Men’s Choir, memorial prayers, reading, torch lighting in memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, Sunday, April 15, 3:30 – 6 p.m., Besser Holocaust Memorial Garden at Zaban Park, Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road , Dunwoody. www.atlantajcc.org 

14. Fun, family-friendly authentic Russian concert experience, April 15, 7:00 p.m. Experience the sounds of Russia as interpreted by the wonderful LYRA, an a cappella group of five professional vocalists from St. Petersburg, Russia. St. Anne’s Episcopal Church is pleased to offer this concert showcasing a wide swath of Russia’s music – sacred, ancient, folk, comic, lyric, dance, and love. The singers appear in authentic costumes as they share their musical heritage in an engaging and personable way. According to one attendee, “their combination of ‘connecting’ with the audience, with words and songs and acting is very professional, yet immediately endearing.” Reception to follow. Free, with a request for donations to defray their expenses. CDs will be available for $20 (cash for the CDs, donations in cash or checks made payable to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church). 3098 St. Anne’s Lane, Atlanta 30327. Questions? Call [phone].

15. In celebration of Earth Week, Charis welcomes celebrated naturalist and author Mark Warren, April 18, 7:30 – 9 p.m. He will share skills and stories from his two-volume Wisdom of the Forest with a focus on using indigenous plants of the Southern Appalachian region for food and medicine. This program is appropriate for kids ages 6 and up accompanied by a parent. 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta 30307, [phone].

16. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day at the Capitol, Georgia Parent Support Network invites you to Partnering for Health and Hope Following Trauma, The Georgia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Jr Drive NW, Atlanta 30303, Thursday, May 10, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Dead line for the art and poetry contest is April 20. Information here. For information contact [e-mail]

17. The Two Red Books: Jung, Tolkien, and the Imaginal Realm, hosted by Jung Society of Atlanta, April 20-21, three sessions, April 20 at 7:30 p.m., April 21 at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs 30328. Tickets available here.

18. Pregnancy Care Center Walk for Life will be Saturday, April 21. Registration is at 8:30 a.m., 158 S. Main Street, Jonesboro 30236.

19. Free Health Screenings for a Healthier You, Ben Hill United Methodist Church is hosting a free health screening day, Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be screenings for prostate cancer PSA testing, breast cancer screenings with free mammograms, screening for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, BMI tests, and healthy mind counseling, plus, CPR and Defibrillator awareness, healthy eating demonstrations. Tell your friends and neighbors and come to Ben Hill at 2099 Fairburn Road, SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

20. Holy Family Church's Outreach & Resource Ministries presents a "Caribbean Dinner Benefiting Global Missions." Join us on Saturday, April 21, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The cost for the evening is $30 each or $50/couple. Please call the church office to reserve your ticket by April 7, 770-893-4525

21. The Schola Cantorum of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church will offer "Music for Compline, Guide Us Waking and Guard us Sleeping” at St. Catherine’s on Saturday, April 21, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. The choir will sing a completely acapella repertoire and give instruction about the nature of the service. St. Catherine’s is in Marietta at 571 Holt Road.

22. Preach and teach about it! April 22nd is Earth Day Sunday! Commit to preaching in your congregation about creation care and environmental stewardship in your service April 20 – 22. Need ideas? Visit GIPL's Prayers & Liturgy webpage here.

23. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light is a coming together of Jews and Christians, Muslims and Hindus, religious zealots, and spiritual activists, people of all faiths believing that divine courage brings us together in care for all of Creation. This month kicks off a celebration of their fifteen years of faithful environmental action! They are ever more committed to paying close attention to this light-filled world needing our healing touch. Join in this work by allowing the Passover & Easter stories to shape your Earth Day commemoration the weekend of April 22! Read more>>

24. End Mass Incarceration/ Healing Communities Network Meeting, April 23, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Interdenominational Theological Center, 700 Martin Luther King Junior Drive, SW, Atlanta 30314 R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]

25. Support the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence in their work to empower survivors of domestic violence and to support the programs that serve them. The Race for Empowerment 5K, April 28, 10:30 a.m., Piedmont Park, will be a fun family event. Register here.

26. A Celebration of the Seasons at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 737 Woodland Avenue SE, Atlanta 30316, Saturday, April 28, 2- 4 p.m. A Liturgy of Creation to celebrate the four seasons and our connection to the earth, and to ask for blessings upon all living things. There will be readings, music, food, and drink. Everyone is invited but do please register so plans can be made for the right number of people. Childcare will be provided and children are also welcome at the service. Indicate when you R.s.v.p. if you need childcare and the ages of the children. R.s.v.p. here.

27. The Sewanee Contemplative Exchange, Bridging the Gap Between Contemplative and Compassionate Action: The Creative Encounter of Howard Thurman. Sunday, April 29 – Wed., May 2. Find out more at www.stmaryssewanee.org

28. Rev. Dr. L. Wesley de Souza, director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute and Arthur J. Moore Associate Professor in the Practice of Evangelism invites you to the World Methodist Evangelism Institute 2018 Founders’ Dinner with Guest speaker Thomas Kemper, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries. Tickets are $25, which includes a full course catered meal and entrance to the event, and all proceeds go to WMEI’s ministry. Monday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the General Board of Global Ministries, 458 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta 30308.Please R.s.v.p. by April 16 here. If you have questions contact [e-mail].

29. Peacebuilder Camp registration closes soon! And check out this new activity -- campers will think about the right to work led by bakers from Special Kneads and Treats in Lawrenceville. This wonderful shop employs special needs adults, who not only create the delicious and beautiful treats that the bakery sells, but who also give back to the community by making sure every child whose family cannot afford a birthday cake receives one free. They will share their talents with campers and help them decorate birthday cakes, which they will deliver to Sumter County day cares, nursing homes, and group homes… a day of tasty service learning! Now is the time to register for Peacebuilders Camp! www.peacebuilderscamp.org/

30. Camp SOS is looking for seasoned survivors (survivors of suicide loss) to volunteer to help with camp the first week in May. Check out campsos.com . Email [e-mail] if you are interested in finding out more about being a volunteer.

Visit www.rccatl.org 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]