Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 27, 2026

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 27, 2026
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone. 

1. Partners in Change has surpassed 200 members this fiscal year! As this community continues to grow, the need for dedicated coaching partners has become even more vital. A message from Partners in Change: Help Us Support Our 200+ Members—Become a Volunteer Coach! Ready to make a lasting impact? With our community growing larger than ever, we need your help to provide 1:1 support. Become a virtual life coach and help an under-resourced adult in Atlanta reach their goals through weekly 30-minute calls. Our next training sessions are in May. [Book your intro call here] to learn more and join our growing mission!
 
2. The Nancy Frampton Rising Artists Series at Morningside Presbyterian Church welcomes Ben Strong, bass baritone, featuring Jonathan Crutchfield, piano, Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m. Find tickets at  Ben Strong. Opera publication “Parterre Box” praises Strong’s “total connection with the drama, appealing sense of the musical line, and his warm, rich, wonderful lower range.” Strong, who made his Metropolitan Opera debut during the 2025-2026 season, brings his exquisite artistry to Atlanta in this solo recital at MPC.
 
3. Law Day at Ben Hill:  "The Rule of Law and the American Dream," Ben Hill United Methodist Church, Saturday, May 2, 9a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE. Information on expungements, pardon applications, elections and voting rights from an expert panel of professionals will be provided for those who want to move forward but a criminal history is making it difficult. Register here.
 
4. Come to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3480 E. Main Street, College Park 30337, for Groove on the Green family fun, Saturday, May 2, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Live Musicians, Storytellers, Puppeteers, and 4-H fill this concert series with good vibes and family fun! Come join the fun! Find tickets at https://bit.ly/GrooveontheGree… 
 
5. Lungs of Mother Earth: come to 541 Proctor Ave. in Scottdale for the 12:30 p.m. unveiling celebration of this sculpture in the native pollinator meadow on the new Compassion Corridor. May 2. The artist will speak at 1 p.m.
 
6. Marietta Pops Orchestra celebrating 250 Years of the United States of America, Saturday, May 2, 7:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Marietta, 148 Church Street, Marietta 30060. Tickets are $20 per person. Students 16 and under are free. Buy tickets at the door or at www.mariettapops.org.
 
7. “Dirt Roads and Footpaths” Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church invites you to a free choral concert, May 2, at 7 p.m. John Corigliano’s setting of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill captures the fleeting wonder of youth and memory, while other works illuminate the landscapes, challenges, and joys of the human journey. Recognized as one of the premier professional choral ensembles in the Southeast, Coro Vocati features some of the region’s most talented vocalists and is known for polished performances that celebrate unique and intriguing programming. R.s.v.p. at https://www.corovocati.org/events/dirt-roads-and-footpaths-1
 
8. The Rev. Dr. Brian Coulter is the preacher for Day 1’s Episode 4232, Sunday, May 3. He reflects on the challenge of knowing when to sit, stand, or kneel in faithful response to the world around us. His sermon points to the Christ who does not remain distant but stands with us. Hear this sermon at 7:05 a.m. on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM. Hear or read the sermon now at https://day1.org An expanded program is available wherever you get podcasts.  
 
9. May Day Singing of the Marietta-Cobb Shape Note Singers, May 3, Sunday, at Zion Baptist Church, 165 Lemon Street, Marietta, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. Come for a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time!
 
10. The seat you take on Sunday could bring peace on Monday. On Sunday, May 3, at 3:00 p.m., you have the chance to experience something truly luminous. "Ascending into Light" features the cinematic soundscapes of Ola Gjeilo and Elaine Hagenberg. This is music that quiets the noise and stays with you long after the final note. Roswell United Methodist Church is proud to support Georgia House Resolution 1007. This makes Georgia the first state to recognize the arts as a vital mental health resource. Inclusive and accessible. Come for the music and stay for the mission. Secure your seat at https://mosingers.com/.../ascending-into-light-a-journey.../
 
11. Organist Andrew Sheranian will perform at the Cathedral of St. Philip, in person and livestreamed on the Cathedral Website, Sunday, May 3, at 3:15 p.m. Sheranian is currently serving as interim organist and director of music at The Parish of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) in the Waban neighborhood of Newton, Mass. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and Yale University. He will play Josef Gabriel Rheinberger’s Sonata XIX, Op. 193.
Following the recital, the Cathedral offers its weekly service of Choral Evensong at 4 o’clock.
 
12. Mountain Park United Methodist Church presents the Annual Spring Concert “Field Notes” featuring The Mountain Park Festival Chorus, The Mountain Park Handbell Choir with special guests, and AVODA Dance Company. There is no charge for admission. Sunday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary at 1405 Rockbridge Rd SW, Stone Mountain 30087.
 
13. Vocalist Anthony Russell, presented in concert by The Breman and First Congregational Church on Sunday, May 3, will explore new musical idioms by combining two distinct older ones: African American spirituals and the music of Jewish Eastern Europe in 3 p.m. concert, titled Convergence, at First Congregational Church in downtown Atlanta.  Convergence mobilizes an array of historic genres to evoke a multi-diasporic sound. Early blues, Hungarian and Bessarabian klezmer, “old time” fiddle music, synagogue tunes and contemporary classical music combine to create a repertoire of songs authentically inhabiting the sounds and histories of two traditions. First Congregational Church, 105 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta. Admission is free with registration at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/convergence-

14. Koinonia has a long history of ministering to those who are incarcerated and their families. Lumpkin sits out in deep rural Georgia—but the stories held there are not far from us. Prisontown brings some of those stories into the room. It’s meant to be experienced up close—in a space where people can listen, reflect, and, if they choose, respond. After the performance, there will be a short, guided conversation with partners connected to this work, along with simple ways to stay engaged. Tickets are free, though space is limited. Donations will be accepted to support the work of El Refugio. Come to Koinonia Farm Tuesday, May 5, at 6:00 p.m. for Prisontown. Secure Your FREE Tickets

15. Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center invites you to participate in our the annual Statewide Interfaith Prayer Service on Thursday, May 7, at 12 noon, that will center on the common good of our state through prayer, readings, songs, and a special message. In the months ahead, there will be even more opportunities to make your voice heard so stay tuned.

16. The Rhythm of Justice Tour: A Mother’s Day Restorative Circle Experience, May 7, 12-3 p.m., at Atlanta Friends Meeting, 701 Howard Ave., Decatur 30030. Facilitators are Dr. April Clay and Janice Jerome. Seating is limited. Register at https://bit.ly/rhythmofjustice

17. “Faire Is the Heaven” presented by Stellarum, One Heart, Eight Voices, Sunday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 576 Roscoe Road, Newnan 30368.  There is no admission charge for this beautiful, ethereal concert; donations are welcome.

18. Skyland Trail offers a free webinar series Parenting Skills. The first is DBT Bootcamp: Parenting Skills for Big Emotions, May 13. Registration at Community Webinars | Skyland Trail

19. EcoA Simpsonwood Park Naturalist Walk, Saturday, May 16, 1:30 p.m.   Sat May 16, 1:30 p.m. For more information and to register click here.

20. Mark your calendar for Appleton Episcopal Ministries Spring into Reading in Macon to celebrate Appleton’s Literacy Programming. The proceeds will go directly to helping expand Appleton’s programming ability. Your support helps Appleton continue expanding literacy programs that inspire a love of reading across our community. Come for the fun—stay to make a difference! May 18 from 6-9 p.m., St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 753 College St, Macon 31201. Appleton Episcopal Ministries Hosts Spring into Reading - Episcopal...

21. Retreat in Everyday Life, Tuesday, May 26, 12 – 1 p.m. Join Ignatius House for a free, virtual information session to learn more about Ignatius House’s nine-month “Retreat in Everyday Life,” a way to journey through St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises while staying rooted in your daily routines. They’ll share what the retreat entails, who it’s best suited for, and walk through the application process. There will also be time for your questions. Whether you’re discerning if now is the right time for you or ready to begin the application, this session will offer clarity and guidance for your next step. Transform your prayer life and discover how God is moving in your everyday life. To register, visit Ignatius House's website: https://bit.ly/3OzYbfF

22. Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing announces Dignity Awards:  
Neva Corbin, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, has spent years bearing faithful witness against the death penalty. Beyond advocacy, she has built sustained, humanizing relationships with people on death row, inviting hundreds of others to join her in recognizing their inherent dignity. Her witness embodies the Baptismal Covenant’s call to seek and serve Christ in all persons.
Philbert Smith, St. Julian's Episcopal Church, serves the civic life of Douglas County by overseeing the maintenance, programming, and delivery of election equipment for local voting precincts. He approaches this work as a faithful stewardship of the democratic process, ensuring that every person who wishes to vote can do so with confidence that each vote is fairly and accurately counted. He also trains poll workers and supports voter education. Smith is honored for his faithful stewardship of civic life and his devotion to serving the Church with integrity and grace.

23. Announcing this week-long retreat because it might take some planning to clear your schedule. The God of Us All: Praying with Black Spirituality, June 14–21, Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center. This 7-night individually directed Ignatian retreat invites participants into a deeper encounter with God through the rich gifts of Black Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Rooted in silence, daily prayer, and one-on-one spiritual direction, the retreat is gently framed by communal prayer and the Eucharist, while drawing on sacred song and other prayer resources shaped by the lived experience of the Black community. Open to all, this retreat offers a spacious and reflective setting to listen for the movement of the Spirit and to deepen one’s relationship with God through diverse expressions of faith and prayer. To learn more, visit Ignatius House's website: https://bit.ly/4cGWEwl

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter