Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 4, 2022

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter Week of April 4, 2022  The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.  God calls us to some things we cannot do alone. We want your announcements! We are happy to help get the word out about anything you would like the greater faith community to know. Send announcements to [e-mail]. 1. Foster parents needed! All are welcome at Community Connections, regardless of sexual orientation, relationship status, gender identity, etc. Contact Diane Jackson at 770-465-9644 (ext. 103) or [e-mail] to reserve a spot in the next virtual Foster Parent Orientation.  2. Invitation from Pitts Theological Library: Are you interested in theological research but aren't affiliated with Emory? Are you a local pastor looking for resources available to you post seminary? Pitts has made a new Research Guide page dedicated to identifying freely available resources for research in theology and religion! From sacred text archives to open access eBooks, this guide links to a wealth of resources freely available to users across the globe. 3. "Treat others and the planet as you would like to be treated. The golden Rule is not an option - it's the key to our common survival," Karen Armstrong. April 5 is Golden Rule Day. The virtues of faith, hope, and charity should be our mantra for Golden Rule Day.  For more information, and to register for this impactful event, visit Charter for Compassion. 4. In the final Kessler Conversation this spring, Wed., April 6, noon, Rev. Dr. Kirsi Stjerna of California Lutheran University will offer conclusions on women’s participation as “confessors” in 16th century European reforms. She will pay attention to women’s engagement with Protestant theologies and interpretation of the Scriptures, making observations on women in different walks of life using their agency and voice. Register for free at pitts.emory.edu/stjerna. 5. The Breman Museum, in partnership with the Southern Jewish Historical Society and The Temple, will present noted photographer and author Andrew Feiler in the Janice Rothschild Blumberg Lecture. Available both live and via Zoom, the illustrated talk will take place at 7 p.m., Wed., April 6, at The Temple. Author of the books “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America” and “Without Regard to Sex, Race, or Color,” Savannah native Feiler long has been active in civic life. R.s.v.p. for the lecture and interview at Janice Rothschild Blumberg Lecture: Featuring Andrew Feiler Tickets. The Temple. 1589 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta 30309. Registration is free. 6. Close the Gap Atl Community Health Fair presented by Black Health Matters in association with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Friday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sheraton hotel Atlanta, 165 Courtland Street NE, Georgia Ballroom 11-12, Atlanta. Come for a free day of fun, wellness, giveaways, music, prizes, and more . . . 7. Seedtime and Harvest Plant Sale Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  For those who plant a garden on Good Friday, for those who are filling out their gardens, and those who wait for moderating temperatures, this sale is for you. Along with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and okra, find four varieties of cucumbers, cantaloupe, honeydew, and the beautiful Indian Kajari melon-- dark orange striped in green and cream-- a slightly musky honeydew-type melon. Perennials, shrubs, an array of annual flowers and beautiful house plants are ready for planting. Come shop for art created by the 3T artists, create your own art, buy a hand-painted Friendship Center flower pot, and enjoy delicious baked goods. The Friendship Center is located at Holy Comforter Church, 737 Woodland Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 and can be reached at 404-627-6510. 8. Lenten Prayer Experience, Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Fellowship  Hall,  2715 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta 30305. Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Sunday, April 10, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. This hands-on prayer experience is based on themes in the book “Lent in Plain Sight.” Objects will help you explore the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem as you take time to meditate on response to Him. Stations will be set up with physical distancing and safe hygiene in mind. Drop in anytime during the above hours. The event is free and open to the public. Contact the Discipleship Council for more information at [e-mail] 9. Concerts@First, April 9, 8:00 p.m., The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs Saint-Saens’ “Organ Symphony” and Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto” with Jens Korndörfer and conductor Jerry Hou. First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree St, Atlanta 30309, Purchase Tickets 10. The Rev. Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, senior pastor of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, is the featured preacher for Palm Sunday, April 10, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.   “Dominus Flevit,” Hollingsworth’s sermon for April 10, is drawn from the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem found in Luke 19:28-42. In this telling when Jesus sees the city of Jerusalem he weeps. “The city he sees below is a broken city,” Hollingsworth says. “There are excluded Jews and Roman soldiers brandishing weapons. There are beggars at the city gates in the shadows of palaces — violence and threat and shadow and deceit.” Hear it in Atlanta on WSB 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. Visit http://Day1.org  for more information and resources. 11. The 29th annual presentation of Meridian Herald’s Southern Folk Passion is Sunday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish Episcopal Church, 515 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur 30030. Timothy Miller, famous for his ringing performance of “God Bless America” at Braves games, and renowned stage actress Brenda Bynum will be featured with the Meridian Chorale. Folk Passion, the creation of Atlanta composer and conductor Steven Darsey and the late Fred Craddock, features hymns from Georgia’s 19th century tunebook, “The Sacred Harp,” sung within the Passion of St. Mark. These tunes, with texts based on Hebrew and Christian scripture, embody musical strains of an ancient universality. These attributes inspired Fred Craddock to remark that folk would recognize this music who have never before heard it.  You can hear and see the Meridian Chorale and learn more at meridianherald.org. 12. The Cathedral of St. Philip will present its annual service entitled “A Meditation on the Passion of Christ, with Carols” on Palm Sunday, April 10, at 4 p.m., sung by the Cathedral Schola. This service consists of various scriptural readings of the season — some chanted and some read — punctuated by anthems, antiphons, and congregational hymnody. Music for the service will be beloved gospel spirituals, classical pieces, powerful and poignant pieces, ancient and new. As with all services at the Cathedral, there is no charge for admission. 13. Grady Health System and the Atlanta Community Food Bank offer a webinar to illuminate the intersection of hunger and health and the innovative partnership that is addressing these concerns in our community, Thursday, April 14, at noon. Attend to learn about the terms, the issues, and the work, including meaningful collaborations between the health sector and community-based organizations. Register here to learn how you can get involved, impact community h... 14. The 40th annual Ecumenical Good Friday Pilgrimage (Urban Way of the Cross) sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Justice and Peace Ministries is Friday, April 15, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This walking prayer is a moving experience that includes scripture readings, reflections, prayer and music as we remember the passion of Christ and the social injustices in our world today. The pilgrimage begins at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 48 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr SW, Atlanta 30303. Gather at 8:45 a.m. Buses will be available to return participants to the start point. You are encouraged to carpool or use public transportation as parking is limited. The 2-mile route is considered wheel chair accessible, but please keep in mind that not all of the sidewalks along the route are smooth or wide. Please contact Kat Doyle at [e-mail] for more information. All are welcome! 15. Shallowford Presbyterian Church Children’s Ministry Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. Families with children are invited to bring their baskets and come for a full morning of faith, fun, and fellowship. Visit www.shallowford.org for more information. 16. Together in Hope, Equity & Opportunity, the Atlanta Public Schools partnership of faith and community leaders in support of our public schools, will meet Friday, April 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m. VIRTUAL MEETING ZOOM LINK   17. Each year, Promise686 hosts the Promise Race to raise awareness and money to supply what foster children need most- strong foster families. Foster care is notorious for its unrelenting and unending cycle. This 5K race tells the story. The Promise Race includes "Disruption Zones” that illustrate the many disruptions children in foster care face. On April 23, join the race in consideration of children who are stuck in the “cycle of foster care".   Click here to learn more, race or support give.promise686.org/TeamAlstonallin.   18. Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) is an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists who join together to delve into the pressing issues of the day and lift their voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. The theme for EAD 2022, "Fierce Urgency: Advancing Civil & Human Rights," calls us into solidarity "to restore, protect, and expand voting rights in the United States and to realize human rights around the world.”  Register for this immersive effort to advance civil and human rights. April 25-27, 2022. 19. Save the date for Souls to the Polls, Tuesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, The Temple, and Ebenezer Baptist Church present a panel discussing how people of faith can empower voters during the 2022 election.  The virtual discussion will be moderated by Ann Cramer. Panelists are Helen Butler, Sara Ghazal, and Ed Lindsey. 20. Grass Roots Justice Awards will celebrate the individuals, community partners, and volunteers that make the work of Georgia Justice Project possible, 6 – 9 p.m., May 5, the Trolley Barn in Inman Park, 963 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta 30307. Funds raised during the evening will provide critical financial support for the mission. Parking is limited; consider carpooling. The attire is business cocktail. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit Grass Roots Justice Awards page. For questions, contact Emily McDougald at [e-mail]. Get Your Tickets 21. Application for New American Pathways’ 2022-2023 “Civic Pathways” leadership development program is now open. This eight-month program, co-hosted by the UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership, is designed for emerging refugee and immigrant leaders interested in public service and engaging in advocacy, community organizing, and voter engagement as channels of empowerment for themselves and their community. The cohort will meet from September 2022-April 2023. Graduates will receive a $1,000 stipend upon completing the program. Apply online at bit.ly/CivicPathways2022 by May 6! For more information, or to recommend someone for the program, contact Ashley Coleman HERE.  For information on how to be a Civic Pathways program sponsor, contact Nancy Gaddy HERE. 22. New American Pathways is seeking volunteers to help with their virtual elementary after school program. Volunteers will assist students with homework support, English language support, and other tutoring needs. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit the Get Involved page here. 23. “Beautiful things can happen when we emerge from our bubbles of isolation and step into the messiness of life,” said Terence Lester on the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Terence is the founder of Love Beyond Walls, an organization that uses technology, film, and service to raise awareness about stories that need relief for those experiencing homelessness and economic hardship in the greater Atlanta area. listen here Terence Lester, When We Stand 24. The United Way of Greater Atlanta and certified IRS trained volunteers are ready to help you file your taxes by the deadline of April 18. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax prep to low-to-moderate income ($58,000 and under) working individuals and families. The following metro Atlanta churches are a part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Saint Philip AME, Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church, and Turner Chapel AME. Visit our website for all you need to know about this service. United Way Tax Filing Help - Regional Council of Churches of Atlant...  Visit our website for a clergy toolbox for mental health ministry, and more . . .  Peace, Ethel Ware Carter