Church Action eNewsletter Week of August 10, 2015

[RCCAtl]

                                                 God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

                                                       Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

                                    Weekly Church Action eNewsletter Week of August 10, 2015

 

Little Boy is the inspirational story of a 7-year old boy who is willing to do whatever it takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. Read more on our website toward the bottom of the home page below the Featured Activities. We have 5 copies to give to the first five readers who send an email mentioning the name of their house of worship to [e-mail].

 

1. Community Health Interfaith Partnership (CHIP) is accepting applications for a Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification Training.  The SAMHSA sponsored training is FREE. Seating is limited. If you are selected to attend this training, you must commit to the full training schedule of 5 days, September 21-25, 2015. There are a few places available as of yesterday afternoon. Read more and find the application to must be completed by the end of the day Friday, Aug. 14, at Regional Council Website or C.H.I.P. website.

 

2. The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) offers resources for congregations and church-related organizations to recruit, mentor, support, and accompany young leaders exploring their purpose and call. FTE grants provide an opportunity to develop mentoring programs, pastoral internships, or vocational resources for young adults. All application deadlines are in September. To learn more about FTE, its resources, and to access the online applications, visit fteleaders.org/grants-fellowships or contact FTE Director of Grants and Fellowships, Darlene Hutto. Read more>>

 

3. News from ITC: We need a response to Ferguson, Charleston, the growing wage gap, and a host of other social ills.  The church already has the resources to address these matters in the thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement heritage. Interdenominational  Theological Center wants to make a difference.  ITC is opening its course, Martin Luther King, Jr. & the Movement for Social Justice, to the community at a reduced auditing fee.  Taught by master of protest organization, Lonnie King, a leader of Atlanta's Student Movement of the 1960s, assisted by ITC's Mark Ellingsen, this is a course about Dr. King and what we can do with his heritage today. Every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at ITC, 700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr SW, Atlanta, starting August 22. To register, contact the ITC Registrar at [e-mail] or call Dr. Ellingsen at [phone] to learn more.

 

4. The Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace invite all high school students in 11th and 12th grades to participate in their annual essay contest. The essay contest was created to encourage young adults to creatively express their thoughts of how they can help create a peaceful world. Essay packs can be printed from here. Deadline for submissions is October 30. Winners of the contest can receive up to $500 along with recognition for their school and their literary achievement.  

 

 

5. The Jung Society of Atlanta presents a lecture, “The Ecological Unconscious,” by Chris Aanstoos, Ph.D., a Professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia, this Saturday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m. He will examine contemporary ecopsychology including sustainability, ecotherapy, and deep ecology from a Jungian perspective. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Rd., N.W., Atlanta 30327.  Fees are $20 for the public, $10 for students, and free for Jung Society members. The public is invited. Additional information is at www.jungatlanta.com.

(Also save the date: September 18 and 19, to hear Guy Corneau, “To Live Again,” about his passage through the ordeal of cancer, plus the meaning of illness. More information next month.)

 

6. Dr. Tim Boggess, Northwest Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, is the featured preacher this week on Day 1, “Skills and Gills” is his sermon for Aug. 15.  Visit Day1 to find your local station or hear or read the sermon.

 

7. Yoga & Meditation, Sunday, August 16, 3 – 6 p.m., Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Drive NW, Atlanta 30328. Join Cathy Crosby and Mitch Cohen, certified yoga teachers, for an afternoon of relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation.  This mini retreat will offer two 45 minute-long yoga sessions - one Hatha Yoga and the other Restorative Yoga - and the opportunity to meditate in the beautiful surroundings of the retreat center. Bring mat, pillow and/or blanket, and a water bottle. Investment: $30, payable on the day by cash or check to Neshama Interfaith Center. Directions. Any questions?  email Cathy at [e-mail] To register, please send an email to Sue at [e-mail]

 

8. Cobb Summer Singers 10^th Anniversary Concert – the 90-voice choir with the Orchestra of the American Heartland will perform Handel’s “Israel in Egypt,” Sunday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m., St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 2160 Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna 30080. Watermelon and lemonade hosted by Friends of St. Benedict's Music to follow on the cobblestones.  Tickets at the door or online here.

 

9. Those in the Athens and Northeast Georgia area will be interested in the Georgia Interfaith Power & Light town hall meeting on solar energy, August 20, 7 p.m., at the Athens Unitarian Universalist Church.  Come to a town hall meeting to hear from Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and other elected officials alongside solar experts about all that's possible for the growth of solar in Athens. #gosolarGA! Free and open to the public. Contact [e-mail] for more details. 

 

10. If you happen to be headed to Texas you will be interested in the second International Faith and Family Film Festival at Megafest 2015 presented by Bishop T.D. Jakes in Dallas on Aug. 20-22 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The festival is part of Megafest, a multi-day family festival featuring faith, empowerment, and entertainment activities.  More here.

 

11. Central Outreach and Advocacy Center will honor its Main Frame Job Readiness graduates on Friday, Aug. 21, 12-1 p.m. You are invited and you will be inspired by the men and women who have worked so hard. The program provides the technical skills and personal support needed to find and maintain steady, living-wage employment in today's difficult job market. Students are instructed in computer skills, résumé preparation, and self-presentation. They learn how to apply for jobs online, how to conduct themselves during interviews and in the workplace, and receive one-on-one tutoring and mentorship. For more information about this event, contact Branden Lane at [e-mail] or [phone]. Or register now.   

 

12. Rocky Head UMC, 6020 Old Campbellton Rd,  Atlanta, will celebrate Homecoming Sunday, August 23 at 3 p.m. and Revival  Monday-Wednesday, August 24-26 at 7 p.m. nightly.  Guest revivalist are Rev. Julian Warner of Roe UMC; Rev. BA Jackson of Fellowship of Love Church; Rev. Ted Rollins of Suwanee Worship Center UMC; and Rev. Frank Brown of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. The community is invited.

 

13. Come one! Come all! This year's Lutheran Church of the Messiah Carnival is bigger and better than last year! Mark your calendar, cancel your appointments, bring your neighbors, and invite your distant cousins! Food Trucks! Games! Prizes! Performers! Bouncy Houses! Call [phone] for more information. Saturday, August 29, starting at 11 a.m., 465 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur.

 

14. Jazz on the Lawn at Hoosier Memorial UMC featuring Myrna Clayton, Saturday, August 29, 5:30-8:00 p.m., Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, food, and beverage and enjoy an evening of inspirational jazz and gospel music at no cost. Master of ceremonies is Kiss 104’s Art Terrell. Hoosier UMC, 2545 Benjamin E. Mays Dr., SW, Atlanta 30311.

 

15. Come enjoy and be renewed by a Night of Worship with Third Day lead singer Mac Powell in the Roswell United Methodist Church sanctuary Aug. 30. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and food trucks will be on the lawn before worship at 6:30. Nashville songwriter Christopher Williams will open the night for Powell. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available online at rumc.com/macpowell All proceeds benefit Roswell Student Ministries Missions.

 

16. Play Fantasy Football for charity with current and former Braves players John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, AJ Pierzynski, and Shelby Miller. Join the players for a Live Draft on August 31 at Turner Field and play in a 2015 Fantasy Football League. All proceeds benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta Braves Foundation, and Big League Impact Global Fund. Register today!

 

17. Hillside International Truth Center announces a month-long anniversary celebration with youth activities, a free jazz concert, speakers, and worship. Find all the details for September activities at www.hillsideinternational.org.

 

18. The Decatur Book Festival is Sept. 4-6 with so many wonderful opportunities! Here is a link to the spirituality and religion track.

 

19. Nadia Bolz-Weber, founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, will discuss her new book, Accidental Saints, on Friday, September 11, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030.  This event is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by Conversations.  No tickets or reservations are required. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.

 

20. The Roswell United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten children’s consignment sale is Friday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 a.m. - noon. There will be three overflowing rooms with great prices on gently worn fall and winter children's clothing and accessories (newborn - size 14), as well as maternity clothing, baby equipment, nursery décor, play sets, books, DVDs, toys, and more. The sale benefits the school. Donated items will be given to the Foster Care Support Foundation.  Register, consign, or volunteer here.  

 

21. 3rd Annual Community Health Fair at Shy Temple CME Church, Saturday, September 12, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  The Health & Wellness Ministry at Shy Temple has created a resource center that stresses the importance of prevention. There will be vendors providing free health information and free health screenings. Light refreshments will be served.  2012 Memorial Drive, SE, Atlanta 30317. The event organizer is Patricia Yates-Rand.

 

22. The Friendship Center at Holy Comforter announces first plant sale of the season., Sept. 19. The Holy Smokers join with the Seedtime and Harvest gardeners to create a neighborhood happening. The Back of the Bus will play classic rock and roll and the barbeque team will be selling pulled pork or bbq chicken plates with all the sides, including a drink, $10 a plate. The gardeners will supply everything needed for fall vegetable gardens. All proceeds benefit the garden and Friendship Center. You can pre-order take home whole smoked pork butts, $40, to be picked up anytime during the event. Order your tickets online today! Friendship Center, 737 Woodland Ave SE, Atlanta 30316.

 

23. American Immigration Lawyers Association, GALEO, the Latin American Association, League of Women Voters of Georgia, Coalition for the People's Agenda, New American Pathways, and ProGeorgia will sponsor "Fall Citizenship Day 2015," a single-day workshop providing free assistance to lawful permanent residents eligible for naturalization, Saturday, Sept. 19. Read more>>

 

24. A very special worship service on September 20 will highlight the connection between Decatur Presbyterian Church and Agnes Scott College. Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, recently appointed president of Columbia Seminary, will speak.  DPC invites you to join in the celebrate of this campus ministry and learn about the exciting plans that DPC has for deepening this connection as the church fulfills its mission, “Every child of God - belonging, engaging, being transformed”.  Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.; fellowship on the lawn, 10:15, prior to worship at 10:30, 205 Sycamore Street, Decatur 30030-3413 
Map  If you have questions, please contact Betty Scott Noble at [e-mail].

 

25. Aquinas Center of Theology presents “Pope Francis in America: A Reflection on His Congressional Speech,” Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m., Emory University, Room TBD. This event will play the pope’s comments to Congress then a panel will briefly discuss this speech. Panel: Dr. Alan Abramowicz, Alben W. Barkley Professor of Political Science, Emory; Dr. Cory Labrecque, Director of the Graduate Bioethics Program, Emory Center for Ethics; Dr. Marie Marquardt, Scholar in Residence Candler. The comments will be followed by questions from the audience. A wine and cheese reception will follow the comments. Free and open to the public. 

 

26. The general registration deadline for the Sept. 24-27, 2015 Women in Ministry Conference is August 15. The rates will increase during late registration. Register here.

 

27. Climate Caretakers, launched this week by the Micah Challenge is a Christian community committed to prayer and action on climate change.  “We believe climate change offers the Church an unparalleled opportunity to show the love of Christ in a new and exciting way.” Visit the website in link above.

 

28. The Beatitudes Society has announced another honor for Atlanta area preachers; 2015 J. Philip Swander Brave Preacher Award goes to Rev. Dominique Robinson, of New Life Presbyterian Church, College Park, Georgia. The theme of the award was racial justice in America.  Interestingly, no one on the selection committee is from our area, the closest is in Winston-Salem. Criteria for selection included relationship of current context to biblical text, courageous proclamation, and attention to the preacher's craft. Dominique, a graduate of Emory, doctoral candidate at Columbia Seminary, is an itinerant elder with the AME Zion Church.  See and hear--  manuscript outline and video sermon.

 

29. Link to valuable webinars from the Rural Clergy Training Program for those who minister to veterans. 

 

Peace,

 

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]