Church Action eNewsletter Week of August 12, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Week of August 12, 2019
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

There are so many opportunities for service, worship, education, enrichment, connection in the next few weeks. Take a look at the Community Event Calendar on our website and celebrate all the good things that people of faith are doing. www.RCCAtl.org. You will also find the last few weeks' editions on our home page www.rccatl.org.

1. Faith in Public Life invites you to join them in calling on Congress to take action on the current humanitarian crisis facing our immigrant friends. Their invitation, “Call on Georgia's congressional delegation to reduce funds for deportation, detention, and border militarization. As people of faith, our shared values call us to welcome each other.” Tuesday, August 13, 1 p.m., The Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing, 807 Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard, Atlanta 30314. R.s.v.p. here.

2. Wellsprings Worship Circle, second and fourth Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Atlanta Friends Meeting House, 701 W. Howard Street, Decatur, Aug. 13 is the next meeting. This worship draws from ancient and contemporary wisdom sources to guide us in how to live faithfully in challenging times. All are welcome.

3. The Faith and Advocacy Network of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church invites people of all faiths to join them for prayer in remembrance of victims of gun violence and to show support for the Background Check Expansion Act S. 42, which would ensure that firearms don’t end up in the hands of those not legally allowed to purchase them. Wednesday, August 14, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Liberty Plaza, across from the Capitol.

4. . Wednesday, August 14, at 7:00 p.m., a panel addressing Gun Violence Prevention will feature Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Congresswoman Lucy McBath, Rabbi Peter Berg, and Ethan Asher at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Rd. This timely program was planned prior to the tragedies of the last week.

5. At the next regular meeting of the End New Jim Crow Action Group, the focus on advocacy for using restorative justice as an option or replacement for the current criminal punishment system will continue. Dr. Randee Waldman, director of the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic at Emory University School of Law, will speak followed by time for Q&A. Wednesday, August 14, 7:00- 8:30 p.m., Atlanta Friends Meeting House, 701 W. Howard Ave, Decatur 30032. (About 1/2 mile east of the north entrance to East Lake MARTA station.)

6. There is still time to R.s.v.p. for Community Partnerships, Thursday, Aug. 15, 10 – 12, meeting at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 1400 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn 30047. The Department of Human Services’ vision is to build stronger families for a stronger Georgia and it has formed Community Partnerships toward that goal. Faith leaders are invited to come learn more about foster care and adoption, child support services, and aging and disability services. And, they want to hear from you.

7. Back to School Mentoring Recruitment Rally, Saturday, August 17, 1 – 3 p.m., Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 2295 Benjamin E. Mays Dr SW, Atlanta 30311. For more information email [e-mail] or call [phone].

8. The Mercer Preaching Consultation is Oct. 6-8 at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta 30341. Early Bird Registration Available through August 15. Find out more here.

9. The Rev. Mark Ramsey of Macedonian Ministry based in Decatur is the preacher Aug. 18 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and via podcast. His sermon “Tomorrow,” is based on Hebrews 11:32 – 12:2. He says of the writer of Hebrews, “The preacher here does not want us to live in a smaller world than God has given us.” Hear Day1 on Sundays at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. For more information, see Day1.org.

10. All Saints’ Episcopal Church and the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing will gather to address the legacy of slavery in this country. Rector Simon Mainwaring will moderate a panel with The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, Dr. Catherine Meeks, and Joel Thompson. A worship service will follow featuring music from African American composers, including Joel Thompson’s “Draw Us Near.” August 18, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., 634 West Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308.

11. Faith leaders are often the first point of contact when individuals and families face behavioral health challenges. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Office of Recovery Transformation is committed to supporting these leaders by educating community members and leaders on behavioral health and wellness and to connecting individuals to treatments and supports. In partnership with Silence the Shame, Inc., they host Recognized Recovery Partner Summit, August 15- 16, in Macon. Register here.

12. Ending Veteran Suicide Community Forum. Each day 22 U. S. military veterans commit suicide. What can be done? Vietnam Veterans of America- Atlanta Chapter forum Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 731 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta 30308. Come hear from health professionals, clergy, and others who are committed to serving those brave men and women who served this country. [phone] www.redeemer.org.

13. Mercer University McAfee School of Theology's 23rd Annual Founders Day Celebration is Tuesday, August 20. Dr. Nancy deClaisse´-Walford will speak on "McAfee's Twenty-One-Year Legacy." Cecil B. Day Hall, 3001 Mercer University Dr., Atlanta 30341. There will be coffee before the 11:00 a.m. Founders Day Service.

14. Ga. Dept. of Juvenile Justice Metro Atlanta Hiring Expo, August 21, Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ, 1137 Avon Ave SW, Atlanta 30310. Limited space, register and find out what you need to bring at www.djjhiringevent.eventbrite.com. Walk-ins may attend 1 – 3 p.m.

15. First Congregational Church of Atlanta, Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews, Africa USA Unity, and South African Women’s Alliance invite you to a concert and exhibition celebrating 25 years of South Africa’s freedom, Africa USA Unity Ensemble, Friday, Aug. 23, 6 – 8 p.m. There is no admission charge for this event. 105 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30305.

16. The Music & Arts Ministry of Cascade United Methodist Church offers a music workshop with special guest Byron Cage and well known clinicians, 3344 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta 30311, Saturday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guest registration is $25 and registration can be made online at cascadeumc.org/music.

17. Jung Society of Atlanta invites you to “The Enneagram and Jung,” lecture by Lisa Friedman. Saturday August 24, 7:30 p.m. Members: free; non-members: $20; Students $10. Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs 30328. For more information on the Jung Society and this program and upcoming programs see www.jungatlanta.com.

18. NAMI of Forsyth, Dawson, and Lumpkin Family to Family Class begins Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. This free 11-session program for family, friends, and significant other of adults living with a serious mental illness is designed to help them understand and support their loved ones while maintaining their own wellbeing. To register contact Linda Fitzwater at [phone] or [e-mail].

19. Inspiritus Faith Leaders Breakfast, Wed., Aug. 21, 9 to 11 a.m., at Peachtree Road UMC, 3180 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta 30305. You are invited to join the Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins for a conversation on transitions and how faith leaders and clergy can experience wellness, resilience, and stay healthy in ministry. Harkins is a therapist, a priest, and a pastoral theologian. He teaches pastoral theology and counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary. R.s.v.p. if you can make it. View details and reply here.

20. From Summit Counseling -- Soul Shop for Youth Leaders, a one-day, faith-based training designed to equip those who minister to youth who are impacted by suicidal desperation. Since 10% of youth will attempt suicide before age 30, this is essential training for anyone who ministers to youth in a paid or volunteer capacity. Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Thursday, August 22, 9 - 4; Stonecreek Church, 13540 Hwy. 9, Friday, August 23, 9 – 4. Johns Creek UMC, 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Saturday, August 24, 9 – 4. FREE EVENT - SEATING IS LIMITED - REGISTER NOW

21. The racial wealth gap has been growing over the past five decades and has reached the point where white households hold more than ten times the wealth of black households. Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership with Urban Institute, Nat’l. Assn. of Real Estate Brokers, and NeighborWorks America will host Closing the Homeownership Gap in Metro Atlanta and Beyond., Wed., Aug. 28, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., the Carter Center 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta 30307. The event is free but registration is required. Register here. | Event overview. | More details.

22. Emory hosts the opening keynote on immigration at the Decatur Book Festival. Panelists include inaugural poet Richard Blanco, poet and author Rigoberto González, and Gabriela Baeza Ventura of Arte Publico Press. Aug. 30, 8:00 p.m., Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 North Decatur Road. Free; tickets are required and become available Aug. 13 at noon. https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/festival/schedule/

23. Tne River Wisdom: Living the Surrendered Life, Sept. 6- 8, St. Mary’s Sewanee, 770 St. Mary's Lane Sewanee, TN 37375. Register here. Drawing on the wisdom of Twelve-Step spirituality and Rabbi Rami’s new book, Living the Surrendered Life, Gordon Peerman and Rabbi Rami will examine the difference between surrender as an act of will and being surrendered as a gift of grace, and explore what it is to give up the former and live the latter.

24. John McCutcheon Family Concert, Sept. 7, 3:00 pm at Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur 30030. This Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will perform a rare family concert to raise money for Kids in Need of Defense, Atlanta. KIND provides free lawyers to children who are alone in this country so they don’t have to go to immigration court without an advocate by their side. Tickets.

25. L’Arche Atlanta 7th Birthday Benefit. Sept. 8, 4 - 7 p.m., an afternoon of festivity with Dean Crownover as the master of ceremonies. Proceeds from the event go to creating communities for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Tickets are $60. For more information and to purchase tickets, click www.larcheatlanta.org/7bb R.s.v.p. by Aug 23.

26. Exploring the Old Testament, Tuesdays, September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8 & 15, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Cost is $100/person plus books. Have you ever wanted to take a college or seminary-level class about the Bible or go deeper into areas of Christian faith? The Baugh Center for Baptist Leadership of Mercer University offers Christian leadership formation classes in conjunction with local congregations. This course is taught by Dr. Colin Harris, professor emeritus of religious studies at Mercer. To register or for more information, contact Karen Harwell at [e-mail] or (404) 591- 4357. Sign up deadline is September 1.

27. Save the date, Lake Oconee Community Church and Lake Oconee Congregation Chai will share the evening meal, humor, and music Friday, September 13 as they welcome the Accidental Talmudist. At the LOCC.

28. Fall for Fashion, a night of fashion and giving back, Sept. 18, will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Get your tickets today.

29. “One Vision, Many Voices Dinner 2019” with Men Stopping Violence, Thursday, Sept. 19, in the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox. Find out more. https://www.menstoppingviolence.org/dinners/ovmv/#purchase

30. “All Creatures Great and Small” Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 5, 8 p.m., Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, Emory University. Tickets go on sale Aug. 5. Atlanta Master Chorale explores music about the animal kingdom inspired by Mrs. Cecil Alexander’s beloved hymn. www.atlantamasterchorale.org/concerts

31. At the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary an exhibit of the textile art of Montgomery artist Joanne Staley. “Biblical Weavings” will be available Aug. 12 through Nov. 13. “Putting months of effort and love into each piece only strengthened my faith as I interpreted the stories of God’s love and molded them into a tangible creation,” says Staley. She spun some of the cotton and wool yarns herself, much of it hand-dyed with Alabama plants. The pieces incorporate Alabama’s red clay, metals and wire. The smallest piece Jesus Sleeps Through the Storm is 16" x 20" and the largest David Slays Goliath is 26" x 30". Visitors are welcome to view the exhibit, second floor, Harrington Center, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. For more information, call [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

Ongoing events are now in the calendar including the last few special summer Sunday programs at some churches. All events previously announced go into the Community Calendar on our website. Visit www.rccatl.org for the calendar, the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry, and more.

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter