Church Action eNewsletter Week of August 5, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Week of August 5, 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. Emory's Carlos Museum offers 100 free admission days to thank the community including every Thursday in August, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Carlos Museum, 571 South Kilgo Circle. SmARTy Packs are tote bags that focus families’ time in the galleries with themed activities suitable for ages five and up. They may be checked out for free at the information desk by leaving a driver’s license.

2. Baptist Women in Ministry is now accepting applications for the 2020-21 Mentoring Program, which offers new ministers an opportunity to participate in two years of intentional mentoring with a group of peers. Baptist Women in Ministry Application Process.

3. To commemorate 2019 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons the International Human Trafficking Institute partners with Ashanti Films to present the premiere of “Bondage,” a film by Antonio Moses. Thursday, August 8, you are invited to a free screening of this feature documentary film and to meet the film's director. Aug. 8, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Blvd. Atlanta 30313. Enter lower level, in front of the waterfall off Ivan Allen. Everyone is welcome.

4. A reminder that Apollo the Child Khallefa, Canadian spoken word artist, will appear at First Congregational Church on August 9 at 6:00 p.m. in The Commons, 125 Ellis Street, N.E., Atlanta 30303. The event is presented by the Consulate General of Canada and the College Ministry at First Congregational Church and is free of charge.

5. Interfaith event at Congregation Gesher L’Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Rd, Alpharetta 30022, with David Abitbol, currently scholar-in-residence. Friday, Aug. 9, 7:00 p.m. Learn about Abitol’s famous twitter conversation with Megan Phelps Roper who was raised in the Westboro Baptist Church. This is a story of the power of hatred, communication, and redemption in the digital age. Babysitting available.

6. It’s this weekend! The King Center’s second annual “Beloved Community International EXPO” is Saturday, August 10, 11 a.m. -7 p.m. The expo is free and open to the public. In collaboration with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta Consulate Corps and others, the Expo will transform The King Center’s campus and the adjacent street into a “World House” of celebration, fun, music, dance, performances, and activities. Read more. All are invited to come enjoy the sites, tastes, and sounds of our wonderfully diverse world!

7. The Rev. Mark Ramsey, executive director of Macedonian Ministry based in Decatur, is the featured preacher Aug. 11 on “Day 1” the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and via podcast. “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for 74 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Hear it in Atlanta on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB Sundays at 7:05 a.m. For more information, check the program’s website, http://day1.org.

8. The Music of Remembrance with Dr. Kirk Michael Rich, Sunday, August 11, 11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Ross Room, Parish House, All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Join All Saints ‘director of music to learn more about the music of African-American composers whose pieces will be featured during the Service of Song, Prayer, Remembrance, and Hope on the 400th Anniversary of African Slavery in America on Sunday, August 18. For more information, contact Dr. Rich [e-mail].

9. A community-wide Sunday school study: “Gender, Sexuality, and Scripture,” Sundays at 9 a.m., August 11 - September 15 at Sandy Springs Christian Church. Have you ever been in an argument with a friend or family member about what the Bible says about gender or sexuality and wished you knew more? Have you ever wanted to articulate your theological beliefs more clearly with regard to issues surrounding gender and sexuality? Then join this five week community-wide study, led by Pastor Nathan in Dunlap Hall, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs 30328.

10. The World Council of Churches invites its member churches and all people of good will to observe a Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula on August 11. More here.

11. Are you ready to help further the design for Atlanta BeltLine Boulevard Crossing Park? Join to give your feedback on these designs. August 13, from 6:30-8 p.m., Atlanta Community Tool Bank, 410 Englewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315.

12. The Faith and Advocacy Network of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, and other faith and community organizations invite 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. The uptick in mass shootings has catalyzed the public safety conversation around gun possession, but access to firearms plays a critical role in preventing suicide and domestic violence as well. Wednesday, August 14, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Liberty Plaza, across from the Capitol.

13. Advocacy Workshop with Street Grace, How to Fight Human Trafficking by Changing Laws, Thursday, Aug. 15, 5995 Financial Dr, #180, Norcross 30071. Registration is required. Lunch will be served. For more and to sign up visit www.streetgrace.org/events

14. Reminder of the Atlanta Stephen Ministry Group Seventh Annual Meeting at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta 30305, on August 17. On-line registration is being provided by Cathedral of Christ the King at this website. For additional information, please contact [e-mail].

15. Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center is hosting a Day of Reflection Thursday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Behold Your Mother - A Day About Mary. Who is this Mary whose singular vocation was to bring into this world the Messiah, the Son of God? Today we celebrate her victory as she stands with her Son now as mother to us all. Directed by Fr. Peter Fink, SJ. Investment is $65 which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. During your day you can explore 20 acres of grounds and walking trails alongside the Chattahoochee. For more information and to register, click here. Spaces are limited so reserve your spot today.

16. Reserve your spot at the Red, White, and NEW Gala. Aug. 17 at the Georgia Aquarium and help celebrate 5 years of New American Pathways. 2019 Friend of Freedom is Bee Nguyen, refugee and immigrant advocate, who represents Atlanta’s District 89 in DeKalb County.

17. The year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to America. 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 exploring the topics of justice and race with The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta; Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing; and Joel Thompson, Atlanta-based composer, pianist, conductor, and educator. The conversation will be followed by a worship service 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.

18. Shallowford Presbyterian Church hosts a 5-week Mindfulness & Contemplative Practice Class beginning Aug. 20, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the church, 2375 Shallowford Rd., Atlanta 30345. Tuition is $100 for the 5-week class. Class offered through Shallowford Family Counseling Center. Phone [phone]; www.shallowford.org/mindfulness Click to register

19. Mountain Top Lectures in collaboration with the University of North Georgia hosts scholars and authors on a wide range of issues of religion and spirituality. They are committed to providing a safe space to discuss how to bridge our differences better and make a positive impact on lives. On Aug 24 at 10:00 a.m., the speaker is Karima Bennoune Ph.D. For more information, see www.mountaintoplectures.org or contact Owen [e-mail].

20. Sister Helen Prejean “River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey,” Saturday, August 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Friends School of Atlanta, 862 South Columbia Drive, Decatur 30030.
Tickets.

21. Interfaith Children’s Movement Annual Meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 27, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta. A festive event to review 2019 achievements and 2020 goals.

22. Save the date for Grace House's 13th Annual Low Country Boil is Saturday, Sept. 7, at 4:00 p.m. at Lutheran church of the Redeemer in Midtown. This annual gathering is a fundraiser for the campus ministry and an opportunity to hear about the ministry and chance to meet the new Passion Collective Interns. If you have items that you would be willing to donate for the silent action reach out to Pastor Andrew at [e-mail]. More information and tickets can be found at www.gracepeople.org. Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is located at 731 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta 30308.

23. Coming to Alabama in October: Civil Rides is a series of multi-day bicycle rides to raise awareness and money for persistent rural poverty in America and the issues that stem from it. All proceeds from rides go to Together for Hope, a rural development coalition, and Out Hunger, a hunger initiative. www.civilrides.com

24. The Georgia Community Coalition presents The Power of Us Conference helping local nonprofit and other organizations find their place in the 21st century. Saturday, Oct. 19, Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Road, Savannah 31405. Topics covered include the 2020 Census, opioids, social justice, housing, solar or alternative energy, environmental concerns. For more information or to get involved in this conference contact Chairman Coakley Pendergrass at [e-mail] or [phone].

25. The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Georgia Recovers project features billboards and public service announcements with stories of people in long-term recovery. This campaign emphasizes the hope and power of recovery, the dignity of every person, instead of the stigma of addiction. Read more.

26. There is one issue that Americans across all partisan affiliations overwhelmingly support: protecting Dreamers. In June the U.S. House passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019. Now it is up to the Senate to act. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) introduced the Dream Act of 2019, a bipartisan bill, in March. Senators will return to their states for a long August recess presenting a great opportunity to push your Senator to support a permanent legislative solution. The Immigration Forum has created a helpful resource page to help with your advocacy. Voices of Christian Dreamers also has some great resources. If you want to help, contacting your Senators’ offices by phone or e-mail is one of the most effective ways to share your views and encourage them to act.

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