Church Action eNewsletter Week of December 2, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter Week of December 2, 2019
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Two thoughtful daily Advent emails:
Join an international community of prayer this Advent with Advent Word from Virginia Theological Seminary. Read it here and sign up.
Living Well Through Advent from Living Compass Here.
Or, perhaps you want to join the Advent Conspiracy. Find it here.

1. Every year the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints celebrates the theme Light the World at Christmas. This year is Light the World One by One. Explore this concept and see a beautiful video “The Christ Child” at comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world.

2. Wade Davis Nativity Gallery opens Dec. 1 at Northside Drive Baptist Church with nativity sets and images in varying forms and materials. Balcony level, Sanctuary building above the narthex, accessible by elevator to level 5. Church school classes of all ages, church members, and guests are all invited to visit throughout Advent whenever the church doors are open. Children should always be accompanied by their parents or teachers. A book to register attendance and comments will be available for viewers.

3. Moms’ Morning In, Thursday, Dec. 5, 10:00 a.m., Deep Waters / Amerson House at St. Bart's Episcopal Church. Join Rev. Blair Setnor in a circle of mamas for self-care and confidential sharing and support. $10/per person. Optional childcare provided in St. Bart's nursery with Glenn Childcare staff for $10/first child, plus $5/each additional child. Details & r.s.v.p. with Rev. Blair Setnor.

4. Advent Quiet Day: Incarnation & the Spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, Saturday, Dec. 7, 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 2160 Cooper Lake Road SE, Smyrna 30080. Everyone is welcome to come and take time out to center and reflect on the meaning of the Advent season. Event cost is $10 and includes lunch. Register here.

5. Gate City Brass presents “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime,” Saturday, Dec. 7, 7-8:30 p.m., St. Edward's Episcopal Church, 737 Moon Road, Lawrenceville 30046. This beautiful, creative, and interactive Christmas concert is presented by Gate City Brass, a professional quintet based in Atlanta. They reach diverse audiences through chamber music in a variety of settings and venues, presenting engaging music in all styles including Renaissance, Classical, Pop, and Jazz. Tickets: $15 for general admission and $8 for students. Tickets here.

6. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely is the preacher Dec. 8, second Sunday of Advent, on “Day 1.” His sermon is drawn from Matthew 3:1-12, in which we are introduced to a fierce John the Baptist, and the comforting vision of the peaceable kingdom in Isaiah 11:1-10. “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for almost 75 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day 1” is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. For more information, check Day1.org.

7. Come hear the Good News as it was proclaimed in Bethlehem, Live Nativity at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sunday, December 8, 2 – 5 p.m., on the Redeemer Green at 4th and Peachtree Streets, Atlanta. Free admission and parking.

8. A reminder of the Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Eleventh Annual Taste of Faith, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m., at the City of Lights Worship Center at 3125 Presidential Parkway, Atlanta 30340, [phone]. This highly popular event provides an excellent opportunity for members of all of Atlanta’s diverse faith communities to come together to sample delicious dishes from our religious and cultural traditions and enjoy dialogue and fellowship.

9. “Out of Darkness: An Advent Concert” in Athens with the combined choirs of Friendship Presbyterian Church and Emmanuel Episcopal Church,
Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7-9 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 498 Prince Avenue, Athens 30601
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7–9 p.m., Friendship Presbyterian Church, 8531 Macon Hwy, Athens 30606

10. ACLC Clergy Prayer Breakfast “Finding God in Life’s Interruption,” Thursday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m., Georgie True Family Community Center, 3060 Bouldercrest Road, Ellenwood 30294. Guest speaker is the Rev. Tom Cutts, former ACLC coordinator for Georgia. Registration cost is $5.

11. A special feature of the Holiday Jazz Vespers, Dec. 13 and 14, is the Holiday Extravaganza three-day shopping experience featuring an eclectic mix of local vendors showcasing jewelry, fine art, literature décor, fashion, accessories, health/beauty, collector’s items, and more. Shop from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec 13 and 14; and on Sunday, Dec 15 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. First Congregational Church. Click here to purchase tickets. For information call [phone].

12. Advent Quiet Day at Grace Episcopal Church, Saturday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 431 Washington Street, Gainesville 30501. Grace invites you to journey through Advent with a variety of activities. Cost of event and lunch is $10. Registration deadline is December 7. Register here.

13. Coro Vocati returns to All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m., for what has become an annual holiday tradition drawing capacity audiences. Under the direction of John H. Dickson, this year’s Advent and Christmas program will delight. General admission is $25, students $10, no cost for those under the age of 18. General admission / $10 students / No cost for under 18. Available for purchase at the door, 634 W Peachtree St, Atlanta 30308, or online.

14. Christmas Music at Shallowford Presbyterian, Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m., a free concert and sing along for the whole to community and all ages. Pedro Carreras is tenor guest soloist. There will be cider and cookies afterwards.

15.” Christy Nockels: Night of Hope: A Family Christmas.” Join First Redeemer Church for a night of music and worship with Christy Nockels on Sunday, Dec. 15, 6:00 p.m. General admission $20; early admission $35; kids 16 and under $5. First Redeemer Church, 2100 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming 30041. Purchase Tickets Here

16. The annual Choir Christmas Concert at Saint Timothy’s Church, 2833 Flat Shoals Rd, Decatur 30034, is Sunday, Dec. 15, 7-9 p.m. This event features the amazing choir under the direction of Terry Lowry. Event cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For advance sales contact Gwyneth Hogans at 770-761-8869 or Louise Chuckasang at 678-938-7873.

17. Christmas on Clairemont is almost here, Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m., First Baptist Church of Decatur. This concert is free at the door and open to the community, but 100% of your offering goes directly to an organization that operates group homes for developmentally disabled adults, Developmental Disabilities Ministries. With a festival choir of 100 voices, a professional orchestra, and a star-studded cast of featured performers, you don't want to miss this exciting evening! Find all the details and photos from past years here.

18. Introducing a new holiday concert, Tuesday, December 17, at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse in downtown Decatur. The Meridian Chorale and Steven Darsey explore the timeless mystery and promise of this hallowed season. “Hope Sees a Star: Yuletide with the Meridian Chorale and Steven Darsey,” Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Admission is $20. Buy Tickets

19. “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas – Holiday Music by Jewish Composers.” Celebrate the holidays with music you will find familiar and learn how and why these songs have become woven into the fabric of our culture. Tuesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m., Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305. To order tickets, visit cgatl.org/concerts.

20. Two night advent retreat at Ignatius House, Dec. 20-22, "The Season of Hope"; “See, I am coming to dwell among you,” says the Lord (Zechariah 2:14b). This retreat will explore both the meaning and fulfillment of God’s Promise to “dwell among” us, and how this ignites Joy to the World. Register here.

21. The Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University has recently launched Canopy Forum, a digital platform for the production, distribution, and discussion of informed and accessible commentary and analysis on the range of issues that lie at the intersection of law, religion, and policy in the United States and around the world. CSLR launched the platform as part of its strategic commitment to push serious engagement with these issues into mainstream public discourse enabling a community of citizens, scholars, professionals, and policy makers working to create a more knowledgeable, civil, and productive public discourse on critical issues. Access the forum here.

Visit our website for the complete community calendar, a tool box for mental health ministry, and more . . .

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter