Church Action eNewsletter Week of December 7, 2015

[RCCAtl]

                                                         God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

                                                             Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

 

                                                    Church Action eNewsletter Week of December 7, 2015

 

1. The next few days are your last chance this year to see the exhibit of more than 300 nativity scenes from around the world at Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. Many of the nativities are accompanied by scriptural quotes and hymn texts. The exhibit continues through Sunday, Dec. 13. 

2. Opportunities to help feed the hungry this Christmas. When you purchase any 2 bags of M&M's candies (9.4 oz. or larger) at your local Walmart Store this month, a gallon of milk will be delivered to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. If you are a Kroger shopper look for the opportunity to give to the Food Bank as you check out.

 

3. Brian Keith Terrell was executed early this morning. We remind you of "Justice and Mercy: An Interfaith Call to End the Death Penalty" at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta. Admission is free, and registration is required here. 

 

4. The Winter Solstice: A Celebration of Lights is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Mary & Martha's Place. An evening of candlelight, music, poetry, and reflection with cellist Mary Horst, flutist Teresa Texeira, guitarist Tucker Wells and percussionist - vocalist Janet Wells. Hot cider and the "Back of the Yak" Tibetan Market immediately following the celebration. No reservation necessary and the program is free. St. Dunston’s Church, 4393 Garmon Rd NW, Atlanta 30327.

 

5. La Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cathedral of St. Philip, Friday, December 11, starting at 9 p.m., all are welcome for food, mariachi music, and worship. For more information, contact Deacon Juan Sandoval. Read more.   Find other Hispanic congregations listed here and check for their fiestas, too.

 

6. Holiday Open House, The C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Center @ The Commons, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., First Congregational Church, 125 Ellis Street NW, Atlanta 30303. Enjoy games, food, door prizes & more!  R.s.v.p. HERE  by December 10 or call [phone]. If you know someone who would benefit from a C.H.O.I.C.E.S. program, please bring them as your guest so they can discuss opportunities for programs in 2016.  The Center Helping Obesity in Children End Successfully, Inc., a grassroots organization was formed to fight against the deadly epidemic of childhood obesity.

 

7. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will hold a prayer vigil in memory of the victims of extremism around the world, especially those in San Bernardino, Calif., at 4 p.m. Saturday Dec. 12, at Baitul Ata Mosque, 1800 Willow Trail Parkway, Norcross. All are welcome. Learn more

 

8. The Rev. Michael Brown, Marble Collegiate Church, NYC, is the featured preacher on Day1 this Sunday, Dec. 13. “Peace Amid Bedlam” is his sermon. Find your local station or read or hear the sermon and much more at Day1.org    

 

9. A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World and a holiday food drive, Sunday, Dec. 13, 12:30-4 p.m. -Lunch and snacks including delicious Arabic Christmas sweets, for purchase. There will be a presentation on Christmas traditions at 1:30. Find gifts at the ALIF Bazaar. Donate nonperishable foods to the International Rescue Committee. For more information contact ALIF Institute at [phone]. ALIF, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta 30340.

 

10. Veteran's Heart Georgia hosts an afternoon of deep listening and presence to explore healing from the wounds of war at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13, at Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. Register to attend and learn more at Veterans Heart Georgia.

 

11. "O Come all ye Faithful!"  The Atlanta community is invited on Sunday coming, December 13  at 3 p.m. for a fellowship revival held by New White Springs Baptist Church, Pastor Dante' Houston, and the Greater Mountain Baptist Church, Rev. Douglas Demetrius Prather, Senior Pastor. The New White Springs Church is the host church, 418 Amal Drive, Atlanta, 30316. For additional information please contact [phone].

 

12. Roswell United Methodist Church Job Networking big year-end wrap-up for area job seekers and employers is Monday, Dec. 14. Employers will be bringing hundreds of open job opportunities and meeting interested candidates in person. See rumcjobnetworking.com for directions and agenda. More than 30 employers are expected to attend.  

 

13. Advent Quiet Night Waiting in the Dark, Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:30- 9 p.m., Amerson House Spirituality Center, Come away from the holiday rush and noise for a nourishing meal, contemplative worship, sacred readings, and group sharing around how God comes to us in holy darkness. Suggested Donation $20.  For more information or to sign up email [e-mail] or call [phone]. 

 

14. The Live Nativity is back at St. Teresa’s Episcopal Church in Acworth, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19. Narrated presentations begin every 30 minutes. Seasonal music, hot chocolate and cookies will be offered inside the church. All are welcome at 5725 Fords Road, Acworth 30101.

 

15. Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church presents adults and youth in a holiday celebration of spoken word, gospel songs, music, and praise to celebrate the love, the joy of giving and forgiveness Sunday, Dec. 20, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Program begins with a southern-style holiday breakfast from 8:45 until 9:20 served in the Fellowship Hall, 2977 LaVista Road, Decatur 30033.  Call [phone] for more information.

 

16. Christmas Concert at First Presbyterian Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30309, will feature Vivaldi’s Gloria with choir and orchestra, Sunday, Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., in the sanctuary.

 

17. Coro Vocati vocal ensemble will present Christmas and Advent music, Sunday, Dec. 20, 3:00 p.m., This is part of the All Saints’ Episcopal Church Concert Series, 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta. Ticket information here.

 

18. Cathedral of St. Philip's annual Festival of Nine Christmas Lessons & Carols by Candlelight is at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20. This service consists of various scriptural readings of the season punctuated by anthems and congregational carols. 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.

 

19. The Christmas Concert at Christian Church at East Point, Sunday, December 20, 5 p.m. with a dessert reception to follow, 1706 Washington   Road, East Point 30344 Call or email for more information [e-mail] or [phone].

 

20. The Atlanta Homeward Men's Choir, made up of homeless men, will sing at the White House, Dec. 21. Read this great story from CBS.

 

21. Richard Rohr, of Center for Action and Contemplation, and Russ Hudson offer Mercy as the Resolution of Paradox: A View from the Enneagram, a webcast, Dec. 22, 5-7 p.m., MST not EST. Registration includes access to the video replay. Registration and more information.

 

22. Oak Grove United Methodist Church welcomes all to a variety of Christmas Eve Worship Services, Thursday, December 24, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur 30033-- 3 p.m.  Children and Family Service (45 minutes), 5 p.m. Traditional Candlelight and Communion, 5 p.m. Acoustic Candlelight and Communion, 7 p.m. Acoustic Candlelight and Communion, 8 p.m. Traditional Candlelight and Communion. Nursery is available at all services. More info: www.ogumc.org.

 

23. Episcopal Bishop Rob Wright will teach a three-day class at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in early January.  The Leadership of Jesus of Nazareth: God and Good in Motion, will meet Jan. 5-7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public may audit this class.  Candler and the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta will offer a special scholarship price for clergy and lay leaders. For details and to register, click here >

 

24. Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt University professor of New Testament and Jewish studies -- a popular speaker whenever she is in our community, is guest speaker for a weekend of teaching and worship at Holy Innocents' Church and neighboring Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs Jan. 8-10. The program is titled "Sacred Words: Universal Messages." All are invited to participate.  More information.

 

25. We have been announcing information about Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice from Trinity Institute, Jan. 21-23. The program can be accessed in Atlanta at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Find out more here.

 

26. Mark your calendar for 6:30 p.m., January 24, 2016, in Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day Am Yisrael Chai presents a powerful and unforgettable event Courage and Compassion: A Lucky Child Survives Auschwitz with Thomas Buergenthal, one of the youngest survivors. Because a large expected turnout this event has been moved to the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North Hotel. More on this later. This is a free event but R.s.v.p.s are required here.

 

27. Brad Sherrill will bring “Apostle” to Westminster Presbyterian on January 24. Mark your calendar and watch for more information later.

 

28. Antioch Bible College Spring Semester 2016 has been announced; see www.abbcis.com

 

Peace,

 

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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