Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 11, 2016

[RCCAtl]

 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 11, 2016

 

Visit our website for more information and resources.

 

 

The voice of faith in the public arena, the legislature is in session and you may want to speak for …..

 

Mental Health Day at the Capitol Jan. 20. Read more>>

 

Presbyterians for a Better Georgia, Jan. 26. Read more>>

 

Stop Violence Against Women, Feb. 2 Read more>>

The fight to end Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Feb. 11, Read more>>   Georgia Justice Project Enhance the Chance, Feb. 29. Read more>>

 

1. 2015 Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Marketplace will end, January 31.  If your congregation is interested in hosting an enrollment event before the deadline, please contact Donna Parrish at [e-mail] or [phone].

 

2. Confronting Racism:  A Holy Yearning, live webcast, Thursday, Jan. 14, 8:00 p.m., ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne II on racism – a violation of God’s intention for humanity. Click here for details.

 

3. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Thursday Night Study Group “What Would Jesus Say?” January 7, 14, 21, February 4,  6 p.m., in Room #202. Dr. Michael Gregg will lead this group in weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. Call (404) 237-862 for information.

 

4. Faith groups play an essential role in supporting wellness in communities across the country and have a demonstrated history of providing spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women struggling with substance use disorders. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and HHS’ Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships invite you to join an important webinar. Combat Substance Use Disorders in Your Communities, Friday, January 15, 1-2 p.m.  Register here.

 

5. The Black-Jewish Coalition and ACCESS will join The Temple and Ebenezer Baptist Church for a Black-Jewish Joint Worship Experience, Friday, Jan. 15.  The service will feature Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, The Temple Singers and Ebenezer Baptist Church Choirs.  Following the service, there will be drinks and discussion. The Shabbat service at The Temple begins at 8 p.m. Please email Dara Gever by Thursday, January 14 at 12:00 p.m. and let her know whether you plan to attend the dinner, service, drinks/discussion or all three. For more information about this program, Visit this website for more information.

 

6. The Rev. Becca Stevens is an Episcopal priest, entrepreneur, author, and social justice activist. She is founder and president of Thistle Farms, a community of women who have survived trafficking, prostitution, and addiction, and the Episcopal chaplain at St. Augustine’s Chapel, Vanderbilt University campus. Stevens is the featured preacher on Day 1 this Sunday, Jan. 17. Find your local station and hear or read the sermon at day1.org. 

 

7. The 2016 Lutheran SE Synod Service of Commemoration for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Sunday, Jan. 17, 3:00 p.m., preceded by Praise Music at 2:30 p.m. The service will be hosted by St. Stephen Lutheran Church and held at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Road, Tucker.

 

8. Interfaith Tree Planting with Georgia Interfaith Power & Light and Trees Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 18,  9 a.m. to  noon. This third annual MLK Day Interfaith Tree Planting is at South-View Cemetery, 1990 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta 30315, where Dr. King's body was first interred in 1968. People of all faiths will gather to remember Dr. King's legacy and work together in planting the beloved community. Wear close-toed shoes or boots, dress in layers, and bring drinking water in a reusable container.  Snacks and juice will be provided. All tools are provided, but you may prefer to bring your own work gloves. We will work rain or shine. You may want to join in the guided tour of this historic cemetery after the planting. Click to Register   Directions.

 

9. Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta Annual Meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.  Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1450 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta 30307. Come join in the planning of the future of interfaith in Atlanta including the possibility of an annual interfaith festival. 

 

10. Mary Frances Bowley, founder and president of Wellspring Living, an organization fighting sexual exploitation, will speak about her latest book, Make it Zero: The Movement to Safeguard Every Child, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Roswell UMC in the Chapel. The event is free; space is limited – please R.s.v.p. at rumc.com/zero.

 

11. Georgia Parent Support Network is there for any parent whose child is suffering from mental or addictive illness or developmental disability.  Monthly Parent Support Meeting is 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 21, at 1381 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta 30310.  All are welcome to join.  For more information please click the link Parent Support Meeting

 

12. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America SE Synod Advocacy Team has scheduled an event to provide information and allow an opportunity for discussion of issues related to advocacy. Your Voice Makes a Difference will be held at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta 30308, Jan. 23. Please register for this free event at Eventbrite.  Additional information may also be found on the Advocacy Facebook page or you may contact Hilton Austin at [e-mail].

 

13. Sing the Wind—Folk Songs with Steven Darsey will be presented Saturday, Jan. 23, at 4:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Theater of the Atlanta History Center.   The one-hour concert is free and open to all. Donations will be accepted to support Meridian Herald. Meridian Herald engages southern musical, literary, and spiritual traditions to affirm shared humanity, advance enduring truth, enrich the present, and transform the future for individuals and communities. Parking is free and there is no charge for entering the History Center for the concert.

 

14. Kai Nilsen’s book Renew Your Life: Discovering the Wellspring of God’s Energy describes the seven ways that God has been renewing life from the very beginning (Genesis 1) through the creative energies of Grace, Possibility, Paradox, The Natural World, Relationships, Fruitful Work, and Rest. Nilsen will speak as part of an ongoing series Discover Your Vocation in Your Occupation: Vocation Conversations at North Avenue Presbyterian Church. You are invited to come on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 5:45 p.m. to hear him and learn about renewing your life with Christ. More information and directions here. 

 

15. Please respond if you plan to attend Courage and Compassion: A Lucky Child Survives Auschwitz, Sunday, Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m. The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, 7 Concourse Parkway NE, Atlanta 30328. A large crowd is expected for this commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day featuring Thomas Buergenthal. Be sure you have a seat.   More information and registration here.  

 

16. Be sure to register if you can help with the DeKalb County Homeless Veterans Count 2016, January 26, from 9 p.m. -2 a. m. Register here.

 

17. Interfaith Children’s Movement Cobb County Celebration of Children,  Thursday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a. m. to 3:30 p.m., Marietta First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta 30060.  Keynote speaker will be Judge Tom Rawlings who has as a long record of using his skills on behalf of those who most need help, especially children and families. For the past 12 years, he has served in numerous policy, legal, and court leadership roles. As the first full-time Juvenile Court Judge for Georgia's Middle Circuit, he started an innovative mental health therapy program for the children and youth in his court and their families.  Prior to his work in Georgia, he spent three years in Guatemala as a director of a non-profit that worked with the government to prosecute child abusers and serve victims. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.

 

18. Men Stopping Violence is holding a Because We Have Daughters Facilitator Training on January 29-30. Two scholarships to the training will be offered to organizations who will commit to conducting two Because We Have Daughters sessions in the months following the training.  The BWHD training is designed to fully prepare participants to run BWHD programs. Contact Lee Giordano with questions at [e-mail]

 

19. Unmasked-Removing the Stigma, the Summit Gala benefit is Saturday, Jan. 30, with the Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy, Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek. Tickets are selling quickly. Register Online This festive evening will support the Summit Counseling Center and efforts to remove the stigma associated with emotional and mental health issues. 

 

20. Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta, Interfaith Community Initiatives, and Neshama Interfaith Center present an Interfaith Harmony Celebration: Turn Toward Your Neighbor kicking off the United Nation’s World Harmony Week, Sunday, January 31, from 2-5 p.m., Mercer University Cecil B. Day Hall, 3001 Mercer University Drive Atlanta 30341. Free and open to all. Parking is free. R.s.v.p. here.

 

21. Cathedral Antiques Show, Jan. 31-Feb. 7, tickets are now on sale in the Cathedral Book Store, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta 30305, and at cathedralantiques.org.

 

22. A Tribute to the American Black Composer, the Lynn Swanson Festival Singers, Gerald Freeman & The Jazzmen, Arietha Lockhart, Karin Banks, Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 – 8:30 p.m., St Benedicts Episcopal School,  2160 Cooper Lake Road SE, Smyrna 30080. Tickets.

 

23. NAMI DeKalb is hosting Family-to-Family a free 12- week course for family caregivers of individuals with serious mental health condition. The course focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Program starts Thursday, Feb. 11 ends April 28, 5:45 -7:45 p.m. The group will meet in Decatur. To sign up and get location information contact Janice at 404-625-6730 or [e-mail].

 

24. Finance for Churches, Feb. 29-March 2.  For congregational leaders, lay, staff, and clergy, who provide leadership in the congregation’s financial ministry. The focus of this course is practical wisdom and best practices related to church finance. Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur. Details and Registration

25. The Roswell United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten will host its semi-annual children’s consignment sale on March 4-5, in the Fellowship Hall, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. This sale benefits the church’s preschool and kindergarten.  If you would like to consign or volunteer visit www.rumc.com/rumck. All consignors must pre-register, even those who have consigned before.  

26. Church Night at the Hawks, Sunday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. at Philips Arena. Kyle Korver and Justin Holiday will speak with all church groups in attendance after the Hawks game with the Pacers. Call Ryan Coller at [phone] or email [e-mail]  to find out more about group prices, food credits, and early entry to watch pregame shoot-around.

27. Clergy with veterans and service members among their number, we want to remind you of The Clergy Connection. Intended for clergy in areas outside the city it none the less has valuable information and wisdom for any clergy with military members in their flocks.  The Clergy Connection.  

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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