Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 14, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Week of January 14, 2019
The Regional Council of churches of Atlanta, Inc.

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

1. “The Jesus Fatwa: Love Your (Muslim) Neighbor,” a 3-week Wednesday evening video and dialogue series Jan. 16, Jan. 30, and Feb. 6, sponsored by The Cathedral Bookstore. Wednesday, Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m., guest dialogue partner with Rev. Thee Smith, Cathedral priest assoc., is Ms. Soumaya Khalifa, a Muslim interfaith dialogue leader and executive director of Atlanta's Islamic Speakers Bureau. Upcoming guests include Prof. Abdullahi An-Na’im, professor of international human rights law at the Emory Law School, and Imam Plemon El-Amin, co-founder of the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and emeritus imam of Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam. The Cathedral Bookstore, Cathedral of St. Philip, is in the Buckhead area just north of the W. Wesley and Peachtree Rd. intersection, the main parking entrance faces the traffic light at Rumson Rd. and Peachtree across from Fellini’s restaurant. Enter from the parking lot through the large porch into the Atrium where the store is located. For more information contact the Cathedral Bookstore at [phone].

2. Ethics at the Opera: Dead Man Walking, with Sr. Helen Prejean, Emory Center for Ethics, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7 – 10 a.m., 1531 Dickey Dr NE, Atlanta 30322. This is a free event; please register at Eventbrite

3. American Clergy Leadership Conference Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, Jan. 17, 9 – 11 a.m. Voya Restaurant, Atlanta Airport Marriott, 4711 Best Road, Atlanta. Parking is free in the "self-park" lot. Bring your ticket in for validation. Every participant orders his/her own meal. The keynote speaker will be First Lady Lakita Lackey. She and her husband, Bishop Aaron B. Lackey, pastor the Temple of Prayer in Fairburn. Bishop Lackey is also the Chief Apostle and Presiding Bishop of the United Church of God in Christ, International.

4. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light reminds us that “Order of the Sacred Earth: A Conversation with Matthew Fox,” is Thursday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Simons Presbyterian Church, Tickets available online through Jan. 15: $25. Ticket link
5. Interfaith Harmony Week is observed the first week in February. On Jan. 18, 10 a.m., CST, that’s 9 a.m. here, there will be a webinar to help with planning and ideas for the week. More here.

6. Archbishop Wilton Gregory will serve as celebrant of the Eucharistic Celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr., Saturday, Jan. 19, 1 p.m., at the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Church, 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Fr. Rey Pineda will be the homilist. Bring canned goods or gently used clothing for our homeless neighbors if you can.

7. The Rev. Dr. Christoph Keller III, dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, is the preacher Jan. 20, the King Holiday Sunday, on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. “In Christ we see how right King and Lincoln were. This is a moral universe,” he says. “He taught and lived the law that perfectly aligns with the just purposes of God. In that alignment miracles occurred.” Listen in the Atlanta area on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB, Sundays at 7:05 a.m. For more information check the program’s website, Day1.org.

8. Youth Celebration, at St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School, 2560 Tilson Road, Decatur 30032, Sunday, January 20 at 3:00 p.m. with honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is an annual tradition in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. In collaboration with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia guests are invited to bring canned goods or gently used clothing for our homeless neighbors.

9. Tickets are still available for Faith and Family Day on Monday, January 21 (MLK Day) @ 3:00 p.m. as the Atlanta Hawks take on the Orlando Magic. The day will feature performances by Koryn Hawthorne! Tickets can be purchased individually or as a group. For groups of 10 or more contact Ryan Coller at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

10. The 6th Annual Interfaith Tree Planting, Monday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Atlanta's Grove Park and Dunwoody's Brook Run Park sponsored by Georgia Interfaith Power & Light and Trees Atlanta. A free event but registration is requested. Join friends of faith to celebrate the Jewish New Year of the Trees — Tu B’Shvat — and to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which fall on the same day this year. Questions can be directed to [e-mail] or [phone].

11. Wellsprings Worship Circle, Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Atlanta Friends Meeting House, 701 W. Howard Street, Decatur, “Thank God Our Time Is Now: Following Jesus in Fractured America.” Longing for spiritual community and practice to ground you in the coming year? The circle will explore through scripture what it means to have a public faith, how our theology and spirituality shape our whole way of being in the world, and what God is inviting us to know and do to realize the Beloved Community. All are welcome.

12. Do you want to raise the voice of faith in the public arena and need to be better informed? January 2019 Town Hall Meeting might be of interest. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:30– 9 a.m. Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District plan this informal, public meeting to keep the Downtown community "in the know." Theatrical Outfit in The Balzer Theater, 84 Luckie St. NW, Fairlie-Poplar neighborhood. Please walk, bike, take MARTA, or utilize rideshare. AtlantaPublicParking.com. Get a ticket here.

13. “Building Bridges: How an Interfaith Dialogue Can enhance Our Own Beliefs,” a panel discussion with religious leaders at Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta. January 23, 7 p.m., LaSalette Hall. R.s.v.p. here.

14. The Cathedral Antiques Show, Jan. 24-27, is an annual antique show and flower festival presented by the women of The Cathedral of St. Philip. This year the theme is “London Calling.” Details here.

15. “A Course in Miracles” teaches that the way to universal love and peace-or remembering God-is undoing guilt through forgiving others. It focuses on healing relationships and making them holy. Saturdays, starting January 26, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., with Samuel Wilson, Life Room, Hillside International Truth Center, 2450 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta 30311.

16. A Service of Recovery & Healing, Sunday, January 27, 5:00-6:30 p.m., 33 North Ave., Atlanta, Once a month, The Rev. Robert Book leads a Holy Eucharist service that is based on the 12 Steps of AA and open to everyone. For more information, contact The Rev. Tim Black at [e-mail].

17. Conversations with Men Stopping Violence: The NFL, the Super Bowl, and Violence Against Women, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 7 - 8:30 p.m., 2785 Lawrenceville Hwy, Suite 112, Decatur 30033. Do you think the NFL is committed to preventing domestic violence within its ranks? Are we holding it (the NFL) to a different standard from other major corporations? Have we decided if you can't beat them join them--Hello Super Bowl! For more information or to R.s.v.p. to [e-mail] or [phone].

18. Tickets are available for the 2nd Annual Green Team Summit, Sunday, January 27, 2 - 8 p.m., The Temple, Atlanta. Environmental stewards from across the state are invited to this interfaith celebration featuring an inspiring keynote address: "From Moral Obligation to Moral Opportunity" by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation’s Exec. Dir. John Lanier, workshops, and a farm-to-table dinner. Questions can be directed to [e-mail] or [phone]. More info and schedule of events.

19. Faith and Nonprofit Meeting in Peachtree City called by Dr. Willie Myles, Statewide Coordinator of Corporate and Community Partnerships. Connecting with community partners and those seeking to serve fellow Georgians is critical to the realization of the DHS’s vision to build stronger families. At the meeting you will hear from DHS regarding foster care and adoption, child support services, and aging and disability services. Thursday, Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Peachtree City Christian Church, 500 Kedron Drive, Peachtree City 30269.

20. Animate 2019 is Samford University's summer program in worship leadership. Register yourself, your child, or your group before February 1 for a discounted price. The goal is to provide teenagers with spiritual formation, vocational exploration, group instruction, and individual mentoring in all avenues of worship and the arts. Animate is open to any student who has completed 7th through 12th grade. Animate is also open to adults, who will be led by Eric Mathis. Learn more

21. Second Chance Day at the Capitol on Feb. 5, a Talk Justice Tuesdays event organized by the Justice Reform Partnership. Expanding Expungement of Convictions in Georgia, February 5, 9:30 a.m., Capitol, Room 406. Expungement reduces reentry barriers and gives rehabilitated individuals a second chance. Find out more with advocates, directly affected individuals, and faith leaders who are seeking to reduce barriers to reentry posed by a criminal record. Hear from legislators, prosecutors, and advocates about pending legislation. Receive training and materials to lobby effectively with lawmakers. Share your story with your legislators. Register today. Contact Helen Mun at [e-mail] with any questions.

22. Mother's Morning In is a monthly gathering in the 30329 zip code to help moms find connection, care, and guidance. Every first Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m., February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, Amerson House Spirituality Center. Come enjoy some kid-free time to nourish yourself, connect with other mamas, and receive support, encouragement and wisdom to be your best mom self. Suggested donation: $10 (Childcare available in St. Bart's - $10 for first child, and $5 for each additional child). To register Email Kimberly

23. Columbia Theological Seminary and Emory University’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion
cohost an important multidisciplinary conference “Migration and Border Crossings,” Feb. 7-9, at Columbia Theological Seminary. The conference will bring together theologians, legal scholars, artists, and leaders of faith communities to explore the causes, processes, and effects of global migration. It will feature keynote addresses by former Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera, and Dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, Emilie Townes, as well as addresses and workshops that will offer insights and tools. Register here. For details, visit the Migration and Border Crossings page.

24. “Walking the Mourner's Path: Transforming Grief into Joyful Living,” Thursdays, Feb. 7 through March 28, 7:00 p.m., St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 4393 Garmon Road, NW, Atlanta 30327. St. Three parishes will sponsor this eight-week workshop for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one. The workshop is centered in prayer and carefully crafted to answer the question, "Where is God in my pain?" The cost is $75; scholarships are available. If you are interested contact The Rev. Tim Black at [e-mail].

25. Mental Health Day at the Capitol, the Behavioral Health Services Coalition is seeking original artwork by persons in recovery to be displayed on Friday, Feb. 8. The art display will take place at the Georgia Freight Depot. If you are interested in displaying pieces, please contact Beth Boersma at [e-mail] or 404-875-0381, ext. 252.

26. Compassionate Integrity Training Class: A Three-Week Journey of Mindful Connection, Renewal, and Support, Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta 30345. Fridays beginning Feb. 8, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Cost is $150. More information and registration here. By learning skills to calm our bodies and mind, becoming more emotionally aware, learning to practice compassion for ourselves and others, as well as engaging with compassion in complex systems, we can build towards compassionate integrity: the ability to live one’s life in accordance with one’s values with a recognition of common humanity.

27. The Center for Racial Healing and the Atlanta Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians invite you to celebrate the life and witness of the first African American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. The Feast of Absalom Jones, Sunday, Feb. 10, 3:00 p.m., at Church of the Incarnation, 2407 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30311. The Rev. Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Tutu, will be the preacher. For more information contact Tiffanuy King at [e-mail]

28. Barbara Brown Taylor will deliver The William L. Self Lectures at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. She has served on the faculties of Piedmont College, Columbia Theological Seminary, Candler School of Theology at Emory University, McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, and the Certificate in Theological Studies program at Arrendale State Prison for Women in Alto, Georgia. In 2014 TIME included her on its annual list of Most Influential People; in 2015 she was named Georgia Woman of the Year; in 2016 she received The President’s Medal at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. She currently serves as a trustee for Mercer University and is working on her fourteenth book “Holy Envy,” coming from HarperOne in April 2019. The lectureship was established to promote the practice of faithful and effective preaching of the gospel and named memory of Dr. Self, pastor emeritus of Johns Creek Baptist Church, a gifted preacher, pastor, author, lecturer, motivational speaker, and innovator in church growth. Monday, Feb. 11, and Tuesday, Feb. 12. Tickets here.

29. From Central Outreach and Advocacy Center: We love learning things about our guests. They are poets, artists, business people, parents, electricians, mystics, gardeners, and so much more. This short video teaches the same thing - that homelessness is not an identity but a temporary situation.

30. North Decatur Presbyterian Church, Medlock Road, and Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tilson Road, are offering space to house those who are experiencing homelessness on freezing nights. You can help by volunteering to serve overnight shift(s), by providing supplies, sandwiches, assisting the van driver, or by donating to cover some of the expenses, which include security. Sign up here.

31. If you work in midtown or uptown you will be interested to know that Noonday Prayer is now being held Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 12:05 p.m., 634 West Peachtree Street, 30308. The brief service provides a quiet time during the busy workday and a chance to pray with the Midtown community.

Remember that 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
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