Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 28, 2019

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Week of January 28, 2019

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

All Advocacy Days are now listed at our website.

1. Emory University’s Urban Health Initiative invites your congregation to participate in a Rolling Suit Case Drive. UHI has collected and donated 450+ rolling suitcases to the women and children who are clients of The Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children, Atlanta Mission. This is the first place many come when they become homeless in Atlanta. Many of these women carry their precious belongings in trashbags. By providing a rolling suitcase, we can help people who are homeless maintain their dignity in difficult times. You can donate as an individual or as a congregation. The Urban Health initiative seeks new partnerships and will provide material for bulletins and websites. If you have rolling suitcases to donate or need more details, please contact project coordinator LyTina Brown at [e-mail] Check UHI out on social media: @emoryuhi for instagram and EmoryUHI for twitter. Facebook

2. The Jesus Fatwa: Love Your (Muslim) Neighbor, next session of this 3-week Wednesday evening video and dialogue series, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m. Guest dialogue partner with Rev. Thee Smith, Cathedral priest assoc. is Prof. Abdullahi An-Na’im, professor of international human rights law at the Emory Law School. A Sudanese Muslim, he has published extensively on the prospect for an Islamic reformation of Sharia law. Sponsored by The Cathedral Bookstore. For more information contact the Cathedral Bookstore at [phone]. The Cathedral Bookstore is located in the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.

3. AIB Network commemorates its 50th anniversary with a special lineup of "AIB Classics" from the archives. This week, “Spiritual Journey: Barbara King Pt. 2,” Saturday, Feb. 2 at 9 p.m. King explains how she built Hillside International Truth Center in Atlanta. Re-airs Sunday at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., Friday at 11:30 a.m., Monday at 2:30 p.m.

4. The Rev. Susan Baller-Shepard is the featured preacher Feb. 3 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Baller-Shepard is a teacher, preacher, writer, and Presbyterian minister who seeks to further the conversation of spirituality and faith. “Now I Know,” Baller-Shepard’s sermon for Feb. 3, is drawn from the Revised Common Lectionary readings in Jeremiah 1, Jeremiah’s call to prophecy, and Luke 4, where Jesus tells us that no prophet is accepted in his hometown. “He made the circle bigger,” she says. “And, those who had power were saddened by all they lost when the circle included others.” Hear it Sunday at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. For more information and resources or to read it now check the program’s website .

5. Bishop Barbara King's class, "Miracles of Healing," starts at 7:15 p.m., February 4, not January 14. She will be using the book "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay. Hillside International Truth Center, 2450 Cascade Rd. SW, Atlanta, GA 30311.

6. Tayari Jones, will discuss her latest book, An American Marriage, Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 30030. In this 2018 Oprah’s Book Club Selection, Jones has crafted a layered story that navigates the generational expectations of men and women, the place of marriage in modern society, questions about race and class, systemic racism, and much more in a compassionate and meaningful way. Sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by Conversations at First Baptist. No tickets or reservations are required. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

7. Presbyterians for a Better Georgia and Central Presbyterian Church host a "Day at the Capitol" - Wednesday, Feb. 6. Come for a morning of advocacy training, issue briefings, a photo with the Governor, and meetings with your elected representatives. Together we will advocate for better access to healthcare and affordable housing. Whether you’ve been to the Capitol many times or you’re completely new to advocacy, this event will be an inspiring, informative, and meaningful way for you to get involved. Click here to register.

8. Note that this is a date change for Mental Health Day at the Capitol. Breakfast starts at 9 a.m., Feb. 8, at the Georgia Freight Depot. Get details and Register here.

9. Neighborhood Church celebrates the music, arts & change makers of the South from Candler Park in Atlanta. Think of it as the love child between the Ed Sullivan Show and A Prairie Home Companion. You'll be amazed by The Good Graces, Dad's Garage Theatre Company, Robbie Horlick of Book Club, storyteller Billy Hall, the real Ukuladies of Atlanta, Common Good Atlanta, and more! Get your tickets today and bring a friend. Good Gracious Variety Show #14, Saturday, Feb. 9, 8 – 9:30 p.m. 1561 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.

10. TheoEd Talks. Sunday, Feb. 10 at 5:00 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. This faith-based speaker series brings together leading thinkers in the church and the academy to give the talk of their lives in twenty minutes or less. This year’s speakers include award-winning author Diana Butler Bass, Pete Enns, the author of The Sin of Certainty and For the Bible Tells Me So, latinx practical theologian Patrick Reyes, and Mike McHargue, the host of the podcasts “Ask Science Mike” and “The Liturgists Podcast.” Tickets and information at TheoEd.com..

11.Lake Oconee Community Church, “The Ethics of Everyday Life” lecture and discussion with J. Derrick Lemons, Assistant Professor of Religion, University of Georgia, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., Landing Clubhouse, information and reservations.

12. L'Arche Valentine's Day Dance, Feb. 16, a family-friendly event for all ages & abilities. Come show your best moves! 5:30-8 p.m., St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur 30030. This is part of a series of social community events for adults with intellectual disabilities and all who enjoy these times together. L'Arche invites us to build relationships with people of all abilities and believes that our differences enrich the lives of us all. See More.

13. Tickets are online now for New South Festival Singers, joined by Harmony: Atlanta's International Youth Chorus, Zimria Festivale Atlanta, and the Atlanta Homeward Choirs, Celebration of Black History Month. This concert will feature Spirituals, works by black composers, works inspired by the texts and musics of black culture, and the spirit of unity that exists when voices raise together in song. It is an event not to be missed! Sunday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2461 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. Tickets are online here.

14. Street Grace, fighting demand for the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children for 10 years, announces the Demand An End Gala, March 7, with W. Paul Bowers the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Georgia Power as speaker. Information and tickets at Street Grace Demand an End Gala.

15. Registration is open now for the second annual “Ministering to Families Facing Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias: A Workshop for Faith & Community Leaders, March 21, at Due West UMC in Marietta. This free event is an invaluable ministry to the community. Lunch will be served. Information.

16. Peacebuilders Camp is a place where counselors and counselors-in-training flourish and grow right alongside campers. New this year, staff will be provided with a week of leadership training and more opportunity to step up as teachers and facilitators. If you believe in working toward human rights, social justice, and peace, love being with 11- to 15-year-old kids, and want to hone your leadership skills, you should apply here. Fill out the online application and send your resume by March 1, 2019. Must be 18 years old; there is counselor-in-training program if you are seventeen. Time commitment is from June 20 to July 21. Pay is $1,500

17. Opioid Epidemic Practical Tool Kit from  Faith and Opportunity Initiative U. S. Health and Human Services.

18. LifeSpan continues at Peachtree Road UMC , Info about the offerings

19. Check out thefull list of Center for Lifelong Learning courses and programs. . . Celtic Christianity, dying churches, youth ministry, and more and register now to assure your place.

20. 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. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship believes that people should not suffer under conditions where they are simply trying to survive. All proceeds from rides go to Together for Hope, a rural development coalition, and Out Hunger, a hunger initiative. To learn more to register to join the next ride, follow this link the-ride. There is an Alabama ride in March.

21. STARVE WARS has been announced for June 21. Space is limited so you may want to check the information and register early Register here.

22. We have been asked to ask you to help get the word out on some misinformation regarding the early release of February SNAP (food stamps) benefits circulating on the internet and beyond. These benefits were released in January, they can be used for 12 months. Customers who received the early benefits will not receive additional benefits in February. These customers should consider careful budgeting of their SNAP funds. Only information from the Division of Family and Children Services should be considered accurate.

Visit the Community Events Page for previously announced events. 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter