Church Action eNewsletter Week of January 30, 2017

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

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Church Action eNewsletter Week of  January 30, 2017

 

1. The Salvation Army is asking for help in South Georgia. Their response teams are delivering food and fresh water, clothing, blankets, and toiletries, counseling, emotional and spiritual care, and other critical services. The tornadoes have left some families with nothing. 100% of any gift goes to help survivors. If you want to help here is a link for you. 

 

2. Churches around town are celebrating Souper Bowl Sunday and the Lutheran Church and the Episcopal Church are challenging counterparts in New England to big games. Help the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta bring home the win from a challenge issued by Episcopal Church bishops in New England to raise funds for Episcopal Relief & Development by game time. Show your team pride and click here to make a donation. You’ll find the red “Donate” button on the left-hand side of the page. The Southeastern Synod, ELCA, is competing with New England in buying goats for hungry people around the world. Click Team Atlanta  to learn more about that.

 

3. Yep! Taxes done for free! VITA is a free tax preparation service for households with an income of $55,000 or less. And taxes are prepared by IRS trained and certified volunteers! To find VITA sites near you or more form information, click here.  

 

4. A reminder that Shane Claiborne is joining the Candler community for a talk on his book Executing Grace in Georgia: A Faithful Discussion About the Death Penalty, Friday night, Feb. 3, in the sanctuary at Glenn Memorial Church, Sign up and more information here.

 

5. From Protest to Participation. Join Attorney Sherri Jefferson, Family Law Center, Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 - 12 p.m. at IMPACT Church in East Point, moderating Fulton County Juvenile Court: A Conversation with Parents..., 2323 Sylvan Road, East Point.  

 

6. The Choral Foundation in Georgia presents A Tribute to the American Black Composer, Saturday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. in the historic First Congregational Church in Atlanta featuring Gerald Freeman and The Jazzmen and premiering Dawn by present day composer Karin Banks, music of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, rousing spirituals and gospel songs. Tickets here.

 

7. The  Cathedral Antiques Show will support First Step Staffing with the net proceeds of the 2017 show. First Step Staffing is a nonprofit staffing agency that works to secure steady and sustainable income for individuals transitioning from homelessness through job placements and wraparound support services. Show starts on Feb. 5.  Read more.

 

8. Celebrate the beginning of Black History Month by hearing Jayme Alilaw (soprano), Sean Savage (tenor), Marcus Hopkins-Turner (baritone), and Allen Michael Jones (bass) as they perform works by African American composers and writers. Andrew Bayles, Brittney Elizabeth Boykin, and Allen Michael Jones on piano. The program is free and open to the public.  (You'll be out in plenty of time for the Super Bowl!) Sunday, Feb. 5, 3:00– 4:30, p.m., Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3434 Roswell Road NW, Atlanta 30305. View Map.

 

9. The Bach Bowl at Glenn Memorial UMC, 1660 North Decatur Road, Atlanta 30307, Sunday, February 5, 4:00 p.m., The Schwartz Center with the Vega String Quartet, Don Saliers, and William Ransom joining Dr. Timothy Albrecht in an hour-long concert honoring the works of J.S. Bach. All are welcome to this free performance.

 

10. Georgia Cares raises awareness of the issue of DMST and trains community members and professionals on warning signs and resources monthly in free sessions in communities across the state. The next training will be February 6, 2017 , Cornerstone Church, Athens.  Click on the date to register. To request a community training near you, please contact [e-mail].

 

11. 2017 Atlanta City Hall Mini Maker Faire. This event will showcase over 30 makers from Atlanta and the surrounding area. Exhibitors will represent industry, arts, crafts, and education as well as individual government technology projects. Southeast Makers Alliance is working with Invest Atlanta to celebrate and educate the public about the ways in which “making” can “Make a Difference” in our schools, communities. and businesses. Atlanta is rich in the innovation and creativity that define the Maker Movement.  The Faire is Tuesday, February 7, 10:30 a.m.-  2:30 p.m. in the atrium at Atlanta City Hall.  Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.  For more information, please contact Tanya Hyman, President of Southeast Makers Alliance at [e-mail].

 

12. Street Grace Quarterly Meeting is Feb. 7, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Everyone is invited. Come eat lunch, hear program updates, learn about new volunteer opportunities, and meet the Street Grace team.  The fight to end child sex trafficking is a difficult one that requires collaboration. Peachtree Christian Church, Stewart Hall, 1580 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta 30309. R.s.v.p. here.   

 

13. Georgia WAND announces the 15th Anniversary Real State of the Union, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6:00 p.m. Address by Jay Bookman, followed by a panel of courageous thinkers, leaders, and activists. Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road SW, Atlanta 30331. R.s.v.p. to [e-mail] or [phone]. Donations Accepted: $10 suggested; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Everyone is welcome! Family friendly. Wheelchair accessible. Read about the history of this event at www.gawand.org.

 

14. The Temple Bombing: A salon at First Presbyterian Church, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. The Alliance Theatre and First Presbyterian present a salon: a special Q&A event with Melissa Fay Greene, author of The Temple Bombing, and Jimmy Maize, playwright and director of the Alliance's world premiere, inspired by the book. This free behind-the-scenes event will be moderated by WABE's Lois Reitzes and will feature a sneak peek performance from the production. » RSVP First Presbyterian Church is located at 1328 Peachtree Street NE, one block from the Alliance Theatre.

 

15. Second Sunday at the High Museum of Art presents “Make a Difference!” This family event is Feb. 12, 12 – 5 p.m. with programming from 1-4 p.m. Learn how artists can fight for social change and make a difference through their art. Create your own Society Super Hero with art faculty and students from Spelman College, experience performances by the Wren’s Nest and students from A. Philip Randolph Elementary School, and more.  detailed schedule   

 

16. Johann Vexo was appointed at the age of 25 Organiste de Choeur at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. He is also organist of the Cathedral in Nancy, Professor of Organ at the Angers Conservatory, and the European Music Summer Academy in Nancy. He has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Russia. Vexo has made a series of recordings of French classical and German romantic music on historic French organs. Hear him at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30308, Monday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.

 

17. Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary offers new tips for teaching. This three-day program, Feb. 13-15, is for congregational educators—lay teachers, pastors, teaching staff, program staff who want to be more effective in their teaching. Find out more and register SevenConcepts  

 

18. Conservation Day at the Capitol is Feb. 15, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interfaith Power & Light is participating in this annual event with Georgia Water Coalition. This event is free, and will include breakfast, training, and time with your legislators. If conservation is your concern mark your calendar and read more here!     

 

19. Come dance with your L'Arche friends on Saturday, February 18, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The Valentine’s Dance it suitable for all ages and abilities. St. Thomas More's Mulhern Hall is accessible by turning south on West Trinity Place, and then turning east into the parking lot. Bring a savory finger food to share; desserts will be provided. Saturday, February 18, 5:30-8:00 p.m. St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur 30030. Find out more about L'Arche and let them know you are coming.  

 

20. Faith in Public Life will be holding an advocacy training on February 21, at Trinity Presbyterian, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, from 2-4.  Dan Nejfelt, FPL's training director, will be preparing attendees to effectively advocate at both the local and federal levels, particularly through legislative meetings.  If you would like to R.s.v.p. or ask questions email [e-mail] 

 

21. Barbara Lewis King Scholarship Foundation 20th Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser is Saturday, Feb. 25, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m., Georgia Freight Depot, 65 MLK Drive, Atlanta 30303. This year’s entertainment features music by Howard Hewitt, the legendary R&B singer and former member of the hit band, Shalamar. Tickets on sale now at www.blksf.net or call [phone]. Since its inception in 1997, The Barbara Lewis King Scholarship Foundation has provided nearly 300 scholarships to students in the Atlanta area. It reserves two scholarships annually for residents of Covenant House Georgia, which provides shelter and free services to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. For further information regarding the event or the foundation, email [e-mail].

 

22. City of Refuge, Freedom Coalition, Georgia Cares, Haven ATL, Out of Darkness, Street Grace, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Wellspring Living invite you to Anti-Trafficking Lobby Day 2017, Feb. 28, 2017. Sign up here.

 

23. Gwinnett DCS Stakeholders Meeting, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Feb. 28, at Tabernacle International Church, 270 Simonton Rd. SW, Lawrenceville 30046.  Faith leaders are invited to come for an overview of the GA-Prisoner Reentry Initiative and Stations of Hope (Healing Communities).  Register here.   Reentry "Path 2 Success" Resource Fair specifically for returning citizens to follow from 12 – 2 p.m. To register to attend the resource fair, click here.

 

24. Georgia Parent Support Network will hold its 13th Annual Mardi Gras Benefit Ball, "Unmasking Children's Mental Illness," on February 28, Fat Tuesday, in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fabulous Fox Theater and will be honor Stephanie Blank, president of the Naserian Foundation, community volunteer, and philanthropist.  Click here to register. 

 

25. Five-Day Lenten Centering Prayer Retreat, March 17- 22, at St. Mary’s Sewanee. Centering Prayer is the opening of the mind and heart – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions.  This retreat is an opportunity to develop and sustain a regular practice of this way of praying.  No previous experience of Centering Prayer is required. Read more here.

 

26. Registration for Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farms is moving faster than ever before. They recommend signing up soon. The deadline if April 1 but camp might fill up sooner.   Register as soon as you can. Not sure if this camp is right for your child? Read Family FAQ which seeks to answer many of the questions you might have about Peacebuilders Camp.

 

27. Three faculty from Columbia Theological Seminary will participate in an initiative called “American Values, Religious Voices.” The project is a national nonpartisan campaign that brings together 100 scholars from a diverse range of religious traditions to articulate core American values that have grounded our nation in the past and should guide us forward at this time of transition. For the first 100 days of the new administration, the organizers will send a one-page letter, each written by one of the 100 scholars, to President Trump, Vice-President Pence, Cabinet Secretaries, and Members of the House and the Senate. The letters offer insight and inspiration drawn from the collective wisdom of our faith communities and their sacred texts. Immediately following the Inauguration, a new letter is being posted each day at www.valuesandvoices.com. All of the previous letters will be archived there as well. 

 

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox  for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources. We will be happy to include your announcements in an upcoming eNewsletter. Send them to [e-mail].

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]

 

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