Church Action eNewsletter Week of July 29, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Week of July 29, 2019
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

There are so many opportunities for service, worship, education, enrichment, connection in the next few weeks. Take a look at the Community Event Calendar on our website and celebrate all the good things that people of faith are doing. www.RCCAtl.org. You will also find the last few weeks' editions on our home page www.rccatl.org.

1. Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Planning for Georgia will take place in August and September. The last plan was released 26 years ago. There will be meetings specifically for faith leaders, parents, and civic and business leaders. Find and register for a meeting here. You may direct questions to Deborah Chosewood at [e-mail]

2. Mace Hibbard will be at First Friday at First, Aug. 2, 6-9 p.m., great food, fun, and fellowship! Tickets are $20, students $10. Call [phone] for season tickets. The Commons, First Congregational Church, 125 Ellis St, Atlanta 30303. Free parking in the CARE lot Piedmont Ave.

3. Join the Coalition of Refuge Service Agencies (CRSA) and partners on Saturday, August 3, 2 – 4 p.m., at the Clarkston Community Center for a national day of action to #RiseforRefuge and stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. We must not abandon our American tradition of providing safety and shelter to the world’s most vulnerable. More . . .

4. FAMA (Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta) still needs a few volunteers to put their faith in action for the Interfaith Habitat build, Aug. 3, Aug. 10, and Sept. 8. Register here.

5. The Rev. Jason Micheli, pastor of Annandale United Methodist Church in Annandale, Va., is the featured preacher August 4 on Day1. Formerly the Protestant Hour, Day1 has been broadcast every week for 74 years. Hear it in Atlanta Sundays at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and WSB 750 a.m. For more information, check Day1.org.

6. Welcoming Community Gathering with Compassionate Atlanta and the Refugee Women’s Network, Sunday, August 4, 3 – 5 p.m., Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston 30021. All are welcome, especially people with special needs and their family members. Includes an arts & crafts session with Ellen Gadberry from Contemplative Crafting. Event page.

7. Faith and Politics Potluck Dinner, Sunday, August 4, 5 p.m., Amerson House Spirituality Center, Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, guided by Kimberly Broerman, Deep Waters Center. Join other spiritual seekers to share your perspective, engage in robust civil dialogue about our nation's most pressing concerns, and discern how we are called to help transform our democracy into a "more perfect union." Cost is $10 plus a dish to share. To R.s.v.p. contact Kimberly at [e-mail] or [phone]. Sign up by Friday, August 2.

8. “Summer in the Forest,” a beautiful documentary about the life and legacy of Jean Vanier, and two L'Arche communities in France and Bethlehem, free at Trinity Anglican Church, 630 E. Lake Drive, Decatur 30030, Thursday, Aug. 8, 7 – 9 p.m. Click here to see the trailer of the movie. R.s.v.p. here.

9. Olmstead at 20: The Past and Future of Community Integration, August 8 – 9. Georgia State University College of Law, 85 Park Place, Atlanta 30303. 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Olmstead v. L.C. and E.W., the Supreme Court decision hailed as the Brown v. Board of Education for people with disabilities. Now, thousands of people have benefited from the decision, but has the promise of Olmstead been realized for all? Symposium speakers will explore the history of this decision, assess the current state, and imagine a path forward. clhs.law.gsu.edu.

10. Spoken Word & Hip-Hop performance featuring Apollo the Child Khaleefa in the Commons at First Congregational Church, 105 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30303, Friday, Aug. 9, 6 p.m. This is a free event.

11. Popsicles in the Park Atlanta Neighborhood Church says Popsicles in the Park are back, Friday, Aug. 9, 4 – 5 p.m. Come eat delicious, healthy popsicles and connect with fun friends & neighbors. It'll be a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

12. Please join the Faith and Advocacy Network of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, and other faith and community organizations to prayerfully remember victims of gun violence and show support for the Background Check Expansion Act S. 42, which would ensure that firearms don’t end up in the hands of those not legally allowed to purchase them. The uptick in mass shootings has catalyzed the public safety conversation around gun possession, but access to firearms plays a critical role in preventing suicide and domestic violence as well. Wednesday, August 14, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at Liberty Plaza, across from the Capitol.

13. "Earth - Water - Fire - Wind" a choral concert by Coro Voci explores how music can express our connection to the basic elements and how it ties us to our creator. Concert features music of Dan Forrest, Frank Ticheli, Jester Hairston, Moses Hogan, J. Aaron McDermid, and other great American composers. Norcross Presbyterian Church, 3324 Medlock Bridge Road, Norcross 30092. August 11 at 3:00 p.m. More information at www.corovoci.com

14. Classes start August 12 at Antioch Baptist Bible College Institute & Seminary. Visit the website http://www.abbcis.com/index.html for information or call (770) 334- 3946 or email Dr. Kirsche at [e-mail].

15. Community Partnerships Faith and Nonprofit Meeting: Gwinnett County, August 15. Connecting with community partners and those seeking to serve fellow Georgians is critical to building stronger families for a stronger Georgia. Thu, August 15, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 1400 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn 30047. R.s.v.p. here.

16. A support group for caretakers of loved ones with dementia meets every third Thursday at 1:45 p.m. at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. The next meeting is Aug. 15.

17. SoulCollage®: Unleash Your Creativity 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, August 17, at St. Mary’s Sewanee. A retreat to explore and release the artist within . . . even for those who do not consider themselves artists. Learn how to live with sensitivity and courage as a creative being. This is an opportunity to discover how to develop a sense of artistic identity and to unleash creative flow through powerful, prayerful portals to the Divine. For more information or to register, click here.

18. The Atlanta Stephen Ministry Group is holding its Seventh Annual Meeting at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Rd, NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 on August 17. The event is open to Stephen leaders, Stephen ministers, pastors and pastoral care team members. On-line registration is being provided by Cathedral of Christ the King here. For additional information, contact [e-mail].

19. Free English as a Second Language Family Literacy Workshop. Learn how you as English language learners can help your young children become strong readers and writers. For Parents of Children Ages 0-6. Saturday, August 17, 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM, Hapeville First UMC, 3510 Atlanta Ave., Hapeville 30354. Free childcare and refreshments. For Information, Call 1-800-557-0908.

20. Ending Veteran Suicide Community Forum. Each day 22 U. S. military veterans commit suicide. Why? What can be done? The Vietnam Veterans of America- Atlanta Chapter will hold its first forum to address this problem, Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 731 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta 30308. Come hear from health professionals, clergy, and other representatives who are committed to serving those brave men and women who served us by serving this country. [phone], www.redeemer.org

21. Inspiritus Faith Leaders Breakfast Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. Inspiritus is the new name of Lutheran Services of Georgia and Lutheran Services in Tennessee. The breakfast will be at Peachtree Road UMC, 3180 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta 30305. “To Everything There is a Season” and change is a constant we can count on in life and in ministry. You are invited to join the Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins for a conversation on transitions and how faith leaders and clergy can experience wellness, resilience, and stay healthy in ministry. Harkins is a therapist, a priest, and a pastoral theologian. He teaches pastoral theology and counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary. R.s.v.p. if you can make it. View details and reply here.

22. From Summit Counseling -- Soul Shop for Youth Leaders, a one-day, faith-based training designed to equip those who minister to youth who are impacted by suicidal desperation. Since 10% of youth will attempt suicide before age 30, this is essential training for anyone who ministers to youth in a paid or volunteer capacity. Dunwoody UMC, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Thursday, August 22, 9 - 4; Stonecreek Church, 13540 Hwy. 9, Friday, August 23, 9 – 4. Johns Creek UMC, 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Saturday, August 24, 9 – 4. FREE EVENT - SEATING IS LIMITED - REGISTER NOW

23. The Music & Arts Ministry of Cascade United Methodist Church offers a music workshop with special guest Byron Cage and well known clinicians, 3344 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta 30311, Saturday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guest registration is $25 and registration can be made online at cascadeumc.org/music.

24. Registration is open for the Mountain Top Lectures Summer Lecture with Karima Bennoune, Hoag Auditorium, University of North Georgia, Saturday, August 24. Click here to register. Bennoune is a professor of international law at the University of California and an internationally recognized advocate for cultural and women’s rights and an expert on religious extremism. She regularly serves as a consultant for global organizations such as the United Nations and Amnesty International in the fight against fundamentalism and terrorism, and lectures internationally on these topics.

25. Get ready to lace up your shoes and run (or walk) the Mayor’s 5K on the 5th Runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday, September 7. Experience this special opportunity to race on one of the flattest – and fastest – courses in Greater Atlanta! Proceeds from the race go to scholarships and programs helping students overcome financial barriers to getting to and through college. Run the 5th runway and give their future wings. Sign up here.

26. The seventh annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival presented by the charitable organization the Hebrew Order of David will be Sept. 8 in Sandy Springs. More theatlantakosherbbq.com
27. Save the date for The Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s Live & Learn on “Teen Dating Violence: How Parents Can Promote Healthy Relationships and Self Respect” facilitated by the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Tuesday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The first 10 individuals to register will receive a complimentary lunch, $15 for lunch thereafter. To register and pre-order lunch, contact TACC at [phone] or [e-mail]. Learn more About TACC at St Luke's at youtu.be

28. Registration is open for Unfinished the Cascade Women’s Conference 2019. There will be a gospel concert on Friday night and a day of workshops and presentations on Saturday followed by two exception preachers in Sunday worship, Sept. 20-22. Find out more and register.

29. Step Up to Stop Falls, Falls Prevention Awareness Day presented by the Ga. Dept. of Health, Emory University, and Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27. This is a free event at Westminster Pres, 2208 East Main Street, Snellville 30078. Especially among older adults and young children, falls can cause serious injury and at times be fatal. More later . . . Register here.

30. The Mercer Preaching Consultation is Oct. 6-8 at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta 30341. Early Bird Registration Available through August 15. More

31. Center for Healthy Churches and Belmont University present S.T.E.P.™ (Strategic Transition Education Program) the next generation in interim ministry. This training is based on the principles developed by Russell Crabtree in “Transition Apparitions: Why Much of What We Know about Pastoral Transitions Is Wrong”. In Atlanta, Oct. 14-17 at Wieuca Road Baptist Church. Find out more here.

32. Whitefoord changes lives through education and health care and they welcome volunteers who are committed to that goal. There individual volunteer positions and group tasks. Visit whitefoord.org for information.

33. Calvin Institute of Christian Worship grants for congregations, parishes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other worshiping communities in N. A. This program is especially focused on projects that connect public worship to intergenerational faith formation and Christian discipleship, a theme that can unfold in many facets of worship from Bible reading to preaching, public prayer, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, congregational song, visual arts, storytelling, and more. Proposals are encouraged that are developed through a collaborative process from emerging and established churches; seminaries, colleges, and schools; hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations. Find out more here.

34. “Holy, Holy, Holy!” has been chosen in a March Madness-like tournament this year as the greatest hymn of all time by the Hymn Society in the U. S. and Canada. Read more . . .

Ongoing events are now in the calendar including the last few special summer Sunday programs at some churches. 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