Church Action eNewsletter Week of June 18, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of June 18, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Suicide and mental illness are in all our minds these days. Do you know how to respond when someone answers “How are you?” with “Not doing so well…”? In the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry at the C.H.I.P. website is a short video that will help. See it here.
“Creating Compassionate Congregations Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry” is here. here.
Suicide Loss Survivor Outreach Program - You are not alone. Click here to request a visit with a Georgia SOP volunteer.
On the Day 1 website you will find a blog from the Rev. Rob Lee, UCC, "Dear Uncle John, Suicide and the love of God."

1. The award-winning National Council of Churches podcast is back! Set your podcasting app to download new episodes of the interview-based podcast to hear the top faith leaders of our time. This week listen to Gurwin Ahuja speaking about the "We Are Sikhs" campaign and learn more about the world's fifth largest monotheistic religion. Look in the iTunes store, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, and the Google Play store. A new episode will be released each Friday. Subscribe for free at the iTunes Store here.

2. Reminder of the opportunity to learn how you can support Atlanta’s refugee community? New American Pathways invites you to an orientation on June 21, July 7, or July 12. The sessions will be immediately followed by English at Home training for those interested in this volunteer program area. Contact Akheia Bowie to sign up.

3. The Rev. Martha Spong, director of RevGalBlogPals, is the featured preacher on Day1 June 24. Here her sermon “All in the Same Boat” on Sunday morning in the Atlanta area at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. Hear or read it now at Day1.org and find lots of other resources.

4. The Rev. Farouk Hammo pastor of the Baghdad Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church will be at Northwest Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, Monday, Jun 25, at 9 a.m. All pastors, mission committees, and interested people are invited, 4300 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta 30327. Baghdad Evangelical (Presbyterian) Church is the only Presbyterian church in the city and one of the few in the country. Q & A will follow. This is a unique opportunity to learn about what the church is doing in the Middle East. A continental breakfast will be provided.

5. U S Health and Human Services Partnership Center Webinar A Perfect Partnership: Faith, Community & Public Response to the Opioid-related Foster Care Crisis, June 27, 12 to 1 p.m. Register here for this webinar to understand better the latest HHS data and hear from leaders working with faith-based and community partners to engage, support, and strengthen the foster care system in their communities. Register here.

6. Support Group for Families Dealing with Addiction meets every other week, 6:15 - 7: 45 p.m. at Lake Oconee Community Church. Next meeting is June 27. The purpose is to provide parents and other involved family members a peer group with which to share experiences, hopes, concerns, and successes in a confidential, safe, and informal environment. All who are in need of support, without regard to church affiliation or faith tradition, are welcome and urged to participate. For more information email Pastor Becky Matheny [e-mail].

7. Roswell United Methodist Church invites the community to the Thirty-Seventh Annual Roswell Patriotic Celebration Concerts on Friday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 1, at 3 p.m. The 110-voice Sanctuary Choir and the Atlanta Wind Symphony will present a program filled with favorites such as “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Concert tickets are complimentary but necessary to ensure seating. For ticket information, call [phone] or send an email to [e-mail].

8. First Friday at First presents percussionist Chris Burroughs, July 6, 6- 9 p.m., at The Commons, First Congregational Church, 125 Ellis Street, NE, Atlanta 30303. Admission is $15. Food, fun, and fellowship! Call [phone] if you have questions.

9. The Wild Goose Festival is coming up July 12-15 in Hot Springs, N.C. More than a festival, this is where spirit, justice, music, and art intersect through concerts, storytellers, workshops, liturgy, conversation, and camping. Get tickets atwww.wildgoosefestival.org.

10. It’s movie night at Lake Oconee Community Church, Friday, July 13, 6:00 p.m. The movie to be discussed is “Simon Burch” and you can watch it ahead of time -  for the full length movie click here.

11. Lecture on Palestinian views and analysis of the much talked-about “Deal of the Century.” Guest speaker is Hani Almasri, Director General of the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies, Ramallah, Palestine. Use hospital parking and take the hospital bridge to cross Clifton. R.s.v.p. by Thursday, July 12, to Rev. Abu Akel by text [phone] or email [e-mail]. Sunday, July 15 - 4 - 5 p.m., Room 110, 100 Woodruff Circle, Emory School of Medicine.

12. Business Startup and Improvement for any Business, 501c3, Nonprofit, Church, Charity Workshop - Where do you go to get help starting your business or improving your business? Where can you go to network, gain strategies, tips, and techniques in business that will help you advance in your job and career? Coming up July 21 and every third Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., in Fayetteville, there is a Business by the Book workshop. Come develop your entrepreneurial mindset. Learn what business is right for you. Food, prizes and gift, and networking at every meeting. Pathway Home Foundation, 101 Kenwood Road, Bldg. #50, Fayetteville 30214. Call [phone] to reserve your seat. Only $35 tax deductible donation at the door. Proceeds go to feed battered women and hungry children in our local area.

13. A reminder that you should register by June 26 to take a hike in celebration of GIPL’s 15 years! Join Space is limited. Hike is July 26-27. Registration and more info here.

14. Roswell United Methodist's Drama Ministry Acting UP presents “Annie, the Musical” Thursday, July 26- Sunday, July 29. General admission tickets are $10; reserved seats are $25 ($10 ticket and $15 donation). Leapin' Lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts. For tickets contact the box office at [phone] or [e-mail].

15. Faith A.M.E. Zion Church will host a Back to School Bash on Saturday, July 28, from noon until 3:00 pm. FREE school supplies and back packs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade will be distributed. Students must be present to receive supplies. This event is open to the entire family. Students can also get free haircuts and participate in fun activities. To volunteer or donate supplies, please call the church office at [phone]. Faith is located at 38 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr. Atlanta, Ga. 30311.

16. “Red, White and NEW” - Get your ticket now here for the amazing annual gala recognizing America's newest citizens, Saturday, August 18, at the Georgia Aquarium. 2018 Friend of Freedom Honoree is Dr. Gulshan Harjee. For more information see New American Pathways

17. Volunteer opportunity from New Sanctuary Movement of Atlanta, The Immigration Court Observer Program gives you a chance to see what immigration court actually looks like. You do not have to have any legal training. The training and program materials you will receive will explain everything you need to know. The information that you will gather will help other legal groups respond to issues that may arise. If you can help, contact Kathy Hancock, Advocacy Chair at [e-mail]

18. The Atlanta Center for Wellness offers a Trauma Recovery Group for Women every Monday, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Contact Kim Asher at [phone] or [e-mail] to register.

19. The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305, meets every 1st & 3rd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Parlor. If you are not sure how to knit or crochet, no problem, there will be plenty of people to help you get started. This group is open to anyone who would like to join! For more information call Susan Harlan at 770-377-3869.

20. The object of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the U.S. is to encourage all people to recognize and observe a day of Sabbath rest. Find the alliance’s latest emagazine “Access & Worship: Sunday and Social Justice” here.

Visit www.rccatl.org for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources. And, send us your announcements to [e-mail].

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.
[e-mail]