Church Action eNewsletter Week of June 7, 2021

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of June 7, 2021 
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc. 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Remember that we want your announcements! We are happy to help get the word out about anything you would like the greater faith community to know. 

1. St. Luke Lutheran Church has partnered with Viral Solutions to offer fee drive-thru COVID testing in the church parking lot since October. They are now administering Pfizer vaccinations as well for ages 12 and up. Viralsolutionsga.com/ is the website. The church is in the Buckhead/Vinings location, 3264 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta 30327

2. “How Houses of Worship Can Serve as Vaccination Sites,” Tues., June 8, 6 p.m. EDT Register here Learn how your house of worship can collaborate with a pharmacy partner to become an on-site vaccination clinic by utilizing this new toolkit from the White House COVID-19 team. 
 
3. The Interfaith Children’s Movement has an opportunity for youth, 12 to 18, who have an interest in serving the beloved community, gaining foundational knowledge on social and justice issues, and learning how to advocate and mobilize. To learn more about the ICM Youth Alliance Academy for Social Justice register for an informational session Wednesday, June 9, 6:30 -7:30 p.m. Zoom link will be provided upon registration. Register at icmgeorgia.
 
4. Atlanta Summer Organ Festival returns this summer, with a series of marvelous organ recitals by some of the leading organists of our time. Events in the 26th festival include Wednesday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305, featuring Michael Hey, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, NY.  All recitals begin at 7:30 p.m.; $15 donation requested at the door.

5. . The Alliance for Christian Media, producers of the Day1, hosts a virtual event June 10, at 7:00 p.m. with noted panelists focusing on Dr. C. T. Vivian’s memoir "It's in the Action: Memoirs of a Non-Violent Warrior." The lively conversation will feature the books’ co-author Steve Fiffer, who worked with C.T. Vivian in the last year of his life to create the book. Participating will be his son Al Vivian, Ambassador Andrew Young, and Dr. Bernice King, CNN's Don Lemon will be the moderator. Webinar Registration - Zoom

6. The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and author, speaker, and activist, is the featured preacher June 13 on “Day 1,” the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and via podcast. He is serving this year and next as visiting professor of preaching at Mercer University McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta. “Day 1” has been broadcast every week for 76 years. Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, it is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. Hear it in Atlanta on WSB News 95.5 and 750 AM Sundays at 7:05 a.m. For more information and many resources see Day1.org.  
 
7. Candler faculty members and alumni will lead Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church’s summer lecture series, “Renewal,” unpacking what it means to be the church in a post-pandemic world. Lectures will be held via Zoom Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Learn more. June 13, “Membership in The UMC” with Sue Haupert-Johnson, bishop of the N. Georgia Conference.   
 
8. Join the Missions Ministry of Headland Heights United Methodist Church Tuesday, June 15, 7:00 p.m. for “In Times Like These” Missions Forum. Representatives from Cascade Outreach Ministry, HOPE Atlanta, New City Church, and the Atlanta Regional Commission and will present meaningful opportunities to help us “serve God by serving others.” Together, we can make a real difference! Zoom ID: 878 3345 7527, Passcode 491777, Phone [phone] or 646-558-8656. For additional information, call 404-217-4207.
 
9. Join Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities June 15 at 7 p.m. for the first in a series of virtual events about Georgia's opioid crisis, including the health disparities that exist and resources available here. Register for your free ticket to “Faith Based Communities and Georgia’s Opioid Crisis” at https://bit.ly/3vKXOzX
 
10. “No Longer Strangers: A Dialogue about Immigration” by  Zoom, Wednesday,  June 15, 7 p.m. Join. Register here. The event, offered in both English and Spanish, will include keynote presentations by Bishop Michael Buerkel Hunn (Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande) and Bishop Susan Brown Snook (Episcopal Diocese of San Diego). Attendees will receive advanced online access to a copy of No Longer Strangers: Exploring Immigration Issues, a 20-page bilingual booklet (English and Spanish) that encourages discussion of migration and immigration through the lens of scripture and shared Christian values.
 
11. The Office of Youth Services invites you to attend the DeKalb Alliance on Youth Bi-Monthly Meeting June 16, 1:00-2:30 p.m. via Zoom. The DeKalb Alliance on Youth provides a platform to youth servicing organizations and stakeholders to offer ideas, receive skilled training and technical support to strengthen collaborative approaches and share resources. For information, contact Mussette Hill at [e-mail]
 
12. “Leading the Church Through a Lingering Pandemic” Wednesday, June 16, Join The Candler Foundry for this online discussion with public health experts and pastors in a time of progress and uncertainty concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. 7:30-8:45 p.m. EDT. Learn more and register.
 
13. The Alliance of Baptists Juneteenth Vigil: Remembering and Reimagining Black Life on Friday, June 18, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Hosted by the Sankofa Community of the Alliance of Baptists. Portuguese and Spanish interpretation will be available. Sankofa is a community of Black/African-descendent leaders within the Alliance of Baptists committed to creating community, cultivating spiritual/leadership formation, and conjuring prophetic action to support the mission and vision of the Alliance of Baptists. Register.
 
14. Founded in 1936, BJC is a national faith-based organization whose focus is the protection of religious liberty. Registration is open for “Fierce Freedom,” a live broadcast Friday, June 18, featuring the Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, author, activist, and public theologian and senior minister of Middle Collegiate Church in New York City.  Broadcasting live from the National Press Club in Washington, this event will be a celebration of freedom for all people. Sign up for this free event.  
 
15. The City of East Point and the NAACP Atlanta Branch continue the annual commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States through a Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Festival June 19, in the Downtown Commons, 2757 East Point Street from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The festival will feature more than 200 participants in its parade and more than 50 food, clothing and art vendors.  Admission is free. The parade will kick-off at 11 a.m. at East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church, 2651 N Church Street.
 
16. International Human Trafficking Institute, National Center for Civil and Human Rights offers a critical conversation with Amanda Blackwood about how teens can alter their appearance to look older and how traffickers make use of this method. Changing Appearance, Thursday, June 24, 7 p.m. Register here.
 
17. What does it mean to be Dwelling Places for God, online, in pews, and in our communities? After a year of forced migration to all-digital platforms and programming, do we see the work of digital ministry differently? Each day of eFormation21 will include a keynote speaker, workshops, and time with the learning community. This online conference, July 13-15, is from Virginia Theological Seminary, You can click here to register! The panel on Wednesday is available at no cost.

18. This Toolkit for Vaccine Distribution: 10 Steps to Get Everyone Vaccinated was created by the Episcopal Church and has useful information for any congregation. COVID Vaccine Toolkit

19. Big Bethel AME Church invites you to step up and join the Big Bethel Big Step Challenge to help the Saturday School continue to mentor, provide academic support, tutor, and guide black, Hispanic, and immigrant at-risk youth who are struggling in school. Click for more information. Step Flyer.pdf. Register here.

20. Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer at the brand new Atlanta Community Food Bank headquarters? Join the fight to end hunger with a high-energy session of activities at the Hunger Action Center. Visit volunteer portal to sign up today! If you are interested in bringing a small team of volunteers, please visit Group Request Form.

21. Center for Study of Law and Religion’s online publication, Canopy Forum, now has thousands of readers spread across 173+ countries! Join the conversation by reading the new series on Religious Corporations and the Law or submitting your short article or multimedia scholarship for publica....

22. Faith-filled summer camps, retreats & hosted ministries in four locations -- beautiful settings to reconnect with nature and Jesus. A ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America welcomes all to share in the experience of our community. Whether you’re looking for your child’s camp experience, planning a retreat for your community, or looking for a  Fall or Spring program, NovusWay Ministries has what you’re looking for. NovusWay Ministries I Christian Camps & Retreats In Southeast U.S.

23. A reminder of the Summer Singers opportunities:
Register to participate in Summer Singers of Atlanta. Rehearsals begin Monday, June 7. Performing Mozart's Requiem at St. John UMC, Sandy Springs. More at www.festivalsingers.org
Register to participate in Cobb Summer Singers. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, July 6. Performing Handel's Judas Maccabeus at Marietta First UMC. More at www.festivalsingers.org .
 
Visit our website for a clergy tool box for mental health ministry, and more . . . 

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter