Church Action eNewsletter Week of March 12, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of March 12, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

1. New Americans Celebration and Advocacy, Thursday, March 15, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. will go on as planned! You’ll also see some of the staff out with signs helping you get to the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Finally, order a super cool “GA Loves Refugees” shirts online. All proceeds go to CRSA. Order here.

2. Bach Birthday Bash at Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street, March 16, 7:30 p.m. This annual concert celebrates the life and music Johann Sebastian Bach. This year’s program will feature soloists Nicolas Deuson, guitar; Josie Durdin, violin; Jonathan Fuller, cello, Sarah Hawbecker, organ; and Mindy Tanzola, flute. Also performing are the J.O.Y. Choir and the Redeemer Choir and there will be audience participation. A reception will follow the free concert.

3. The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta’s Historic Sites, March 3- March 25, a program of Atlanta Preservation Center, is 15 years old this year. Once again many historic churches are featured in free tours and open houses. The final list March 17-25 is at the end of this newsletter.

4. The Day1 preacher this week is the Rev. B.J. Hutto, associate pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York, NY. A graduate of Wofford College with two degrees from Duke University Divinity School, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Theological Ethics at Kings College, Aberdeen. The sermon for March 18, the 5th Sunday in Lent, is based on John 12:20-36 and entitled “On Being Philip.” Hear it in Atlanta on News 95.5 and 750AM WSB at 7:05 a.m., Sunday morning. Click hereto download, stream, or continue reading online...

5. Peach State Opera's "Operatizers" fundraiser, part of Lawrenceville Road UMC Music for Missions, March 18, 7-8 p.m., 3142 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker 30084. The program starts and ends with party choruses celebrating life, love, and champagne. Also featured are arias from past productions and a hint of next season’s La Boheme. The five performers are gifted recitalists. The Gershwin Songbook and Friends of the South portions include some of their favorites. The program will also include brief narration of foreign language selections. This is a free concert but donations are welcome.

6. Cascade United Methodist Church will host a conversation with the Atlanta City Council and interested citizens on the addition of a multi-use trail to the west section and the impact to Phase I of the Cascade Road/Avenue Corridor Project. Tuesday, March 20, 6-8 p.m., 3144 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311. Rad more here.

7. The Cross in Context: Suffering and Redemption in Palestine with Authors Rev. Dr. Suzanne Watts Henderson and Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. A Palestinian theologian and an American biblical scholar explore the redemptive power of Jesus’ death in first and twenty-first century Palestine, Tuesday, March 20, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Harrington Center Auditorium, Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Dr., Decatur 30030. (Enter campus from Inman Dr., park in lot on the left behind the library.) Please R.s.v.p. to Sarah Humphrey, [e-mail]

8. Interfaith Children’s Movement General Meeting, Tuesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta. Email [e-mail] for more information.

9. The Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State will be delivered by Dr. Charles Haynes, founding director of the Religious Freedom Center, Newseum Institute, Washington. The lectures, March 20 at McAfee, and March 21 at Mercer in Macon are free and open to the public. Click here for information.

10. Enterprise Opportunity360 Toolkit webinar, Wednesday, March 21, 1-2 p.m. Learn how you can analyze any census tract in the US for five areas of opportunity - Housing Stability, Education, Health and Well Being, Economic Security and Mobility. This report is a tool to promote understanding of the complex place-based factors that shape opportunity pathways and outcomes at a local level. This webinar is without cost and open to attendees across the U.S. Get more information here.

11. South Fulton Human Services Coalition presents the State of Health and Human Services in South Fulton County. Thursday, March 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, 2220 Campbellton Rd, Atlanta 30311. Faith and civic leaders and stakeholders from vital cross-sectors of the community will engage in discussion. Admission is free; registration is required. R.s.v.p. here.. For more information contact Mary Wilson at [phone]. Sponsorships are available.

12. March for Our Lives, Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m., Center for Civil & Human Rights We cannot allow one more child to be shot at school, one more teacher to make a choice to jump in front of an assault rifle to save the lives of students. To save these lives should be a top priority.

13. Roswell United Methodist Church invites the community to the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. At RUMC, 814 Mimosa Blvd., and next door at The Gardens at Great Oaks. Activities include inflatables for all ages, a petting zoo, games, face painting, and pictures with the Easter bunny. Children through grade 5 are invited to bring their friends and Easter baskets and enjoy the fun.

14. Shallowford Presbyterian Church’s new Holy Week event A Journey with Jesus is a self-guided, meditative “walk with Jesus” through twelve stations in the story of Jesus’ journey during Holy Week. Each contains a scripture verse and a devotion for reflection and prayer. This unique presentation begins with Jesus’ anointing at Bethany, proceeds to the upper room, through Gethsemane, to his trial before the Sanhedrin, to his visit with Pilate, to the cross, and ultimately, to the tomb. Each station reminds us of the ancient stories and brings them to life in thoughtful, relevant ways. A Journey with Jesus is a modern incarnation of the traditional Catholic meditative journey called Stations of the Cross. All ages are welcome. Adults are encouraged to accompany young children. March 26 – March 30 - Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. – noon, Shallowford Presbyterian Church Chapel, 2375 Shallowford Rd., Atlanta 30345; [phone].

15. End Mass Incarceration/ Healing Communities Meeting, March 26, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Interdenominational Theological Seminary, 700 Martin Luther King Jr., Dr., SW, Atlanta 30314.

16. Interfaith Children's Movement, The Temple, and Ahavath Achim will host the Fourth Interfaith Anti-Human Trafficking Seder "Freedom from Human Trafficking...Liberation from Modern Day Slavery," Monday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m., at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta 30309.  Register here.

17. Sonando Juntos/Dreaming Together Pilgrimage Walk, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, Sunday, March 25, 4 - 6 p.m., 2601 Henderson Mill Road NE, Atlanta 30345. This walk includes people who came to the U.S. by immigration, refugee process, or birth. It is a 1.5 mile spiritual journey from St. Bede's, past New American Pathways offices, and ends with Eucharist at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration office on Parklake Dr. Along the way, you will hear stories of our neighbors, pray, and read scripture. Any offering collected will go to St. Bede’s Welcoming Immigrants & Refugees fund which provides support to families with a member in ICE custody.

18. The Passion Collective is a gap-year program of service and spiritual direction in intentional Christian community, a part of Grace House Campus Ministry (Lutheran) at Georgia Tech. Passion Collective interns live at Grace House rent-free for one year, in exchange for serving part-time in campus ministry. Applications for the 2018-19 School Year are due by April 1. Contact Pastor Devin Strong [e-mail] for more information.

19. Hosea Helps “Share the Love” Easter Revival, Easter Sunday morning, April 1 starting at 10 a.m. in the orange lot old Turner Field on Capitol Avenue for great old-fashioned music and powerful preaching, plus get a haircut, hair braiding, food, and new Sunday’s Best clothes for the family. Other fun activities, too. Volunteers are needed - register online at www.4hosea.org

20. Rally to End Racism on April 4 in Washington, D.C. The event includes a rally on the National Mall led by the National Council of Churches. Learn more and get involved  here.

21. Dr. King’s Legacy: Beyond the Dream, Oxford College of Emory University invites you to an event marking the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination on Wednesday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church, 803 Whatcoat Street, Oxford College campus in Oxford. The event will include welcome from Oxford Dean, Dr. Douglas A. Hicks and music from the MLK Interdenominational Choir, made up of local community members. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita of Spelman College and author of the recently updated version of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria. Free and open to the public. Questions? Contact Dr. Lyn Pace at [e-mail].

22. Stay Connected! Stay Strong! A full day focusing on supporting and empowering families impacted by incarceration with the strategies, tools, and resources needed to stay connected and strong, April 13, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta, 30310. For more information and to register go  here.

23. Hops for Hope, a fund raising event for Lutheran Services of Georgia’s refugee service programs. April 14, 5:30 – 8 p.m., Eventide Brewing, 1015 Grant Street SE, Atlanta 30315. Early bird tickets are $25 before April 7th. Regular tickets are $35. Info and tickets>>

24. Central Outreach & Advocacy 5th annual Cheers for Change, April 15, 3-6 p.m., Sweetwater Brewing Company, 195 Ottley Drive NE, Atlanta 30324. Info and tickets>>

25. The AIB Network will celebrate Atlanta nonprofits April 19 at its 2018 John H. Allen Awards at the Southwest Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Reception starts at 6. The ceremony will be hosted by veteran news anchor and journalist Monica Pearson. AIB will also honor Ambassador Andrew Young with the John Houston Allen Humanitarian Award for his achievements in building bridges across religious, ethnic and social backgrounds. The ceremony will be televised on AIB Network on May 6, 2018. Tickets and sponsorships available. Visit aibtv.com for more information.

26. You've got a vision for a better world and you want to see that vision come to life! Join The Hatch! The Hatch is a faith-infused social innovation certificate program and accelerator that gets your idea for a social enterprise up and running fast! Run out of CenterForm's coworking space in the heart of Atlanta, The Hatch will give you business skills and networks to create innovative and sustainable social ventures that generate social and environmental impact. The group has a deep commitment to faith, a firm belief in the power of passionate people to change the world, and a determination to see faith and passion leveraged for the common good. They will work with you to shape and refine your vision into a living, breathing, sustainable and scalable social enterprise. Applications accepted through April 20. The program kicks off in May and concludes on August 11 with a live-streamed pitch event. Cost is $1250 with limited scholarships available. To apply or find out more Click here.

27. #EAD2018 sponsored by the National Council of Churches, April 20-23, in our nation's capital will focus on “A World Uprooted: Responding to Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People.” For those arriving early, there will be an opportunity to attend "Our Call to Speak Up for Displaced People," Friday afternoon, April 20. This workshop will explore theological and biblical resources for analyzing the global forces - war, climate change, famine and more - which uproot people from their homelands, and how we can sustain our solidarity with the uprooted. Find out more>>

28. Southern Crescent Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center Champions for Children Super Hero 5 K is Saturday, April 21, in downtown Newnan. For all the information visit here.

29. Within faith communities, perhaps no other topic provokes such heated debate as sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This two-day workshop will engage in healthy and honest discussion around spirituality and sexuality, with the goal of enhancing the capacity of participants—spiritual directors, clergy leaders, or laypersons of any denomination—to discuss issues of faith and sexuality. There will be no attempt to convince one another to adopt any view. This is a safe and sacred space to share knowledge and to engage in honest dialogue. April 26-27, St. Mary’s, Sewanee. Contact James Goodmann at [e-mail] for more information. Register here.

30. ICI World Pilgrimage to Sedona, Canyon de Chelly and Phoenix, Arizona, May 6 - 12, 2018, Interested? Contact ICI [e-mail]

31. Summa Theological Debate Summer Camp is July 17-25 this year. It is open to students entering grades 9-12 this fall. Visit summa.sewanee.eduto find out about this unusual opportunity for young people to engage important topics, learn communications skills, think imaginatively, and explore their faith.

32. Interfaith Community Initiatives Immersion Program: Are you interested in learning and experiencing the diversity of faiths and backgrounds in Atlanta? Do you like to learn through experience and engagement? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be ready for an Immersion Experience. Read more here>>

33. Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs, and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity at home and far beyond where we live. We can end hunger in our time. Bread for the World’s 2018 Offering of Letters: For Such a Time as This is now available. The materials include a how-to guide to planning an event, an explanation of the issue, and suggestions on how to promote your event. Spanish materials, here both online and print, are also now available. You can order Offering of Letters materials for free at the Bread for the World online store here.

34. Lutheran Services of Georgia is looking for volunteers to help with rebuilding and repairing Georgia homes with a concentration of work along the Georgia Coast. Needed are skilled and semi-skilled workers. Interested volunteers should contact Mr. Al Kates at [e-mail].

35. We have been asked by the Social Security Administration to suggest a pulpit announcement about the new Medicare card numbers. Starting in April all cards will be gradually replaced with cards with new numbers. It will take a year for this to be completed. Fraudsters are already trying to take advantage of this by contacting Medicare beneficiaries asking for information. No one will call for information. That is the important thing we need to let people know. Do not give information to anyone who calls about this. And, you do not have to do anything to get the new card. The card will be mailed. If there are questions 1-800-MEDICARE is happy to help.

the Phoenix Flies

• March 17, Saint Mark UMC, 781 Peachtree St NE, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Self-guided tour with presentation of this Willie Franklin Denny designed church which has stood at the corner of Peachtree and 5th since 1902.
• March 18, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 3098 St. Anne’s Lane, Atlanta 30327, March 18, 12-1 p.m., informational tour of stunning stained glass windows and Flentrop organ. Come enjoy the program with your family; it follows the 10:30 service. There will be stained glass coloring pages for the kiddos! Questions? Contact [e-mail].
• March 18, Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave, March 18, 3 p.m., tour the French Gothic sanctuary, enjoy stained glass windows, and hear the organ.
• March 19, First Church of Christ, Scientist, 11 a.m 150 15th St at Peachtree, guided tour this church that is an outstanding example of Greek revival-style architecture with an intricate masonry exterior.
• March 19, windows and organ tour of First Presbyterian Church, 1328 Peachtree St, 2 p.m., 60-90 minutes, see windows by Tiffany, D’Ascenzo, and Willet. Touch the ancient baptismal font, perhaps the old Christian relic in the U.S.
• March 20, Northside Drive Baptist, 3100 Northside Drive, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Art historian and parishioner Jordan Clark will provide an interpretive tour of the unusual stained glass windows and octagonal nave.
• March 21, Peachtree Christian, 1580 Peachtree Street, 12-2 p.m., tour the Gothic Revival sanctuary modeled after Melrose Abbey in Scotland and see one of the country’s finest collections of stained glass windows telling the story of the life of Jesus.
• March 21, The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St, 2 p.m., guided tour of the Shutze synagogue, chartered as the first official Jewish organization in Atlanta in 1867.
• March 24, St. Anne’s, 3098 St. Anne’s Lane, 10:00 am — noon, an extended tour of the windows, the fabulous and very popular mid-century architecture, and a fascinating informational session and demonstration of the Flentrop organ by Dr. Joyce Schemanske, plus a demonstration of the organ’s functionality using a plexiglass mockup Questions? Contact [e-mail] or [phone].
• March 25, St. Paul’s UMC, 501 Grant Street SE, 3-5 p.m., hear the history and tour this Neo-Romanesque church that in 1907 opened its doors to its first worshippers, 1,200 members. The pipe organ was acquired from the Piedmont Exposition in 1887.