Church Action eNewsletter Week of March 13, 2017

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of  March 13, 2017

We will be happy to include your announcements in an upcoming eNewsletter. Send them to [e-mail].

 

 

1. Phoenix Flies provides an opportunity to learn about and celebrate Atlanta’s built environment. Complete list of churches to be visited with details. Coming up this week, starting Wednesday, Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist, Peachtree Christian Church, The Temple, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, The Black Church as the Cultural Womb of the African American Community, Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, First Church of Christ, Scientist, First Presbyterian Church, and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

 

2. Sober St. Paddy's Day Comedy Night, Friday, March 17, music by Lennon Jones Band, green mocktails, lucky green appetizers, and more at 6:30 p.m. Join Caron for a night of laughs. Lehr is a comedic performer, write, and producer working in television, film and theater — one of the original Geico Cavemen. $8 per person includes three comedy acts, food, drinks, music, and free parking. Georgia Public Broadcasting, 260 14th Street NW, Atlanta 30318. Limited Seating! Reserve Your Tickets. Please be aware there may be some adult language.

 

3. Contemplative Retreat Day: Letting Go.  March 18, 9 a.m. – noon, St. Anne's Episcopal Church. Dr. Bunny Williams, seminarian, will lead discussions and meditations on forgiveness, letting go, and the gift of healing.  Rector Licia Affer will be available to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession and absolution).  R.s.v.p. to Scott Miller at [e-mail] or [phone] so there will be materials for you. Free. St. Anne’s is at 3098 St. Anne’s Lane, Atlanta 30327.

 

4. From the Seedtime & Harvest Gardeners at the Friendship Center at Holy Comforter Church: Saturday, March 18, first plant sale of the season, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for over 30 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, and annuals with perennial flowers, shrubs, groundcovers, and herbs, too. Resolve to support your LOCAL and ORGANIC growers at the Friendship Center in their 16th year of plant sales, 737 Woodland Ave, SE, Atlanta 30307 Holycomforter-atlanta.org  [phone].

 

5. The story of the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well is the subject of the Day 1 sermon this week by the Rev. Brian Coulter, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Aiken. Hear it Sunday morning at 7:05 on News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB, or hear or read it now and find many other text, audio, and video resources at Day 1.

 

6. The Concert Spirituel provided a means in eighteenth century Paris to produce entertainments during the Lenten season when theatrical events were forbidden. The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, joined by the Cathedral Schola, will recreate one such program at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305, and at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 19 at St. David's, 1015 Old Roswell Road, Roswell 30076, with an exquisite grand motet by Delalande and instrumental music by Leclair, Dauvergne, and Corelli. read more and buy tickets » 

 

7. The Day 1 benefit Tuesday, March 21, will honor 5 Atlanta area leaders well known for their commitment to the good of the community and deeply committed to their church and Christian faith. The event supports the Day 1 ecumenical radio and internet ministry (formerly known as The Protestant Hour) which has broadcast sermons by outstanding preachers for over 70 years. Dinner, cool jazz performed by the Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews and the Rev. Dr. Ozzie Smith Jr, and honorees Margaret Graff and Richard Higgins, the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, John Schuerholz, the Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long. Tickets are $200 per person, for clergy $125. Call Pat Reagan at [phone] for information and reservations.

 

8. Trinity Institute is an annual theological conference in New York. This year's theme is Water Justice. Georgia Interfaith Power and Light will stream the keynote address in celebration of World Water Day. The keynote, Barbara Boxer, former U.S. House Representative and Senator, is a leader on environmental protection. Afterwards there will be a discussion on water, justice, and faith. Thursday, March 23, 7 - 9 p.m. For more info and to register visit here.

 

9. Young performers from Shoruq Organization will be at the Friends School, 862 Columbia Drive, Decatur 30030, on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m.  Using original music and dance, young people from Dheisheh Refugee Camp share the history and daily life of Palestinian refugees. Shoruq ("sunrise") provides legal aid, media resources, arts and advocacy for Palestinian refugees. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 students. R.s.v.p. Rev Fahed Abuakel by calling or texting 404-441-2702 or email [e-mail].

 

10. The Roswell United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten will host its semi-annual children’s consignment sale on Friday, March 24, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Saturday, March 25, 8 a.m. - noon. Go to rumc.com/rumck for more information and to register to consign or volunteer.

 

11. Popular ECS Preschool Touch A Truck Event at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the parking lot. This annual fundraising event for the Early Childhood School will feature vehicles from Gay Construction, Atlanta Peach Movers, the Atlanta Fire Department, the Atlanta Police Department, and various bus companies, to name a few! The Tasty Bus and other food vendors will be on hand. Come explore vehicles, enjoy food and games, and tour the preschool! Invite your friends and neighbors to this community-wide event at 2715 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta 30305.

 

12. What We Carried at Alif Institute is a unique exhibit from the Arab National Museum.  Photographer Jim Lommasson brings to light the life-changing decisions made by Iraqi and Syrian refugees fleeing their homeland in search of safety and a better life for themselves and their families in the U.S. The objects and the stories behind them combined with personal images illustrate the common threads that bind all of humanity. A great program for school and group visits. Contact Alif to organize a group visit. Opening March 25 at 2 p.m., the photographer will be present. Exhibit is in Atlanta through June 3, free and open to the public. 3288 Marjan Dr, Atlanta 30340.

 

13. Milwaukee 53206 has been accepted at the Atlanta Film Festival, March 25 screening. Information and tickets. The film, which looks at the impact of mass incarceration on those that are left behind — families, communities— is at the center of a campaign designed to mess with goals of faith-based and social justice organizations working to support those affected by mass incarceration and to end the practice that makes the U.S. the most incarcerated country in the world. Odyssey Networks.

 

14. Morgan State University Concert Choir Spring Tour, this world-class vocal ensemble will be at Ben Hill United Methodist Church, 2099 Fairburn Road SW, Atlanta 30331, on Saturday, March 25, at 6:00 p.m. Donations welcome, check should be made to Morgan State University Concert Choir. If you have questions call [phone].

 

15. Atlanta Children's Shelter's 9th for ACS programs serving homeless children and families, Piedmont Park. Includes a Prep Rally, a 5K Run/Walk, the "Bunny Run" for families with strollers and youngsters, and a live DJ. March 26. Online registration is closed. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.

 

16. 2017 Andrew Cain Memorial Concert British Composers of the 20th Century, one performance only, March 26, 3 p.m., St. Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St. NE (at 5th Street) convenient to North Avenue MARTA Station. All General Admission seats $10 online at Eventbrite; $15 at the door.

 

17. St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, Sunday to Thursday, March 26-30, 7-8:15 p.m., Father William Casey, CPM, will challenge the community to make a stronger, deeper personal commitment to Christ and his church. Topics will be the spiritual battle of our time; the weapon for our battle; the means to grace; the power of prayer; and the theology of Christian love and mercy. Contact Mary Lou Schwaner at [e-mail].

 

18. Bruce Feiler will be at the Art and Culture Book Festival at the Marcus JCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, Thursday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m., talk and book signing. “The First Love Story: Adam, Eve, and Us.”  He travels from the Garden of Eden in Iraq to the Sistine Chapel in Rome, from John Milton’s London to Mae West’s Hollywood discovering how this first Biblical couple set the example of a long term, healthy relationship. Visit www.atlantajcc.org  for more and to purchase tickets.

 

19. Simply Simone Workshop for Young Actors Reflect the Times a masterclass on devising theater for social change, Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Theatrical Outfit. Sign Up Here.

 

20. Jewish Women's Fund of Atlanta and Atlanta Jewish Film Festival screening of “Brave Miss World,” followed by a panel discussion with experts in the field and a delicious dessert reception is April 4, Temple Sinai. A portion of ticket sales will go directly to sexual assault prevention. Tickets here. Linor Abargil was abducted, stabbed, and raped in Milan, at age 18. The film explores the trauma of sexual assault through one young woman’s journey from teenage rape victim to Miss World to empowered lawyer and activist.

 

21. The Hart Readers, a program of the Cathedral Book Store, meet in the Walthour Library at the Cathedral of St. Philip each month. The book for April is “Silence” by Shusaku Endo; you might want to get started. 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. Thursday, April 5, 6:30 p.m.

 

22. Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Unsung Heroine/Hero Award Luncheon at Villa Christina sponsored by Saving Our Children and Families. This event recognizes men and women who quietly make a difference in the lives of children.  No tickets will be sold at the door. R.s.v.p.

 

23. Waging Peace: 100 Years of Action. American Friends Service Committee (Quakers) is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a Centennial Summit for Peace and Justice on April 21-22. Oscar Arias is giving a keynote talk. See afsc.org/100 for full details and a link to registration. People who have been involved in AFSC in any way -- as staff, volunteers, participants, or donors -- can share stories at peaceworks.afsc.org. 

 

24. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke.  A Call to Action: Becoming an Upstander. This interactive workshop will examine issues of implicit and explicit bias and teach skills to respond to insensitive or hateful comments in order to promote a more civil, respectful, and safe community. Sunday, April 23, 2 – 4 p.m., Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta 30305. Event is free, however registration is required. Register online here.

 

25. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for DeKalb County will work with faith institutions to help them learn about issues facing those living with mental illness and their significant others; how your faith community can reach out to these individuals and a make a difference in their lives. Mental Health and Faith Institute April 27, 2017, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 Lavista Rd, Tucker 30084. To R.s.v.p. contact Dianne at [phone] or at [e-mail]. More about NAMI DeKalb.

 

26. Getting your taxes done doesn’t have to be complicated; it doesn’t have to be expensive. Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is working with individuals and families to simplify the tax filing process and assure important tax credits. VITA tax preparation for households with an income of $55,000 or less is done in-person by IRS trained volunteers. The 2017 program began on January 23 and continues through April 18. List of VITA locations in the region. 

Other options: IRS Free File, the Ga. Dept. of Revenue, search for "Free File Alliance" or www.taxprephelp.org .

 

27. Spring offerings continue at Columbia Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning. See a listing here.

 

28. Registration deadline is April 1, but there are only a few spots left in Peacebuilders Camp at Koinonia Farm 2017 camp sessions! Register today.

29. For youth and young adults with a mental health diagnosis and/or substance use, steps toward achieving their goals for the future can be difficult. Therapeutic environments often feel sterile and are not designed with youth and in mind. The Clubhouse is "The Spot" for youth and young adults to learn through life skills and enrichment activities, to enjoy social outings, and to build their mental health resiliency. Click here to learn more.

 

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox  for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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