Church Action eNewsletter Week of March 5, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of March 5, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

1. 1. United Way Shoebox Project is underway and volunteers are needed to decorate and assemble 500 toiletry-filled shoeboxes to be distributed to nonprofit agencies that serve low-income and homeless neighbors. here. is everything you need to know. Kickoff event is March 10. Register now! Here.

2. The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) with Rana Nazzal and Joe Catron, Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., North Decatur Presbyterian Church, 611 Medlock Road, Decatur 30033. Founded in 2001, ISM aims to support and strengthen the Palestinian popular resistance by being immediately alongside Palestinians in olive groves, on school runs, at demonstrations, within villages being attacked, by houses being demolished or where Palestinians are subject to consistent harassment or attacks from soldiers and settlers as well as numerous other situations. The presentation will include a screening of an abridged version of Radiance of Resistance, a film produced by three ISM volunteers in the village of Nabi Salih. R.s.v.p. to Sarah Humphrey, [e-mail] .

3. Join AIBTV Network in March for a showcase of the spiritual journeys of faith and community leaders, including Rev. Barbara King, Sensei Michael Ellison, and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman. Every Friday and Saturday evening at 9 p.m. More information at aibtv.com. If you can’t find your AIBTV station email [e-mail].

4. The Women’s Fellowship of First Congregational United Church of Christ, where Rev. Dwight Andrews is pastor, will host Women’s Weekend March 9-11,105 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta. POSTPONED

5. Visit a Mosque Day is March 10, 3-6 p.m., in cities across the state. Meet your neighbors and learn more about their beliefs and practices. Find a participating mosque near you at AtlantaMuslim.com/VAMD

6. The Rev. Allen Pruitt, rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in LaGrange, Ga., is the featured preacher for March 11 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. Hear his sermon “There Is Enough,” on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB in the Atlanta area on Sunday morning at 7:05 a.m. Visit Day 1 for this sermon and many other resources.

7. Smith Chapel UMC will celebrate the 122nd Church Anniversary Sunday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m. The speaker is Rev. John Woods, Pastor of Union Chapel UMC. The theme is “God’s Faithfulness continues to all Generations.”-Psalm 100:5. Join the congregation in celebration at 3325 Humphries Hill Rd. in Austell 30106. The Rev. Debra Stewart is pastor at Smith Chapel.

8. Greater Decatur Churches offer a free opportunity to the Decatur and Atlanta community hosted by the Georgia Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and held at North Decatur United Methodist Church, 1523 Church St, Decatur 30030. Join a candid conversation about mental illness, mental healthcare, breaking down associated stigma, and the role of faith communities in this effort. Each Sunday in March at 6:30 p.m. coming up: March 11 - Family Perspectives: Supporting One Another; March 18 - Living with Mental Illness: Common Misconceptions; March 25 - Next Steps: The Role of Faith Communities. Childcare requires reservations. Please call [phone] or email [e-mail] to make a reservation.

9. 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. Continuing the list started last week:
March 10, tour of the Cathedral of St. Philips, 10-11 a.m., appropriate for all ages, R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]. Enter through doors under the covered drive.
March 10, windows and organ tour of First Presbyterian Church, 11 a.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 10, guided tour of First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1 p.m., this church is an outstanding example of Greek revival-style architecture with an intricate masonry exterior.
March 11, Log Cabin Community Church open house from 12 – 3 p.m., 2699 Log Cabin Drive, Vinings 30339. www.logcabinchurch.com
March 11, guided tour of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2-3:30 p.m., beautiful old Meeting House style sanctuary with historic bell cast in 1860.
March 16, Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church guided tour of Gay House at 10; a stained glass and nave tour of church at 11 a.m.
March 16, Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 2 p.m., tour the French Gothic sanctuary, enjoy stained glass windows, and hear the organ.

10. The fifth annual New Americans Celebration will be Thursday, March 15. The celebration is hosted by the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies representing 18 refugee/immigrant service agencies in Georgia. Come to tell our leaders about the important, positive contributions new Americans bring to Georgia's communities. This year's pre-event training will be held at Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at 48 MLK Dr SW, Atlanta 30303. Check in at 7:45 a.m.; training kicks off at 8 a.m. All are welcome; R.s.v.p. required. Sign up and find out more here.

11. Measuring the Dream Symposium: The Last 5o Years, Thursday, March 15, 7-9:30 p.m., First Congregational Church of Atlanta UCC, 105 Courtland St NE, Atlanta 30303, with Mary Hooks, Rep. Park Cannon, Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Bernard Lafayette. Conveners are Andrea Young, ED of the ACLU of Georgia and adjunct professor, A.Y.S.PS/G.S.U., and Nisha Botchway, associate professor of city & regional planning, Ga. Tech. The symposium looks critically at available date and explores issues of equity in the areas of education, health, and criminal justice. Register at www.measuringthedream.com

12. Across the globe, nearly 1 million people die annually by suicide. This inspiring film has a message of hope and help about the ripple effects of suicide attempts, the story of a survivor. There will be a short discussion afterward, to debrief, answer questions, and share ideas, and possibly meet the film’s creator. Film Screening: The Ripple Effect, March 16, 7:30 p.m. Town Center Stadium 16 Kennesaw & RPX, 2795 Town Center Drive, Kennesaw. Reserve Tickets in Advance here.

13. Mr and Mrs Hades, lecture by Honor Foah, Reimagining the Demeter and Persephone Myth using story, image and sound to inform us about ecology in the present time. Saturday, March 17, 7:30 p.m., Sandy Springs Christian Church, 301 Johnson Ferry Rd., Sandy Springs 30328. Members free, nonmembers $20.00, students$10. For more information see www.jungatlanta.com

14. A special service with glorious music is planned at Historic Zion Church, Highway 80, in Talbotton, Sunday, March 18, 4-6 p.m. (map) Debbie Anderson, member of St. Thomas and music director at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, will chant Evensong. Tony Barrett, organist from St. Andrew's in Fort Valley, will play the organ and arrange other music. The original Bible, prayer book, and Eucharist set will be on display. For more information contact Katherine Johnson at [e-mail].

15. Southern Nursing Research Society was founded in 1986. There are 14 states in the Society region: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia and the Caribbean, Latin America and the Bahamas. The mission includes advancing nursing research through dissemination and utilization of research findings and facilitating the career development of nurses and nursing students as researchers. The annual meeting is in Atlanta, March 21-24. 16. SNRS will sponsor a forum focused on the mounting opioid epidemic. This will be helpful for clergy and other church leaders particularly those in health ministry. March 21, 4-6 p.m., Emory University Hospital Midtown Glenn Auditorium, 550 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta. Read all about this opportunity and find out how to respond here.

17. Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Avenue NE Gainesville, announces a Member Art Show. The opening reception is Wednesday, March 21, 6-7:30 p.m. The show, running through May 6, will feature a variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, mixed media, photography, and fabric and 3D art to include ceramics, glass, metal, sculpture and woodwork. Some pieces may be offered for sale. If you have questions contact [e-mail].

18. Tensions in Sustainability, Thursday, March 22 from 7 - 8:30 p.m., Candler School of Theology, 1531 Dickey Drive, Room 102, Atlanta 30322. Find out all about this facilitator training and register at this website.

19. Religion and State: Islamic and Jewish Perspectives from Antiquity to the Modern World lecture by Dr. Shlomo Pill on March 26, 12-1:30 p.m. Bring your own lunch and join LAMP for a lecture and conversation with Dr. Pill at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, Pitts Library Lecture Room 360, 1532 Dickey Drive, Atlanta 30322. Registration Appreciated: For directions and to register,  click here.

20. The Alchemy Sky Foundation and The George Center are pleased to announce the development of a therapeutic choral program to help older adults living with Parkinson’s Disease improve their quality of life. Research in both music therapy and neuroscience has shown that music synchronizes neural activity, and can improve patients cognitive motor, sensorimotor, and speech/language symptoms. Patients report that participation in singing activities and music with a strong rhythm has improved their gait, breath support, mood, motor control, and ability to perform consecutive tasks. Questions? Call [phone] or Email [e-mail] Registration ends on March 31 www.thegeorgecenter.com

21. On Saturday, April 21, the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta invites congregations, pastors, seminarians and friends to gather for a special event featuring prominent Christian pastor, author, speaker, and activist Brian McLaren at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. For just $10 you will be given the opportunity to enjoy worship, brunch, small group conversations, all led by Brian McLaren himself. Spend April 21, 10:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m., to hear all about his passion for “a new kind of Christianity.” Register here.

22. Mental Health America of Georgia is hosting the fifth annual silent auction and reception spotlighting its work in early intervention and crisis prevention through our maternal, youth, and adult programs. Casino Night: Fight the Stigma, featuring authentic casino games, a luxury auction, DJ, dancefloor and a buffet-style dinner, will be April 21, 6 – 10 p.m. Crowne Plaza Midtown Hotel, 590 W. Peachtree St NW, Atlanta 30308. Save $15 on Casino Night tickets using the code "STIGMAFREE." The offer ends on Friday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m. If you have questions or concerns, contact Taimere Wood at [e-mail] or [phone]. Buy Tickets Now!

23. Hosea Helps is seeking Sunday Best donations for children of all sizes and ages. Bring your gently worn or new dresses, button-up shirts, pants, jackets, shoes, and socks (on a hanger if possible) to Hosea Helps, 4215 Wendell Drive, Suite 1, Atlanta 30336, now through March 29. Help children celebrate Easter in their Sunday Best!

24. Find out about becoming a CASA volunteer, a trained advocate who speaks for the best interests of a child enmeshed in the court system usually as a victim of abuse or neglect. Almost anywhere in the state needs you. The following link will bring you to the Get Involved page. To find trainings in your area, scroll to Program Training and select any of the affiliates listed. www.gacasa.org/

25. Find out about a free online course Harvard is offering to promote religious understanding at this website.