Church Action eNewsletter Week of March 6, 2017

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of  March 6, 2017

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

 

 

1. Lent can be the perfect time to strengthen our resolve to care for Creation. The Rev. Leeann Culbreath has written on this theme, reflecting on Ash Wednesday and her coal ash work in South Georgia. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light shares Lenten resources. One may speak to you about integrating Creation Care into your Lent season. See the resources here. 

 

2. Thunder at the Gates: The Black Civil War Regiments That Redeemed America.  Douglas Egerton has written a new book that tells the history of the first black soldiers to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War.  Egerton argues that in fighting with distinction, these regiments changed public opinion and helped promote the idea of full and equal citizenship for blacks. March 8, 8 p.m., talk and signing at the Atlanta History Center.

 

3. Compassionate ATL and the Charter for Compassion International invite you to participate in a webinar, Thursday, March 9, Thursday, at 12 p.m. A program of the One America Registry Coalition. The goal is to join with others to create a movement to uphold the American values enshrined in our constitution. Click here to register.

 

4. Interfaith Children’s Movement in Cobb meeting this Thursday, March 9, 4:00- 5:30 p.m. The agenda includes a planning discussion for The Celebration of Family, which is a day in the park to link families to community resources. Tillman United Methodist Church, 940 Concord Rd, Smyrna 30080. R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]

 

5. GA WAND and Charis present Climate Justice, The Transition Movement, and People of Faith, Thursday, March 9, 7:30 – 9 p.m. Ruah Swennerfelt will talk about her book Rising to the Challenge: The Transition Movement and People of Faith. She will talk about the hope and possibilities she finds in communities on the front lines of climate change across the world. She reveals how the wisdom of diverse faith traditions has helped inspire this uniquely forward-looking and community-centered movement. Thursday, March 9, 7:30-9:00 p.m., $5 suggested donation. Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta 30307.

 

6. A priority of Georgia Cares is to raise awareness of the issue of DMST and to train community members on warning signs and resources. On a monthly basis, free training is open to the public in communities across Georgia. Click on the link to register. March 11,  Hephzibah Children's Home, Macon. To request a community training near you, contact [e-mail]. 

 

7. Phoenix Flies update: St. Mark United Methodist Church, designed by Denny, has stood at the corner of Peachtree and Fifth Sts since 1902. Saturday, March 11, 12 – 2 p.m. Log Cabin Community Church, Sunday, March 12, 1-2 p.m., 2699 Log Cabin Dr, Vinings 30339, the original log cabin here was built in 1912 for the Log Cabin Union Sunday School.  Peachtree Christian Church tour, 1580 Peachtree St, Atlanta 30309, Wednesday, March 15, 12:30 p.m., featuring one of the country’s finest collections of stained glass. The Temple, chartered in 1867 as the first official Jewish organization in Atlanta. Current synagogue was designed in 1930 by Shutze, 1589 Peachtree St, Atlanta 30309, Wednesday, March 15, 2:30 p.m. List of churches being toured is here. 

 

8. Neighborhood Action Group, Saturday, March 11, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Decatur Town Square, 113 Clairmont Ave., Decatur 30030. Community Rally for inclusivity, immigration rights, the environment, access to health care, an independent press and voting rights. There will be music, speakers, citizen action and opportunity to sign the petition. Click here to find out more.

 

9. The Rev. Stephen Cook, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church, Memphis, is the featured preacher on Day 1 this week. In the Atlanta area hear him at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 or AM 750 WSB. Visit the website for this sermon and text, audio, and video resources. 

 

10. On the second Sunday of each month, the High Museum of Art offers free admission for all visitors and special family-friendly programming. March’s theme is Full STEAM Ahead. What do science, technology, engineering, and math have to do with making art? Explore STEAM connections along with the creative process through our art activities and performances. March 12, noon to five o’clock, full schedule and details. 

 

11. St. Jude the Apostle Church, 7171 Glenridge Dr., Sandy Springs, Monday to Wednesday, March 13-15, 7-8 p.m. Deacons Robert Herrmann and Eddie Ensley teaching as Jesus did, with stories and parables, and their own down-to-earth insights, infectious wit, and holy inspiration, will tie heaven and earth together, making the divine connect with everyday life. For information, contact Alix Shattuck at [e-mail]. 

 

12. St. Benedict Church, Johns Creek, March 13-21, 7 p.m. each night. Matthew Leonard, speaker and author from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, will speak of hope and prayer. Visit stbenedict.net. 

 

13. All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree St., Atlanta. Egg-Onomic  Breakfast Series features Peggy Whitlow, founder of Live, Thrive  Inc. a 501(c)3 that empowers people, organizations,  communities, and businesses to make  positive, healthy, and sustainable changes  to the environment. Through partner-ships and events, Live Thrive has diverted over 350,000 pounds of hazardous waste from our water system and landfills. Tuesday, March 14, 7:30 a.m., breakfast in Ellis Hall. Cost is $5. Proceeds go to Men of Hope at Covenant Community. Sign up by email to [e-mail] . All are invited to attend Holy Eucharist at 8:30.

 

14. United Way of Greater Atlanta is hosting three Achievement Clubs at Decatur Cooperative Ministry. At the meetings, people set goals and as they take steps to accomplish them United Way provides financial compensation. Food and drink are also provided at meetings. Three clubs are available for seniors, families, and the general public. For more information, please contact Cameron Burleson at [phone] or [e-mail]. Decatur Cooperative Ministry, 115 Church Street, Decatur 30030.

 

• Families next meeting. Tuesday, March 14, 6:00 p.m.
• General population meeting next Monday, March 13, 11:00 a.m.
• Seniors, aged 55+ next meeting Thursday, March 30, 10:00 a.m.

 

15. Science and Spirituality: A Panel Discussion for Church and Community, Thursday, 7 p.m., March 16.  What are the intersections and shared pathways of science and spirituality, of physics and faith, of biology and belief? Who says the only way to encounter the holy is through faith? Can people connect via the mind, or intellectualism, or reasoning? A panel of local scientists and theologians, including Dr. Arri Eisen from Emory's Center for Ethics and Pastor James Brewer-Calvert from First Christian Church of Decatur, will explore and offer a wide range of insights in a safe space for open dialogue. Part of Atlanta Science Festival being held across the city, March 14-25. Free parking in the church lot and across the street at the Decatur P. O. First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 West Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur 30030.

 

16. First Presbyterian Church looks forward to welcoming visitors on Monday, March 20, at 2 p.m. for the Phoenix Flies Tour.  Topics covered will include the creation of early Presbyterian Churches in Atlanta. Twenty stained glass windows by Tiffany, D'Ascenzo, and Willett will be featured. View the "Jesus and the Little Children" window by Tiffany up close. Churches formed by members of First Presbyterian include North Avenue, Peachtree Road Presbyterian (now Peachtree Presbyterian), and Trinity.

 

17. Suicide happens and nobody wants to talk about it, yet 1 in 17 is thinking of ending their life. Tuesday, March 21, the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia presents Soul Shop--the best church, clergy, and lay caregiver workshop available for suicide intervention and care of survivors. When pastors and lay caregivers start speaking openly and compassionately about suicide, the doors open for others to share their struggles and fears. Find out what to say and when to say it. Workshop leader is Rev. Michelle Snyder, national Soul Shop director. The Center’s Soul Shop is offered at First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 LaVista Road, Tucker (exit #37 off I-285). Register here.  For information: [e-mail] or 404-636-1457 x403.

 

18. Summit Counseling Center, Soul Shop, Training for Church Leaders, Wednesday, March 22, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., you will learn how to solve the greatest problem for people who need to talk about suicide; learn how to make ministry to the desperate and those who love them a regular aspect of your preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, think about making your church a community where people navigating the dangerous passages of life find a place where they can reinvent their lives rather than self-destruct. You can save a life. Seating is limited. Register Online 

 

19. Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story, Coffee and cookies will be served, no admission charge, Wednesday, March 22, 7 -9 p.m., Aquinas Center, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. Dorothy Day is no saint. She lives hard, makes mistakes, endures the consequences, but the unquenchable fire burning within her cannot be contained. Dorothy wants to make a difference. During the Depression, she vows to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and tend the sick. Easily said. Not easily done when her total finances amount to 97 cents. R.s.v.p. 

 

20. The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP and architect of the Moral Monday protest movement, is keynote speaker at Candler School of Theology’s Bandy Preaching Conference, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in Cannon Chapel. His is part of “Preaching a Relevant Word: Politics, Policy & the People,” March 23-24. Barber’s keynote and the conference are free and open to the public, but registration is required. Guests may register for the keynote alone or the full conference. Register here. 

 

21. For  your health ministry, Better Health Exchange Community Health Education Forum for Faith-Based Health & Wellness Ministries and Communities, Saturday, March 25, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., WellStar Atlanta Medical Center South (Auditorium), 1170 Cleveland Avenue, East Point 30344. Admission is free, but registration is required R.s.v.p. 

 

22. A reminder of the March 25, St. Mark's Gospel by Tom Bair, Saturday, March 25, 2- 4 p.m., St. Edward's Episcopal Church, 737 Moon Road, Lawrenceville 30046. The entirety of The Gospel of St. Mark performed in the simple, elegant English prose of the KJ Bible.  Tickets.

 

23. The Sultan and the Saint, Sunday, March 26, 4:00 p.m., Unity Atlanta Church, 3597 Parkway Lane, Norcross 30092, [phone]. Sunday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m. AILF presents an outstanding 60-minute film recently released by the Unity Productions Foundation which provides an important historic perspective on Christian – Muslim relations. In the period of the Crusades it took valiant leadership, as it does today, to set aside easy prejudices and build bridges of understanding and respect. There is no charge. All are welcome. Joining with our neighbors in viewing this movie and renewing our historical perspective is one of the positive manners in which we can quietly demonstrate our love for one another. 

 

24. Save the date: Good Friday Musical Presentation: The Choral Stations of the Cross, April 14,  3:00 p.m. hosted by Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta.   The music will be presented by Our Lady of Lourdes Church, "The Mother Church of African American Catholics in the Archdiocese of Atlanta."  The presentation will include the Lourdes Choir, Brass Ensemble, and Lectors led by Kenneth W. Louis, Director of Liturgy and Music at Lourdes.  Lourdes’ pastor, Father Jeffrey Ott, and Northside Drive’s pastor, Rev. James Lamkin, say, “In a day when some are building walls, we want to build a bridge. Join us for a service of passion and hope.”

 

25. Registration is open for If you Knew My Story: Changing the Game for the Justice-Involved in Atlanta on April 22. This all-day workshop is focused on helping the formerly incarcerated share stories with elected officials about the barriers they have experienced with obtaining housing, jobs, healthcare, social services, and other resources. The workshop will accommodate 100 formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Free lunch will be served and a cash stipend will be paid to formerly incarcerated individuals who register and agree to share their stories with legislators. Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road SE, Atlanta 30317 Register here. 

 

26. Save the date: Crossroads Community Ministries serves more than 4,200 men, women, and children each year. 20/20 Vision for Crossroads Gala is Thursday, April 27, 6-9:00 p.m., Mason Gallery, with fabulous food, auction, music, libations, and more. Come have fun and support Crossroads. Learn more here.  

 

27. The Studio for Pastoral Arts is located at Highpoint Episcopal Community Church, 4945 High Point Road, Sandy Springs.  In the studio, we can find the kingdom of God within and our deepest selves will be revealed in the process. For a complete schedule of offerings and to register Email [e-mail]  

 

28. Why is the Atlanta Interfaith Manifesto important? Check out the latest post from Audrey Galex, president of the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta.   You can still endorse the Manifesto by clicking here www.atlantainterfaithmanifesto.org 

 

29. Sacred Reflections Thru the Lens of a Camera is the theme of the Lenten series at Lake Oconee Community Church, each Wednesday, soup supper 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. presentation. Visit the website to see the fascinating topics and images that will be covered.

 

 

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.

[e-mail]