Church Action eNewsletter Week of May 14, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter
Week of May 14, 2018
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
website with Community Calendar

1. Changes have helped expand veteran access to education, labor opportunities, healthcare, and housing. Still, too many veterans, active service members, and their families struggle with complex challenges. Here are a number of resources to consider as you look for opportunities to assist veterans in our community. VA Resources for Clergy and Faith Communities. VA National Center for PTSD Clergy Toolkit. One-Pager on Veterans from the Episcopal Church

2. Solid Rock AME Zion, 4065 Snapfinger Road, Lithonia 30038, offers computer classes every first and third Thursday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Basic Computer this Thursday, May 17. Solid Rock A.M.E. Zion Church

3. Georgia Latinos Against Domestic Violence, a program of Ser Familia, will host a community meeting, Friday May 18, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., Argosy University, Classroom # 400, 980 Hammond Dr NE, Atlanta 30328. The meeting will concern working with children who are secondary victims of domestic violence. There will be lunch for those who R.s.v.p. Call [phone].

4. Between Ascension Day and Pentecost, May 20, many Christians are joining in a single prayer Thy Kingdom Come. This is the third observance of the invitation to Christians across the globe to join in prayer. Some prayer resources. Read more about it in the article here.

5. The Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas, pastor of Grace Community UMC in Shreveport, is the featured preacher on Day 1 this week. Tune in to News 95.5 or 750 AM WSB on Sunday mornings at 7:05 to hear his Pentecost sermon “Understood.” Visit Day1.org for a wealth of sermons and other resources.

6. Emmanuel Lutheran Church celebrates 70 years of ministry in Southwest Atlanta, Honoring the Past, Nurturing the Present, and Growing the Future. On 70th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 20, the 10 a.m. worship service is the main event and culmination of the celebration. The message and service will be delivered by various members of the Flippin family, so you know it will be an awesome service. 3050 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30311.

7. After her many travels nationally and worldwide, PCUSA Co-moderator Rev. Denise Anderson will preach at Radcliffe Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 20, at 11 a.m., 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Dr., Atlanta 30318. The community is invited to come hear from Rev. Anderson.

8. The DeKalb NAACP will have a Criminal Justice Day soon. This will be an opportunity to tell the community about the benefits of limiting jail time for misdemeanors. The End Money Bail DeKalb Coalition will draft an education piece and discuss it at the next regular meeting on May 21, at 7 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church, 1890 Second Ave, Decatur 30032.

9. Bishop Paul S. Morton of Changing a Generation Ministries in Atlanta is the host pastor for a Clergy Roundtable Breakfast for clergy, Thursday, May 24, 10 – 12, 3350 Greenbrier Parkway SW, Atlanta 30331. Empire Board of Realtists, the local chapter of NAREB, the oldest and largest African American real estate trade organization in the nation, is spearheading an initiative to increase African American home ownership 2MN5 (2 Million New African American Homeowners in 5 Years). Bringing it to fruition will require collaborative efforts, partnerships, liaisons, and villages. Find out more at this free breakfast. Please register here.

10. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) is eager for input from community advocates, clinical and public health professionals, industry leaders, and faith leaders in the region as they create a strategic plan. A facilitated discussion will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reserve your spot by Friday, May 25 https://www.jotform.com/NIMHD/listening-session

11. Women’s Retreat: The Mystery of the God of Our Deepest Longings, May 31-June 3, Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, 6700 Riverside Dr NW, Atlanta. Do you enjoy mysteries? This retreat begins with two questions, the answers of which lie deep within your heart. Do you know you are God’s deepest desire, and that God finds endless happiness in you? Is God your deepest desire and your source of endless happiness? Drawing on the spirituality of John’s Gospel and Ignatius of Loyola, the reflections and prayer of this retreat will lead you to the conclusion that God’s deepest longing is to dwell in you as yours is to dwell in God. Register at www.ignatiushouse.org/registration or call [phone] for more information.

12. There are many opportunities coming up soon for retreat and days of reflection at Ignatius House.

• Advanced Mindfulness Practice, June 2, 9:00 – 4:00, day long Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction retreat of silent, extended practice designed especially for those who have had some prior experience with mindfulness. This is an opportunity to join with others for community practice. Register at www.ignatiushouse.org or call [phone] for more information.
• Teen Retreat, June 3-5, Loving the Blank Page: Sketching God's Dreams for You directed by Andy & Sarah Otto for rising junior and seniors. Anxious about what the next page in your life has in store for you as you approach graduation? God invites you to look at the unknown not with fear, but with creativity and joy. Register at www.ignatiushouse.org or call [phone]
• For Your Children’s Sake: Morning of Reflection, ION, June 6, 9-12:30 p.m. This is a discussion of mind-body-spirit nutrition with the founder of Bee Well Serve Well, Deborah Garrard. Garrard offers proven nutritional guidelines for promoting health and preventing disease. Childcare available; Registration is required. Reserve your space online www.ignatiushouse.org or call [phone].
• The Search for a High Power: Recovery Retreat Steps One through Three of the 12 Steps, June 29 - July 1. On this recovery retreat explore the path to God as you understand it, and seek the freedom of sobriety and the sanity it offers. Register your private room and bath at www.ignatiushouse.org or call [phone] for more information.

13. Creative Conversation: Art for Transformation will feature Okorie Johnson and Tammy Harper. June 1, 7 – 9:30 p.m., Park Avenue Baptist Church, 486 Park Avenue SE, Atlanta 30312. The series is a collaboration between aijcast, Park Avenue Baptist Church, Art in the Image, and the Created to Create cohort. aijcast host Marthame Sanders and Park Avenue pastor (and aijcast guest) Brandon T. Maxwell will co-host this four-part live series in 2018 with conversations and art making, featuring thought leaders and innovators. Get tickets here.

14. Pastor Deanne Lynch invites the community to the great St. Timothy UMC Yard Sale, 5365 Memorial Dr., Stone Mtn., Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. All proceeds will support the ministries of St. Timothy United Methodist Church.

15. You are invited to the United Way of Greater Atlanta first-ever lunch packing party event, Monday Night Garage, Sunday, June 3, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Over 350,000 children in our community face hunger this summer. Donate or prepare meals and enjoy a drink with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Silence the Growl. Register here.

16. Pork & Plants at The Friendship Center at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 737 Woodland Avenue Southeast, Atlanta 30316. Preorder a smoked pork butt or smoked chicken. Or come by for plants and art and a BBQ plate with all the fixins’ and a drink. Find out more and get tickets Eventbrite

17. At Mother's Day for Peace Georgia WAND celebrates women, mothers, and all people who work for systemic change. Mother’s Day was created as a call for peace. June 10, 4-6 p.m., Agnes Scott College, Presser Hall, Gaines Auditorium,141 E. College Ave, Decatur 30030. If you have questions or want to join the host committee or volunteer, contact [e-mail]. Ticket information is here.

18. Lake Oconee Community Church presents Words at the Threshold: What do final words reveal about the afterlife? A lecture and discussion with Lisa Smartt, Tuesday, June 12, 7 p.m., Reynolds Landing Clubhouse. $5 per person, reservations open May 12. Smartt, is the founder of The Final Words Project. In this inspiring presentation, she will explore how the language of the dying points the way to a transcendent world beyond our own and offers a map for better communication at end of life. Email [e-mail] to R.s.v.p.

19. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church plans a concert in honor of the Rev. Clayton E. Taylor’s 52 anniversary! Join the congregation to celebrate and welcome Keke Wyatt on Saturday, June 16, at 5 p.m., 2870 Headland Drive, East Point 30344. Tickets are $25. Call the church at [phone] for more information.

20. Important information about free summer programs for children at two locations:
• Little House of Love, 1397 E. Washington Ave., East Point 30344; Director Shanita Vallejo, [phone]. Free 6 week summer program for students entering kindergarten this August. Sponsored by Bright from the Start; Georgia Dept. of Early Care and Learning. Program runs June 4-July 16, 8:00 a.m-2:30 p.m. Transportation provided. Aftercare available until 6:00 p.m. Limited slots. Students are eligible if they did not attended a lottery funded Pre-K; need additional academic support; attended Pre-K less than ½ school year; family is homeless or children are in foster care.
• A summer Camp will also run during this time for children ages 5-12 years old with weekly field trips, activities, academic enrichment, and fun. CAPS and other Child Care Subsidies Accepted for camp and aftercare program.
• Harvest Rain Academy, 51 Senoia Road, Fairburn 30213; Director Tonya Franco [phone]. Free 6 week summer program for students entering kindergarten this August. Sponsored by Bright from the Start; Georgia Dept. of Early Care and Learning. Program runs June 4-July 13, 8:00 a.m-2:30 p.m. Transportation provided. Aftercare available until 6:00 p.m. Limited slots. Students are eligible if they did not attended a lottery funded Pre-K; need additional academic support; attended Pre-K less than ½ school year; family is homeless or children are in foster care.
• Summer Camps will also run during this time for children ages Pre-K -3rd grade. Weekly field trips, activities, academic enrichment, and fun. In addition, a business/leadership camp for grades 4 -12. CAPS and other Child Care Subsidies Accepted for camp and aftercare program.

21. To round out summer celebrations of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light's 15th Anniversary, join the Hike Inn, Thursday & Friday, July 26-27. After you hike to the Inn (either with GIPL or on your own), there will be a tour of the eco-lodge and a shared meal. The GIPL team will lead evening vespers on July 26 and morning vespers on July 27. Information on pricing, and the registration form can be found here. Registration is limited, so claim your spot today!

22. A new choral group, “North Atlanta Voices,” is forming at Highpoint Episcopal Community Church under the leadership of Cheryl Logan and Lucas Tarrant. If you have any interest in joining this group, email [e-mail] or [e-mail]. A mandatory information session at HECC is scheduled for 7:00, Thursday evening, August 2; rehearsals begin the following week. Alternatively you can email your interest and contact information to [e-mail].

23. Volunteer Disaster Chaplaincy Training will be offered this summer at the School of Theology at the University of the South, August 13-15. This curriculum is solely licensed to National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN) and was originally developed as a multi-faith training course. This three-day training is for clergy, laypersons, professionals, first-responders, and spiritual caregivers of all faiths. Emergency managers and disaster mental health professionals may also take this course to develop their knowledge of spiritual care best-practices during disasters. More...

24. Just Worship, from Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Seminary, September 13-15, is open for registration. This conference will explore vibrant and faithful worship that is informed by but not limited to the Reformed tradition, paying attention to how worship embodies and shapes us for justice. Paul T. Roberts, Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Jennifer Lord, Tony McNeill, David Gambrell, Kimberly Bracken Long, and Eric Wall will lead worship or present plenary sessions. Details here.

Visit our website for a complete community calendar, links to the Toolbox for Mental Health Ministry, websites for daily devotionals, and many other resources. And, send us your announcements to [e-mail].

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.
[e-mail]