Church Action eNewsletter Week of May 9, 2016

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of  May 2, 2016

 

 

Mental Health and the Faith Community. As a faith leader you know the individuals who suffer from a mental illness and their families– they are in your pews.  It is most often to faith leaders that someone with a mental illness turns for help; yet, faith leaders are the least likely among professionals to have the tools they need to be prepared. Come to lunch, Friday, May 20, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; join us and bring a lay leader from your congregation.  We will have 3 very brief presentations-- why the faith community, a step toward being prepared, artistic expression as healing-- and then time for discussion. Come share your story; let’s learn from each other. Presented by BreNita Jackson, Breakthru House; Michelle Uchiyama, Charitable Connections; Ethel Ware Carter and Mary Wilson, C.H.I.P.; Rev. Herman Haynes, Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. Please R.s.v.p. for this lunch to [e-mail] Hosted by Charitable Connections at 900 Wendell Court, Suite A, Atlanta Georgia 30336 Directions

 

1. We were contacted by the Georgia Department of Public Health concerning information about Zika virus infection the Commissioner felt was important for clergy in the area to have. The letter to Atlanta area clergy can be found on our website here.

 

2. Interfaith Children’s Movement in Cobb is tomorrow, Thursday, May 12, 4 – 5:30 p.m., Tillman United Methodist, 940 Concord Road, Smyrna 30080.  The agenda includes planning for the Celebration of Family event on Saturday, August 13, at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta.

3. Atlanta Boy Choir will be at Glenn Memorial UMC, Friday, May 13, 7:30 p.m., 1652 north Decatur Road, Atlanta 30322, tickets $20; students and seniors $15. If you have questions call (404)378- 0064.

4. Little Shaq Takes a Chance, a new story in the series created by Shaquille O'Neal and illustrated by Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent award winner Theodore Taylor III, encourages kids to find their own true talents. Shaquille O’Neal will be at First Baptist Church Decatur this Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. until noon. Tickets for the book signing line will be given to the first 300 individuals to purchase a copy. Mr. O'Neal will not personalize books.  No memorabilia. No posed photos or selfies with Mr. O'Neal are permitted. This program will be held at the church, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur 30030. A map can be found here.

5. The Annual Spring Jazz Vespers featuring Myrna Clayton, Lu Olutosin, Tyrone Jackson, and the Atlanta Jazz Chorus directed by Dwight Andrews, is Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 105 Courtland St NE, Atlanta 30303. Admission is $10; children under 12 free. Free safe parking.

6. The Rev. Alan Sherouse, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., is the featured preacher on Day 1 this Sunday, May 15. “Walking Downhill” is his sermon. Find your local station and blogs, podcasts, read this and other sermons, and more at Day1.org

7. All Saints’ Concert Series, 634 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta. Since 1985, Philippe Lefebvre has been the titular organist of the Great Organ of Notre-Dame de Paris. Among many prizes, he is the winner of the grand prix for improvisation at the international Chartres competition and, in 1976, he became titular organist at Chartres Cathedral. His career as a concert organist has taken him across the world many times. He is considered to be one of the most great performers and improvisers in the French organ playing tradition. Monday, May 16, 7:30 p.m. All tickets are general admission; $20 adult, $15 student/senior. Tickets

8. World Affairs Council of Atlanta offers Zika: What You Need to Know, an evening briefing featuring Allison Walker, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, the CDC; Ted Ross, Department of Infectious Diseases, UGA; Jessica Fairley, Emory University School of Medicine; Jose Cordero, College of Public Health, UGA. Tuesday, May 17, Campbell Hall, Agnes Scott College, registration at 6t:30 p.m., Council members $10; public $20. More at www.wacaatlanta.org 

9. Join Hillside International Truth Center, Bishop Barbara L. King, and the Hillside "50+ Club" for a Fun Time! Laughter Therapy, Massages, Financial Literacy, Line Dancing, Tao Chi, Meditation Techniques, Reflexology, How to Eat Healthy and Much More. Saturday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Hillside, 2450 Cascade Rd. SW, Atlanta 30311. For tickets and information, go to www.HillsideInternational.org  10. One in four Americans suffers from some kind of mental illness in any given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Many look to their church for spiritual guidance in times of distress, but is our faith-based community prepared to respond? This conversation will shed some light on the challenges we need to face together to help individuals who suffer thrive.  Register for your free ticket as space is very limited. The Care and Counseling Center of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church invites you to a conversation with the faith-based community about mental health. Saturday, May 21.  Tickets here.

11. One-Day Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop, May 28, St. Mary’s Sewanee; this introductory workshop is an opportunity to learn about the contemplative life and Centering Prayer as a discipline.  The format for the workshop is an all-day session with opportunities to experience Centering Prayer.  This workshop is from 9:00-3:00 on Saturday, May 28. The cost is $50, which includes lunch. To register, please email St. Mary's Sewanee or visit our website.

12. There are still a few spots at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Vacation Bible School for the week of June 6-10, 9 to noon. There’ll be music, crafts, stories, snacks, crazy games, puppet shows, and tons of fun! Cost is $30 per child; scholarships available upon request by emailing [e-mail]. Invite a friend and register now at spdl.org/vbs2016. 

13. Sebastian Junger, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging. International bestselling author reports on the challenges returning veterans face.  The book focuses on what happens when veterans return from war with the hope that we can take a new look at our approach to veteran’s affairs and rework our current social dynamic. Talk and signing, June 9, at the Carter Center hosted by A Cappella Books Ticket info. And June 10 at 3:30 p.m. at the National Infantry Museum at Ft. Benning.  For information about the 6/10 event contact Vickie Benton at [e-mail].

 

14. A team of neighborhood leaders from Atlanta and Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties have been working with Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership and NeighborWorks America on strategies for strengthening neighborhoods slow to recover from the housing crisis. Attend Neighbors Together: Creating Neighborhood Opportunity, Atlanta Metropolitan State College, June 11, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Topics include Fostering more inclusive communities, Building positive neighborhood images that attract new residents and desired business, Improving neighborhood safety. The event is free and each participant will receive lunch, T-Shirt, and all event materials. Questions? Contact Susan Adams at [e-mail]. Register here.

 

15. Atlanta Family Iftar Dinners. During the month of Ramadan, Muslins fast while the sun is out. Iftar dinners take place each night once the sun has set. It is an important time for practicing Muslims to share their tradition with friends and neighbors of all backgrounds over delicious food and through lively conversation. The Atlantic Institute hopes to host its neighbors during this special time. Host families will offer the Iftar dinners to neighbors every day June 15 - July 1. Click here to RSVP now!

 

16. Tex Sample, a world renowned storyteller, author, pastor, and servant will be giving three lectures as part of the Trail Mix Lecture Series at Sandy Springs Christian Church, June 17-18. SSCC, 301 Johnson Ferry Road, NW, Sandy Springs, has a long tradition of bringing nationally sought-after preachers and speakers to our area in this fantastic lecture series. “A Christian Justice” is 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17. “Talking the Talk" and "Walking the Walk" will be Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Childcare is available with advanced registration.  Cost is $35 for all three lectures; $45 for all three lectures plus dinner and breakfast. Register at www.sandyspringscc.org or by calling [phone].

 

17. Volunteer Disaster Chaplaincy Training, August 9-10, The Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South, in partnership with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network (NDIN), invites clergy, spiritual caregivers, and religious leaders of all faiths to take this two-day disaster chaplaincy training. Participants who complete this certification can volunteer as a chaplain in their own faith community, or with NDIN and its national partners. NDIN can also assist unaffiliated volunteers in finding opportunities across the United States. Emergency managers and disaster mental health professionals may also take this course to develop their knowledge of spiritual care best practices. Registration here.

18. Beginning Biblical Greek at the Cathedral of St. Philip is offered on Sundays, 10:10 – 11 a.m., Room 356, and is a drop-in class, no previous knowledge of Greek is required. 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.

19. If your congregation, agency, or ministry works with education programs, people returning to community after incarceration, people who do not speak English, or refugees you will be interested in this important information about GED and college scams and identity theft from the Federal Trade Commission, Division of Consumer & Business Education.  Read it on our website here.

20. Events coming up for the summer and fall at Columbia Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning can be found here.

Check out our website at www.rccatl.org and remember we will be happy to put your announcements of special musical events, educational opportunities, volunteer needs, etc. in the newsletter. Just send announcements in the body of your email,  no attachments please; be sure to include all contact information and pertinent links.

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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