Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 12, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.
Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 12, 2018

1. Men's Response to the #MeToo Movement's Unmasking of Sexual Assault Against Women, tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 7 - 8:30 p.m., 2785 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite 112, Decatur 30033. Men Stopping Violence is launching a bi-monthly community forum series titled Conversations With MSV to discuss issues that are critical to preventing violence . Everyone is invited to join in the conversation. R.s.v.p. to [e-mail]. For information about the program contact [e-mail] or [phone].

2. Friends and Family Day at the Cathedral Bookstore, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. - 7p.m., with a 20% discount on nearly everything in the store. From music, home goods, Bibles, prayer books, jewelry and more, you will find something for everyone on your holiday gift list.

3. Gateway Center helps people experiencing homelessness find jobs and that means job interviews. Donate your #GentlyWornShoes to Kicks 4 The City shoe drive. There are three drop off locations. Remember this important opportunity to help will end Thursday, Nov. 15. Salon Scenes, 360 Pharr Rd NE #3021, Atlanta; Heat Gym, 500 Bishop St NW, The Gathering Spot, 384 Northyards Blvd NW. 

4. SAFE Place Boys Enrichment Program for boys ages 12-17 meets every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Powder Springs First United Methodist Church, 4329 Marietta St, Powder Springs. This is a free program that serves a light breakfast and lunch and offers so much more. SAFE stands for solution, achieve, future, education. R.s.v.p. to Bryan Jones or Helen Riley [phone]. www.safeplacega.org

5. It is not too late to get tickets for Meridian Herald’s “Singer Greater Things” at Spivey Hall on November 17, 7:30 p.m., a wonderful opportunity to hear Leonard Bernstein’s Missa Brevis performed by the chorale and countertenor Daniel Taylor. Robert Shaw suggested to Bernstein that incidental music he composed for “The Lark” might be developed into a fine short mass. Stephen Darsey commented, “We look forward to commemorating the friendship and collaboration of two titans of American music during this centennial anniversary year of Bernstein’s birth. We conclude with the finale from his Candide. Bernstein’s music unmistakably sings of greater things: profound optimism and faith in the future for all.” Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the box office or here.

6. Dr. Kelly Hough Rogers, Scarsdale Congregational Church, UCC, is the preacher Nov. 18 on “Day 1” the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online. Her sermon is based on Matthew 6:25-34, the passage containing Jesus’ words about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. Hear it in Atlanta, News 95.5 and WSB 750AM, Sundays at 7:05 a.m. For more information, call toll free 888-411-Day-1 or check the program’s website, Day1.org.

7. Decatur Cooperative Ministry invites the community to join them for their annual ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. The service will take place on November 18 at 5 p.m. at Decatur Presbyterian Church, 205 Sycamore St, Decatur 30030. Dinner will be served early in the service. The service will include the testimony of past and current clients, volunteers and staff.

8. Community Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, November 18, 5:00 p.m. is hosted by Northside Drive Baptist Church. Join members of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Northside United Methodist Church, Christ Covenant Church, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, and New Hope AME Church in giving thanks at 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305.

9. Do Not Be Afraid: Listening for God in Advent - Sundays, Nov. 25-Dec. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Alpharetta Presbyterian, 180 Academy St, Alpharetta 30009. Anyone seeking refuge from a busy world can join this exploration of spiritual practices that help us tune into our soul. Check your cell phones and to-do lists at the door and be still, be present, be attentive to God. Nov. 18 "Coloring with God" prayer through drawing; Nov. 25 “Silence and Stillness” contemplative prayer; Dec. 2 “Listening to Our Body” movement and mindfulness; Dec. 9 -“Enlightenment” the practice of journaling. Contact Caitlin Phillips [e-mail] if you want more information.

10. United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Regional Council on Churches of Atlanta invite you to the Food Pantry Forum, Nov. 29, 3 -4:30 p.m. We will explore the food coop model for addressing food insecurity. How do co-ops work? What are the benefits? How can you start one in your community? There will also be plenty of opportunity for information sharing and networking with others interested in addressing food insecurity in the metro region. We will meet at The Loudermilk Conference Center, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta 30303. To R.s.v.p. go to this page.

11. Roswell United Methodist Church First Annual Christmas Gift and Craft Show Thursday, Nov. 29, 4-7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The show will offer over 60 vendors selling high quality gifts, clothing, décor, artesian food, crafts, and artwork. Proceeds from vendor booth rentals, the bake sale, raffle tickets, white elephant gift cards, concessions, and tree and poinsettia sales will benefit Roswell Student Ministry's mission efforts. Bring your friends and neighbors! For more information visit rumc.com/christmasgcs.

12. The Atlanta Symphony Brass Holiday Concert, Friday, Nov. 30, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta 30305. Enjoy the finest arrangements of traditional holiday carols and beloved standards for brass ensemble and percussion. Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Buy tickets at www.cathedralatl.org. For more information call [phone].

13. The Festival Singers of Atlanta open their 2018-2019 season with “A Merry Ole Christmas: Carols and Motets from the British Isles” Friday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m. Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave, Atlanta 30307. The program features carols and motets by Britten, Byrd, Howells, and Parry. Concerts are free and open to the public. Donations appreciated. For more information, seewww.festivalsingersofatlanta.org.

14. Christmas Festival and Silent Auction at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta 30345, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This free event features visits with Santa, jumpy house, bake sale, silent auction, Secret Santa Shop, concessions, and crafts, something for every age.

15. “Kings Serve Kings” community fair to serve the homeless, Dec. 1, noon to 4 o’clock. Restart 320, 561 W Whitehall St SW, Atlanta 30310. Volunteers and prayers are needed. For more information, or to get connected with the organizers email [e-mail].

16. L'Arche Atlanta community annual Holiday Party with potluck dinner, caroling, prizes, holiday photo booth, and hot cocoa bar — a festive evening of fun and you are invited. Saturday, Dec. 1, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur 30030. Bring a dish to share. In the L’Arche community adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities share life and friendships. Find out more about this community of love and dignity at www.larcheatlanta.org.

17. “From Darkness to Light,” Dec. 2, 2 – 4 p.m., at the Breman. Join Conductor Juan Ramirez and Cantor Lauren Adesnik as members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Emanu-El Youth Choir perform a very special Vedem-inspired Hanukkah concert. This concert highlights inspiring music from the Holocaust, melodic Sephardic tunes and uplifting Hanukkah favorites. Ticket information here.

18. Aquinas Center Consistent Ethic of Life Lecture. Palliative care social worker Maura Savage presents the latest installment of the Consistent Ethic of Life Lecture Series on Dec. 5. This annual lecture in partnership with the Emory University Catholic Student Union is designed to explore the dignity of all human life, covering a broad spectrum of concerns and challenges for the Church. Learn more here.

19. Save the date for the fabulous Christmas on Clairemont, Sunday, Dec. 16. The lineup of artists is jam packed and includes Broadway lead Kamryn Loy, two rising opera stars, a singer/songwriter, a child-prodigy violinist, and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at GSU. The concert is free of charge and open to the public. Donations benefit the Decatur-area Cooperative Ministry helping local families prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness.

20. Book a group of 15 or more at Fogo de Chao Monday through Wednesday evenings this holiday season and they’ll donate 10% of your check to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Just mention ‘Food Bank 10% Giving’ when you book your event. For more information, email either their Buckhead or Dunwoody location.

21. AMIS has 21 international students coming to Christmas International House and hosts are needed. This ministry of hospitality for international students and scholars during their winter break allows them to stay in an American home to learn about our culture and experience how we celebrate Christmas. The students are busy with activities during the day. My family has done this and it is a great experience. One of our guests stays in touch and visits us when she is in Atlanta. Amis is looking for hosts for 3-4 nights anytime during December 18 to January 2. Can you share in this ministry of hospitality? You can learn more here or email [e-mail]. Rev. Irene Wong, executive director, would be happy to answer your questions. Email her at [e-mail]

22. “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.” Quakers are holding in prayer and the light the families and loved ones of those lost at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27, at the Kroger grocery store in Kentucky on October 24, ,and in other acts of hate that will go untold. We invite you to read this powerful statement on peace from the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends here.

We are still working on recapturing our audience after the collapse of our communication system. Please pass the eNewsletter to anyone you think might be interested. People can sign up for the newsletter on our website or at rccatl.us19.list-manage.com. Visit www.RCCAtl.org for the community calendar, the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry, and many other resources.

Peace, Ethel Ware Carter