Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 13, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of November 13, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

 

1. St. Mark Lutheran Church, 4137 Washington Road, East Point, initiates Lutheran Singles Ministry with Reel Parables and a showing of “Man of Steel” on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 4 p.m. The ministry will continue with events and discussions about healthy relationships and being single and Christian. Register Now for Reel Parables!  Get more information about the Lutheran Singles Ministry

Contact Linda Few at [phone] or [phone] if you have questions.

2. “Can Women Have It All? An Evening with Julie Moran” the first female anchor of ABC’s Wide World of Sports and former Entertainment Tonight host on Nov. 16. This ladies’ holiday dinner at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta 30305, will offer good food, fellowship, and a personal story full of humor, insight, and revelations. Tickets are $30 and proceeds benefit the National Downs Syndrome Society for Early Childhood Intervention. Please email your R.s.v.p. to Kellie Denton [e-mail].

3. You are invited to participate in a conversation on fatherhood and the services that are available to assist noncustodial parents who have challenges meeting their child support obligations. Join the discussion at Greenforest Community Baptist Church located at 3250 Rainbow Dr. in Decatur, Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. You may also join the conversation at LiveStream If you are interested in hosting a group viewing, contact [e-mail]

4. Capitol City Opera at the Unitarian Universality Congregation, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta 30329, on Nov. 17 and 18, featuring Atlanta's brightest up-and-coming singers in an evening of arias and scenes, including Don Giovanni, Aida, Rigoletto, La Traviata. The in-the-round sanctuary of the congregation provides a unique opportunity to experience this performance up close! Tickets are $20 dollars. Ticket information.

5. This Saturday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m., the Atlanta Music Festival presents a concert with choirs from Agnes Scott, Clark Atlanta University, First Congregational Church, and Meridian Herald.  Soloists include Atlanta opera singers, Megan Brunning, Brent Davis, Carrie Anne Wilson, and Timothy B. Miller. Dwight Andrews will speak.  The concert will feature classical works of European composers and contemporary works of African American composers, Dr. Carlos Simon of Spelman College, Dr. Robert Tanner of Morehouse College, and Dr. Dwight Andrews of Emory University and First Congregational Church.  Tickets, $15 for adults and $10 for students, are here or at the door. For more information, call [phone].  This concert will take place at First Congregational Church as part of their 150th Anniversary Celebration, 105 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta 30303.

6. Dr. Casey Baggott of Community Church of Vero Beach, is the featured preacher on Day 1, Nov. 19. Hear her sermon “Making It Matter” in the Atlanta area at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. Visit Day1.org to read or hear it now and find other resources.

 7. Shy Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2012 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta 30317, will host its Annual Family and Friends Day on November 19 at 10:00 am. The featured speaker is Rev. Lamont Johnson.  Please come, all are welcome.

8. Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Pray, give thanks to God, and offer up stories of gratitude during a creative Thanksgiving Seder (Hebrew for “order”).  Foods will be served which are found in scriptures that speak to the spirit and holiness of this special gathering. A reception with baked goods cooked by an interfaith community cooking team will follow. Nov. 19, 6:30 pm, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 3098 Saint Anne’s Lane, Atlanta 30327. If you have questions call St. Anne’s at [phone]. Sponsored by Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Christ Covenant Buckhead, New Hope AME, Northside Baptist, Northside UMC, St. Anne’s, and Trinity Presbyterian. 

9. Every year on Small Business Saturday, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market comes indoors and invites local artists and craft professionals to sell their one-of-a-kind works at the Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, at a Holiday Artists Market.  Support local farmers, artists, craft professionals, and small businesses on Small Business Saturday Nov. 25.

10. Interfaith Children’s Movement General Meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta 30307.  All are welcome at this meeting of concerned citizens who are working to ensure the well-being of Georgia's children.

11. The Atlanta Symphony Brass Holiday Concert, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:30- 9:30 p.m. 19:30 21:30 Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta 30305. Hear holiday and symphonic music written specifically for brass ensemble and percussion… everything you expect! Concert Patron: $150 in advance (incl. 2 tickets & unreserved seats in preferred seating held until 10 minutes prior to the concert)  General Admission: $25 in advance / $30 day of concert  Seniors: $20 in advance / $25 day of concert Students: $10 in advance / $15 day of concert   Tickets at www.stphilipscathedral.org/concerts or the Cathedral Book Store [phone].

12. If you don’t associate baroque composers with traditional black music, check out “Where Bach meets the Negro Spiritual” at Friendship Baptist Church of Atlanta.  The Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society and University Choir will put side by side the great choral work of J.S. Bach “Magnificat” - first performed in the 1723 - with numerous Negro spirituals – that could have been “composed” during the same period.  The concert will feature five spectacularly gifted solo artists.  This free concert will be held Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7:06 p.m. at the new Friendship Baptist Church, 80 Walnut Street, SW, Atlanta.

13. Potluck and Advent Wreath Making at Host: St. Teresa's Episcopal Church, Phone: Friday, December 1 from 6:00  to 8:30 p.m., 5725 Fords Road, Acworth 30101. Where: Register here.

14. Annual Community "Messiah" Singalong sponsored by Lawrenceville Road UMC, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., with well-known soloists, incomparable instrumental ensemble, great guest conductors....and a FABULOUS community chorus of family, friends,  and neighbors....! 3142 Lawrenceville Highway in Tucker, just outside 285.  This is the 385th presentation. If you have a score, bring it; if not, there will be loaners. Refreshments afterwards...meet and greet old and new friends. For more information contact [e-mail].

15. The Folk Advent service will be Saturday, December 2, 4:00 p.m., at Old Church, Oxford, Georgia. Featuring bluegrass-gospel music from Leah Calvert and Friends, reflections from Brooks Holifield of Candler, and Sacred Harp tunes from the Meridian Chorale and soloists, including Timothy Miller, in this unique frontier- steeped call for the coming of Jesus.  This years’ service will include a commemoration of bluegrass musician Sonny Houston, who, having played with and led the Folk Advent band annually since 1993, passed way this past summer. Godspeed Sonny.    

16. Holiday Gift Market at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Sunday, Dec. 3, 3 – 7 p.m., 737 Woodland Ave. SE, Atlanta 30316. Finish your holiday shopping in one place. This market features one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry, painting, weaving, bowls, pens, and more—all made by the artists at Holy Comforter. There will be organic plants, hot pepper sauce, jams, and jellies. Grab a cider, some cookies, and shop for gifts while supporting this unique worshipping community.

17. Spend time preparing your heart for the birth of Wisdom at an Advent Quiet Day, Saturday, Dec. 9. The heart is a doorway that can be prepared to welcome the Christ, born in the poorest corner, in the most unlikely place. This day will include opportunities for wisdom practices that prepare and open the heart for transformation: chant, extended silence for individual reflection with readings, the labyrinth, creative expression, and body prayer. learn more and register »

18. Join Seeds of Hope Counseling at "Grief & the Holidays: Navigating the Holidays After a Loss" on Sundays Dec. 10, from 1-3 p.m. at Sandy Springs UMC.  The holidays can be a difficult season, especially if you've recently experienced some form of loss -- death of a loved one, end of a job, loss of a life dream, or end of a relationship.  Join Rev. Lindsay Geist, LCSW to learn more about grief and gain tangible tools to navigate this challenging season.  Register here for $25 or call [phone].  

19.  Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Forum invites the community to the Dec. 10, Ninth Annual Taste of Faith, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Unity Atlanta Church, 3597 Parkway Ln, Norcross 30097. Members, friends, and newcomers interested in interfaith conversation are welcome. Come celebrate the diversity of religious holidays and traditions which mark this time of the year. The religious communities of Atlanta will introduce you to their celebrations with displays, food samplers, and joy-filled conversation. If you have questions contact William Voss at [e-mail].

20. Christmas caroling downtown on Dec. 11 with Theatrical Outfit. All ages are encouraged to participate in this free event and in the cookies and cider to follow. Find out all about it here.

21. Christmas on Clairemont is a collaborative holiday spectacular hosted by Daniel Solberg at First Baptist of Decatur with full orchestra, organ, piano, and a festival chorus of a hundred local voices, Sunday, December 17, at 7 p.m., Can you read music? Join the chorus. Sign up to sing at christmasonclairemont.com

22. The Dementia Support Group for Caregivers continues to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the months, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lake Oconee Community Church. Click to contact Linda Robinson for information.

23. Crossroads, begun over 40 years ago, is a refuge for people who are homeless in Atlanta, offering compassion with constructive programs designed to give the people the tools they need to get off the streets. Each year, Crossroads serves over 4,200 men, women, and children. There are many ways for volunteers to help. To see how you can make a big difference contact Eddie @ [e-mail].

24.  At least one Atlanta voice was raised in the Rachmaninoff Vespers performed at Trinity Church Wall Street on Nov. 10. This a cappella, ethereal, and lush setting of the mystical All-Night Vigil of the Orthodox Church was presented by Downtown Voices.You can see and hear it here. 

25. Give better, live better this holiday season with the Uplift your World Ethical Trade Holiday Gift Guide. All featured gifts support workers, the environment, and Catholic Relief Services.

26. Applications are now open for the third Lemkin Summit to End Genocide and Mass Atrocities, February 10-12, 2018, a weekend full of engaging expert panels, guest speakers, and advocacy training. Click here to learn more and apply now. On the final day you’ll visit your representatives on Capitol Hill. At the last Lemkin Summit, two bills that participants lobbied for became law. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!

27. The Faith and Reason podcasts always inspire, intrigue, and invite us to take a second look, perhaps be changed. Listen here.

28. Churches throughout the Anglican Communion will observe Freedom Sunday on or near Dec. 2 as part of increased efforts to tackle human trafficking and modern slavery. A resource package in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese includes stories, information, prayers, and a sermon outline and is appropriate for use in other denominations. Freedom Sunday falls this year on the UN’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. The Download it 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.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]