Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 14, 2016

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

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Church Action eNewsletter Week of  November 14, 2016

 

 

1. The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of Advent devotions for members of the four denominations or anyone.  Click to read more and to download Advent devotions.

 

2. Feast:  Nourishing Mind, Body & Soul around the Table, Thursday, Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m., Amerson House Spirituality Center, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Rd, Atlanta 30329. You are invited to share a sacred meal and participate in dialogue about questions and concerns that get at the essence of what it means to be human, and to live with faith, meaning and purpose in today's world. RSVP here . $50 covers the meal with wine and facilitation.

 

3. Benefit Concert for National Alliance on Mental Illness, Presented by Carla Elaine Atkinson, soprano Gary Menzies, concert pianist & accompanist. Friday, November 18, at 7 p.m. Peachtree Baptist Church, 2108 Briarcliff Rd. Atlanta  30329, corner of LaVista Rd. and Briarcliff Rd. More information call [phone].

 

4. St. Cecilia’s Day Celebrations, concerts by the Cathedral Schola and Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, Saturday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305; and Sunday, Nov. 20, 4 p.m., St. David’s Episcopal Church, 1015 old Roswell Road, Roswell.  Henry Purcell, Hail Bright Cecilia (Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day) and G.F. Handel, Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day, a rare opportunity to hear two of the most beloved works dedicated to St. Cecilia, patroness of music. Buy tickets here. 

 

5. S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders 50th Anniversary Edition, Saturday, November 19, Decatur Library Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Celebrating 50 years of the novel that laid the groundwork for the young adult genre, with this ultimate edition for fans of The Outsiders. Doors to the library auditorium will open at 6:30 p.m. for this special event. A larger crowd than usual is expected, plan accordingly. No memorabilia. 

 

6. The Rev. Elaine Dreeban is the featured preacher on Day 1 Sunday, Nov. 20. Her sermon is “The Reign of Re-Memberance.” Read it or hear it at Day1.org and find other resources.

 

7. Northside Drive Baptist Church will host an Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Ahavath Achim Synagogue, New Hope AME Church, Trinity Presbyterian, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church join Northside Drive Baptist in inviting the community to join them in the sanctuary for a time of thanksgiving. Rabbi Neil Sandler will preach and an offering will be collected for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. A reception will follow.

 

8. NAMI South Cobb will have its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Sweetwater Mission Campus, 6289 Veterans Memorial highway, Suite 12-C, Austell 30168, 7-9 p.m. Bring a side dish for this potluck dinner. John Avery will speak. Find out about NAMI Homefront, a free 6-session educational program for families, caregivers, and friends of military service members and families. R.s.v.p. here. 

 

9. Black Nativity is a soul-stirring rendition of the Christmas Story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. It is a powerful retelling of the nativity story from an African-American perspective. The original Black Nativity was written in 1961 by poet Langston Hughes. The show opens on Nov. 30. Ticket information here.  

 

10. The Center for Congregational Health, a partner with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, is hosting a Vital Mergers Workshop featuring Dirk Elliott (Detroit Conference UMC) on December 1, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. 30030. The cost is $99. Register online at www.vitalmergers.info. Rev. Elliott will describe a successful model of merging congregations that results in healthy, growing, new church starts.

 

11. The Carlos Museum and the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta present the Cooke Noontime Chamber Music Series. These monthly concerts are free and open to the Emory community and the public.  Come early as seating and parking are limited. Eugene Skovorodnikov, piano, returns to Emory to play Haydn’s F Minor Variations and Brahms’s great Sonata in F Minor. Friday, Dec. 2, 12-1 p.m., Ackerman Hall, Emory University, 571 S Kilgo Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30322. More information... 

 

12. “Saying YES to God, A Day of Advent Reflection, Saturday,” Dec. 3, 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.  St. Dunstan's, St. Patrick's, Holy Innocents, and St. Anne's come together in the peaceful setting of St. Dunstan's for an Advent Day of Reflection lead by the clergy of these parishes. This is an opportunity to reflect on the mystery of Advent and to find peace in the hectic Christmas season. $10 donation requested, brown bag lunch with beverage will be provided. To register contact Scott Miller at [e-mail] or [phone] before the deadline of Nov. 27.

 

13. Advent Quiet Day: “Preparing a Space,” led by Barbara Pendergrast on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Lanier House, Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305. As we give ourselves the gift of time to open to God’s guiding, we may discover that the space being prepared for the coming birth lies within our own selves. The cost is $20, which includes lunch. Register with Jeannie Mahood, [phone]. Read More 

 

14. “The Spirituality of Childhood and Adolescence: How to Thrive in Today's World,” a conversation with Dr. Lisa Miller, Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 – 3 p.m., St. Catherine's Episcopal Church, 571 Holt Road NW, Marietta 30068. Purchase tickets in advance here $12; at the door $18. Free childcare is available with advanced ticket purchase. Learn more about Dr. Lisa Miller at www.lisamillerphd.com. Her book, The Spiritual Child, is available at the Cathedral Bookstore, www.cathedralbookstore.org.

 

15. Evening in Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 3, at Roswell United Methodist Church. This year will be a little difference with singing and worshipping as a part of the evening. Afterward, everyone is invited out to The RUMC Commons for refreshments, activities, and a petting zoo. The event is free; donations are accepted. To reserve your time, register at rumc.com for one of the Bethlehem experience times: 4, 5, or 6 p.m.

 

16. The Lynn Swanson Festival Singers Carols and Candlelight with the Festival Singers and Festival Brass, Two performances: St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, Sat. Dec. 3, 7:00 Buy tickets here. Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sun. Dec. 4, 3:00, Buy tickets here.

 

17. Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Forum Eighth Annual Taste of Faith, Sunday, Dec. 4,  4:00 -6:00 p.m., Unity Atlanta Church, 3597 Parkway Lane, Norcross 30097, [phone]. Members, friends, and newcomers interested in interfaith conversation are all welcome to attend. Diverse religious communities will have booths with members present to introduce you to their holiday celebrations with displays, food samples, and joy-filled conversation.  Come celebrate the diversity of religious holidays and related ethnic traditions which mark this time of the year.

 

18. The Arthritis Foundation is looking for singers, dancers, and people with a lot of holiday cheer to participate in the 2016 Jingle Bell Run in Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Centennial Olympic Park. They need carolers, character actors, and performing artists also volunteers to help with set up, break down, registration, food, and other logistics. If you are interested in helping click here.

 

19. A Celebration of the Holidays with the Northwest Georgia Festival Singers and special guests the Heritage Ringers. One performance only, Friday, Dec. 16, Heritage Baptist Church, 1070 Douthit Ferry Road, Cartersville.  Purchase tickets 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. We will be happy to include your announcements in an upcoming eNewsletter. Send them to [e-mail].

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

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