Church Action eNewsletter Week of November 20, 2017

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter

Week of November 20, 2017

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

website with Community Calendar

 

Advent

“Preparing to Become the Beloved Community” from the Public Affairs Office of the Episcopal Church is a valuable Advent resource for any denomination. Download here.  

 

A study from Trinity Church with the V. Rev. Michael Battle is a free 5-video course offering a new perspective on “Revelation.” Access the Free Curriculum

 

Columbia Theological Seminary has complimentary Advent Resources available for download. For Advent Resources 2017, sign up here.

 

 

1. Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 E. Lake Dr., Decatur 30030, Tuesday, November 21, 7 – 9 p.m., an opportunity to hear from Mike Booker, Chief of Police for the City of Decatur, concerning training and policies for Fair and Equitable Community Policing, with time for questions and discussion afterwards.

 

2. “Man of Steel” the featured showing and the discussion following at St. Mark Lutheran Church Reel Parables, Nov. 25, is for young people, married or single. St. Mark is at 4137 Washington Road, East Point 30344. Get more information about the Lutheran Singles Ministry. Register here for Reel Parables.

 

3. Covenant Presbyterian, Buckhead, Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m., “Addressing the Tribal Clashes & Poverty in Kenya” with Zablon Kuria, speaking about his  ministry dealing with violence, AIDS, orphans, and unemployment. Kuria is executive director of Rock Bridge Ministries, which he and Rev. Hill helped found over ten years ago. What started out as prayer partners has blossomed into “more than you can ask or imagine.” Hill encourages the community to come hear how God is working through one of his heroes to address the problems so many claim are hopelessness. See https://rockbridgeministries.weebly.com/

 

4. World AIDS Day Service: Remember, Hope, Act, Sunday, Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m., worship with First Christian Church of Decatur, Unity Fellowship, and Gentle Spirit Christian Church in the sanctuary of First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 West Ponce de Leon Decatur 30030.  Holy Communion will be freely offered to one and all.   Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert, Rev. Paul M. Turner, and Rev. Maressa Pendermon will guide a time of remembrance, hope, and action.  Immediately after the service there will be a 30-minute panel discussion on what we can do; the HIV/AIDS pandemic is far from over.   

 

5. Being Peace - A Study & Discussion Group, Sunday, Nov. 26, Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North, 11420 Crabapple Rd. Roswell, 30075. An exploration of what it means to be peace in this time of discord and strife- reading, discussing, presenting, and practicing. Members of the group will share leadership. Expertise not required. The group will continue as long as there is interest. More information.

 

 

6. Tucker Community Choir is being organized and held its first meeting on Nov. 13.  The choir will promote inclusion, celebrate diversity, showcase hidden talents, and serve Tucker community. No AUDITIONS!!!  :) There will be a weekly rehearsal throughout the year and there are plans to perform in different places such as local nursing home, children's hospital, and any places where they can bring joy and beauty. Ann Edmundson, chorus teacher at Woodward Academy, has been a music director and accompanist and choral director since 1997. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in worship and music at Candler.  The choir will meet at First Christian Church of Atlanta (where Anne’s husband is pastor), 4532 LaVista Road, on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m., and starting Dec. 5 permanent rehearsal time will be on Tuesdays. Email  [e-mail] to find out more.

 

7. North Fulton Mental Health Collaborative monthly meeting is Thursday, Nov. 30, at 9:30 a.m. The collaborative will begin identifying strategic opportunities and critical needs to bring meaningful improvement to mental health services in North Fulton County, north Campus of Mount Pisgah UMC, 3rd Floor, Room 305, 2850 Old Alabama Rd., Johns Creek. Register Now! This group is open to all stakeholders - providers or consumers of behavioral healthcare services in North Fulton County.

 

8. Christmas at Callanwolde, November 24 thru December 12, 12-8 p.m. daily. Come see a Christmas Destination Designer Show House in the historic mansion. There will be special events —excerpts from the “Nutcracker,”  the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Joe Gransden Big Band, John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band member), and Katie Deal; LEGOLAND Discovery Center Breakfast with Santa, Teddy Bear Tea, Artisan Market and tours. www.callanwolde.org

 

9. The Rev. Dr. Kevin Murriel, Cascade UMC, is honored as Outstanding Spiritual Leader by Circle of Influence, Thursday, Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m., The Gathering Spot, 384 Northyards Blvd., Atlanta 30315. Contact [e-mail] for registration information.

 

10. Seeking the Christ Child: An Advent Prayer Experience at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. This hands-on, interactive prayer experience will begin Advent with a meaningful time of waiting and seeking the Christ child. Participants will walk through self-guided stations encountering the story from the perspective of the angels, shepherds, Mary, and others. Drop in during any of these times:

Friday, December 1 from 4–8 pm

Saturday, December 2 from 9am–3pm

Sunday, December 3 from 9am–3pm (closed during worship 11am-12noon)

All are welcome! Families with children are encouraged to participate together as a group. The event is free and no registration is required. Invite your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to greet the advent season in prayerful expectation, 2715 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta 30305.

 

11. Out of Our Hands, twenty local artists hold a holiday sale, Dec. 1, 6-9 p.m.; Dec. 2 and 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 881 Kings Court, Atlanta 30306.  Sale of crafts from Ghana will benefit Children Inspiring Hope. And proceeds from handmade cookbook sales, with recipes for the delicious food we served at the sale, will go to the Atlanta Food Bank.

 

12. Christmas HOPE Project, Saturday, Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m. - Noon, Fellowship Hall Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, 2715 Peachtree Road, 30305. A missions gift market benefiting local agencies—, story time and activities for children, light breakfast.

 

13. Atlanta Nativity Celebration, December 2^, 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Dec 3,  5:30-7:30 p.m., with Nativity Sets from Around the World, Live Christmas Music,  Live Nativity, Crafts for Kids, Christmas Carol Sing-Along, Temple Grounds Open, Public invited – no charge. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6449 Glenridge Dr NE, Atlanta 30328​​​. For more information AtlantaNativityCelebration.org

 

14. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4:00 p.m., the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church holiday concert featuring gospel and traditional and classic holiday music.  Community guest performers include Val Bligh, Janet Carmichael, Terry Carpenter, Mary Gowing, Leanne Herrmann, Del King, Gabriel Uribe and gospel mime artist Michelle Tanner, under the direction of Min. Adrienne Nelms-Hickman who has performed both internationally and domestically.  The event is free and open to the public. Donations are always welcomed! The location is 2977 LaVista Road, Decatur 30033.  For more information, call [phone]. 

 

15. Michael Ochs, a Jewish American composer, and Alaa Alshaham, a Palestinian songwriter, bring their #UncommonFriendship through music to Temple Sinai.  Don’t miss this powerhouse duo weave together their friendship through prayer, in Hebrew and Arabic, song, stories and conversations, reception will follow, Saturday, Dec. 2, 7:30 – 10 p.m..R.s.v.p. by clicking here.

 

16. Joining Hands for Justice in Palestine and Israel and Emory Students for Justice in Palestine invite you to 2017 North American Nakba Tour: 69 Years without a Country, with Khawla Hammad and Amena Elashkar, stateless Palestinians from Lebanon, Sunday, Dec. 3, 3– 5 p.m., Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Dr. Decatur, 30030, Harrington Center, Auditorium, Park in Library lot/ Inman Dr. Event is free.  R.s.v.p. to Fahed Abu-Akel, [e-mail].

 

17. Georgia Justice hosts a holiday party for clients and families and each child receives a gift to take home and put under their tree. The majority of clients live below the poverty line, so these are sometimes the only gifts the families receive. GJP needs some help with this by Dec. 4.  Two hundred children are on Santa’s list, most between ages 5 and 14. If you would like to donate one or more gifts, please click here to submit your pledge form.  The form lists the ages and gender of kids who still need gifts. 

 

18. Join the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. for an Interfaith Summit, "A Call to Action" on Thursday, Dec. 7. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. This summit, for religious leaders of churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues in the metropolitan area, will include facts, viable strategies, open dialogue, and purposeful fellowship to address The Plight of Young Black Males; The Absent Father Syndrome; The Prison Reentry Challenge. Interdenominational Theological Center, The Franklin Auditorium, Building 2, 700 M. L. King Jr. Drive, Atlanta  30314. R.S.V.P. at [phone] or here before December 1.

 

19. Hart Readers read “The Last Ballad” by Wiley Cash, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m., Walthour Library, St. Philip's Cathedral, 2744 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta 30305. Discussion led by The Rev. David Wagner, Chaplain, Holy Innocents Episcopal School. This novel from the best-selling author is set in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina in 1929 and inspired by actual events.

 

20. Isaiah says that rest and quietness is our strength. Orchard is sponsoring another Sabbath Rest silent afternoon, 12:00 Noon-4:00 p.m. on December 7. Scholarships available for all who cannot pay the $22 which includes lunch--register at www.sabbath-rest.com. Email [e-mail] with any questions!

 

21. The Ignatius House Retreat Center in Sandy Springs is graciously offering a special day of prayer, quiet, rest, and worship – at no cost – just for church and community leaders.  The silent retreat provides time for you and others to hear the voice of God in your heart in the quiet settings of the center along the Chattahoochee River, Friday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This is an invitation only event available to you at no cost, but will require pre-registration here.

 

22. First Congregational Church Community Development Corp and the Atlanta Jazz Chorus present an annual favorite Holiday Jazz Vespers featuring Kathleen Bertrand and Alex Latimore with Emmy-award winner Keith David with pianist Gary Motley, the Atlanta Jazz Chorus, and the 3^rd Sunday Band. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets see www.2017holidayjazzvespers.eventbrite.com Free parking available.  For more information call (404)-659-6255.

 

23. Community Christmas Concert and Carols at Brookhaven United Methodist Church featuring Brookhaven UMC Choir and the Brookhaven UMC Guitar Choir, Sunday, Dec. 10, 4-5 p.m., 1366 N. Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta 30319. Show Map Call [phone] if you have questions.

 

24. All are welcome at a Blue Christmas Service of Healing and Restoration, Holy Comforter, 737 Woodland Avenue, Atlanta, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. Holy Comforter (map)

 

25. Christmas with the Trey Clegg Singers: Festival Sounds of the Season, Saturday, Dec. 16, 6 -8 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College. This fine multicultural chorus with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Homeward Choir (Atlanta’s chorus for homeless men) will bring us the music of the season. (map) To learn more about The Trey Clegg Singers, visit https://www.thetreycleggsingers.org/. Tickets are $30 and you can find them on the website above.

 

26. There's still time to register for  Reformations Then and Now  at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. Read about it here.

 

27. Fortification: Spiritual Sustenance for Movement Leadership is a Podcast featuring Caitlin Breedlove, Vice President, Movement Leadership at Auburn Seminary, interviewing movement leaders, organizers and activists. Fortification is a joint project of Auburn Seminary and Standing on the Side of Love, a campaign of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Have a look here.  Brian McLaren – last week.

 

28. Register as a partner site for Values in Action and bring Trinity Institute to your community, The conference is Feb. 2-3, 2018, and speakers include Jose Antonio Vargas, the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Michelle Alexander, Pádraig Ó Tuama, and the Rev. Elizabeth Edman. Learn more about being a partner site here. Learn more at TI2018.org.

 

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]