Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 21, 2019

[RCCAtl]

Week of October 21, 2019
The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Take a look at the Community Event Calendar on our website and celebrate all the good things that people of faith are doing. www.RCCAtl.org. You will also find the last few weeks' editions on our home page www.rccatl.org. Send us your events.

1. “College Behind Bars,” Wednesday, Oct. 23. Join Atlanta PBA at the Morehouse School of Medicine for a screening of this new documentary from Ken Burns — the story of a small group of men and women struggling to earn college degrees and turn their lives around in one of the most rigorous and effective prison education programs in the U.S. Registration required but does not guarantee entry. Audience members will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. It will air on ATL PBA Nov. 25 & 26.

2. #ShowUpforShabbat, Oct. 25-26. Following the murder of 11 innocent Jews at prayer at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue last Oct., millions of people of all faiths rallied around this initiative, packing synagogues in the largest-ever expression of solidarity with the American Jewish community. On the one-year anniversary, AJC is again calling on all people of good conscience. Invite your friends and family from all faith backgrounds to come together to honor the victims and raise our collective voice for a world free of antisemitism, hate, and bigotry. To find a participating Atlanta synagogue near you, visit here.

3. Big Bethel AME Church’s 14th Annual National Children's Sabbath. There will be "age-appropriate" rap sessions facilitated by professionals and an adult forum exploring issues children and youth face today. Saturday, Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Big Bethel AME Church, 220 Auburn Ave, Atlanta 30303. Multicultural dishes will be shared at lunch.

4. Experience an immersive simulation of the human trafficking happening in plain view across Metro Atlanta. Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Admission is free. Sign up here.

5. The Rev. James E. Bacon, Jr., interim rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, is the featured preacher Oct. 27 on “Day 1.” Broadcast every week for over 74 years, Day1 features outstanding preachers. It is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. Hear it in Atlanta on Sundays at 7:05 a.m. on News 95.5 and 750 AM WSB. For more information and many resources, visit http://day1.org.

6. It’s That Time of Year again at First Congregational Church! The Sunday School Fall Festival is October 27 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Commons, 105 Courtland Street, Atlanta 30305, and you are invited. There will be tables for treats, delicious food, music, fun games, and more. Bring a game or your favorite dish. For more details contact Pat Shaw [e-mail] , Paul Grant [e-mail] or Beth Espy [e-mail]. Happy Fall!

7. “Requiem: For Us Living” by Alfred Fedak, Sunday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2461 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, 30305. Offering collected to sponsor a panel display from the names project on World AIDS Day.

8. The 32nd annual Reformation Day at Emory is Tuesday, Oct. 29, "The Story of Our Books: Producing, Collecting, and Owning Books of the 16th Century." Register here. If you have registration questions, call [phone].

9. 28th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA, Oct. 30 – Nov. 18. The Festival features 45+ authors and offers a range of events, including meet-and-greets, book signings, a community read, panel discussions, and much more. Headlining authors include Henry Winkler, Candace Bushnell, Preet Bharara, Jodi Kantor, Bari Weiss, Amb. Nikki R. Haley, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton. MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Rd, Dunwoody. Some events are free. For tickets, call the Box Office at [phone], or visit www.atlantajcc.org/bookfestival

10. Come to the Cathedral of St. Philip for a holy evening of remembrance at the 31st Annual Homeless Requiem on Friday, Nov. 1, commemorating homeless men and women who have died in the past year. Before the service, we will serve dinner to our guests and welcome the Voices of Hope choir from Arrendale State Prison. There are a number of volunteer roles still to be filled. Here is a link to sign up to help.

11. Joe Jennings will be at First Friday at First, Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m., great food, fun, and fellowship! Tickets are $20, students $10. Call [phone] to inquire about season tickets. The Commons, First Congregational Church, 125 Ellis Street, Atlanta 30303. Free parking in the CARE lot on Piedmont

12. Heather Morris, author of the multi-million copy bestseller, “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” has written a new novel based on a true story of love and resilience. “Cilka’s Journey“ is the story of a sixteen- year-old taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in 1942 and her journey through prison camp – a story of the resilience of the human spirit and the will we have to survive. Talk and signing at 12:00 noon, Nov. 4, at the MJCCA, 5342 Tilly Mill Road Dunwoody 30338. Ticket information.

13. Orchard has again set aside a week of prayer with a number of different prayer events. This week of prayer is Nov. 4-9. You are invited to as many of these events as you can attend. The events are free but please do register online for the Monday and Wednesday events.
Monday Nov. 4, 11:45 a.m. Lunch and Prayer Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church, Register here.
Monday Nov. 4 -7 p.m., Prayer Night on Buford Highway, Trinity Anglican Church Northside Register here.
Wednesday Nov. 6- PAWKids Prayer Breakfast-7 a.m.,PAWKids, 1643 Hollowell Parkway 30318, Register here.
Friday Nov. 8, Men’s Prayer, 7:30 a.m., The Lodge Coffee Shop, 3417 Roswell Road in Buckhead. No registration required.
13. Folk & Fundraising in the Park for Georgia Cares, Friday, Nov. 8, 6:00 p.m., Blackburn Park Pavilion, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, a night of fall festivities at Blackburn Park in Brookhaven where two indie folk/rock bands, Scuttlebuggs and Tabibito, will share their music to benefit the work of Georgia Cares! The event is free and open to the public. A suggested donation of $10 for individuals, $20 for families is encouraged. Head over to the park after a long week, bring the family and some grub, relax, and enjoy some sweet tunes while giving back to work with survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking.

14. ThunderGypsy will be special musical guest at Rockin’ For Our Veterans. Tickets are just $15 and all proceeds support Alchemy Sky's music therapy programs for Georgia Veterans. This year the event is at Irby's Tavern in Buckhead, Nov. 8, 8 p.m. Get Your Tickets To Rockin' For Our Veterans

15. Annual Veterans Day events are Saturday, Nov. 9, in Centennial Park District in Downtown Atlanta - Parade, Festival at Pemberton Place, and Freedom Ball! Bring your chairs to line the streets and watch the Opening Ceremony and the Veterans Day Parade at 10:45 a.m. in front of the World of Coca Cola. Bring a picnic, sit on a blanket or chair at the open green space of Pemberton Place to enjoy the music of the 116thArmy Band after the parade. Parade and festival are free and open to the public. This year's celebration honors the 100-year anniversary of Armistice Day. These annual events showcase our patriotic spirit and our community’s gratitude to our veterans and active duty military for their service. Visit www.GeorgiaVeteransDay.org.

16. One of the last great outdoor events before the holidays, Sat., Nov. 9. Run for Justice benefits the general operating fund of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Beautiful 5K course beginning and ending at One Step at A Time in Decatur; 5k walk, great for families and children. Jogging strollers, kids, and pets are welcome! Register and learn more here.

17. FAMA announces the first annual Interfaith Friendsgiving. Join friends and a panel of local experts to explore “The Ethics of Eating,” Sunday, Nov. 10, 4:00—6:00 p.m. Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW, Atlanta 30318. All are invited for specialty bites compliments of local chefs, music & Inspiration from our communities of faith, table conversations, and a whole lot of friendship. $10 Students, $15 Adults, $25 Families + 1 nonperishable food Item for the ACFB. Limited seating—get your ticket. For more information, contact Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser.

18. Priority Male Empowerment Symposium presented by the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta for nonprofit organizations serving young men of color who are seek training, employment, mentoring, or related resources. Thursday, Nov.14, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. This is a free event but registration is required. Call [phone] for more information.

19. You are invited to the 9th Annual GSHA Supportive Housing Conference, Monday, Nov. 18, - Tuesday, Nov. 19, State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta 30303. Learn about the Second Chance for Justice Advocacy, the HomeFirst program, new methods to navigate rural resources, housing "outside of the box", meet staff at State Agencies, panels to enrich your work - and more! click here for Information and Registration

20. The launch of Atlanta’s Community of Conscience, Monday, November 18, 6:15 p.m. Hor d’oeuvres; 7:30 Program; 8:30 Dessert Reception, Intercontinental Buckhead. You are invited to take part in the historic launch of Atlanta’s Community of Conscience part of a national initiative that brings together leaders from different backgrounds to make a statement against the division in today’s society and discuss proactive ways to address it. Featuring David Harris, CEO, AJC; the Rev. Joanna Adams, Pastor Emerita, Morningside Presbyterian Church; Monica Kaufman Pearson, Host, Georgia Public Broadcasting; Doug Shipman, CEO, Woodruff Arts Center. Register.

21. Men’s Peer support groups seeks new sites. Two established, weekly meetings of men based on trust, confidentiality, communication skills, empathy, and accountability are looking for new meeting places in the Piedmont Heights/Buckhead area. Groups are often hosted by churches or synagogues, as their values and training align with spiritual growth and community empowerment. Evenings M,Tu,W, or Th. The events are free, so reduced rent would be helpful. Open to ALL men; diversity is strength. Contact John Jones at [e-mail]] for more information, or to inquire about visiting.

22. The World Methodist Council welcomes everyone to an evening honoring the Rev. Dr. James T. Laney, recipient of the 2019 World Methodist Peace Award, Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Sanctuary, 458 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta 30308. Since 1977, the council, representing 80 million Methodist globally, honors individuals who contribute to peace, reconciliation, and justice. Laney will be recognized for his extraordinary efforts on behalf of the people of Korea, A reception will follow. If you have accessibility requests related to parking, or for any general questions about the event, please contact Glenn Kellum at [e-mail]. Please register here.

23. Demand for Simple Needs furniture program is running high. They need more help from people with pickup trucks to move furniture. More hands mean faster results for clients. If you’d like to help out with transport–or burn off some calories–on a Saturday by pitching in, they would love to have you. For more info, email [e-mail]

24. The Rev. Richard Allen Farmer, pastor of Crossroads Presbyterian in Stone Mountain, is a musician and a minister. Marthame Sanders interviews him about the intersection of those two avocations on AIJ Cast (Art Inspiration Justice). Listen to it here.

25. Thinking about Advent? “Written in the Stars” is a seasonal devotional booklet from the Society of St. Andrew. This year’s theme encourages us to find hope and joy in God’s promises knowing they are steadfast. These daily devotions – all new for 2019 – are the words and experiences of people of faith, both pastors and lay persons, from all walks of life. The Advent devotions program provides an opportunity for your congregation to be fed spiritually as well as to give in support of the Society of St. Andrew’s feeding ministries, reflecting Jesus’ own concern for the least, the last, and the lost. You can also sign up for a daily email devotional. Visit here for booklet and daily email.

All events previously announced go into the Community Calendar on our website. Visit www.rccatl.org for the calendar, the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry, and more.