Church Action eNewsletter Week of October 3, 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  October 3, 2016

 

 

 

1. Underwater Georgia is a new federally funded state program for Georgia homeowners who owe more money on their mortgage than their home is worth. If you think this could help some members of your congregation Read more>>

 

2. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light reminds congregations  that completed a GIPL energy audit to apply for matching grant funds to help pay for energy efficiency projects in your facilities. Deadline to apply is Nov. 15.  Learn more here! » 

 

3. Forgiveness & Reconciliation: To Forgive Means to Change sponsored by Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta and hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is Saturday, Oct. 8. For information or to register to attend, contact Marge at [e-mail].  There is a nominal registration fee of $10 per student.  

 

4. Spread the word- United Way of Greater Atlanta and FamilyWize have teamed up to help more Atlanta residents fight the flu. Those who are uninsured and underinsured can get their flu vaccines at no cost. Must be 13 or older. DeKalb County, Saturday, Oct. 8, at Together Empowering All (TEA) Walk, Center for Pan Asian Community Services, 3510 Shallowford Road, NE, Atlanta 30341, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Contact Phone [phone] x327. Henry County, Sat., Oct. 15, Hands of Hope Clinic, 1010 Hospital Drive, Bldg. B Stockbridge 30281, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Contact Phone [phone].

 

5. Congratulations to Cascade United Methodist Church celebrating 90 years in ministry this Sunday. All are invited to join in celebratory worship. Bishop James E. Swanson will preach at the 8:00 and 11:15 services. 3144 Cascade Rd SW Atlanta 30311.

 

6. Dr. Paul Tellstrom, senior pastor of Irvine United Congregational Church UCC, is the featured preach on Day 1 this week, Sunday Oct. 9. Hear the sermon now, find your local station, or explore the many resources at Day1.org.

 

7. Fifth Annual Health Summit Building Healthy Communities: One Step at a Time, a free conference of interest to congregational health ministries from the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority, Oct. 11, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Register here.

 

8. Dr. Gerald Durley has announced that interfaith and civil rights groups from across the city will hold a press conference, Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m., at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Boulevard, Atlanta 30303. The importance of early voting and the responsibility of all citizens to vote will be the subject.

 

9. Internationally known scholar Dr. Mark Allan Powell, Robert and Phyllis Leatherman Professor of New Testament, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, will present the Smyth Lectures at Columbia Theological Seminary, Oct. 11-13. Dr. Powell will deliver three lectures offered free to the public each day in the Harrington Center Chapel on the seminary campus located at 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur.

Tue., Oct 11, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Jesus Takes Sides: The Beatitudes as God’s Apology

Wed., Oct 12, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Jesus Thinks Twice: A Kingdom for Unrepentant Prostitutes

Thur., Oct 13, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Jesus Delegates Authority: Recovering a Mandate to Not Follow Scripture

 

10. The Politics We Need: Faith, the Presidential Election and the Choices Ahead with Michael Wear, founder, Public Square Strategies, and former staff in the Obama administration's Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Initiatives, Faith and Politics lecture series at Emory, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., Register here.

 

11. The DBHDD Division of Behavioral Health in partnership with other state agencies announces the first “Race for Recovery,” Friday, Oct. 14, 5K Run/Walk at Grant Park, to end stigma, promote mental health, and highlight Georgia’s successful re-entry programs and resources. The agenda will include remarks from state leadership, compelling stories of recovery, and an art showcase from individuals in recovery—available for purchase. (Please share this information with any individuals in recovery who you think might want to have their artwork showcased.)  For information contact Jill Mays at  [e-mail] or (404)-657-2140.

12. Exploring God's Mystery Through Neurobiology and Contemplative Practice with Alexander Escobar, Fri., Oct.  14, 7:00 p.m. – Sat., Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m. , St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta 30329. The retreat will have a contemplative rhythm with sessions on chant and meditation. Dr. Escobar is a faculty member of the Biology Department at Emory University. Cost: $65; partial scholarships available. Select the link above for all information.

 

13. A Culinary Yard Sale for the Cathedral Thrift House at the Peachtree Road Farmers' Market, Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9-12 . There will be beautiful gently-used vintage and contemporary cookware and other culinary items of all kinds for every style and budget.  Proceeds will benefit the Cathedral Thrift House and the Peachtree Road Farmers' Market and its many local charities.  The Thrift House will also be accepting donations of culinary items during the sale. 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30305.

 

14. Interfaith Children’s Movement and IMPACT encourage you to click on the link below for more information and to register for Post It Up South DeKalb combatting human trafficking, Oct. 15, at noon. Get more information and register.

 

15. Roswell United Methodist Church invites the community to Family Fall Festival, Thursday, Oct. 20, 5-7 p.m. This free event will be held in the parking lot at the corner of Magnolia St. and Mimosa Blvd. Enjoy Alive in Roswell and drop by Family Fall Festival with the children for carnival games, inflatables, pony rides, and live music! Questions: Lorin Sullivan, [e-mail] or [phone].

 

16. Does your congregation regularly take trips abroad to serve or go to disaster sites in the U.S.? Global Emergencies and Mental Health will by Heather Kircher | posted in: Events, Humanitarian Events | bring together humanitarian, development, and health experts from France and the US to discuss the present state of mental health and psychosocial care within the framework of relief and development programming, Friday, Oct. 21, 3-6 p.m., Emory University. Mental health is an important, yet often overlooked need that is relevant in all phases of emergency and development interventions. This event is organized by the Consulate General of France in Atlanta and Emory University’s Center for Humanitarian Emergencies at Rollins School of Public Health, and Laney Graduate School’s Master’s in Development Practice. Networking reception to follow. Free event. R.s.v.p. here.

 

17. Big Bethel AME Church, 220 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta 30303 will join faith communities throughout the nation in celebration of the 11 Annual National Children's Sabbath, Saturday, Oct. 22.  The theme “Educating the Un-educated,” is designed to address issues and concerns that children are facing today. Panel of presenters will include Senator Vincent Fort on the OSD Amendment I, Officer Tony Jones, Police Duties and Responsibilities, and Fulton County Solicitor General-Elect, Keith Gammage on community relations and involvement for diversion programs. Breakout group for children and youth will address bullying, gang activity, peer pressure, and the value of academic achievement. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. along with continental breakfast. Panel presentations will begin at 9:30, lunch at noon. Q & A after lunch. Vendors with pertinent information to share are welcome. Contact Rev. Bessie Donaldson [e-mail] if interested. Congregations, PTA members, community leaders, are invited to come and bring the young with them for these very important learning sessions.

Download free resources for your Children’s Sabbath celebration today. They are easy-to-use and adaptable. If your place of worship cannot participate on the designated October weekend, find another time to participate. What you do is more important than when you do it!

 

18. Day1 Preacher Reception honoring popular pastor who served at Redeemer Lutheran, Tuesday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m. Pastor Debra Samuelson is now senior pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Minneapolis. This will be a lovely evening of fellowship, friendship, and fun. If you would like to reconnect with Rev. Samuelson R.s.v.p. here. 

 

19. Melissa Fay Greene will be at Holy Trinity parish, 525 E Ponce de Leon, Decatur 30030, Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., discussing The Underdogs. 

 

20. Festival Singers present a cappella works of Bach, Clausen, Tavener, and Arnesen, folk songs and spirituals of Dave Matthews, Alice Parker, and Caldwell & Ivory, First Presbyterian Church, 183 Main St., Cartersville 30120, Saturday, Oct. 29. 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3:00 p.m., St. John United Methodist Church, 550 Mount Paran Road, Atlanta 30327. Tickets for Saturday. Tickets for Sunday. 

 

21. The community is invited to two performances of the combined choirs of North Decatur Presbyterian and Covenant Presbyterian presenting  Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living” Sunday, Oct. 30, at North Decatur, and Sunday, Nov. 6, at Covenant. Admission is free; a door offering will be accepted at each performance benefiting Decatur Cooperative Ministries and Buckhead Community Ministries, respectively. Jeffrey McIntyre, Director of Music at Covenant, will conduct the choir, which will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra with Clinton Miller, Director of Music at North Decatur at the organ. The concerts will begin at 4:00 p.m. Additional information, including directions and parking details, may be found at each church’s website      Ndpc.org          Covpresatlanta.org

 

22. Interfaith Community Initiatives announces its 2016 Friendship Luncheon, Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station, will recognize the long-time friendship of “The Higher Ground Group,” made up of three of Atlanta’s most respected faith leaders: Rev. Joanna Adams, Imam Plemon El-Amin, and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman.  Originally brought together by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, through dialogue, study and service, the Higher Ground Group (including the late Rev. Dr. Joseph Roberts) has been a model of engagement and respect for the entire Atlanta community.  Corporate and Individual Table Sponsorships are available.  Please contact [e-mail] for more information or visit www.interfaithci.org/campaigns . To purchase your table or seat at the luncheon, click here.

 

23. Upcoming December workshop from The Center for Congregational Health, a partner with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Vital Mergers Workshop featuring Dirk Elliott (Detroit Conference UMC) on Dec. 1, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 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.

 

24. The Addiction Resource interactive website has been added to the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry on the C.H.I.P. website. It offers information about substance abuse and is intended to encourage those in need to take the first step in seeking help. It’s on the resource page here and in the tool box halfway down the Prepare section here.

 

25. The Atlantic Institute 11th annual art and essay contest “Compassion in Action…Caring Matters!” invites students across the state of Georgia to demonstrate their ability to think critically and creatively analyze real world problems. If you are an educator, or know ones who may be interested in this contest, help spread the word or contact the institute at [e-mail] to find out how you can get involved. Deadline for submissions to Wednesday, Dec. 7.

 

26. The National Festival of Young Preachers has launched a new program to assist young preachers in fundraising to attend the conference, Jan. 2-5, Louisville. To participate in the program, young preachers can apply and seek sponsors for prayer, encouragement, and financial support. To learn more about this program and apply, see  academyofpreachers.net/ypsi or e-mail any questions to [e-mail]. Register here for the 2017 National Festival of Young Preachers.

27.  Columbia Theological Seminary has a bookstore, open T-W-Th, 10-2, and occasionally other times. Located in the Richards Center off Kirk Rd. Read more>>

 

28. Holocaust Denial on Trial, a website founded by Emory University professor Deborah Lipstadt to refute the misleading claims of Holocaust deniers, has been redesigned and relaunched. It was created through a partnership between Emory and the university’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies and catalogues the material arising from David Irving v. Penguin UK and Deborah Lipstadt, a libel claim brought against Lipstadt and her publisher in 1996 by Holocaust denier Irving.  Lipstadt says, “Its resources are open to people everywhere, from the academic doing research, to undergraduates studying history, to those who have encountered misinformation and want to find the truth.”

 

29. Cool Harvest is a food, faith, and climate program from Interfaith Power & Light, a nonprofit inspiring a religious response to global warming. It is for congregations interested in responding to climate change through educating their members about climate-friendly food choices and engaging them in activities, such as organic gardening, that can inspire and have a positive impact. Read more>>

 

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.

[e-mail]