Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 12, 2016

[RCCAtl]

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta

Church Action eNewsletter Week of  September 12, 2016

 

Correction:  Office Hours, free webinar series featuring Candler School of Theology faculty addressing practical, relevant issues in ministry, announced for Sept. 28, with Brent Strawn, will be on Sept. 29 at noon. Register here. For more information, contact [e-mail].

 

1. Quaker Earthcare Witness, a North American-wide network of Friends (Quakers) and other like-minded people, sees the ecological and social crises of our times as matters of deep spiritual concern. A statement has been issued by QEW in support of actions at Standing Rock this month. Read it here.  Suggestions from the Standing Rock Sioux on ways to help.  

 

2. The next End New Jim Crow Education Meeting is tonight, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. Come learn more about what we each can do to advocate for fair and impartial policing locally. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, at Cliff Valley Way and the northbound I-85 access road between Druid Hills Road (exit 89) and Clairmont Road (exit 91). The main entrance is off of the I-85 access road. Speaker will be attorney, Sarah Walton, who will share resources from a toolkit she is developing for individuals and groups to use to learn more about the police policies, training, and practices in local communities to increase the safety for all.

 

3. Bethel World Outreach Ministries - Atlanta will be accepting new and gently used shoes through Sunday, Sept. 18. These shoes - of all sizes, styles, colors, girls, boys, men and women - will be donated to provide shoes to those less fortunate.  Your assistance is appreciated.  For more information, contact Deacon T. Buxton at [phone].  

 

4. Pianos for Peace can be found around Atlanta until Sunday. This is one of the largest public art display projects in the city. All 29 pianos will be donated to public schools, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and community centers. For more information, visit www.pianosforpeace.org.

 

5. The Rev. Charley Reeb, Pasadena Community Church, St. Petersburg, is the featured preacher on Day 1, Sunday, Sept. 18. His sermon is entitled “The Secret.”  You can hear or read it now on day1.org. Find your local station there, too, and audio, video, and text resources.

 

6. Safe Harbor for Children, Referendum on Georgia Constitutional Amendment #2, Informational Workshop for Communities of Faith, Sunday, September 18, 2-4 p.m. Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave, Atlanta 30327. The non-partisan amendment creates permanent funding used solely to provide safe housing, counseling, rehabilitative services, and access to education for children who are victims of traffickers. For more information, visit www.safeharboryes.com. To learn more, see live video from press conference.

 

7. Trinity United Methodist Church is offering a gathering of community, called 3rd Place, to discuss race relations in Atlanta and ways in which individuals and groups can fight for racial justice. The gathering will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, at Hodgepodge Coffeehouse and Gallery, 720 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta 30316.  There will be a panel but also space for discussion. All are welcome to join in this conversation.

 

8.  Dr. Tyrone B. Hayes, Professor of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, is the next lecturer in Columbia Theological Seminary’s Science for Seminaries program sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association of Theological Schools. On Sept. 21, at 11:00 a.m., Dr. Hayes will present his talk From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men on the herbicide atrazine and its negative impact on public health. This event is open to the public in the Ellis Room of the Richards Center, Columbia Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur.

 

9. Candler’s James T. and Berta R. Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership fall lecture series on the intersection of faith and politics in the current socio-economic-political climate continues on Wednesdays. What Would Jesus Do? Developing a Political Economy of Justice is the Sept. 21 topic for Obery M. Hendricks Jr., senior fellow, The Opportunity Agenda, and visiting scholar, Columbia University Department of Religion and Institute for Research in African American Studies.  Lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required here. Find Information on all 7 lectures and speakers in chronological order at www.candler.emory.edu. 

 

10. Atlantic Institute presents Being a Christian Pastor in a Poor Community, a discussion with George Tatro, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, part of the Exploring Faiths series. Thursday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m., Milton Office Park, 591 N. Main St. Bld. 100 Milton 30009. To RSVP or for more information click here. 

 

11. You're invited to The Art of Change: a night of music and poetry to end violence against women with Jericho Brown, Theresa Davis, and Cecilia Woloch, and a performance by Emory’s co-ed A Capella group Dooley Noted. Thursday September 22, 7:30 -9:00 p.m., Glenn Memorial Church,  School Building Fellowship Hall, Room 216, 1660 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta 30307. Parking is free after 5:00pm in Emory's Fishburne Parking Deck. Buy tickets online here . At the door $35, students 15.

 

12. Holy Comforter's first plant sale of the season, Saturday, Sept. 24, is going to be big! The Holy Smokers, a BBQ team from Marietta, will be selling pulled pork or chicken plates with all the sides, including a drink, for $10 a plate. There will be music and games - buy your tickets today!  737 Woodland Avenue SE, Atlanta 30316.

 

13. Poets, musicians, and artists around the world will be organizing poetry readings, music, and dance performances focused on issues of peace, justice, and sustainability on Sept. 24. This important annual global act of solidarity is the core activity of 100 Thousand Poets for Change. Atlanta’s InterPlay performance company, Soulprint Players, will be creating improvised dance to the poetry of Debra Hiers at the Shambhala Center, Sept. 24, 6-8 p.m., 1447 Church St., Decatur 30030, near the Avondale MARTA Station.

 

14. The United Methodist Women of Cascade invite you for a spirit-filled women’s weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25. The Rev. Joyce E. Banks Gross will lead a one-day retreat on Saturday morning, 9-12:30, and Women’s Day Worship, Sept. 25, will feature the Rev. Jasmine Smothers, 8:00 a.m., reception following. Email Rev. Gross at [e-mail] or call the church to confirm your attendance at the retreat [phone]. 

 

15. The theme of the Emmaus House annual Walk the Road event this year is Bridges to Educational Achievement. On Sunday, Sept. 25,  from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to contribute time, talent, and treasure to the local D. H. Stanton Elementary School through  1) volunteer service projects at D. H. Stanton; 2) STE(A)M projects (adding art to STEM); and 3) a fellowship dinner provided by longtime partner and friends at Church of the Annunciation, Marietta. A donation of $10 and five cans of food for the food pantry is suggested. Those who donate will receive a free Walk the Road t-shirt.  Read more here.

 

16. The Neshama Interfaith Center & Congregation Gesher L'Torah present T'Shuvah Program Through the Looking Glass: The World Reflected In Ourselves, Sunday, Sept. 25, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., Congregation Gesher L'Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta 30022. The Hebrew word for atonement is "t'shuvah" which means to "turn towards." This program will allow you to get to know yourself better and how to see how self-knowledge affects the way you perceive others. Join Rabbi Michael Bernstein and Rabbi Pamela Gottfried, dean of Jewish Studies at the Weber School (and artist), for a conversation and creativity. Free and open to the whole community. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation! To register click here. For more information contact [e-mail].

 

17. Dr. Rowan Williams, 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, will deliver the 2016 DuBose Lectures at Sewanee School of Theology, Sept. 28-29. The topic for his lectures is Bonhoeffer Revisited: from Christology to Politics. In addition to three lectures, the School of Theology will host an open conversation with Williams and Bishop Alexander, dean of the School of Theology, on Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m. The conversation will be live-streamed and questions from the audience as well as from Twitter will be accepted. They may be submitted using the hashtag #DuboseQA. The live stream link may be found here on Sept. 29. The lectures are free and open to the public. Complete details here. 

 

18. Commission for Dismantling Racism Talk, Thursday, Sept, 29,  7:00 p.m.,  St. Luke's,  435 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta 30308. Attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery and a person who has dedicated his life's work to representing people on death row who have not had adequate legal representation, will be the speaker at this gathering. Mr. Stevenson is the author of the profoundly moving book Just Mercy. Following his lecture, Mr. Stevenson will sign books in St. Luke's Parish Hall.

 

19. Upcoming community training by Georgia Cares on the issue of DMST, Saturday, Oct. 1, Hillcrest Church of Christ, Decatur, Register here.  To request a community training near you, please contact [e-mail].

 

20. Capitol City Opera is presenting The Billy Goats Gruff at Church of the Atonement, 4945 High Point Road. Saturday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m.  Children of all ages are welcome. Tickets are $10. See www.ccityopera.org for more details.

 

21. The 3^rd Annual DrawChange 5K is accepting registrations for the Oct. 1 run/walk. You will be entertained by fine artists, musicians, dancers, circus acts, and more! Get ready to have a blast and come dressed in your brightest and most creative gear! 100% of proceeds go towards Atlanta's homeless youth. To register click here.

 

22. Community political forum, Sat. Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879 Glenwood Ave, Atlanta 30316.  Candidates from all races, local, state-wide and national, have been invited.  All parties will be represented. This will be a very relaxed atmosphere - no formal question session, no formal program of any kind.   Just one-on-one interactions. Candidates have been asked to bring campaign material for distribution. For more information, contact [e-mail] or 404-377-0561 or 678-641-7135. 

 

23. A fundraising banquet to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center will take place October 4, Tuesday, 6:30 -8:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, E-mail the Pregnancy Care Center [e-mail] with the desired number of seats or call 770-477-1501. Please include contact information, name, address, phone, and e-mail. The Pregnancy Care Center helps around 1000 women each year. The center is located at 158 S. Main Street in Jonesboro.  View the website for more information

 

24. Journey to Wholeness Conference is coming up. Do you feel stuck? Do you constantly feel disappointed or lack confidence? Are you tired of being angry or depressed?  Or are you passionate about helping others find health and healing.  If so, this conference, designed by the faith-based nonprofit LiveLiving to help you live healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually, is for you. Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, (Columbus Day weekend) at the Hilton Atlanta/ Marietta Conference Center, 500 Powder Springs Street, Marietta. Come and discover a new you.  Have a look at the schedule, registration information, and fascinating speakers and entertainers here.  

 

25. A safeTALK suicide alertness training Saturday, Oct. 8, Powder Springs First UMC, 4329 Marietta Street, Powder Springs.  Online registration. Email [e-mail] or call [phone] with any questions.

 

26. Forgiveness & Reconciliation: To Forgive Means to Change, Saturday, Oct. 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  As forgiven people of God how do we live out new life in God's energy of forgiveness?  To really forgive someone means that the person forgiving is changed and joins in the Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. Be an agent of forgiveness, be an agent of change, grow in grace. Come to the workshop led by the Rev. Craig Storlie, Interim Pastor, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, John's Creek.  For more information or to register to attend, email [e-mail] or call [phone].

 

26. Faith Trust Institute brings Teaching Healthy Boundaries 101 & 201 to Atlanta -October 11-12. The course is designed to train clergy and laity about healthy boundaries—how to engage with new material on theology and boundaries, social media, internet technology, pornography, finance, and sexual attraction. The instructors are Rev. Dr. Marie Fortune and Rev. Pat Simpson. Register online at www.faithtrustinstitute.org

 

Check out our website at www.rccatl.org and remember we will be happy to put your announcements of special musical events, educational opportunities, volunteer needs, etc. in the newsletter. Just send announcements in the body of your email, no attachments please; be sure to include all contact information and pertinent links.

 

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]