Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 2, 2019

[RCCAtl]

1. Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri, co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will speak at the opening convocation for Columbia Theological Seminary, Columbia Presbyterian Church, 711 South Columbia Dr, Decatur, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m. This year’s convocation begins Columbia Seminary’s 192nd session.

2. A reminder that the 116th Convention of the United Sacred Harp Musical Association will be in Atlanta, Sept. 7-8, at the Emory University Performing Arts Studio. Singing and fellowship and dinner on the grounds each day. More here.

3. Rev. David W. Meredith, pastor of Clifton UMC, Cincinnati, is the featured preacher Sept. 8 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast radio program also accessible online at Day1.org and via podcast. “Not Equality in All Things,” Meredith’s sermon for Sept. 8, is based on Galatians 3:25-28 and Paul's letter to Philemon. For more information and many other resources, check the program’s website, 

4. The Rev. Allen Hilton author of the best-selling book A House United: How the Church Can Save the World, and founder of House United, a non-profit to help groups collaborate across theological and political differences will present two sessions September 10 at St. David's Episcopal Church in Roswell. His first session, 3-5 p.m., will be for clergy. The second session, 6-9 p.m., is open to everyone and will include a pot luck dinner, agape meal with breaking of the bread and passing the wine, a presentation by Rev. Hilton, and small group discussion. Please register by emailing [e-mail]. Child care is available as well.

5. Nicholas House’s Faith Partner Empowerment Breakfast will be Thursday, September 12, from 8:00-9:30 am at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 Walnut St SW, Atlanta, GA 30314. Diverse faith community leaders are invited to this forum to discuss and implement initiatives empowering homeless families to achieve self-sufficiency. Together, partners aim to make family homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring in metro Atlanta. Complimentary breakfast provided. R.s.v.p. to Norma at [e-mail] or [phone].

6. John Bulow Campbell Library at Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Dr, Decatur, will host the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History exhibit Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human? Opening reception is Sept. 13. The exhibit is open through Dec. 13. Small groups are asked to schedule a tour by email to [e-mail]. Read more about this fascinating exhibit here.

7. A reception for Montgomery textile artist Joanne Staley is Friday evening, Sept. 13, 4:30 – 7:00 in the Harrington Center, Columbia Seminary. The artist will share brief remarks at 5:30. Her exhibition “Biblical Weavings” will be available for viewing Aug. 12 – Nov. 13. Visitors are welcome to view the exhibit between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon.– Fri. For more information, call [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]. See Smithsonian exhibit while you’re there.

8. Changing the Culture of Policing in America Symposium connects community members working to end police racial profiling and other unwanted acts of police conduct with a platform that promotes Constitutional Policing. Panel members provide real solutions supported by research and information proposed by the Department of Justice. The public is invited; registration is required. The event is Sat., Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Clayton State University, East Arbor Hall, 5823 Trammel Road, Morrow 30260. Register here.

9. Seedtime & Harvest Plant & Bake Sale, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come enjoy the garden and purchase early starts for your fall garden from this long-respected supported employment program at The Friendship Center at Holy Comforter Church. Organically grown broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and beets; cabbage, collards, and kale; lettuce and arugula - plus herbs, perennial flowers, shrubs, and beautiful indoor plants. Enjoy luscious baked goods while you shop, or take some home or to your office, 27 Woodland Ave, SE, Atlanta 30316.

10. Resist Dehumanizing Immigrant Neighbors, Saturday, Sept. 14, 5 – 7 p.m. Faith in Public Life Georgia invites you to gather with crucial partners in the Sanctuary Coalition on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 5 p.m. at St Bede’s, 2601 Henderson Mill Rd, Atlanta 30345. Learn how you can put feet to your faith and stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. You can R.s.v.p. here.

11. Get to know your neighbors at the 14th Annual Atlanta Arab Festival. Experience the best of Arab cultures with food, music, art and more… a great event for kids and adults! Having drawn over 5,000 attendees in one weekend, the Atlanta Arab Festival is an Atlanta tradition. Saturday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Alif Institute, 3288 Marjan Drive, Atlanta 30340. Admission: $5/person, children under 12 are free! Parking is free. www.atlantaarabfestival.com

12. Les Trois Voix will present a full concert on Sunday, Sept. 15, 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305. The concert “Gilded in the Light of Hope” will feature a mix of ancient and modern pieces that exemplify hope in times of darkness. For more information visit their website.

13. A community conversation about suicide, Sunday, Sept. 15, 5:00 p.m., Johns Creek UMC, 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, 30098. Co-Host: Johns Creek UMC, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Will To Live Foundation. summitcounseling.org

14. Interfaith Morning of Reflection, Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center Monday, Sept. 16. How Can Religion Be a Source of Good in the World When So Many Do Violence in its Name? Guest Speakers are Fr. Peter Fink, SJ, Sr. Mary Priniski, OP, Rabbi Michael Bernstein, Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser, Mr. Kemal Korucu, Dr. Zehra Ozturk. Register here.

15. Point Source Youth's Southern Symposium on Solutions to End Youth Homelessness is Sept. 16-17, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Emory Conference Center, 1615 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta 30329. A key component will be networking among participants, with multiple opportunities for service providers, governmental officials, advocates, and youth to build stronger connections among folks interested in ending youth homelessness in the South. Read more . . .

16. The Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s Live & Learn “Teen Dating Violence: How Parents Can Promote Healthy Relationships and Self Respect” facilitated by the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. To register, contact TACC at [phone].

17. Teresa Morgan, professor of Graeco-Roman history at the University of Oxford and McDonald Visiting Distinguished Scholar at Candler, will present a lecture Wed., Sept. 18, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Rita Anne Rollins Bldg., Candler. This event is open to the public; registration is required. A complimentary boxed lunch will be provided for all who register by September 10 at 5 p.m. Register here. In her lecture, titled “Institutionalization and Inspiration: Two Aspects of Early Christian Faith.”

18. A Journey of Remembrance and Reconciliation, an interfaith commemoration service presented by NAACP, FAMA, DeKalb History Center, and Compassionate Atlanta. Listen as we acknowledge the suffering caused by racial terrorism and the need for unity to heal all wounds as we move forward together as one race. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:00 p.m., DeKalb History Center, DeKalb Historic Courthouse, 101 East Court Square, Decatur 30030. Free and open to the public. For information call [phone].. More details.

19. Join Faith in Action Thursday Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church Social Hall for a presentation by the director of the Archdiocese Justice & Peace Ministry, Kat Doyle. Learn how each church ministry can take specific actions to be stewards of God's creation. All Saints is located at 2443 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody. All are welcome for this exploration of the role of the church in caring for God’s creation.

20. The Most Dangerous Year film screening presented by the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory. This award winning film explores the lives of families with transgender kids. Director Vlada Knowlton will entertain questions after the screening. Sept. 19, 7 – 9 p.m., Tull Auditorium, Emory Law School, 1301 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta 30322. This event is free and open to the public. Click hereto reserve your free seat.

21. GBPI will host a fall policy forum, Friday, Sept. 20, Women-Powered Prosperity, at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. They will also release a brand new report on the status of women in Georgia at this event, featuring an exciting keynote speaker and panel of local experts to discuss how Georgia can become a more supportive and prosperous place for women.Tickets are on sale now. 

22. Candler School of Theology at Emory will present author Austin Channing Brown and veteran newspaper editor and award-winning author Hank Klibanoff in “Bearing Witness: Faith, Remembrance, and the Journey Toward Racial Justice” Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Decatur First UMC. The event is free and open to the public, with registration required. Register here. Several area churches have joined to co-sponsor with the goal of engaging communities of faith in honest reflection about the history and ongoing legacy of racial violence. The event is offered in cooperation with the DeKalb County Remembrance Project, which is working with the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, to create a memorial to victims of lynching in DeKalb County.

23. The Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, is one of the UK’s leading mixed collegiate choirs, with a world-wide reputation. Their program Sept. 22, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, will feature classic favorites from the treasury of English church music, as well as sacred and secular works from different countries. The cost is $25, $10 for students with i.d., children under 18 no cost. Purchase admission at the door or online.

24. Save the date Sept. 27-29. For over four decades, the Greek Orthodox Christian community has opened its doors to host one of Atlanta’s landmark cultural events, the Atlanta Greek Festival. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Rd NE, Atlanta 30329. Ticket information and more here.

25. For a man at a crossroads, maybe angry, worried, or isolated,... or, ready to challenge himself in a big way. A powerful, 48 hour experience to face emotional wounds and shadows, as well as gifts and dreams. About 25 participants, with 40 trained volunteers. New Warrior Training Adventure--Men’s Breakthrough Weekend: October 4-6. Rutledge, GA. This ManKind Project weekend is often one of the most profound experiences of self-discovery in men’s lives. Sign up, or contact Jermaine, [phone] or [e-mail] . Intense, packed with processes and reflective moments. ALL men are welcome. southeast.mkpusa.org.

26. Orchard invites people all over the city will make the world a better place by participating in The Do Good Challenge on Oct. 5, to come together to do good for others and make a positive impact on Atlanta. Makes plans to get involved in this scavenger hunt style competition. Learn more and register at www.meetorchard.org. More later . . .

27. The Mercer Preaching Consultation is Oct. 6-8 at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta 30341. More

28. The Christian Unity Gathering is the signature event of the National Council of Churches. It is Oct. 13-16 in Hampton, Virginia.nationalcouncilofchurches.us

29. #QuietingTheSilence Join The Blue Dove Foundation for an interfaith conversation from different religious perspectives in an authentic Sukkah. Gathering in the Sukkah celebrates the Jewish holiday of Sukkot which commemorates the temporary dwellings God made to shelter ancestors on their way out of Egypt. Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30 – 8:45 p.m. R.s.v.p. to thebluedovefoundation. There is no charge for admission. Location will be shared upon R.s.v.p. Suitable for ages 18+

30. Save the date for Reformation Day at Emory 2019. October 29 is the day and registration is open now. Register here www.engage.emory.edu/ref2019 . If you have registration questions, please call [phone].

31. Georgia Justice Project is bringing together stakeholders to speak with one voice about the need to expand Georgia’s law and allow expungement of certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after a period of time. Early endorsements include Georgia Center for Opportunity, United Way of Greater Atlanta, The Temple, Racial Justice Action Center, and Southern Center for Human Rights. Georgia has the highest rate of correctional control in the nation, yet is one of only ten states that do not allow expungement of convictions. Employment is the most effective way to reduce recidivism. Changing Georgia’s law so that certain misdemeanor and felony convictions can be restricted and sealed after a period of time will unlock opportunity for thousands of Georgians who are rehabilitated and want to work, rebuild their lives, and provide better futures for their families. Learn more at SecondChangeGeorgia.org and sign up for campaign-specific e-mails.

32. For clergy considering starting a peer learning group, this blog from CBF is essential. 

33. Apply now for a grant to strengthen Christian public worship practices. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship will award grants of up to $18,000 to foster vital worship by supporting teacher-scholars in any field as they do integrated research that connects worship with other disciplines of study and practice. Apply by Oct. 1. Learn more.