Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 23, 2013

[RCCAtl]

 

God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

   Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta 

Check the community calendar on our website 

 

 

We will soon be in the process of choosing affordable health insurance. There is great need for certified application counselors; this is an important ministry opportunity for congregations across the region. Churches and houses of worship are eligible to be Certified Application Counselor organizations. It is a simple process. As a CAC organization, your volunteers will help people understand, apply, and enroll for health coverage through the Marketplace. We will be happy to talk with you about this or direct you to someone who can answer any questions you have. The training for volunteers is online and five hours.  What an opportunity to make a difference for the future health and stability of the families in your congregation! Read about the process>>

1. Animal Blessings in celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi will be held in the next few weeks particularly in Episcopal churches. Church of the Nativity, Fayetteville, opens the series this Saturday, Sept. 28, by hosting a pet fair and with blessings provided hourly by the Rev. Rita Henault in downtown Fayetteville.  A great list of these from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta is here.   

2. Revival at Radcliffe Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, September 28 - Tuesday, October 1, celebrating the revival theme, "Revival: Reawakening to the Power of I Am."  On Saturday, 4 p.m., Rev. Bill Honor of New Life Presbyterian Church will be the guest minister for the Community Outreach event.  There will be a Music Fest on Monday at 6:30 p.m. and a closing worship service on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with guest minister Dr. Marvin A. Moss of Cascade United Methodist Church.  There will be dancers, mimes, vocalists, and instrumentalists, all coming together to praise God and lift up His Name.  For more information, please call Radcliffe, 286 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, Atlanta 30318, at 404-799-5089. 

3. St. John United Methodist church announces the 2013-14 Concert Series. This Sunday, September 29, 3 p.m., Kazanetta String Quarter and Dr. Diane Earl in a free concert of the rarely performed and wonderfully dynamic Piano Quintet by Antonin Dvorak in the newly renovated sanctuary of St. John UMC, 550 Mt. Paran Road, Atlanta 30327. [phone].

4. Kevin Linker, organist and choirmaster at Church of the Good Shepherd in Lexington, Ky., will perform a recital at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Cathedral of St. Philip. A graduate of Northern Illinois University and Roosevelt University, and a doctoral candidate at the Cincinnati Conservatory, Linker will perform works by J.S. Bach and Franck. Choral Evensong follows.

5. Early Bird registration ($150) for the Big Ideas for Youth Ministry Conference, Columbia Theological Seminary, closes October 1. This January 22-24 conference will provide youth ministry professionals and volunteers with practical and creative ideas  - big ideas and best practices to assist in developing and growing youth ministry.   Conference participants will receive a researched guide of 25 best practices for youth ministry from how to recruit volunteers to the best practices for international travel.   Details and Registration.

6. Anyone who longs to talk to God, hear from God, or rest in God’s presence. Spend an afternoon of silence alone with God at Ignatius House on a beautifully wooded location on the Chattahoochee River. October 2, Noon to 4 p.m., 6700 Riverside Drive, Atlanta 30328. Register at www.sabbath-rest.com  or email [e-mail]. Just bring yourself, resources provided -- casual dress, rain or shine.

7. Steve Oney at GSU: Leo Frank 100 Years Later - It's Still Not Over-- 2013 is the 100-year anniversary of Mary Phagan's death and Leo Frank's conviction for her murder.  His wrongful conviction and subsequent lynching in Marietta reverberated around the country. The Jewish Studies Program at Georgia State University and the Southern Jewish historical Society are honored to host Steve Oney and to recognize the Leo Frank case as a turning point in American Jewish history.  The public is invited.  Thursday, October 3, 2013 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Read more>>

8. Shaun Casey, head of the U.S. Department of State's new Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives, will give a public talk at 2 p.m., Friday Oct. 4, at Emory University titled "Exploring Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy: Launching the State Department's Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives." Room 290, Psychology Building, 36 Eagle Row. Parking is available at the Peavine South Parking Lot, 27 Eagle Row.

9. Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center invites you to join Fr. Tony D’Souza, SJ in retreat entitled Compassion: Facing Life's Challenges, Oct. 4–6. Fr. Tony brings together innovative spiritual and psychological practices to help us ask a profound question: “What do I really want?” Using his unique combination of clinical experience, hands-on grass roots activism, and intimate knowledge of Christian and Eastern mystical traditions, D’Souza has developed a much sought after approach to spiritual development. Ignatius House is located in Sandy Springs. To register call [phone] or visit www.ignatiushouse.org

10. Fall Kick-Off Meet and Greet at the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Atlanta. Come see what the center is doing to rebuild simple decent, affordable, and safe housing with those that need it in Atlanta. Meet the families and learn how you can be a part of this. Come old friends and new to Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, Hitson Activity Center, 85 Mount Vernon Highway, NW, Atlanta 30328, Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to noon.  The center is a faith-driven, Christ-centered organization that promotes collaborative and innovative partnerships with individuals, organizations, corporations, and religious groups of all faiths to provide adequate shelter for all people in need in the Greater Atlanta area. R.s.v.p. now Here.

11. Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, 118 2nd Ave. Decatur, invites everyone to a potluck dinner on Monday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m.  The speaker will be the Presbyterian 2013 International Peacemaker, German Zarate Durrier, from Colombia, SA.  He is Director of the Office of Mission and Service in his country with a focus on human rights.

 

12. Street Grace Quarterly Meeting, Thursday, October 10, Lunch at 11:30 a.m., Quarterly Meeting 12 – 2 p.m., North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Broyles Ministry Center. A donation of $5 will help defray the lunch costs.  If you would like to attend the luncheon, please R.s.v.p. to [e-mail] before Tuesday, October 8. Whitney can also answer any questions. Quarterly meetings are open to the public and dress is casual.

13. Bill Bryson, of “Walk in the Woods” fame, transports readers on a journey back to the amazing summer of 1927 in America with his hugely entertaining book “One Summer: America, 1927.”  Bryson spins a story of brawling adventure, reckless optimism, and delirious energy with trademark brio, wit, and authority. First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030, Friday, October 11, 7 p.m.  This program is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by First Baptist Church Decatur Conversations.  No tickets or reservations required. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

14. The United Methodist Women of Ben Hill United Methodist Church Women's Day Weekend is October 12-13 and filled with activities that are open to the public including a luncheon and seniors and youth community service events. Please read the schedule Here. The Theme of the Women's Day Weekend is Women's Spiritual Transformation Mirroring God's Love 2 Corinthians 3:18.

15. Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Fellowship, “Refugee Challenges in Clarkston”, October 13, 3 p.m.,  Dallo Restaurant, 4047 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain 30083, 678-973-2944. The meeting features a presentation on the challenges faced by refugees from Africa, Nepal, and other troubled places who have fled to Atlanta from the disruptions of their homeland. Dinner will include food tasting from the African traditions. Invite your friends to join you for this event. No registration is required. Rs.v.p.’s would be helpful in planning for dinner. Following the presentations there will be a Q & A time. This event is open to both members and friends.. R.s.v.p. to [e-mail] to help with seating and dinner planning.

16. Celebrating Interfaith Together, Fund Raising Dinner and Gala, Monday, October 14, 6:30 p.m., Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, NW, Atlanta 30327. Brenda Wood of WXIA is Mistress of Ceremony. Read more>>

17. The Red Door Festival is coming Saturday, October 26, to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Cumming.  This annual community-wide event will feature a British Car Show this year. We’re telling you early so you can make application. Read more>> And vendors and sponsors are being sought. See Red Door  Vendor and Red Door Sponsor.  More later about the barbeque and bake sale and a K 9 unit, and the Red Elephant Sale. Proceeds support church ministries. For any other Red Door Festival questions, please contact Janice Davis, [e-mail].

18.  “Peace in the Sudans,” Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m., at The Carter Center. In 2011, South Sudan celebrated its independence from Sudan after more than two decades of war, but conflict in the region continues. An expert panel will outline the Carter Center's efforts to strengthen peace and create a lasting understanding between the two countries. Reserve your seat
RSVP Now ►

19. Register now for Mental Health First Aid, the internationally acclaimed public education program, that will be offered to the public on Thursday, October 24 from 8 am to 5:30 pm. The cost is $60 and participants will be certified as Mental Health First Aiders.

20. "Medicaid Expansion: Addressing Health Disparities and Improving Access to Care"  with keynote speaker Dr. David Satcher, director of The Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine and the 16th Surgeon General of the U.S. October 31, 9:30 a.m. to noon, The Carter Center. Register now for the GBPI Fall Policy Forum.

21. Save the date November 8-9 for Big Bethel A.M.E.’s “Heaven Bound” in its 83rd season.  The Friday night performance is the traditional version and the Saturday night performance is the contemporary version. This legendary African American folk drama tells the story of pilgrims on their way to heaven. Comprised of cast members from this historic congregation, written and produced by two choir members, Sisters Nellie Lindley Davis and Lula Byrd Jones, Heaven Bound continues its time-honored legacy of the oral tradition through hymns, spirituals, and dramatic storytelling. Who will make it through the “pearly gates?” Tickets can be secured at [phone] or Here.

22. Floyd R. Blair, President of Lutheran Services of Georgia, addressed immigration reform in an op-ed recently published in The AJC. He writes, “Immigrants are our neighbors, friends, employees, and employers. Our diversity is what makes our state so vibrant. Immigration reform holds out the promise that newcomers will be able to more fully enrich our society and economy." Blair celebrates the progress represented by U.S. Senate Bill 744. He asks we urge leaders in the House to pass bipartisan legislation confronting "the human suffering in their own communities and congregations." Click here to continue reading. 

23. Winners of the Baptist Joint Committee 2013 Religious Liberty Essay Contest were announced. Winning essays on the topic of religious diversity in America and the myth of America’s founding as a “Christian Nation” can be read online.

24. OneRegion Atlanta will offer a series of civic engagement and community-building events and opportunities to connect metro Atlantans of all backgrounds and beliefs. Through plays, lecture series, art exhibits and roundtables, metro Atlanta residents and leaders will come together to bridge differences, demonstrate and expand cooperation, and advance awareness of who we are individually and collectively. To learn more, visit OneRegion Atlanta at www.oneregionatlanta.org.

25. An important sermon was preached at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville this past Sunday. It is about Jesus and money, the gospel and money.  Read more>>

26. The Poverty Initiative launched by the National Council of Churches of Christ will continue its work from its new home at Disciples Center for Public Witness. The initiative will remain ecumenical in focus and scope, continuing to work with current partners from NCC communions and reaching out to new partners, including allies in the Roman Catholic community. The focus of this ministry will remain the same: working to address poverty issues from a faith perspective and helping lift all of God’s people out of poverty through education, training, and public witness. Download a new resource on childhood poverty here.

Peace,

Ethel Ware Carter

The Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.

[e-mail]

404-201-6448