Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 24, 2018

[RCCAtl]

Church Action eNewsletter Week of September 24, 2018
Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta, Inc.
God calls us to some things we cannot do alone.

1. “Back to Life” from Orchard suicide awareness panel discussion, Sept. 27, featuring professional therapists and surviving family members sharing resources and stories to shed light on this often taboo and stigmatized topic. Click here to register for the panel event.

2. Morehouse College screening of AIB Network's Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr.: Reflections on His Legacy, Thursday, Sept. 27, 5 -7 p.m., Bank of America Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. Following the screening, there will be a panel featuring the documentary's producer Audrey Galex, law Professor and attorney Derek Alphran, attorney Rodney Strong, featured in the documentary, and Alvin Darden III, who worked for Jackson and is the dean of first-year students at Morehouse College.

3. We are at the end of Suicide Prevention Month. Remember that talking about mental illness and suicide helps people feel less shameful about getting help. The national Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and prevention and crisis resources, tell people about it. 1 [phone].


4. The Rev. Talitha Arnold, minister of the United Church of Santa Fe, N.M., Sept. 30 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org. “Longing for Cucumbers” is drawn from verses in which the Israelites in the wilderness lament the loss of the rich variety of food they ate in Egypt. Hear or read it now at Day1.org and tune into NEWS 95.5 or 750 AM WSB every Sunday morning at 7:05 for a fine sermon

5. A women’s Bible study group will meet at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church on Tuesday evenings beginning October 2. The group will meet at 6:30. Participants are invited to bring supper and come at 6 for a shared meal. Beth Moore’s video series on the book of James is the subject. All ages are welcome. No childcare is provided. Call Carole Johnson at [phone] if you would like to reserve a book.

6. Barbara Brown Taylor at Oxford College of Emory University. Samuel Mills Peace Lecture, Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Allen Memorial UMC, 803 Whatcoat St, Oxford 30054. This lecture was established to honor Sam Mills, an Oxford College alumnus who died in his senior year at Emory College. Sam Mills placed great importance on his rural Georgia heritage and ties to family and local folkways, while also working for national and global peace. The Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, author and faculty emerita at Piedmont College, will speak on “Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others.” This event is free and open to the public. For questions, contact Dr. Lyn Pace at [e-mail].

7. Concerts @ First presents lunchtime organ concerts every Wednesday in October, noon, First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309.

8. “Picturing Justice” is a photography exhibition presented by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society in partnership with Atlanta Celebrates Photography and “The Bitter Southerner” exploring how photography can illuminate the human stories that live behind such common shorthand as "case", "client," or "issue" so we can better empathize and advocate for the lives improved by this important work. Opening reception with some of the artists will be October 3 at ALA, 54 Ellis Street N.E., from 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Please register in advance here.

9. “A House Divided Series: an open forum on church music” is Thursday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m., in the Thomas W. Cole Science Research Center at Clark Atlanta University. The theme for this year is “Reclaiming Worship Relevance: Music of the Black Church.” Designed to provide a safe space for music and worship arts leaders and clergy to explore planning and implementing worship, the free forum welcomes all. Chief music editor of the African American Heritage Hymnal, musicologist, theologian, American songwriter, and producer Nolan Williams, Jr. is guest facilitator. Parking on campus at 190 Mildred Street in the LAZ Parking Facility.

10. Pregnancy Care Center 2018 Fund and Friend Raiser, Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Jonesboro, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Keynote speaker is Dr. Benny Tate. Music provided by recording artist Heather Tag. The Master of Ceremonies is Eric Stallings. Reservations are required. Call [phone] to make your reservation. Consider making a gift to help in the operation of the center and please bring a pack of diapers, clothing (birth to 4T), and/or baby care items to help meet the needs of women seeking assistance.

11. Atlanta visit of International Peacemaker Dr. Mary Mikhael, first woman to become president of a seminary in the Middle East, Near East School of Theology in Beirut, 1994-2011. In 2012 she was appointed by the Presbyterian Synod of Syria and Lebanon to interpret the church’s ministry among Syrian displaced and refugees. She is a sought-after lecturer and writer of countless articles related to theology and the position of women in the church. The 2018 International Peacemaker visit is co-sponsored by Alpharetta Presbyterian Church and the Peacemaking Partnership of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
October 5, Friday, 7:22 a.m. - she will speak at the Men's Breakfast at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Rd NW. Women welcome, $7.00, no reservation needed;
October 5, Friday, 7:30 p.m., program at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 W. Peachtree Street N.E., Fifield Hall, no charge;
October 6, Saturday, 6:00 p.m., potluck dinner and program at Shallowford Presbyterian Church Youth Center, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta, Bring a dish to share and R.s.v.p. to Karen Turney, [e-mail]
October 7, Sunday, preaching at the two morning services at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta
October 8, Monday, 12:15 p.m. Lunch at Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, Ellis Room in Richards Center - $8.25 – R.s.v.p. to Karen Turney, [e-mail].

12. The Family Day of Fun & Celebration at Emmanuel Lutheran Church will offer more than family fun and health resources. There will be community service information available for Fulton County residents. Representatives from the county will provide a variety of information from voter registration, to library services, to health info and everything in between. Saturday, Oct. 6, 12 – 6 p.m., rain date is Oct. 13. Emmanuel, 3050 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30311. Get your free tickets here.

13. The Christ Church Macon Choir will present a service of Choral Evensong, Sunday, Oct. 7, 5 – 6 p.m., 582 Walnut Street, Macon 31201. . The service is free and open to the public. Jonathan Alan Poe, Organist-Choirmaster.

14. Live and Learn hosted by the Training and Counseling Center at St. Luke’s, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St. Atlanta 30308, Hamilton Room. Motivational Interviewing presented by Denice Clark LMFT, DCC, overview and informal discussion. Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based practice intended to bring about client behavior change through eliciting client's own intrinsic motivations for change. Discover why MI may be exactly the tool for engaging more challenging clients in their personal journey toward behavior change. All are welcome. Suggested donation: $5 for attendance; $15 for attendance and lunch. To register and pre-order lunch, contact [phone] or [e-mail].

15. Thomas Heywood in concert, Tuesday, October 9, 7:30 pm, Sanctuary, Peachtree Road UMC, 3180 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta 30305. Co-sponsored by the Atlanta Chapter, AGO. This concert features works by Handel, Bach, Debussy and Guilmann performed by a brilliant organist.

16. “1968: Lessons from Fifty Years of Change,” Wednesday, October 10, 6:30—9:00 p.m. Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church sanctuary. Free; registration required. Candler’s Laney Program in Moral Leadership presents activist, writer and scholar Angela Davis, Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at the University of California Santa Cruz. Register here. 1660 North Decatur Rd, Atlanta 30307.

17. Greater Turner Chapel AME Church and Jackie Newsome, Master of Divinity student at Candler School and attorney, will host a four-part criminal justice reform series. The event dates are October 11, 18, 25, and November 1. Each session will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The church is at 4650 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30331.

18. Calling all middle and high school girls and parents for a full-day College & Career Summit hosted by Diamond In The Rough, interactive workshops, special guest presenters, resources and more. Saturday, October 13, Emory University, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This event is open to members and the general community. Registration is required. Registration deadline is September 30. Register here.

19. Taste of Latin America Annual Event at Cathedral of St. Phillip, Saturday, Oct., 13, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., hosted by the Diocesan Hispanic Ministries Commission in Child Hall at the Cathedral, 2744 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, 30305 with authentic dishes, music, singing, dancing, a raffle, silent auction, and a piñata for the children. Admission is free; you will want to put a donation in the hat after dinner to help friends in Latin America and the Caribbean. Bienvenidos!

20. The Marian Consort is an internationally renowned early music vocal ensemble known for engaging performances and imaginative programming. They will be part of the concert series at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 634 W. Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Monday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. Find tickets here.

21. “Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church,” Monday, October 15, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Pitts Theology Library, Room 360, Candler School of Theology, 531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta 30322, Aquinas Center, 1531 Dickey Drive. The speaker is University of Notre Dame Professor and Chair of Theology Timothy Matovina who works in the area of Theology and Culture, with a specialization in U.S. Catholic and U.S. Latino theology and religion.

22. Mirrors: Bringing Compassion to Life, Tuesday, October 16, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie Street, Atlanta 30303. This Compassionate Atlanta fundraiser will bring you powerful stories that illuminate the way compassion impacts our live. More info/Tickets.

23. A Sacred Harp (“shape note”) singing will be held at The Church of Our Saviour Sunday, October 21, beginning with a brief lesson at 6:00 p.m., followed by singing from 6:30-8:30. Songbooks will be available for loan or purchase. All are welcome! For more information, visit the Atlanta Sacred Harp website, or contact Amy Wells at 404-872-4169.

24. The Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta and Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church in Riverdale host the second annual “Conference on Undoing the Most Segregated Hour in America.” Presenters will explore the need for power sharing, reconciliation, and balance in welcoming the stranger and growing congregations which are reflective of their diverse communities. Christ Our Hope, 2165 Highway 138, Riverdale, Monday, October 22. Lay leaders, rostered ministers and congregation members are invited and encouraged to participate. For registration information please email [e-mail]

25. St Dunstan’s Episcopal Church is hosting a three-day Walking the Mourners Path Facilitator Training October 25-27. This unique ministry was started in recognition that there is a need for an effective ministry for those in grief. Faith communities that offer the ministry identify at least two individuals to attend a training. Although clergy are not required to attend, many have found their involvement in the training meaningful and helpful. For more information and registration information visit www.mournerspath.com or email Catherine Gilbert, Program Director, at [e-mail].

26. Save the date for the 31st annual Reformation Day at Emory, Thursday, Oct. 25. You can find details and register for the event at Pitts.emory.edu/reformationday.

27. “Repairing the World; Finding Our Unity in Diversity,” sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the American Jewish Community of Atlanta, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Drive, NW, Atlanta 30327. Thursday, Oct. 25, 6 – 8:30 p.m. The reception starts at 6 and the program at 7. Please R.s.v.p. here.

28. The Greater Gwinnett Reentry Alliance fourth annual Reentry Conference, Friday, Oct. 26, 5 – 8:30 p.m., at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville 30046. Welcome Home Bar-B-Que on the patio from 5 to 6 p.m.. Candidates for public office will make an appearance. This event is ticketed and seats are limited, so make sure you register right away. The free conference will begin at 6:30. Several speakers, including returning citizens will give their testimony and share their challenges. Keynote speaker is Tony Kitchens. A field director for Prison Fellowship, he previously worked with the Governor's Office of Transition, Support and Reentry, the Department of Community Supervision, and was one of the founding team members of the Georgia Prisoner Reentry Initiative. He is the architect of the Restorative Reentry/Reintegration methodology. Get more information. Register Now!

29. Koinonia’s Hospitality Beyond Border ministry, which packs bags with clothing for people to take with them when they are sent out of the U.S., is in great need of shoes and bags (backpacks work best). You can send shoes, bags, or other clothing items to Koinonia Farm, 1324 GA Hwy 49 South, Americus, GA 31719. Find out specifics at the link above.

30. The heart of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary is to equip church professionals and lay people to be forerunners in discipleship. They share news of courses, conferences, and seminars designed to support this goal in Journeying Together.

31. The Festival of Young Preachers will be in Atlanta this coming January. Find out all about it. Registration is open now. Read more>>

32. The 2019 Georgia Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation will be held at Epworth by the Sea, St. Simon’s Island, May 19-24, 2019. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is offering some assistance for CBF clergy and laity interested in attending. An application is available online to apply for financial aid to attend. Click here for more info.

Visit our website www.RCCAtl.org for the community calendar, the Clergy Tool Box for Mental Health Ministry, and many other resources.

Peace,
Ethel Ware Carter