Church Action Newsletter Week of August 15, 2016

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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  August 15, 2016

 

 

One thing we value about the Church Action eNewsletter is that it gives us a sense of all the good that is happening in what often seems a troubled world. Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain was recognized last week in an Op-Ed piece by Nikolas Kristoff published in the New York Times. Here’s a bit of the essay –

 

In Georgia, an India-born Muslim named Malik Waliyani bought a gas station and convenience store a few months ago and was horrified when it was recently burglarized and damaged. He struggled to keep it going. But then the nearby Smoke Rise Baptist Church heard what had happened. “Let’s shower our neighbor with love,” Chris George, the pastor, told his congregation at the end of his sermon, and more than 200 members drove over to assist, mostly by making purchases. One man drove his car around until the gas tank was empty, so he could buy more gas. “Our faith inspires us to build bridges, not to label people as us and them, but to recognize that we’re all part of the same family,” the pastor told me. “Our world is a stronger place when we choose to look past labels and embrace others with love.”

 

 

1. All are invited to join Greater Turner Chapel AME Church for women in the pulpit on Wonderful Wednesdays, 4650 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30331, 7:00 p.m.; Aug. 17, Rev. Jennifer Maxwell; Aug. 24, Min. Camille Henderson; Aug. 31, Rev. Susan Buckson; and a special Women’s Day service on Aug. 28 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Dominique Robinson.

 

2. The Jung Society of Atlanta presents guest speaker Sharon Martin, Friday, Aug. 19. Her lecture is Transformational Fires of the Ascending Feminine. The meeting is at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta 30327, at 7:30 p.m., members free; non-members $20; students $10. Though the masculine principle has been dominant throughout Western history in both men and women, a new reality is eminent. It is a worldview which recognizes that a new, expansive integration of consciousness must occur for the survival of the human species.

 

3. Amerson House at St. Bart’s Retreat with Lalor Cadley, Ignatius of Loyola: Renegade, Penitent, Shining Star, August 20, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., study, reflection, conversation, and lunch.  Cost $30, $20 for St. Bart’s members, R.s.v.p. required by Aug. 18 to [e-mail]

 

4. The Rev. Dr. Ruth Hamilton, pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Atlanta, is the featured preacher on Day 1, Sunday, Aug. 21. Before coming to St. Luke four years ago, she was director for archives administration and assistant to the Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the denominational headquarters in Chicago. Before entering seminary, she was a professor of English language and literature, specializing in the Middle Ages. Her sermon is based on Luke 13:10-17. Read it and find more from Day 1 at "Keeping the Sabbath Holy."

 

5. Saving Our Children and Families and God's Word & Christ Ministries present their “4th Annual School Supply Drive" for children in the DeKalb, Lithonia schools, Sunday August 28. Their goal is to serve (300) children, and their mothers who are survivors or victims of domestic violence and abuse in the undeserved community during this weekend.  To donate school supplies contact DeQuanda Sanders at [phone].

 

6. Back to Love Concert at Christ Temple, Aug. 28, doors open at 5 p.m., 1193 Forest Parkway, Lake City, there is no admission cost for this concert which will benefit the Wounded But Not Defeated Project. Read more on Facebook.   

 

7. A Thousand And One Journeys: The Arab Americans will premiere at Atlanta History Center, 130 West Pace Ferry Road NW, Atlanta 30305, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. Read more>> 

 

8. Archbishop Gregory invites brothers and sisters of all faiths, to “An Evening Prayer for Peace” to remember those martyred for their faith, Monday, August 29, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. NE, Atlanta 30319.   Parking is free and there is no cost to attend. Discussion will focus on how to live our faith in this world more peacefully and effectively. Already confirmed to attend are members of the Muslim, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, Sikh, Episcopal, Methodist, and Lutheran communities. Your participation would be a blessing.

 

9.  Practical Guidance for Clergy in Teaching Forgiveness of Others and Oneself a webinar from Rural Clergy, Aug. 30, 2:00-3:00 p.m. Clergy deal with people from a variety of spiritual and religious perspectives as they wrestle with harms that have been inflicted on them or that they have inflicted on others. REACH Forgiveness is easy to use as a clergy helper and easy to teach to people in counseling and to other providers of psychological resources. This webinar will provide information about the five-step process (recall-empathize-altruism-committing-holding on) that has been tested with positive results in more than 20 controlled scientific studies. REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR NOW! You will receive the link to the webinar with your registration confirmation.

 

10. Georgia Justice Project will be hosting a Criminal Records CLE on Tuesday, August 30, at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, to train volunteer attorneys interested in working with clients at GJP monthly clinics on record restriction in Georgia.  Registration is $50 and includes a 2-hour CLE credit plus "A Guide to Understanding and Correction Criminal Records in Georgia", a comprehensive manual written by GJP. If you are interested, register by August 25 here or contact Molly Scott at [e-mail] with any questions. 

 

11. Deep Roots, starting September 3, Saturday Mornings 9 – 10 a.m., Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, 5320 Philips Drive, Lake City 30260. This is a psychotherapy and pastoral care group for men who have experienced police brutality, violence, and/or discrimination in the community. This group will be $25 per session. Facilitated by Jones Memorial UMC in partnership with Care and Counseling Center of Georgia. For more information, contact Julius Jessup Peterson at [phone] or [e-mail]

 

12. Labor Day Mini Retreat: What is Mine and Ours to Do? Sunday, September 4, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Amerson House Spirituality Center. Discernment is not a once-and-for-all vocational decision, but an ongoing practice of listening for God's invitations to us in each and every season of our lives. This retreat will offer space for listening in prayer and reflection, and in small group conversation, to our hopes and fears, our passions and longings, to discern what God may be up to, and how we might be a part of loving and healing the world with God.  Lunch included. Call or email Kimberly to register.

 

13. Robert P. Jones, founder and CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, will present a public talk on “The End of White Christian America and Its Implications for the 2016 Election” at 6:00 p.m.,  Wednesday, Sept. 7, in Emory University’s Cannon Chapel. The event is free and open to the public. Jones’ presentation, organized by the James T. and Berta R. Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, is the first in a series of lectures this fall on faith and politics in the 21^st century. Admission is free; attendees are asked to register to ensure sufficient seating. Register here.

 

14. Register now for Emory's Fall CBCT Compassion Training Courses. The Ten-Week Foundation Course with Professor Lobbing Negi begins Sept. 7, meeting Wednesday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30, Emory University, 1599 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta 30322. A two-weekend intensive version of the Foundation Course particularly tailored to those who live outside the Atlanta area and/or who have prior contemplative or counseling experience will be Sept. 17-18 and Oct. 15-16 at Drepung Loseling Monastery, 1781 Dresden Dr., Atlanta 30319. For registration, and payment details click here.

 

15. Diana Nyad shares a spirited account of what it takes to face one’s fears, engage one’s passions, and never ever give up. At age sixty-four, she succeeded in achieving a dream that began at age twenty-eight to become the first person to swim the shark-infested waters between Cuba and Florida with no cage protection. She will share her inspiring story Thursday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030.This event is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by Conversations at First Baptist.  No tickets or reservations are required. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

 

16. Movie Night at Lake Oconee Community Church is coming up on Sept. 9 with a discussion of The Letters, the life of Mother Teresa as revealed in personal letters she wrote over the last 40 years of her life. They uncover a troubled and vulnerable woman who grew to feel isolation and abandonment by God. A Vatican priest, charged with the task of investigating acts and events following her death, recounts her life’s work, her political oppression, her religious zeal, and her unbreakable spirit. Watch the movie prior to Movie Night, copies of the movie are available at Redboxs, and be ready for an evening of lively discussion, Friday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m.; beverages provided, bring an appetizer to share. For information and to R.s.v.p.  contact Becky Matheny

 

17. DivorceCare will be offered on Tuesdays beginning Sept. 13, at Roswell United Methodist Church, 6:15-8:15 p.m. This 13-week biblically based healing program is open to church members and the community. Fee is $15 for workbook. Details and registration at rumc.com/divorcecare. Contact De Lee Udelson at [phone] if you have questions. 

 

18. NAMI  DeKalb  is hosting Family-to-Family, a free 12- week course for family caregivers of individuals with serious mental health condition. The course is taught by trained family members and focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Tuesday, September 13 through December 6, 6:15-8:30 p.m., in Decatur. To sign up for the class and get more location information contact Sabrina Green at [e-mail] or [phone].

 

19. Parents, Teachers, and Advocates along with Congregation  Beth Hallel will be hosting an informational meeting regarding a training session for using multiple intelligence children’s ministry volunteers. The meeting for local children's ministers will be held at the Roswell Public Library, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m., 115 Norcross Street, Roswell 30075. For details or more information contact Barbara Harvey at [phone] or email at [e-mail]

 

20. The Roswell United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten will host its semi-annual children’s consignment sale on Friday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. – noon, in the fellowship hall of Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. Proceeds benefit the church's preschool and kindergarten. Donated items which are not sold will be given to the Foster Care Support Foundation.  Strollers are not allowed on Friday morning, and many of the items are half price on Saturday. All consignors must pre-register, even those who have consigned before.  Click on www.rumc.com/rumck to register to consign or volunteer.

 

21. The Georgia-Alabama Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the New Americans Campaign - Atlanta partners will sponsor the Fall Citizenship Day 2016, Saturday, Sept. 17, a workshop for green card holders who are eligible to apply to become U.S. citizens, Latin American Association, 2750 Buford Highway, Atlanta 30324, 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Eligible Legal Permanent Residents are encouraged to pre-register for the event, walk-ins will be taken on a rolling basis until all available slots have been filled. Assistance will be prioritized to those who pre-registered, who meet all the requirements to apply for U.S. citizenship, and who have no criminal backgrounds beyond minor traffic violations. To register online in English go here; in Spanish here.  To register in person go to the Immigration Department of the Latin American Association. No registrations taken over the telephone.

 

22. The Georgia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is presenting a safeTALK suicide alertness training on Saturday, October 8^, 9:00 a.m. until noon, at Powder Springs First United Methodist Church, 4329 Marietta Street, Powder Springs.  This is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Registration fee is $15 per person and includes materials and light refreshments. Online registration only; click here.  Email [e-mail] or call (770)-843-3836 with any questions.

 

23. Save the date for the 7^th Annual Alif Institute Gala, Saturday, Oct. 15, more at www.alifinstitute.org

 

24. Bread for the World Sunday is October 16 (or any Sunday you choose this fall) — an opportunity for your church or faith community to join others in living out God's vision of a world without hunger. Your celebration can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Simply including prayers for people who are hungry can be a powerful expression of our faith that God is using our hearts and hands to help end hunger. You will want to order now to begin planning, free resources are available for download or order your free resources. Additional materials — including Spanish resources — are available to order. You may contact Greg Shapero for more information.

 

25. Looking for a fantastic volunteer experience? This year the Arthritis Foundation is looking for singers, dancers, and people with a lot of holiday cheer to participate in the 2016 Jingle Bell Run in Atlanta, Saturday, December 10, at Centennial Olympic Park. They need carolers, character actors, and performing artists. If you are interested in helping enhance the holiday fun-run and want to make a difference in the lives of others, then e-mail to learn more.  More than 50 million Americans including over 300,000 children get arthritis. Arthritis hurts! Email [e-mail] if you want to help.

 

 

26. On a hill north of the Sea of Galilee archeologists have uncovered fifth century mosaics telling Bible stories. This is just a good story from National Geographic with great images. Noah and Moses

 

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.

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