Social Justice & Spiritual Events in Atlanta

"God calls us to some things we cannot do alone." This is from the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta Church Action eNewsletter  (RCCAtl.org)  All of these events have to do with social justice, feminism, spirituality, world healing, or World AIDS day, which is on Thursday, December first.

1. Unity North Atlanta is hosting the Tibetan Buddhist Monks Nov 27-Dec 4. They will create the Medicine Buddha Mandala Sand Painting for world healing. You read about the interfaith meditation service coming up on November 30 in last week’s eNewsletter. On December 3, the famed multiphonic singers of Tibet ’s Drepung Loseling Monastery, whose sellout performances in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center received national acclaim, will perform Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing, ancient temple dances and music. We are fortunate to again have the mystical, colorful, peaceful monks at Unity.

2. Faiths Act at MedShare is hosting the first Sweet Talk of the year on November 28, 11:15 to noon. Join the MedShare community to learn about the importance of biomedical servicing technology to save lives in developing countries. Eben Armstrong, an award winning biomedical engineer at MedShare, will discuss his international experiences in South America and Africa . He has trained hundreds of biomedical technicians to build the capacity of hospitals to serve impoverished communities. Additionally, faith communities are invited to learn about the Faiths Act Campaign for Sierra Leone at MedShare this year. Please R.s.v.p. to srahim@medshare.org by 11/25/11. Sweet Talk will be held in the volunteer sorting room at MedShare, 3240 Clifton Springs Road , Decatur , 30034. 770-323-5858.

3. The Light of Hope Church of Inclusion honors caregivers with an inclusive worship service each month. On December 4 there will be free healthy food for all diets, musical entertainers, dance, motivational speakers, awards, prizes, and more. Rev. Shon L. Freeman, Sr. would like to invite everyone to this special event being held in memory of the late MaMa N’Jere Alghanee for her many years of caring and giving for those differently abled. Event is Sunday, December 4, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. , KES, Building, 6615 Tribble Street , Lithonia 30058 , Call 678-358-1180 or emaildisabledinaction09@yahoo.com if you need info.

4. The Third Annual “Taste of Faith” celebration for the Atlanta InterFaith Leaders Fellowship is scheduled for Sunday, December 4. Come and bring family and friends. This year at a new location, First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 LaVista Road, Tucker 30084. Tasting of foods from multiple religious and ethnic traditions will begin at 3 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Ben Johnson will bring greetings and brief comments midway through the event. No charge or pre-registration for this event. Saeed Raees, chairperson for this year’s Taste of Faith, invites all who are willing to help assure a broad representation of foods from our diverse traditions. If you can make a contribution in this way, please contact Saeed as soon as possible at saeedraees@gmail.com. The focus of the celebration is conversation and fellowship to build new bridges.

 5. Decatur United Church of Christ, 109 Hibernia Ave , Decatur 30030 , has announced a new time for its Taize` Service, first Sunday, 6:00 p.m., in the sanctuary. December 4 is the upcoming service. Their telephone number is 404-373-2933.

 6.  Atlanta Community Ministries invites you to participate in an Advent Sabbath Rest Silent Retreat Four Hours of Rest with God Monday, December 5, noon to 4 p.m. at Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Drive on the beautiful Chattahoochee River . Register by pressing the link. Fee is $22.00 and includes a meal and materials. Questions or scholarship needed? Call Becky Shoaf, Team Leader at 404-358-7760.

7.  More opportunities to take the Mental Health First Aid Training. Learn how to help someone who is developing a problem or experiencing a crisis. Training costs are $155 per person ($125 for students). Each participant receives certification in Mental Health First Aid (valid for 3 years), a manual, and other resources, and lunch each day. Winter two-day courses will be held on Dec. 6 and 8, and Jan. 10 and 12, and Feb. 9 and 10 at Kirkwood United Church of Christ. For more information or to register for a course, go to www.hoperesourcesonline.com or contact Kathryn Bryan atKathryn@hoperesourcesonline.com or 404-919-5179.

 8. Our friends at the National Domestic Worker Alliance are organizing an unusual campaign. If you have felt concern about how our decisions on immigration are impacting families you will want to read about this initiative to ask children and youth to write letters about why families should be able to stay together. http://www.webelongtogether.org/wish

                                                       
 9. Toiletries, especially deodorant and toothpaste, are in short supply at the Clothes Closet at Holy Comforter's Friendship Center. To help, contact Matthew at 404-627-6510 or HCfriendshipcenter@bellsouth.net. Holy Comforter, an RCCA member, is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta among people who are marginalized by mental illness and poverty.

World AIDS Day Programs

1. DeKalb County Board of Health's Ryan White Early Care Clinic and their community partners celebrate World AIDS Day with a program featuring noted speakers and a performance by AfriSalsa, December 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free HIV Testing will take place at DeKalb Addiction Clinic, 455 Winn Way , from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

2. Service of Healing and Hope featuring Voices of Atlanta will be held at Rock Spring Presbyterian Church on World AIDS Day,Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m. Rock Spring Church is locate at 1824 Piedmont Ave , Atlanta 30324 . The entire community is invited.

3. The Museum of Design Atlanta has special programming for World AIDS Day, December 1. Running now until the end of the year, exhibits include Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Posters and selected panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. In commemoration of the day, MODA will be open for 24 hours straight, from midnight on November 30 to midnight on December 1. Regular museum admission will be charged with a portion of the proceeds going to AID Atlanta and the NAMES Project. Commemoration will include poetry readings, a lecture about the quilt, dance and musical performances, and much more.

4. Greater than Aids is a national movement responding to the AIDS crisis in the U.S. You can order free World AIDS Day materials this week from their website.

The two  events that interest me the most are the training for mental health first aid and the work for the National Domestic Workers Alliance.   What events interest you?