President John's Message
Meals on Wheels driver… Volunteer reader and tutor in the local elementary schools… Health care worker…Supporter of education…Service above self…Sounds like an ideal Rotarian doesn’t it.
But no...that was my mother. Allow me a personal note to say “Thank You” to the many of you who sent words of condolence and prayers our way this past week upon the death of my mother - Margaret Carruth. My family was blessed to have her in our lives for so many, many years.
She lived to be 101 and was thinking about others until her last days. Leslie and I were able to see her two weekends before she passed away last week. Her first question to us was - “Has Maggie had her baby?” She was looking forward to new life even as hers was winding down. Thank you Rotary friends!
Christian, Jewish & Muslim Lunch Speakers
Confronting The Fear of Other Religions in Roswell
Changes are Happening as Roswell’s Religious Community Evolves
Our community thrives with Christians, Jews, Muslims and other religious beliefs. For more than 2 millennium, people have sadly used religious beliefs as the basis for acquiring power even to the extend of bloody war. The result is Religiophobia. Xenophobia. Islamophobia. Antisemitism. Even Christophobia. How can we address these unhealthy fears while maintaining our religious beliefs and traditions?
A minister, a rabbi and an imam walk into a Rotary lunch and....
Rev Kevin Head of the First Baptist Roswell Church, Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner - Temple Beth Tikvah and Faraz Iqbal representing Roswell Community Masjid speak openly and candidly about why they believe it is important to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. The outcome will be a stronger Roswell, a strong Atlanta, a stronger Georgia.....and a happier you.
Dr. Kevin Head began serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Roswell in March 2016. In 2007, Kevin and his wife, Amy, began a ministry-based counseling practice in the East Cobb/Roswell area. Kevin is a graduate of Furman University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Kevin and Amy have two grown children, Jenna and Joshua.
Faraz Iqbal has resided in Tucker, GA, with his wife and 4 kids, for the past 16 years. Involved in various nonprofit initiatives at the local and national levels, Faraz currently services on the board of the Roswell Community Masjid, the ACLU of GA, and the Islamic Speakers Bureau, Atlanta. He has been involved with youth work for over 30 years with a focus on helping youth develop into positive influencers and community leaders. He holds an MBA from Fairfield University, is PMP certified, and is an alumnus of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2020.
Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, a native Californian, has served as Temple Beth Tikvah senior rabbi since 2015. Presently she is completing her second term as the president of the Atlanta Area Board of Rabbis (the first woman rabbi to hold this position in the ARA). Constantly seeking ways to better live as a human being in sacred relationship with all of creation, Rabbi Alex strives to approach life with radical amazement, guided by the prophetic responsibility toward repairing the breach in the just functioning of the world. Her time is spent in support of organizations that focus on peace & justice. She and her husband have five grown children and are blessed with four grandchildren and six fur-grands.
After Hours Meeting Recap
Taxes + New Member + Birthday!
Last week, After Hours had another great meeting. It was an honor to have Roswell Rotary's own William Lindsey speak to the group on taxes--just in time for tax season. He shared tips on how to save when filing, the difference between standard/itemized deductions, small businesses taxes and so much more. Thank you, William!
They also welcomed a new member to the club. Welcome, James Lambert!
The meeting ended with delicious cake to celebrate After Hours' first birthday. Time flies when you're havin' fun! The next RRAH meeting is Tuesday, March 21--same time, same place.
Volunteer Help Needed This Saturday
YO! Roswell Relays is THIS Saturday, March 18th
We have holes in the Sign-up Genius sheet! Please find your spot. Both Mindy & Michael have been calling through the directory but if you were not called OR you are new to the Club,
pop into Sign-Up Genius. We have early morning spots and afternoon spots available: Click here to Sign up: Roswell Relays Hotlink:
This the oldest and biggest Track & Field meet in the state of Georgia. Come to support, watch incredible competition and eat from the spread in the Coaches/Volunteer Hospitality Suite in the RHS Cafeteria.
Becky Nelson susbeck6061@gmail.com plus Mindy Jones goldyall@aol.com is coordinating the Coaches Hospitality Suite while Michael Curling michael.curling@gmail.com is coordinating the volunteer positions on the track/field.
When: Saturday, March 18th … all day
Where: Roswell HS Football Field
It's a wonderful chance to volunteer and work with all of these talented high school athletes. The energy is contagious! Hope you will be part of it!
Click here to Sign up: Roswell Relays Hotlink:
March 27 Blood Drive at Gate City 10:00am-6:00pm
Be Your Brother and Sisters' Keeper. We'll Provide the Beer.
Become Part of the Team
Each of our religions teach that "We are our brothers & sisters' keeper." (Note 1) Knowing the giving blood saves lives, including patients at Wellstar North Fulton Hospital, and with only about 1 in 3 people able to donate blood (Note 2), here's how everyone reading this article can help:
If you can't give, convince a friend, employer, coworker or family member to schedule an appointment for Monday, March 27. Be a "keeper" by proxy.
If you can give, be a "keeper" by making an appointment for yourself to roll-up your sleeve.
On the 27th, you will rest peacefully that evening because you made a difference. You are your brother and sisters' keeper.....with the added reward that you or your friend will be gifted a pint of beer.
Note 1: The Bible story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-13), Cain was so angry and jealous of his brother Abel that he killed him. Afterward, when G-d asked "Where is Abel?" Cain said he didn't know. That's when Cain asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?" But he was really saying, "My brother is not my problem."
Note 2: Blood facts are at https://givingblood.org/about-blood/blood-facts.aspx
Click here to reserve a space March 27th to donate.
For more information, contact Jonathan Crooks 770-841-8686, Darrell Bartlett 770-883-7757, or
Hal Schlenger 770-335-0077.
As always, we want to thank Pat Rains and Michael Curling for the current and past help saving lives in our community.
April 27 - April 30
Party Planning for District Conference in Sandestin, Florida
Party planning is in full swing for our District Conference hospitality suite. Our numbers are looking good for getting the best suite, but DG George’s Griffin club is making a last minute run to outdo us. Time to quit procrastinating and sign up. Suites are about to be assigned.
Join us April 27-30 for District Conference 2023. Make your reservations today! Click here for Registration and Accommodations
