Central member and long-time Plymouth Harbor volunteer, Janie Mead, crossed from this life to life eternal on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Her memorial will be at Central on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 11:00AM with a reception to following.

Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class (Room 204) 

The class studies and explores current issues. Books written by biblical scholars, the Bible, and material from the National UCC Office are utilized. We love to have new members. Questions? Contact Jackie and George Dominick. (georgedominick169@comcast.net)

Sacred Journeys (Fellowship Hall, Library)  

You are invited to join in wide ranging conversations around beliefs, prayer, and spiritual growth. The class will do a series of conversations around the topic of "Inspiration" for the next several weeks. Questions? Contact Gary Carson (glcarsong@gmail.com)

January 6, 13, 20 - 9:45 to 10:30 AM

If you are looking for a church home, we have regularly scheduled classes to introduce people to Central's clergy, history, and membership. These series are specifically designed to share stories and information about Central with those who are considering membership. While attendance at all three sessions is not required, participants will have the opportunity to join Central. For information or to register, please email Michael@central-ucc.org

LUKE BIBLE STUDY (Window Room 2)

January 27 to April 28, 9:30 to 10:30 AM 

Dr. Ron Joyner will teach a Bible study class for 11 weeks, starting January 6, 2013.  This class will focus on the Gospel of Luke and will meet on Sunday mornings from 9:30 till 10:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2.  Luke's gospel presents the life of Jesus as the opening of an historical process toward a universal faith, progressing toward Paul's missionary efforts towards Jews and gentiles (in the sequel known as Acts).  Luke's message includes a more clear focus on women and the poor than other gospels. Luke's parables are particularly focused on reversing normal social order.  There are special characters introduced only in Luke ( the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Simeon, Anna, Zacchaeus, etc).  Want to know more?  Perhaps you should read The Book.  We'll find drama, history, geography, theology, and, as always, lots of humor. If you would like more information, please contact Ron Joyner, trustees@central-ucc.org. 

GREAT DECISIONS

January 27 to March 24, 9:30 to 10:30 AM

(Room 206, Education Wing)

Great Decisions meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This eight-week course is designed to help citizens be better informed about major world and national issues. It is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. The Great Decisions book (written by experts in the different topics) will be available soon for $20 at the church office. Questions, contact (memyers@windstream.net).

Sunday, January 6

Following the 11:00 Worship Service, come celebrate the New Year and our Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at a brunch to be held at Marlow's in the Doubletree Inn at Northlake.

Brunch is $30.00 per person, with $10.00 going to the fund for the signers.  $15.00 for youth under 12.

To add to the fun and the fund, there will also be a live auction, displaying the paintings of our own Steve Siminski.

Contact Lesley (770) 938-0928 for more information or last minute reservations. 

COMPASSION MEDITATION

Tuesdays January 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:30 to 7:30 PM

(Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2)

 At the core of many  wisdom and faith traditions there is a common ground: uncovering love and compassion. There are many practices for developing our capacity to give loving, compassionate attention and to act on behalf of others well being. According to the Buddhist Tradition, mindfulness/awareness and contemplation practices are skillful tools for cultivating loving kindness and compassion, both towards  oneself and others. In this course, we will explore contemplative practices that  bring loving kindness and compassion into our everyday life. Aaron M. Pincus received his M.Div. from Naropa University, the first Buddhist Inspired in the United State. He is trained as a Meditation Instructor and Interfaith Chaplain. Donations are gladly accepted.  All are welcome. If you can't make every week, join us when you can. Please sign up with Rev. Ginnie. 

WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING

Tuesdays January 8, 15, 22, 29, 7:30 to 9:00 PM: 

TABLE TALK

Tuesday, January 15 - 6:30 to 8:30 PM

(Home of Joan and Bill Harrison)

Table Talk is a monthly gathering, hosted at the gracious dining table of Joan and Bill Harrison and facilitated by Rev. Michael. Folk come and go as they are able and no advance reading is required. Please bring a dish to share, if you are able, but there is always a gracious plenty of food. For more info, contact Rev. Michael.

Monday, January 7

The Rev. Joe Hoffman, pastor at First Congregational UCC in Asheville, and former Associate Minister at Central, invites you to an important event that will be in downtown Decatur on Monday (7 January).

The Campaign for Southern Equality, a movement in the south to bring attention to the inequalities of our laws for LGBT folk, recently began a 7 state southern tour that will run through Jan. 17 - at which time we will march from Alexandria, VA into Washington, DC. In each location, they have local LGBT couples request marriage licenses - knowing they will be denied. But the process is powerful. Five lesbian couples made this courageous action in Hattiesburg, MS.  In Hattiesburg, the couples told us after the event was over, "we left church not because we don't love God, but because of the prejudice of the church. We had no idea there were churches out there that have your spirit and love. Thank you for coming to us and supporting us." 
 

The action in Decatur is from 12:30-2pm (7 January).  You can also find more information at www.southernequality.org .  Revs Michael and Ginnie intend to stand in faithful support and prophetic witness with the couples in Decatur. 

Since 1984, Lena's Place Coffeehouse is a monthly opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of acoustic artists. On January 12, doors open at 7:30 PM. 

The Annual Bob 'N' Beatles Blowout Show includes singers: Bob Bakert, Chuck Henderson, Lashbrooks, Juliana Finch, and more! Coffee and baked goods are available. This month all proceeds go directly to Central's Lena Werking Fund.

At Central, youth 7th to 12th grade are participating. The theme this year is "Worship". Here is a quote about our worship leader: "... With her love of drama, dance, liturgical art, music, and all forms of multimedia, Suzanne will lead us through interactive sessions so we can see how all of life is a worship experience. Suzanne is the Associate Minister for Search & Campus Ministry at University Christian Church next to the Texas Christian University (TCU) campus. And as always there is skiing, snowboarding, skating and tubing and hanging out at the slopes on Sunday! 

The annual Used Media Sale will take place on two consecutive Sundays, January 27 and February 3. We appreciate your donations of gently used books, audio books, CD-ROMs, DVDs, VHS tapes, computer games, puzzles, game consoles/programs (Wii, PSP, Gameboys, Nintendo), etc. Please drop off your donations in the Office area. All funds raised will go to support Youth Missions.