Trees background
Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Jan 20
Sunday Ed: Chidren & Youth
Sunday Ed: Adults
Inquirers Series
Midweek Offerings
Save the Date: Jan 22
Special Sunday Adult Ed. Classes
Sunday Flowers
Used Media Sale
Looking Toward Lent
Banners on Clairmont
Organizing Neighborhood Gatherings
Dr. Erna Bryant to receive award!
Thank You
A Change in Tax Law
Event from CBH
Faith and Feminism Book Club
 
Phone

Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

24-hour Pastoral Care:

              678-672-7637

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Sunday, January 20, 2013

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY


LECTIONARY READINGS

Isaiah 62:1-5 - Psalm 36:5-10

I Corinthians 12:1-11 - John 2:1-11

 

WORSHIP NOTES

Rev. Michael, preaching:  Isaiah 62:1-5 

8:30:  Communion - music with Rev. Maureen & Tommy

11:00 Interpreted for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

 

The text from Isaiah for last week came to a people who were still in exile and afraid they would never return home.  The text for this week comes after they have returned "home" and are finding it difficult to restructure their community.  Rebuilding is hard.

 

As the nation simultaneously celebrates the inauguration of President Obama and the birthday of Dr. King, the prophet Isaiah (and Dr. King) have much to offer.  Rebuilding IS hard.

 

(Quotations from Dr. King have appeared everyday on our Facebook page; quotes from him also shape or liturgy for Sunday.)

 

Only Light, Only Love
Only Light, Only Love
Sunday School: 
Children & Youth
 

Children's Sunday School (Room 201-202)

There is childcare for 2 year olds and younger.

The pre-school children (Room 205) will play, build community together and learn Bible stories.      

 

The Kindergarten to 3rd Grades (Room 207) will use the curriculum, Godly Play. There are stories of the Bible and liturgical stories such as Communion and Baptism. This Sunday they will hear the "Parable of the Good Shepherd".

 

Following the 9:30 AM singing, the 4th to 6th Grade class (Room 208) This Sunday they will hear the how the prophets fit into history.

 

Youth Sunday School (Room 102, 103)

The 7th to 12th Grades will be attending the Winter Youth Retreat in Blowing Rock, NC.

 

Ongoing Sunday Education: Adults   

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

Practical Theology explores current issues. Books written by biblical scholars, the Bible, and material from the National UCC Office are utilized. Beginning Jan 20, we will select weekly topics for discussion (rather than a book). These weekly topics will continue through March 24. The variety of topics will help us determine our next in-depth study. We love to have new members. Questions? Contact George and Jackie.

 

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.

Inquirers Class
(Sr. Min. Conference Rm, Office Suite)

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 Rev. Michael.

Mid-Week Offerings

 

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, Boulder. 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: 

Our teachers are Amy and Colleen from Drumrise (www.drumrise.net). They are certified in West African drumming. Each class is $15 and scholarships are available for Central members. For more information, contact Rev. Ginnie

TABLE TALK

Tuesday, February 19 - 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.

 "Yes We Can! How to Have Productive Conversations about LGBT Equality..."

with JAY MICHAELSON, AUTHOR OF God vs Gay Tuesday January 22, 7:30 PM (Sanctuary)

Joint event with 

Central Cong. UCC & Congregation Bet Haverim

  

In this empowering workshop, longtime LGBT religious activist Jay Michaelson will share seven proven ways to have better conversations about religion and sexuality. By identifying where change can (and cannot) happen, we can make measurable progress -- even with people who seem dead set in their ways. 

  

Jay MIchaelson is the author of four books and two hundred articles on religion, sexuality, ethics, and contemplative practice. His most recent book, God vs. Gay? The Religious Case for Equality (Beacon), was an Amazon.com bestseller and Lambda Literary Award finalist. In 2009, Jay was included on the Forward 50 list of the fifty most influential American Jews, and in 2010 he won the New York Society of Professional Journalists' award for opinion writing. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, a Ph.D. in Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University, B.A. from Columbia, and an M.F.A. from Sarah Lawrence.

Special Sunday Education Classes for Adults   

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 12 weeks, beginning January 27.  This class will focus on the Gospel of Luke. 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 with 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? We'll find drama, history, geography, theology, and, as always, lots of humor. If you would like more information, please contact Ron Joyner, [email protected]. 

 

GREAT DECISIONS

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

(Room 206, Education Wing)

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 this Sunday for $25 at the church office. Make checks payable to Central UCC (Memo: Adult Ed) Questions, contact ([email protected]).

How to Give Flowers for Sunday Worship

 

If you would like to provide the sanctuary flowers on a particular week - in honor or in memory of a loved one or a special milestone, or just because -- simply sign up on the bulletin board list (next to the C.E. wing). You may bring the flowers, order them yourself to be delivered to the church on Friday, or ask the church office to order flowers for you (about $50). Let Charlotte Shirley know how you would like them acknowledged in the bulletin.

Used Media Sale
Now Accepting Your Donations!
Parents and Youth needed on Saturday, Jan 26 from 2PM to 6PM to sort and display the books. Supper will be served when we are done.

 

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.

Looking Toward Lent

 

Even though we have just "packed Christmas away," Lent is fast approaching.  (Ash Wednesday in February 13.)  During Lent, many of us take time to nourish our spirits in extra-intentional ways.  There will be postings on Rev. Michael's blog, Central's social media pages (Facebook, etc.) and there is always a UCC daily e-devotional (not just in Lent; see the "sidebar of Central's E-News to sign-up).

  

This year the UCC Stillspeaking Writer's Group has published a 66-page daily devotional for Lent titled "Spring Cleaning."  The promo materials for the booklet say "you'll find questions in this devotional not usually raised during Lent, such as:  Why Jesus?  Just how big is heaven?  How would you sum up the Gospel in 7 words?"  Central is going to place a "bulk order" of the booklet for the season, but want to make sure we have enough (but not too many).  If you would like a copy, please contact Rev. Ginnie by Monday, January 21.  The bulk rate is $5/each (funds are available, so please let us know that you would like a copy, even if you are unable to contribute; you can pay when you collect your booklet).

Banners on Clairmont
We have banners for display at the end of the drive on Clairmont. We would like to rotate the banners every week or two. Would you like to be part of a team that share in the banner rotation? Please contact Rev. Ginnie.

Organizing Neighborhood Gatherings

  

Some of us are scattered far and wide from the church. We often only see each other on Sundays. Would like to be part of a smaller Central group in your neighborhood? Would you like to help make such gatherings happen? In February, we will have an opportunity to create opportunities for neighborhood gatherings. Contact Rev. Ginnie, if you are interested in joining the team.

Dr. Erna Bryant to Receive Church Woman of the Year Award

Church Women United of Georgia has chosen Dr. Erna Bryant as Church Woman of the Year. She will be honored at a special luncheon in Macon on February 9 at 11:00AM.  The Atlanta unit of CWU had previously recognized Erna's many gifts and contributions; this year the award is at the state level.   We salute Erna Bryant!  For more information or luncheon reservations, please contact Joyce Myers-Brown by January 31.

Thank You!

The fundraising brunch on January 6th turned out a huge success! To add more fun to the fundraising brunch, Lesley MacFarlane conducted a live auction to sell 5 of my watercolor and acrylic paintings. Brunch fees, sale of my paintings and donations generated $2,000.00 that will be used to fund the interpreter services during this coming year. I am so thrilled and thankful to all who attended the fundraising event and to all who made generous donations to the fund for the interpreter services. With the availability of interpreters in the 11 am worship services, hard of hearing and deaf people will be able to "hear" the good news and understand everything! The deaf members and I truly appreciate the generous donations and the efforts to make the interpreter services available during the 11 am worship services. We all wish you the best during the New Year. 

 

May peace be with you always, 

Steve Siminski

When It Comes to Taxes,
Never Say Die

 

As part of the "fiscal cliff" deal, Congress has resurrected a popular tax-law provision, known as the "IRA charitable rollover," that had expired at the end of 2011.  The rule allows many investors 70� or older to transfer as much as $100,000 a year from an individual retirement account directly to a qualified charity without having to count any of that transfer as taxable income.  The transfer, if done properly, counts toward the taxpayer's required minimum distribution for that year.  And there still is time for some people this month to take advantage of the rule for 2012. "Charitable rollovers can be made in January 2013 for 2012, and individuals who took mandatory distributions in December 2012 can donate that money to a public charity and not have the distribution subject to tax," according to Independent Sector (independentsector.org), a Washington-based nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of charities, foundations and corporate philanthropy programs.  For more information, you can visit this link to the UCC.

Shabbat Shirah Fest: Between Two Worlds

 

Saturday, January 26th, at 8:00pm, a concert featuring the CBH chorus and instrumentalists will continue the Shabbat Shirah celebration. Tickets for the concert are $25. This is a Congregation Bet Haverim event in Central UCC's sanctuary. Tickets online, click here.

 

Faith and Feminism Book Club

Charis Books will begin a book club entitled "Exploring Feminist and Womanist Spirituality and Ethics." The first meeting is Thursday, January 31st at 7:30 p.m. at 1189 Euclid Avenue, NE, Atlanta. For the first meeting, please bring a short story of a woman reflected in a scripture or a woman in your life who you hold as spiritually inspirational. The facilitator is Pamela Ayo Yetunde, M.A.