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. We will study the subject of Gun Control/Culture of Violence for 3 weeks - 1/27, 2/3 and 2/17. There is a Church Chat scheduled for 2/10. We love to have new members. Questions? Contact 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.

COMPASSION MEDITATION

Tuesdays January 29 and February 5,

6:30 to 7:30 PM (Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2)

In next phase of the Compassion Meditation series we will look at two practices in particular. The first practice is the contemplation of equanimity: taking on a view that regards all life as equally worthy of our love and compassion. Then we will explore a practice of looking at felt senses of suffering and the experience of sending others wellness and comfort. There is no previous experience required to join. Each class includes with meditation/contemplation instruction, sitting practice, and a group dialogue. The teacher is Aaron Pincus, M.Div. from Naropa University, the first Buddhist Inspired University in the U.S.

Tuesdays in February 12, 19, 26, 6:30 to 7:30 PM 

COMPASSION MEDITATION: An On-Going Practice (Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2)

Beginning Tuesday, February 12, Rev. Lou Kavar will facilitate Central's Compassion Meditation experience from 6:30 to 7:00 PM.  This half hour time of meditation will be an on-going opportunity to gather in silent meditation.  On Tuesdays in February, Lou will engage in conversation about the experience of compassion meditation and consider how other forms of meditation, guided imagery, and breathe work are similar to and different from Compassion Meditation.  This conversation about meditation will begin at 7:00 and last for about 30 minutes.  

WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING

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

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.

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, trustees@central-ucc.org. 

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 (memyers@windstream.net).

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.

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.

I'd like to express my deep appreciation to the staff, deacons and congregation for the lovely retirement reception on January 20. There was not one delicious cake, but three! I enjoyed worshipping with you and having the opportunity to thank you for your warmth and friendship over the past three years. Thank you also for your very generous gift. It was much appreciated. 

Best regards, Margaret Rogers

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 70½ 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.

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.