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.

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. 

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 Mary Ellen.

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

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

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.  

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.

Wednesday Suppers Start Feb. 20

• 5:30-6:30 Supper in Fellowship Hall. Casual food from a local restaurant.  (Donation invited.)
• 6:30-7:30 An intergenerational activity, different each week -  from crafts to forest walks to games or a hymn sing. Join in or simply visit . You can even do homework; there really is WIFI.

WIFI happens every Wednesday for six weeks,  February 20 through March 27. Reservations are strongly encouraged so we can have enough food. Send an email by midnight each Tuesday to:  wifi@central-ucc.org. 

If you are looking for daily nourishment and reflection during Lent, you have several options:

• The United Church of Christ publishes an online daily devotional (not just during Lent); you can sign-up to have them emailed to you (a link is on the sidebar of every E-News).
• Rev. Ginnie has purchased 40 copies of the Stillspeaking Writers group daily devotional booklet; please see her for a copy. Cost is  $3.
• Lenten Prayers for Hunger People is a foldout found in the pews or on the guest desk. It is written by Bread for the World. (http://www.bread.org)
• On request, a Dominican Lenten Booklet with a justice focus is available for free. See Rev. Ginnie or Charlotte.   
• Rev. Michael will be posting daily thoughts, quotations, reflections, prayers and articles on his Facebook page (Shannon Michael Pater); he will also cross-post them on his blog:  www.whereheartandmindmeet.com.
• You can join 10,000+ Twitter followers in flocking to Rev. Lou's daily tweets (@LouKavar).
• You can follow Central Lent events and read postings on Central's Facebook page (Central Congregational United Church of Christ).  This is also a great place to post your own thoughts and reflections during the season.

Spiritual direction is a process through which an individual explores, develops, and deepens the spiritual dimension of life with the aid and guidance of a director or coach. It is a process whose focus is to better integrate the spiritual dimension of life with other life dimensions, including relationships, work, and leisure interests.

The Rev. Lou Kavar is available to you as a spiritual director.  For more information, contact Rev. Lou (Click here).