Phone
Office Phone: 404-633-4505
24-hour Pastoral Care:
678-672-7637
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Email Links
Senior Minister
Associate Minister
Minister-in-Covenant Spiritual Director
Older Adult Day Program |
Central Social Media
Table Talk on Facebook:
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Senior Minister's
Social Media
 
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Sunday, May 12, 2013
Seventh Sunday of Easter:
Festival of the Christian Home
Focus Text: Acts 16:16-34
Rev. Michael, preaching
WORSHIP NOTES
The worship services for the next two weeks each have a special focus:
- May 12 at 11:00: a celebration of CE teachers and acolytes (see article below)
- May 19 at 8:30 (Pentecost): a service of Lectio Divina with Communion
- May 19 at 11:00 (Pentecost): a Choral Canta for Caregivers (see article below).
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Lena's Place Coffeehouse
Saturday, May 11, 8:00-10:00PM
Our next show is Saturday, May 11th, with Ross Adams from Charlotte, NC and Chuck Henderson, a veteran of Lena's stage. Join us for another great show! As always, our shows showcase incredible musicians in an intimate, listening room environment, and also fund charitable outreach to the local community, this month is South Georgia Migrant Farm Workers. We appreciate your support of the music and the mission, and encourage you to tell your friends and family!
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May 12, 2013: CE Teachers and Facilitators and Acolyte Appreciation Sunday
During 11:00 AM worship, we will show appreciation for our Acolytes, whose gift of presence in worship helps shape our worship service. Thank you to all who have served in worship.
Also, we want to give a shout out to our Christian Education teachers. So many people lead, facilitate and teach our many classes for children, youth and adults. We are grateful for their gifts and time.
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Church Chat
Sunday, May 12, 9:30 AM, Fellowship Hall
The Council has approved motions for both the 2013-14 Operating Budget and the award of grants from the Endowment. Both items items will be discussed during the May 5 & 12 Church Chats and will be presented for congregational action on
Sunday, May 19.
Church Budget Meeting
Sunday, May 19, 12:00 Noon, Sanctuary
The congregation will vote on the 2013-2014 church budget. They will also vote on nominees for Board, Committees and other positions in the church.
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Be "Church"...Be "The 'Body of Christ'"...Be "Central" ...
Become a member of one of Central's Boards or Committees. We're not just "congregational" on attending annual meetings, voting on budgets, passing resolutions. We are "congregational" by each of us serving one another. Serving Communion. Welcoming guests. Sharing, listening, questioning words and issues ancient and modern. Witnessing close by and farther away. Central -- "Church" -- doesn't happen without us, us members, us fellow congregants. Members are needed for Central's Boards and Committees. It's how we are who we are. Individual but together. Sometimes feisty, always caring. Please serve, contact Jon Ritt .
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Sunday School and Childcare
Infants, Toddlers, and Younger Children
(Room 201, 202, 205)
- The nursery (Room 201) is open for a quiet space for babies and parents.
- Childcare is available (Room 202) for infants to 2 year olds from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM.
- Three and four year olds have Sunday School (Room 205) where they play, build community together and learn Bible stories from 9:30 AM to 10:45 am.
- During 11:00 AM worship, Extended Care (Room 205) for 3 to 6 year olds is offered.
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Children & Youth Sunday School
9:30 to 9:55 AM Children's Music (Room 209)
10:00 to 10:55 AM Godly Play continues all through April and May.
The K to 3rd Grade class will hear and reflect on the following stories
May 12 - Paul's Discovery (Room 208)
May 19 - Pentecost (Room 207)
The 4th to 6th Grade class (Room 206) will have a pre-Pentecost party this week. Please note the room change this week.
9:30 to 10:45 AM, Youth:
The Youth from 7th to 12th Grades will have youth worhip, service activities and fellowship during their Sunday school hour (Rooms 102, 103).
May 5 - Graduation Breakfast honoring high school seniors.
May 12 - Hygiene Kit Assembling
May 19 - Hygiene Kit Assembling
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Adult Ongoing Sunday Education
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community (Room 204)
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class studies and explores current issues and related actions. Books written by biblical scholars, the Bible, and materials from the National UCC Office are utilized. There is a Church Chat scheduled for May 5th - no adult education classes will meet. The class is currently studying "On God's Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn't Learned About Serving the Common Good," by Jim Wallis -Chapter 4 on Sunday, May 12th
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 months. Stay in touch, the topics evolve with each meeting. Please join them as they follow the inspirations that arise. This class will not meet on May 12 in order to attend the Budget Church Chat. Questions? Contact Gary Carson .
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SPECIAL CHORAL SERVICE FOR CAREGIVERS: SUNDAY, MAY 19 AT 11:00
The power of Pentecost is the Spirit's continued movement after death-an animated resurrection and renewal. Death is neither the last nor the lasting word. Caregivers often embody the presence of the Spirit and are special observers of the spirit's movement.
On May 19, the Day of Pentecost, the entire 11:00 service-the choral music and the hymns, as well as a special choir presentation-will focus on this theme. The hymn, "When Memory Fades," by Mary Louise Bringle (set to the tune Finlandia), will focus on how God's presence is felt even as memory begins to fail. During that hymn, caregivers who wish to receive a pastoral blessing may come forward for such.
The special music will be Bach's Cantata No. 106, "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit" (God's Time Is the Best Time). Two recorders, viola da gamba, viola and cello will join Fred Childers at the organ to provide the instrumental ensemble, which will also provide music at the beginning and the close of worship. Barbara Steinhaus, as well as her son, John Paul, and her husband, Doug Henry, will be joining John Hoover and Marion Crabb as soloists.
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Children's Peace Camp
June 10 to 14, 9AM to Noon: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Peace Camp is a progressive Christian day camp with the mission to provide a fun, educational environment in which children can learn the
messages and practice of nonviolence and peacemaking through growing awareness of hunger and poverty needs around the world. It will be held June 10 to 14, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Rising K to rising 3rd graders will have Camp at Central. Rising 4th to rising 7th graders will have a week of morning service projects and fun. We need volunteers. If you can make a snack, lead games, teach art, or want to hang out with some wonderful children, please be in touch with Rev. Ginnie.
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Tuesday Eve Spiritual Practices
COMPASSION MEDITATION: An On-Going Practice
In March, the meditation continues weekly
from 6:30 to 7:00 PM
The Hebrew prophets remind us that God's relationship with the people is based on loving-kindness and compassion. Compassion meditation provides an opportunity to sit and be present with the kindness of God at the heart of our being. Join Rev. Lou for the compassion meditation sitting from 6:30 to 7:00 PM.
YOGA For All Levels: 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Hatha yoga is a specific type of yoga that creates balance between the feminine and masculine aspects within all of us. It is designed to open many channels of the body especially the spine so that energy can flow freely. It promotes flexibility and strength while relaxing the mind. The style is vinyasa, which means to build your practice with smooth transitions of various yoga postures. Instructor: Molly Grubb
Cost: $10 per class
Molly began the path of yoga 12 years ago when she lived in Europe. She met with a seasoned yogi at a beginner's workshop. Molly was amazed and overwhelmed at how yoga made her feel. "My body felt alive and my mind clear. While I continue to be a student, I am a certified teacher and promote the ongoing practice of yoga."
For more information, contact Rev. Lou Kavar, |
MISSION 4/1 EARTH
April 1 to May 19
Mission 4/1 Earth is a UCC denominational initiative for increasing awareness of our biological environment and for having us each become more active in protecting our fragile planet. The initiative lasts from 4/1 - 5/19. The denomination goals are 1,000,000 hours participation, 100,000 trees planted, and 100,000 letters of advocacy sent. Click here for more information.
The Gardening Team and Council set Central goals for 1,000 hours, 100 trees and 100 letters. The Team will gather potential activities persons can employ in making individual contributions. The Team will man a table during church services for promoting and supporting the mission.
 | Take time to Care for the planet during
Mission 4/1 Earth |
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Mission 4/1 Earth Continued:
This Mother's day, here is an idea she might appreciate, or if you are like me, a gift in memory of my mother, Thelma.
The Nature Conservancy has a page where you can click on nature gifts and get some selections that might just fit your mom's interests and concerns.
I will probably give a gift to protect bird habitat since Mother was a birder also. Our committee would like to know how Central is doing so far to meet the goal of 100 trees, 100 letters and 1000 hours to care for the earth between Easter and Pentecost. Many of you have told us some of the things you are doing. Our organizations are also working toward the goal. Women's Fellowship contributed $50 to pay for 50 trees to be planted in Kenya. One circle is studying the book "Flight Behavior" about the effects of climate change on Monarch butterflies. All of the environmental agencies have websites that give ways of advocating for the health of the earth. Trees Atlanta donated 33 trees for Central's grounds.
Please respond, mail to: Mary Ellen Myers with what you are doing. The UCC website has a way of reporting this progress for all of our 5000 plus UCC churches. We'll let you know next week what we learn from you and pass that on to the national office.
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Mission 4/1 Earth: May 18 Event
Central is the recipient of a generous gift of 30+ trees from Trees Atlanta. The gardening team will be working over the next few weeks to identify areas to plant the trees. We will have an "Earth Celebration" workday on May 18th (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.). It will offer 2 hands-on training sessions:
1) How to Plant Trees and Shrubs, by Sheri Kennedy, a Trees Atlanta leader.
2) How to Prune Trees and Shrubs, by Barabara Dorfman, a professional pruner.
Please join us and help plant the trees, help prune azaleas, remove ivy from trees, or just enjoy the outdoors. Bring pruners, shovels, and buckets for hauling water and mulch.
How do we count our earth care hours?
There is no wrong way to count your hours. We are all at different points in our journey towards green living and the steps you take along the path, no matter how big or small, are important. Our ultimate goal is to work together to collectively transform the way we live our lives by becoming more intentional about our impact on, and connection to, the earth. Any efforts toward that end are valuable and should be counted.
Learn more at: www.ucc.org/earth
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ART-B-QUE
Hosted by Karen Ku
Sat., May 11: 10:00-6:00PM
Sun., May 12: 12:00-6:00PM
It's almost time again for the AVONDALE "ART B-QUE" at "Little Tree Studios". Lots of art, bar-b-q & more, music and fun for everyone! I'll be ready to welcome you to studio 111, and plan to do a portrait demo sketch on Saturday at 3 pm if I can find a willing model! Address: 2834 Franklin St. Avondale Estates 30002 (off E. College from Decatur), go left on Olive St. just before the Waffle House, before you reach Avondale center. Franklin Street is a quick right, behind the Waffle House, and our entrance is the 3rd door from the left corner of the building, up 4 steps, # 2834. |
Spiritual Direction
with Rev. Lou Kavar, Minister-in-Covenant
Are you looking to explore the role spirituality plays in your life? Do you find that beliefs you once held no longer work for you? In the midst of transitions, do you wonder how your values and beliefs come
into play? Working with a spiritual director may be helpful for you.
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).
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Bridge Players Wanted!
The women's bridge would like to invite bridge players to join them on the last Wednesday of the month from 10:30 - 3 pm. We also play on the second Wednesday of each month following Priscilla Circle from 12:30-3pm. We encourage players of all levels to join us. For more information contact Martene Stansbery |
South Georgia Farmworkers Health Project - Kits and Clothing
The youth are collecting clothing (long pants, long sleeved shirts, sunglasses, hats and shoes) and items for hygiene kits (wash cloths, wide-toothed combs, nail clippers, hotel-sized bars of soap, individually wrapped toothbrushes, travel-size tooth paste, and band-aids). (You can find some toiletries inexpensively at minimus.biz.) There are labeled collection bins in the entryway.
Questions, please contact Ginnie .
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