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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: June 30
Holiday Hours: July 4th & 5th
General Synod
Lena's Place July 13
Parish Fund
First Aid August 13th & 20th
Serve at the Hagar's House Aug. 7, 8 & 9
Sunday Childcare
Sunday Ed: Chidren & Youth
Sunday Ed: Adults
Tuesday Evening Spiritual Practices
Spiritual Direction
Stock the Shelves for Toco Hills May & June
Bridge Players Wanted
Prison Trip Drivers Needed
Slate Stepping Stones Needed
Volunteer / Donate
Substitute Dish Washers Needed
 
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Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

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              678-672-7637

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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, July 7, 2013
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
PROPER 9 
 
LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
Rev. Ginnie, preaching
Focus Text: Luke 10:1-24

WORSHIP NOTES

The 70 disciples sent by Jesus were so ready to heal the sick and bring the realm of love near. Jesus gave them a few cautions and sent them forth. Wonderful things happened in the name of God who is love. The disciples came back full of joy and excitement at all that was possible. Is that not why we do church to follow divine love which makes possible that which could not be imagined? What does Jesus' radical hospitality look like to those who receive it and to those who choose not to receive it? It is the realm of love either way.

Office Closed July 4th & 5th for Independence Day 
Have a safe and happy holiday!!! The office will re-open for business on Monday, July 8, 2013.
United Church of Christ  
General Synod 29
June 28 to July 2, 2013 
 

This week the Gospel of Luke tells the story of 70 disciples being sent to cure the sick and bring the Kingdom of God (Realm of Love) close to all who cross their paths. Last week, the UCC met as a General Synod. So many ways in which church people are working to bring the Realm of Love near to all who cross their paths. Go to the UCC news (UCC News) and read some of the many articles about what is happening in our denomination. It is exciting and full of hope! Read about some of the resolutions that passed in General Synod:

Compromise resolution created on fossil fuel divestment (UCC News)

Committee commends end of mountaintop removal to Synod delegates (UCC News)

Resisting Actions Seeking to Undermine the Status of Women in Society (UCC News)

 

 

Or about some of the programs and events that have come from the national office in Cleveland:

Faith,In Project:           (UCC News)

Mission 4/1 Earth:       (UCC News)

Extravagance UCC:   (UCC News)

Testimony!:                  (UCC News)

Recognizing the importance of youth in racial, social and economic justice (UCC News)

 

The favorite t-shirt at General Synod says it all: "It's just love".

 

 

Lena's Place Coffee House 
Saturday, July 13: 8:00pm


Save the date!  Our own Margie Swint will be performing at Lena's Place on the second Saturday of July, the 11th at 8 p.m.  Margie was well-received last year when she and guitarist Ken Shearer treated attenders with their specialty, Celtic music.  Widely known in the North Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee areas, Margie often performs with the band, Caledonia Swing.   She is a certified music therapist and she and Ruben Swint are attending the Practical Theology class where Ruben is a major contributor.  Come support the charity of the month, Clifton Men's Night Shelter.  The other performer will be singer songwriter Melissa Brethauer, an Atlanta based  musician who performs in many parts of the country.  Looks like a great summer concert in the comfort of our own Fellowship Hall.  

 

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music starts at 8:00 PM with Margie. Good coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks available for a donation. Admission is only $5.00. All proceeds will benefit Clifton Men's Shelter.

Parish Fund 
The Parish Fund is an emergency fund administered by the clergy for the needs of the church folk and beyond.  The fund is replenished each month by any cash offering placed in the offering plates.  Additionally, you may contribute to the Parish Fund at any time; please make your check to Central UCC with the memo: Parish Fund.

 

First Aid and CPR Classes in late summer at Central 

 

Judy Padgett, a member of Central UCC, has offered to teach a two evening certified First Aid / CPR class on Tuesday evenings 6:00 to 9:00 pm, August 13 & 20. If you would like to participate please let Charlotte or Ginnie know. The class is limited to 12 persons.

 

On Sunday, September 15, 12:30 PM, Judy will teach a short course on CPR and the AED machine. This gives you the knowledge you need but not a certification. This class, too, is limited to 12 persons. Contact Charlotte or Rev. Ginnie to sign up.

 

If you are a lead volunteer or are on staff at Central, you need to update your First Aid certification every two years. One person in each physical area of the church needs to be certified. For everyone, a knowledge of CPR and the AED machine is simple and helpful to know. If you can't make this class but are interested for another time, please contact us.

MISSION OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AT HAGAR'S HOUSE

 

Central is supporting Hagar's House by serving dinners on August 7, 8, and 9.  Hagar's House is a shelter for women and their children in Decatur.  Central has been a part of the mission to serve meals at the shelter for several years.  Volunteers prepare meals, bring food to the shelter, set up the dining area, eat with the residents, and clean up after dinner.  If you would like to participate in this activity, contact Bill O'Steen.

Childcare on Sunday mornings

Childcare for infants to 1st Graders continues year round. During the summer, all the children needing childcare will be in Room 202.

  • The nursery (Room 201) is open for a quiet space for babies and parents. 
  • Childcare is available (Room 202) for infants to 1st Graders from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM.
Children & Youth Sunday School Resumes in August
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.  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 11 on Sunday, July 7th.

 

Questions? Contact George and Jackie.
Tuesday Eve Spiritual Practices 

 

COMPASSION MEDITATION: An On-Going Practice from 6:30 to 7:00 PM 

Do you already have a practice of meditation? Or are you a beginner? Whatever your experience may be, you're welcome to join the compassion meditation sitting and discussion from 6:30 to 7:30. Rev. Lou will answer questions about different approaches to meditation and provide practical suggestions to help you further incorporate this practice in your life.

 

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. The instructor is Molly Grubb. $10 per class.  

 

For more information, contact Rev. Lou Kavar,

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).

Stock the Shelves for the Summer at Toco Hills Food Pantry

                                          

The Mission & Action Board is sponsoring a food drive in May and June to benefit the Toco Hills Food Pantry.  Please join us in providing healthy food for our neighbors.  The website includes a list of the best food to donate, some of the foods include:

 

Powdered Milk

Juices

Soups

Beans

Crackers

Canned Fish

Canned Vegetables

Rice

Canned Chicken

Canned fruits

Cereal

Canned Stews

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Baby Food

Instant Oatmeal

Hot Cereal

Dry Formula

 

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  

PRISON TRIP DRIVERS NEEDED.  CAN YOU GIVE ONE SATURDAY A YEAR?

For Atlanta families to visit a son, husband, father in prison they must have a car or friend with a car and gas money to travel 50-100 miles or more from Atlanta to where Georgia's state prisons are located. Even though nothing fights recidivism better than family support, too few prisoners are visited by family.  Every first Saturday of the month - and every other third Saturday, a Central member drives our church's small bus to take 12-13 passengers for a prison visit with a family member.  We caravan with two other churches' buses.  It is a day-long journey of service.  No special driver's license is required.  We have about 6 drivers in rotation.  If we had 12, most would drive just once or twice a year.  Each trip will feed you for 12 months, or more.  Contact Debbie Spearmanor   Geneva Benoit

 

 

Slate Stepping Stones Needed
 
The Gardening Team is continuing to make gardens in the parking lot islands. They need some slate for stepping stones through their gardens. If you happen to have some slate stepping stones at home that you no longer need, the church would gladly receive them. Please contact Ron Smith if you have questions. Thank you.

Volunteer / Donate

 

Women's Fellowship members recently had as their speaker Lisa Wise, Executive Director of Initiative for Affordable Housing, which has been active in Dekalb County for about 20 years. Recently IAH started a job training program teaching people to weave on large looms, and it has been very successful! The weavers use donated cloth and old clothes that have stains or tears (because these don't show when the strips of cloth are tightly woven together!). They accept donations of clean but worn/used clothes, linens, curtains, etc., at the weave shop at 3032 N. Decatur Rd., Scottdale, GA 30079. Customers looking for handwoven products can visit the re:loom store at 1434 Scott Blvd., Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30030, (by appointment) or visit the website.   Volunteers are needed, donations are needed, and talent is needed for not only the weave shop but helping to support homeless or low-income people become independent. Visit the organization's website and see where your time, talents, or money could be put to very good use!

Substitute Dish Washers Needed

Plymouth Harbor, the adult day care program held here on Central's campus, is looking for substitute dish washers on an 'as needed' basis.  If you are interested in being put on the call list please email Kay Coppage.