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 |
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Sunday, August 4, 2013
ELEVENTH SUN AFTER PENTECOST
PROPER 13
Rev. Michael, preaching
Focus Text: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
WORSHIP NOTES
"Vanity of vanity, everything is vanity," says the author of Ecclesiastes. (Some translations say "everything is meaningless.)
Sometimes we do wonder if our acts of charity and kindness make any difference; the needs are so great and the forces of injustice so strong. We must be careful of a "self-impossed impossible task." The acts of kindness and compassion that we share may not "change the world" or even a life, but they do create a moment of grace and mercy; in these moments, the Spirit is sometimes able to emerge more fully.
Communion will be celebrated and Rev. Maureen provides music at both services this Sunday.
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Fellowship of the Grape: Saturday August 3, 7:00PM. Home of Jon Ritt.
Please join us on Saturday, August 3 as Jon Ritt host Central's Fellowship of the Grape (FOG), our wine tasting group. The theme is Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris), a light to medium white wine, great for summer. Please bring a bottle ($8-$15 for a single; $15-$25 for a couple). Jon will grill some fish and vegetables; please also bring a side dish, appetizer or snack to share. For those not familiar with FOG, attending is of the best ways to meet Central's members and visitors of all ages and stages of life in a casual setting. The tastings are not formal, just informative. You don't have to be a church member to attend and all are welcome! Event Details: August 3, 2012, 7:00pm, RSVP to host Jon Ritt , or to FOG Coordinator Paula Emde at Paula Emde. We look forward to seeing you at FOG!
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Saturday, August 10, 9:00 to 11:30 AM: All Aboard Meeting
Committee, Board, and Council members at Central UCC, please save this date. If you need childcare, contact Rev. Ginnie by August 6th.
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Movie Screening: FIVE BROKEN CAMERAS. Tuesday, August 6th, 2013: 7:00PM
CBH, J Street Atlanta, and CCUCC are pleased to invite you to the second screening and discussion of the J Street Atlanta Summer Film Series: 5 Broken Cameras: The Academy Award nominee for best documentary and winner of the Sundance 2012 - World Documentary Directing Award. The screening takes place on August 6th at 7pm at CCUCC. An extraordinary work of both cinematic and political activism, 5 Broken Cameras is a deeply personal, first-hand account of non-violent resistance in Bil'in, a West Bank village threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements. Shot almost entirely by Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the birth of his youngest son, the footage was later given to Israeli co-director Guy Davidi to edit. Structured around the violent destruction of each one of Burnat's cameras, the filmmakers' collaboration follows one family's evolution over five years of village turmoil. Burnat watches from behind the lens as olive trees are bulldozed, protests intensify, and lives are lost. "I feel like the camera protects me," he says, "but it's an illusion." The event is free, with a suggested donation of $10 to help cover screening costs. Please RSVP here or email here.
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Neighborhood Pot Luck, August 17th
Get to know your neighbors - or get reacquainted with them! Our group includes neighborhoods close to Central and also neighborhoods in South Atlanta. If you live in one of the zip codes listed below, please join us for a Potluck Dinner, Sat., Aug. 17 at 6:30 at the home of Ben and Cara. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be provided. Please RSVP to 404-634-8983 or Cara Barineau. (Zip codes: 30324, 30329, 30345, 30033, 30337, 30214, 30248, 30277, 30281, 30344, 30345, 30349, 30510, 30523, 30560, 31024, 33066)
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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 Rev. 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. There are four spaces left. Contact 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.
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Adult Ongoing Sunday Education
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community
Discuss and decide on next studyPractical 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.
Devotional - Woody
"Bread and Wine" - Ignacio Silone
Book List :
Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by N.T. Wright
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road:: Christian Identity in a Multi-FaithWorld by Brian McLaren
Christianity After Religion: The End of Church and the birth of a New Spiritual Awakening by Diana Butler Bass
The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus by Robin Meyers
God Believes in Love: Straight Talk About Gay Marriage by Gene Robinson
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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.
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Children & Youth Sunday School Resumes this Sunday
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Sundays in August 9:30 to 10:45 AM: 3 & 4 year olds Sunday School
The younger children are so welcome to Gracie Theobald and Peggy Brodnax's Sunday school class
for play and lessons and stories about butterflies and nature and the wonder's of creation.
Gracie and Peggy know that children sometimes need a little extra time in the morning. There will be play from 9:30 to 10:00 AM. At 10:00 AM, they will hear a story about butterflies and caterpillars and some psalms. And then they'll play and do some art after that. We are so glad to have the children join us for all or part of the mornings activities. For more info, please contact Rev. Ginnie.
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Sundays in August
9:30 to 10:45 AM
K to 5th Grade Sunday School
We have a month of fun and learning planned for the children K to 5
th Grade. We will be studying Monarch butterflies and the world in which they live. We will be wondering with the children how they see God in the complexity of our continually evolving world. We will hear the stories of: the energy cycle, the life cycle, the biodiversity of their world, and our human impact on the lives of the butterflies. Each of those topics will be a focus for one of the Sundays in August.
We will be having Sunday school each Sunday in August from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. We will be doing art projects to begin. The story/lesson and response will begin at 10:00 AM. At 10:30, we will take a walk in the forest so please make sure that they have the proper shoes. At 10:45, we ask for you to pick up your children.
We hope to see your children there.
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Sundays in August; 9:30 to 10:45 AM: Youth Gatherings
This week the youth will be going to Six Flags on Sunday at 9:00 AM. Regular Sunday School will begin on August 11. More information will be available next week. If you have questions, please contact the Youth Minister, Lacey Brown.
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July 17, 2013: Still Speaking Daily Devotional - "Why Having a Denomination is Good"
"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, God, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me . . . and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:20-23 UCC General Synod, our biennial national gathering, just ended, and guess what? I drank the Kool-Aid. Some say that we live in a "post-denominational" world-that people don't care anymore about Presbyterian vs. Lutheran vs. Episcopal vs. United Church of Christ (what was that last one?). Maybe we should sell all our property, dissolve our individual identities, and become one church, as the old UCC slogan goes and as Jesus once said, "That they may all be one." That is unlikely to happen. What is more likely to happen: most, if not all, denominations will continue to contract, and some will disappear altogether. Some churches will leave their denomination in a huff, and go it alone, keeping everything in the offering plate for themselves. Here's the thing about going it alone: it's lonely. It's hard. There are things you can't do when you're alone, as an isolated church community, like have a flash mob wedding or join a pool for insurance and health care coverage, or find decent Bible study resources, or a safe and loving church camp where you know your kid won't be manipulated into an altar call. And you never get to have these kids visit your church. Having a denomination makes us vulnerable: it yokes our fortunes, and our reputation, to a wider group over which we have less control. Having a denomination makes us strong: it pools our resources so we can do big things, and allows us to do more of God's work with less money as we benefit from the economy of scale. And if you still doubt, remember: this devotional was brought to you by a good old-fashioned (and new-minded) denomination. Prayer Dear God, if I have a wider church to call home: thank you for giving me a place to argue, befriend, wrestle and rest. If I don't have a wider church, direct my wandering, until I can rest in You. Amen. About the Author: Molly Baskette is Senior Minister at First Church Somerville UCC, in Somerville, Massachusetts. A variety of authors write the UCC Still Speaking Daily Devotional. If you would like to receive it via email, you may sign up at the UCC website. |
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. Will not be in session July 23rd, July 30th or August 6th - Will resume August 13th.
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. Will not be in session July 23rd, July 30th or August 6th - Will resume August 13th.
For more information, contact Rev. Lou Kavar,
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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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THCA Wants to Get Fresh!!!
Toco Hills Community Alliance would like to expand our food pantry offerings to include produce and other fresh foods. Much of these products are available at little or no cost to us, but, WE NEED REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS! Among our eight churches, there has got to be people with an old fridge in their garage or a chest freezer in their basement that is not being used. If you would like to make a tax deductable donation, or have a strong back and/or a truck, please contact Mary-Louise Wilson at Mary Louise Wilson. Stay tuned to hear how God provides!
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HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Plymouth Harbor needs volunteers to sit by the entrance doors and welcome the participants and their families on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Most people arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, making this very appreciated contribution an easy morning. Please contact Kay if you are interested.
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For Plymouth Harbor:
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. |
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Donate Desserts
Left over brownies? Sale at the bakery? Plymouth Harbor would happily accept dessert donations on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Please feel free to drop them off ahead off time or on the day of, place them in the fridge and label them 'For Plymouth Harbor' with the date. Donations greatly appreciated.
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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
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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.
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Salt Shakers: A Saturday Evening Dinner
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Try using case studies, success stories, testimonials or examples of how others used your product or service successfully. Solicit material from clients and vendors, or ask your readers to write.
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The UCC Coffee Project
The UCC Coffee Project is a partnership between our UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative founded over 25 years ago and dedicated to fair trade. Equal Exchange works with coffee, tea, cocoa, and sugar farmer-owned coops in 20 countries, helping farmers in places like Colombia, Sri Lanka, and the Dominican Republic support their families, plan for the future, and care for the environment.
Through the UCC Coffee Project, local churches and their members make a difference in the lives of farm families, assuring they receive fair prices for their crops. And, for every pound of product UCC members order through the Project, Equal Exchange makes a donation to the UCC Small Farmer Fund, which assists family farmers in the Southern hemisphere. Central brews Equal Exchange coffee, and volunteers staff a sales station in The Commons two Sundays each month.
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