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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Nov 24
Thanksgiving Sunday Potluck Nov. 24
Alternative Gift Market Continued Nov. 24
Looking Toward Advent
Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours
Children's Art Time
Sunday Childcare
Children's Sunday School
Children's Sunday School
Youth Worship
Practical Theology
Sacred Journeys
Tues Evening Practices
Daytime Book Group
Spiritual Direction
UCC Responds to Typhoon
Montclair Elem. School
PH: Hospitality Volunteers Needed
PH: Substitute Dish Washers Needed
PH: Desserts Needed
Back Bay Mission Trip
Art in the Commons
 
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, November 24, 2013
Thanksgiving Sunday  

LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
Focus Text:  Philippians 4:4-9 ( click here)
Preaching: Rev. Michael  

WORSHIP NOTES
"Come, O Thankful People, Come":  it is Thanksgiving Sunday.

The 8:30 service will include meditations on gratitude and an opportunity for folk to "express" their thankfulness before we share Communion. We will also covenant with new members at this service.

At the 11:00 service, two chaplains, Michelle Holtman and Gail McGill (both seeking authorized ministry in the UCC through Central), will join Rev. Michael in a discussion on the connection of "grief, gratitude and grace."  During the singing of a hymn, we will have the opportunity to share our gratitude and we will covenant with new members.

Be sure to see the article below regarding the Thanksgiving Potluck and ingathering of food and donations. 

LOOKING AHEAD: Advent

There is an article below regarding events happening in the first two weeks of Advent.  A special E-News will be sent next week to highlight all the seasonal happenings.


THANKSGIVING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 POTLUCK, DONATION & FOOD DRIVE

 On Thanksgiving Sunday, November 24, there will be a potluck luncheon following the morning worship services.  Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share.  Jon Ritt and the Deacons will be providing the meat dishes and beverages.  Additionally, the Deacons have called for an in-gathering of donations for the Montclair School Fund and Toco Hills Food Pantry as an act of worship for the day.  Please bring one non-perishable food item for the food pantry and attach to it a check, if you wish, made out to Central and note "Montclair" for our fund to assist students in need at the school.


 

ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET CONTINUED: NOVEMBER 24

 

We will have a few tables set up in the commons Sunday, November 24th, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., and following the 11 a.m. service. If you were unable to participate in the Alternative Gift market last week, here is your chance! There will be fair trade world gifts & coffee, collectible houses, as well as donation gift cards for water, animals, children & health. Donation gift cards can also be purchased online at Central's Website  through the month of November! Gift cards can be mailed nationwide.  We have already doubled what we raised last year, please be a part of getting this event to the next level. Email Alternative Gift Market  if you have any questions.

LOOKING TOWARD ADVENT

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: 

December 1 - Advent Candle of Hope

For World AIDS Day, we will once again have three panels of the AIDS quilt; two will be on display in the Fireplace room until Dec. 8 and a third will drape the Communion Table as we celebrate the sacrament at both services Dec 1.

 

SENIOR MINISTER'S ADVENT TEA: 

Tuesday, December 3 (6:00pm to 7:30pm)

In a spirit of festive fellowship, EVERYONE is invited to attend this annual event; there is no agenda other than the enjoyment of each other.  Rev. Michael will serve his favorite tea (this year, personally purchased in London-wink); please bring sweets and savories to share.  Feel free to stop by anytime during the event.

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: 

December 8 - Advent Candle of Peace

8:30 Service:  While we are always invited to pay careful attention to "the light" of the morning and bring our awareness to our breath, on the Second Sunday of Advent, we will give those efforts special care.  The candle for the morning is the light of Peace, but we know that many struggle during the season, for many reasons, to find that light on their path.  Attenders of this service are invited to bring a candle for the Communion Table (a votive is suggested and the Deacons will provide extra); in the midst of meditations, the candles will be lit before we celebrate a quiet Communion.  You are encouraged to then take your candle home as a centering support through Advent.  This is service is what we have previously called "Blue Christmas."

 

11:00 Service:  Central's Choir will be presenting Conrad Susa's "Lullabies and Carols".  All ten carols come from Spanish-speaking countries, and most will be sung in Spanish.  The choir will be joined by marimba, harp, and guitar.  This would be a good opportunity to invite your Spanish-speaking friends to join us! 

 

12:00 Advent Event and Luncheon: A Bengali luncheon will be prepared by Monica Baroi with the youth. And following the luncheon, there will be all kinds of Advent and Christmas crafts to make. This event is for all ages to enjoy!

 

Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours

November:  Plymouth Harbor will be CLOSED the week of Thanksgiving:  November 26, 28 & 29.

December:  Plymouth Harbor will be CLOSED on December 24, 26, 27 & 31.

January:  Plymouth Harbor will be OPEN and back to our regular schedule starting January 2, 2014.
Children & Youth

11 AM to Noon, Sundays in November: Children's Art Time

3 & 4 year olds (Room 205)

K to 5th Grade (Room 206) 

 

Please bring your children to the Education Wing to work on an art project. Sara Cameli, a local artist and children's art teacher will work with the K to 5th grade children. Lacey Brown and Tanya Detherow will work with the pre-schoolers. We will keep the art here at Central so that it will be part of a joint art exhibit with Turning Sun School in February. Whether they can make it only one Sunday or all the Sundays, bring them on down to create and enjoy being artists.

Childcare on Sunday Mornings

Infant and Toddler Care is available every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Childcare is available (Room 201, 202) for infants to 1st Graders during both worship services.

Children's Sunday School
(3 & 4 year olds)
9:30 to 10:50 Sunday School (205)

 

We would love for our 3 & 4 year olds to begin making their "church friends" during this hour together. Peggy and Gracie love to spend time with the children building community, telling Bible stories and playing. Please bring your children to share in this wonderful time.

 

If you have any questions, please be in touch with Rev. Ginnie.  

Children's Sunday School
(K to 2nd, 3rd to 5th Grades)
9:30 AM K to 2nd Grade Godly Play (207)
9:30 AM 3rd to 5th grades singing (209)
10:00 to 10:50 Sunday School (207, 208)

 

The K to 2nd Grade children will hear our sacred stories of the Old and New Testaments, stories of Baptism, Communion, and other stories of the church. The children will wonder about God's presence in the stories and in their lives. The will have a time of play and a time to share "the feast". We are using the curriculum Godly Play.

 

The 3rd to 5th graders will hear stories of the Old Testament. They will have a sharing time and fun activities. We will be using a combination of Godly Play and a Lutheran curriculum called "Connect" which is specially focussed on tweens.

 

If you have any questions, please be in touch with Rev. Ginnie.  

Youth Worship And Gathering
9:30 to 10:45 AM (102, 103) 

 All are welcome! For more information, contact the Youth Director, Lacey Brown.

 

Youth Lock- In and service day November 22-23rd. 
This event is in need of chaperones who are available to drive the bus on Saturday, November 23rd. 
Questions? Please contact our Youth Director, Lacey Brown

 

I am in need of occasional volunteers to help Sunday mornings with youth worship
Questions?  
Please contact Youth Minister Lacey Brown.
Ongoing Sunday Gathering 

Practical Theology:  

A Just Peace Covenant Community

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:45 AM 

Room 206, Education Wing 

 

The Practical Theology class (Room 206) studies, explores and takes action on Current issues.  The class shares leadership and begins each class with "How was your week?" sharing time and a devotional.  New members are always welcome.

 

Current STUDY:  CHRISTIANITY AFTER RELIGION:  The End of Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening

by Diana Butler Bass.

 

 Sunday, November 24

   Lesson:        Chapter 5, "Behaving"

   Leader:         Marion Clein

   Devotional:  Barbara Kitchens

 

 Sunday, December 1

   Lesson:         Chapter 6, "Belonging"

  
Questions? Contact George and Jackie
Ongoing Sunday Gathering
Sacred Journeys

Sundays, 9:30 to 10:50 AM

Fellowship Hall, Steinhaus Library

 

Each week this group explores how spirit guides our personal journeys, and we gain new insights by listening to each other.  It is a sacred hour +, from 9:30 to about 10:50, where the discussion might be inspired one week by a poem, another by an excerpt from a book, a film clip, or an audio tape.  You do not need to read or prepare in advance, and you can join this class from time to time, whenever you wish.  Sacred Journeys is wide open.  We close the door to create a quiet space but you are welcome to open it and come on in. Get to know new people at Central or revisit old friends and explore how the spiritual intertwines with the personal for you.  

Tuesday Evenings

Rice Center 

for Spiritual Practice

A Ministry of Central UCC 


What nurtures your soul? How do you live your spiritual orientation? Where is the inner light of your being leading you? While Sunday worship provides opportunities for us to celebrate the presence of God in the midst of our community, tending to the inner path enables us to live in ways that are transformed by grace. To support the growth of the spiritual dimension of life, Central hosts weekly opportunities to support soul-full living. You, your family members, and friends are invited to join in Tuesday evening opportunities to support the spiritual dimension of life. You are also encouraged to share this invitation with those who may not feel at home with us on Sunday mornings but who look for ways to spark that inner light.

 

Every Tuesday

5:45 to 6:30 PM -- Compassion Meditation and Conversation led by the Rev. Lou Kavar, This simple sitting and shared conversation are a still point that nurtures the spirit as well as support mental and physical health. (suggested donation: $5.00)

 

6:30 to 7:30 PM -- Energy Flow Yoga led by Molly Grubbs, a certified teacher. In addition to the health benefits, yoga helps to center us in the present moment while also restoring energy and mental focus. (suggested donation: $10.00)

 

November 26

6:30 to 7:30 PM -- Spirituality and the Arts Regina Harris Drake will explore with us the filling and outpouring as spirit/Spirit "speaks" (poetry), "moves" (music and dance) and "sees" (visual arts). (suggested donation: $10)  

 

For more information on the Fall schedule, go to  Meetup.com  

 

Questions, contact Rev. Lou Kavar .

Women's Daytime Book Group 

Holiday Season Schedule

 

Over the holidays, the reading circle will meet only once, on Thursday December 5 in the fireplace room at 1:30 pm.  Please bring a "Christmas" book of choice to the conversation.  Choose and read (or re-read) a book that features Christmas or that reminds you of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany - a classic, a family comedy, a blue Christmas retelling, even a book that's not-really-Christmas but relevant to your Advent journey.  In January, the group resumes fourth-Thursday meetings.  The January book isThe Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santos. Geneva Benoit.

Spiritual Direction  
with Rev. Lou Kavar, Minister-in-Covenant

 

How do you understand your relationship with God? What does it mean for you to encounter the Divine throughout your life? In what ways can that experience grow deeper, broader, or more fully? These are some of the kinds of issues explored in spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is a reflective process through which you grow in awareness of the spiritual direction and dimension of your life. Many people find the process helpful in times of transition, but spiritual direction is essentially about your own growth and wholeness.  

 

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

Opportunities to Share
UCC Responds to Typhoon Haiyan 
It is important to remember that when disasters occur like Typhoon Haiyan, that generally One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) donations are immediately joined with our prayers.  Historically, Central UCC has generously supported the OGHS special offering; we usually receive funds in the spring.

However, there are times when such a powerful need requires an additional response.  The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal to its members, congregations and friends for $250,000 in additional support for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.  You can read about the appeal and give securely online by clicking here.

Any donations given to Central noted "Typhoon" will be sent to this appeal from the UCC.

You, Mission & Action and Montclair Elementary School

 

Between Central and Buford Highway there is an elementary school of about 1200 students with 90% of those students receiving a free or reduced price lunch as well as breakfast at school. It's time to move from studying hunger and poverty to some actions in our own little corner of the world where hunger is evident. Montclair Elementary School is where we would like to begin. We are in the planning stages. Check out the sign up lists out in the Commons!

 

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES:

You, Mission & Action  

and Montclair Elementary School

We continue to collect winter coats, school supplies and monetary donations for Christmas Baskets for Montclair Elementary School. Last Thursday, because of your extraordinary generosity, we were able to bring the children 15 Thanksgiving Baskets, numerous winter coats and school supplies. Thank you for all your donations. We are continuing to collect donations for this school for the families who have ongoing needs.

For Plymouth Harbor:

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.

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.
For Plymouth Harbor:
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.

 Our Back Bay Mission Trip

 

September 21 - 27, 2014 is our scheduled mission trip to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. We will be participating in the Housing Recovery/Work Camping. 

 

Taken from the BBM website on Housing Recovery/Work Camping:

 

"This program is one of Back Bay Mission's trademarks within the United Church of Christ. Back Bay Mission has developed a highly successful style of work camping based on experiential learning. While the "work" in work camping has become more intense and the term "housing recovery" more appropriate since Hurricane Katrina, BBM's model of work camping is more in demand than ever. It places equal emphasis on  productivity (home rehabilitation or construction) and learning, using an action-reflection model. This powerful method helps people internalize their learning at the same time they build cohesive caring groups.

 

From serving approximately 20 work teams per year, the program has grown to hosting 40 teams as the Mission, along with many other organizations, responds to the overwhelming need for housing restoration. Work teams perform a wide range of tasks - from mold abatement to roofing to installing drywall to electrical and plumbing work. When the Mission selects a home to restore, it commits to completing the project. The effort frequently requires many weeks of work by several different work teams.

 

Grants from the city of Biloxi, the United Church of Christ, individual congregations and some corporations for home restoration have helped the Mission give back houses, at no cost, to homeowners who lack the financial resources to complete the projects on their own."

 

If you wish to be a work camper in September, please let Jean Haller or Bill O'Steen know of your interest..
ART IN THE COMMONS 
Artist Karen Ku - Little Tree Studios

The artwork currently on display in the Commons until early December is by long time artist and Central member, Karen Ku.  Karen loves to draw and paint diverse subjects using a variety of materials.  C0ming from a background of botanical and medical illustration, she finds details particularly fascinating, in combination with abstract shapes, and she loves doing portraits.

When she is not painting and teaching in southern France, Karen can be found at her studio in Avondale Estates, happily teaching, drawing and painting to a wonderful group of students.  Care to join us for a class??? Stop by the studio for our Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 7, 10:00am-6:00pm & Sunday, December 8 from noon until 5:00pm.  Please contact Karen Ku for address and phone number!