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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Dec 8
Hanging of the Greens Dec. 7
Fellowship of the Grape: Dec 7
A Blessing for Enid Guilmartin Dec. 8
Poinsettias & Advent Mission Project Due Dec. 9
Baroi Baby Shower Dec. 15
Table Talk Dec. 17
Plymouth Harbor Cookies & Carols Dec. 20
Christmas Eve Dec. 24
Sunday Childcare
Children's Sunday School
Youth
Practical Theology
Sacred Journeys
Tues Evening Practices
THANK YOU from Mission & Action
Montclair Elem. School
Toco Hills Food Pantry
Welcoming the Christ Child
Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours
PH: Hospitality Volunteers Needed
PH: Substitute Dish Washers Needed
PH: Desserts Needed
Media Sale Jan. 26-Feb 2
Back Bay Mission Trip
 
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, December 8, 2013
Second Sunday of Advent: 
Light of Peace

LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
 

8:30am 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 poem-prayers and 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."

 

11:00am 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.  

 

The collection of carols was arranged by Conrad Susa, an American composer, who died November 21, 2013 at the age of 78.  Susa composed operas and music for the stage, as well as choral and orchestral music.  He created "Lullabies and Carols" as a companion piece to Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," which is also a work for choir and harp, and was sung by Central's Sanctuary Choir during Advent two years ago.  All of the carols are from Spanish-speaking countries, and are in various dialects; two are in Catalan.  They are all old carols with folk origins.  They tell the story of Jesus' birth in the simple, earth-centered, faith-filled language of the people.

 

12:00pm 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!

HANGING OF THE GREENS

  Saturday, December 7: 11:00-2:00pm

 

The Deacons invite you to join them in the Hanging of the Greens from 11:00 to 2:00.  We will be hanging garland and wreaths and decorating the Christmon tree while sipping hot chocolate and munching on snacks and treats; perhaps we will even break out in a chorus of "Deck the Halls!"

 Fellowship of the Grape Saturday, December 7:
 
Central's Fellowship of the Grape (FOG) will gather again on Saturday, December 7, as Paula and Erick Emde host our wine tasting.  The theme is "Winter Wines and Beers."  Bring a bottle of wine that pairs well with hearty foods of this season: SangiovesePinot NoirRiojaPinot Grigio, Merlot or a seasonal ale of your own choice. Please also bring an appetizer, dessert 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: December 7, 2013, 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Paula and Erick Emde at Paula Emde.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this group, contact coordinator Robin Lee Fitch at Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG!

Enid Guilmartin 

December 8: A Blessing On Her Departure To Massachusetts

 

During 11:00 worship on December 8 we will render a blessing to our beloved friend Enid Guilmartin as she readies to move to So. Yarmouth, Mass. in the following week.  Enid has served Central as chair of deacons and pledge director, and given so many more leadership and volunteer hours.  Her husband Richard, who passed away in 2011, was our constant front-door greeter for most of his years at Central.  After the service we'll gather to greet Enid and enjoy cake and coffee in the commons.  

POINSETTIAS & ADVENT MISSION PROJECT: Order due Mon, Dec 9

On December 15, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, the sanctuary will be decorated with poinsettias given in memory or in honor of family members and friends. This year's Advent Mission Project is the Elsie Moe Soup Kitchen. To purchase a poinsettia and/or make a donation toward the Advent Mission Project, please complete this form and return with your check (payable to Central Congregational UCC), no later than Monday, December 9. An acknowledgement will be placed in the bulletin on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

 BAROI BABY SHOWER: 

Sunday, Dec. 15, 2:00 to 4:00pm

Marion Crabb and Ginnie Ferrell are inviting the women of the church to Gitanjali Baroi's Baby Shower at the home of Marion and Jim Crabb. If you are interested in joining with others in some larger gifts (baby seats and a crib), please contact Geneva Benoit . Please RSVP to Marion Crabb,

if you would like to join us for the baby shower.   

TABLE TALK: Tuesday, Dec 17 (6:30 to 8:30pm)

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. This month, of course, we will discuss our traditions and new theologies around the seasonal stories. For more info, contact Michael.

 

PLYMOUTH HARBOR COOKIES & CAROLS: Fri, Dec 20 (1:30 to 3:00pm)

Everyone is invited to join the staff, volunteers and participates of Plymouth Harbor as we sing carols and share homemade cookies and punch

 

CHRISTMAS EVE: Tuesday, December 24, 5:00pm, 7:00pm & 11:00pm

Lessons and Carols with Communion & Candlelight

Again this year, Central will have three worship services on Christmas Eve; however, please note the schedule change between the 7:00 & 11:00 service.  All three services are a Service of Lessons and Carols with Communion and Candlelight; each also has its own distinctiveness:

5:00pm:  "Come to the Creche:" a service specifically designed to be accessible to children.  Children AND adults are invited to come in a costume from the Christmas Eve story (costumes will also be available in the narthex). During the story, we will populate our manger on the chancel.

7:00pm: special music featuring Central's choir.

11:00pm: special music featuring solos and ensembles.

 

Children & Youth

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.

9:30-10:50 AM  

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

3 & 4 year olds: Sunday school (Rm 205) 

K to 2nd Grade: Godly Play (Rm 207)

 3rd to 5th Grades: 9:30-9:45 AM Music (Rm 209)  9:50-10:50 AM Godly Play (Rm 208)

Youth Activities 
  
Youth Luncheon Preparation
Friday, December 6, 5:30 PM  

ADVENT BENGALI LUNCHEON   

PREP: Sunday, December 8, 9:30 AM  

LUNCHEON: 12:00 PM 

The youth are hosting the Advent luncheon after church.  If you can help prepare, please arrive at 9:30am to help set up OR plan to stay after church until 2:00pm to help clean up.  I need at least three parent/chaperones to help with this event.  Please contact Lacey Brown with any questions or concerns.


REGIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP- Saturday, Dec. 14 from 6:00 to 9:30pm

We will be having a white elephant gift exchange party at Kirkwood UCC.  Meet at the church at 6:00pm and we will be back by 9:30pm.  Bring a silly gift and five dollars to contribute toward the cost of food. Scholarships are available upon request.


Questions? Please contact our Youth Director, Lacey Brown

 

We 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, December 8

               Lesson:     Chapter 7, "The Great Reversal"

               Leader:                Lee Culpepper

               Devotional:         Joyce Myers-Brown

Sunday, December 15

 

               Lesson:    Part III - Awakening

               Chapter 8, "Great Awakening"

 

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.  

FINAL Tuesday Evening

Rice Center 

for Spiritual Practice

A Ministry of Central UCC 

 

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)

 

6:30 to 7:30 PM -- Tuesday, December 10, we will continue with Chapters 6 to 8 of Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, Edited by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee. Even if you haven't read the chapters, know you are welcome to join the discussion. Rev. Ginnie will facilitate the discussion in the Fireplace Room.


Questions, contact Rev. Lou Kavar .

Opportunities to Share
      A SPECIAL THANK YOU

The Mission & Action Board extends an enormous thank you to Cindy Hoover for her leadership
of the Alternative Gift Market. We thank her for her willingness to say yes when asked to head up a task that would consume numerous hours of planning, discussion and organization. It is always easier to find helpers to work with a project than to find someone to accept the leadership. We are very grateful to Cindy for her willingness to undertake the Alternative Gift Market again this year. Many thanks, Cindy!

Mission & Action Board - Jean, Bill and Wayne

 

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.

Toco Hills Food Pantry Needs
We are in desperate need of plastic grocery bags for client food assistance.   Please drop off your plastic bags in the receptacle in the narthex marked "THCA BAGS".  Thank you.

Welcoming the Christ Child

 Exhausted, Mary and Joseph searched for shelter. When they were given a soft place to land, Jesus happened.  This occurs over and over at Toco Hills Community Alliance.  As we welcome those among us that are tired, hungry and out of resources, Jesus happens.  We see the Christ child in each other.  We are looking for people to join us in this work, in the new year. Specifically, we need individuals to work two, 3 hour shifts a month.  We will be having a volunteer training on Monday, December 9th at 10 am at THCA, Contact Mary-Louise Wilson Mary Louise with any questions or ideas you may have. God really is all over this place.

Plymouth Harbor Holiday Hours

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.

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.

ANNUAL MEDIA SALE

January 26-February 2, 2014

Our annual Media Sale is January 26 through February 2. We are currently accepting donations of books, movies, games, DVD's, and other media. Please bring them to the church office. All proceeds will benefit youth missions. Please contact Lacey Brown Lacey Brown with any questions.

 

 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..