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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Sunday Worship: Jan 5
Fellowship of the Grape: Jan. 4
Sunday School Jan. 5
Youth
Practical Theology
Sacred Journeys
Earth Topics Jan. 7
Pilgrim Circle Jan 8
Lena's Place Jan. 11
Chili Luncheon Jan 12
Safe Church Jan 12
Article Title
Media Sale Jan. 26-Feb 2
Media Sale Jan. 26-Feb 2
Montclair Elem. School
Toco Hills Food Pantry
Name Tags
PH: Hospitality Volunteers Needed
PH: Substitute Dish Washers Needed
PH: Desserts Needed
Back Bay Mission Trip
 
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, January 5, 2014
Twelfth Night 
Celebration of Epiphany: 


LECTIONARY READINGS (Click to read them)
FOCUS TEXT: John 1:1-18 (click here to read)
Rev. Michael, preaching
 

WORSHIP NOTES

Communion at both 8:30 & 11:00 this week.

Click my blog post to read my worship notes (which includes a video).

 

 

01-03-2014 09:51:59 AM

Sunday, January 5, is "Twelfth Night," the last day of the Christmas celebration and the eve of Epiphany, the arrival of Light-led sojourners.  Perhaps, like many in my neighborhood, you have already placed the brittle tree on the curb (or back in the attic); perhaps your poinsettia has already been discarded (or abandoned at church).   ... Continue reading »...»

 

 
 FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE: Saturday, January 4
 

Central's FOG (Fellowship of the Grape) will gather Saturday, January 4th at 7pm at the home of Lee & Warren Culpepper, recent new members who will host FOG for the first time.  Lee & Warren have selected Italian Wines as their theme.     Bring a bottle of wine that pairs well with hearty foods of this season, an appetizer, dessert or snack to share.  For those not familiar with FOG, attending is one 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: January 4th 2014, 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Warren and Lee Culpepper . If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this group, contact coordinator  Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG!
Children & Youth

January 5 - NO CHILDREN SUNDAY SCHOOL OR YOUTH WORSHIP 

 

 

January 5, 10 AM - CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER'S MEETING (Education Wing)

 

January 12, 9:30AM - SAFE CHURCH TRAINING  FOR VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN 

 

January 12 - CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL & CHILDCARE CHANGES BEGINNING

We are changing our Christian Education program. Sunday school for 3 & 4 year olds and for Kindergarten to 2nd Grade will be during the 11:00 AM worship. Childcare for infants to 2nd Grade will be available through the morning from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm. 3rd to 5th Grade Music & Sunday School and Youth Worship will remain at 9:30 AM. If you would like to volunteer to help teach the 3 & 4 year old children, please contact Rev. Ginnie.

 

8:30 to 12:15 PM              Infant & Childcare available

 

9:30 - 11:00 AM             

Infants to 2nd Grade - Childcare (Room 201, 202)

 

9:30 - 9:55 AM          3rd to 5th Grades - Music (Rm 209)

 

10:00 - 10:50 AM

          3rd to 5th Grades - Godly Play (Rm 208)

 

11:00 - 12:00 PM 

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

K to 2nd Grade - Godly Play (Rm 207)
Youth Worship and Gathering
Resumes January 12 
Youth Worship starts back on January 12th from 9:30-10:45am (Room 102).  Winter Youth Retreat Jan 17-20. 

There will be no gathering for Regional Youth Fellowship during the month of January.

 
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.

 

Sunday, January 5

Topic:                  Central and UCC history and polity

Leader:                Nancy Wetzel

Devotional:         Ruben Swint

 

Sunday, January 12

Topic:                  Central and UCC history and polity

Leader:                Nancy Wetzel

Devotional:         Bill O'Steen

 

 

 

 

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. 
 Gatherings
Earth Topics: Tuesday, Jan. 7,  
6:30-8:00 PM, (Fireplace Room)

 

Our discussions about our sacred planet and our place in it will continue in 2014. We will meet on Tuesday, January 7 in the Fireplace Room at church 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Ginnie will bring a couple of topics to share, one theological and one practical. Then we can pick topics and discuss meeting times for an ongoing conversation. All are welcome! ?Questions? Click here - Rev. Ginnie

PILGRIM CIRCLE
Wednesday, January 8.  7:00-9:00PM
On Wed., January 8, Pilgrim Circle has invited Estelle Ford-Williamson to speak.  She is the author of a book coming out in the spring, Seeds of South Sudan: Memoir of a 'Lost Boy' Refugee.  Those who are interested in refugee issues are invited to attend the meeting, which will be from 7-9 pm in the Fireplace Room, along with members of Pilgrim Circle.  

 
Lena's Place

LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE: Saturday, JANUARY 11 - 8:00 to 10:00 PM

Since 1984, Lena's Place Coffeehouse is a monthly opportunity to experience an eclectic mix of acoustic artists in a coffeehouse atmosphere. Lena's is staffed by volunteers.  Donations ($5 is suggested) are accepted to benefit Central's "Lena Werking Fund" for local charities. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Rev. Ginnie (ginnie@central-ucc.org).

 

 
Chili Luncheon:  
Sunday, January 12, 12:15 PM

Come enjoy good food and fellowship following the 11:00 AM worship on January 12, 2014. You may bring a salad or desert to share. All are welcome! If you have questions, contact  Lesley MacFarlane.
Safe Church Training: Sunday, January 12, 9:30 AM, Room 204
There will be a Safe Church Training for people who volunteer with children. At Central UCC, we work together to make our church safe for all children. Please email Rev. Ginnie if you would like to attend or if this date doesn't work but you would like a Safe Church Training.

 

Women's Daytime Book Group

Thursday, January 23

The next gathering is Thursday, January 23 at 1:30 in the Fireplace Room.  We will discuss The Roots of the Olive Tree by Courtney Miller Santos.  All are welcome.  Send an e-mail to Geneva Benoit if you would like to be on the group's email list: 

 
Opportunities to Share

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.

 

Youth Need Donations for 

Winter Youth Retreat (1/17-1/20) 

Service Project 

 

Our youth will soon be going on their annual winter retreat in Blowing Rock, NC. Their service project is to assist with the needs of a unique church in Asheville. The Haywood Street Congregation in Asheville, NC seeks to be a place of welcome to all.  It doesn't matter where you come from, what you look like, what your sexual orientation is, whether you have a home or not, or whether you are rich or poor.  They eat together, work together, worship together. Each youth group participating is asked to bring something toward helping this exceptional congregation. Central UCC is bringing toilet paper. Anyone who could bring some toilet paper to the church by January 16 for this mission project, your help is appreciated!

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 future projects for Montclair Elementary School. 

This Fall, so far, we have given:

  • 73 light and heavy winter jackets, hoodies and sweaters
  • Over 150 hats
  • 24 pair gloves
  • 4 scarves
  • 1 pair boots
  • Assorted clothing
  • 1 blanket
  • 2 backpacks
  • Large box of school supplies plus more
  • 15 Thanksgiving "baskets"
  • 15 Christmas "baskets"
Thank you Central for your wonderful generosity!
Toco Hills Community Alliance Needs You!!

THCA is looking for people to volunteer, two afternoons a month, from 12:15 -4pm.  For more information, contact Mary-Louise Wilson  at marylouisew1@aol.com

 

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.

NAME TAGS

If you need a name tag please email our office manager, Charlotte.  Please note we print name tags six at a time, there may be a brief waiting period. 

 

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..