(Sat., March 8, 8:00 - 10:00 PM, Fellowship Hall)

The second Saturday of every month, one of the finest coffee houses in Atlanta convenes at Central with live music. The proceeds go to the Lena Werking Fund which supports outreach and service.  On March 8, traveling minstrel, Chuck Henderson, will engage the audience by telling stories through his songs. At 9:00 PM, Jeremy Parks, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta, will share his songs. All donations will go to the charity, El Refugio. For more information, contact Mary Ellen Myers.

BRING FOOD FOR TOCO HILLS FOOD PANTRY (Now until March 9)

CHILDREN WALKING FOR HUNGER

LUNCHEON FOR TOCO HILLS FOOD PANTRY  

(Sunday March 9, 12:15 PM)

On Sunday, March 9, the children will have an opportunity to raise money for hungry people. At 11:00 am, they will meet in the Education Wing for some hunger related stories. At 11:30 AM, they will gather in the Commons for their hunger walk

at Central. Please support their walk by pledging money to our young walkers. There will be a table in the Commons during the next few weeks. Money raise will go to Church World Service and to Toco Hills Community Alliance.

Following worship, we will have a lunch. All donations will go to Toco Hills Community Alliance. A representative of the Toco Hills Community Alliance will speak to us during lunch about all the services they provide. They are our ecumenical neighborhood outreach. They always need more volunteers.

Please bring food for the Toco Hills Food Pantry over the next few weeks. You may leave them in the containers in the entryway. We thank you for any non-perishable donations you are able to donate.

"LIKE" US  IN LENT

A central component of Central is our progressive theology; we listen to and proclaim a Stillspeaking God.  In fact, isn't it likely that you are a member of this community because of our extravagant welcome, justice and peace seeking, and continuing testament (progressive theology).  A significant platform for proclamation is "social media"-like it or not, Facebook is ingrained in our culture.  So, let's proclaim the message that has nourished us.  IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE "LIKE" THE CENTRAL FACEBOOK PAGE and/or "friend" the staff.  We are giving significant efforts to increasing our proclamation; "liking" us really will help (grin). 

SOUL STRETCH: LENGTHENING IN LENT

Mondays, March 10 to April 14 (5:30 - 6:45)

Rev. Michael will be writing and posting in Lent on three "Cs":  center, compassion, and cleanse.  More information about how to follow and participate in the online daily devotional/thought/practice will soon be available.

Additionally, he is offering a weekly meditation and GENTLE yoga practice on Monday nights on March 10 through April 14 (skipping March 31) from 5:30 to 6:45pm.  This practice will include a brief "talk," breathing meditation, several contemplative (Yin) yoga poses, and ends with an extended relaxation.  Registration is STRONGLY requested (for one session or the series).  For more information or to register: Rev. Michael.

WIFI RETURNS MARCH 12! (Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM - Fellowship Hall)

Supper and fun at Central -- no cooking! -- every Wednesday March 12 through April 16. Supper from 5:30 - 6:30 and an intergenerational activity from 6:30- 7:30.  Yummy casual food (home cooked or catered) followed by games or music or an outdoor walk, even our own Passion Play on April 9.  Put WIFI on your calendar now (Wednesday Intergenerational Families and Individuals). And btw, there really is WIFI.  OK to bring your homework with you.

LENTEN BOOK GROUP

(Wednesdays, March 12 to April 16, 6:30-7:30 PM - Fireplace Room)

Michelle Holtman will lead a discussion of the book, Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp. Please contact Michelle if you are interested.

"Joyce Rupp brings new life to the ageless spiritual image of the door, weaving insights from East and West with the wisdom of contemporary spiritual writers, poets, and novelists in a practical format that is just right for contemporary readers. Structured as a daily prayer guide for everyday use over six weeks, each day offers a thematic reflection, a guided meditation, an original prayer, a thoughtful question, and a related scripture quote. A built-in guide for use by small groups makes this the perfect resource for groups of all kinds as well as for individuals." - Ave Maria Press

PEACE CAMP 

June 9 to 13, 2014, mornings

Rising K to Rising 5th Graders Wanted

Volunteers Needed

Peace Camp will focus on water. We will have some wonderful environmental education activities. We will explore the forest and the stream and think about all the places which hold and use water. Water is a theme throughout the Bible. There are stories about drought, Moses and the Israelites finding water in the desert, the healing waters for Namaan, the water of baptism, the woman at the well and many others. With age appropriate activities, the children will learn and play through music, crafts, games, and stories. For more information or to sign up, please contact Rev. Ginnie .

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. 

PRISCILLA & 

PILGRIM CIRCLES: 

(Wed., March. 12 11:00 AM, 7:00 PM)

The Priscilla Circle will meet Wednesday, March 12 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. All are welcome. The Pilgrim Circle will meet Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Room. Any women who are interested in getting to know fellow church members and enjoy a time of fellowship are cordially invited to attend either meeting!

SERVING A MEAL AT  

HAGAR'S HOUSE

Central will be serving dinner at Hagar's House April 1, 3, and 4. Hagar's House is a shelter for women and their children located in Decatur. Central and a number of other churches in the area have a long-standing relationship with Hagar's House. Volunteers are requested. Anyone who's interested can contact  Bill O'Steen for more information or to volunteer to serve.  

HOSTS, SANDWICH MAKERS, COOKIE BAKERS

If any of the above are the way you like to help out, please send your name to the Fellowship Committee. For memorial service receptions, various celebrations or all-church events, the Deacons and Fellowship Committee send an email to request food and serving helpers. Your phone won't ring, and there's no obligation to say Yes every time.  But you'll be part of what may be the largest non-standing, most serving, un-committee of Central.  Email Fellowship to add your name and email address.

COLLECTING  

KITS AND CLOTHING

The youth are collecting clothing (long pants, long sleeved shirts, sunglasses, hats and shoes) and items for hygiene kits (wash cloths, hand towels, hotel-sized bars of soap, and band-aids). You can make donations for the hygiene kits and we will buy combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, nailclippers wholesale from Minimus.biz).There are labeled collection bins in the entryway.

Questions, please contact lacey@central-ucc.org.

RECYCLING TEAM  

NEEDS MEMBERS

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. Over the last several months, we have collected monies for holiday "Food Baskets" and winter clothing. Volunteer tutors have begun to work with the students. We are looking into ways of providing books to read and weekend food. If you would like to help with this ministry, please contact Jean Haller or Bill O'Steen.