Pledge & Budget 

Update & Calendar

Pledges & Budget 

We have received over $274,000 in pledges toward the operating budget thus far.  Thank you!  If you have not yet returned your completed card, please do so soon; the Council is preparing the draft budget for the congregation on Monday.

Nominating Committee:

Please see the article below from the Nominating Committee.  It is a LOT of hard work to email and call folk to serve the open positions of the church. PLEASE consider being proactive and contacting the committee to fill a slot; it would be greatly appreciated.  The boards and committees are how most of the "fun and function" of church happen.

Upcoming dates and process:

On Sunday, May 4, all adult education classes will recess and gather in a "church chat" regarding the upcoming Congregational Meeting.  Topics will include the annual budget, the nominating report for church leadership, endowment grant recommendations, and a few amendments to The Articles (the governing document of the congregation).  For those unable to attend on May 4, a "repeat" of the chat will happen on Sunday, May 11.  

The Congregational Meeting will follow the morning worship services on Sunday, May 18.  All Active and Associate Members are requested to attend. 

From the Nominating Committee

There are 29 openings on Central's boards and committees that must be filled by our church meeting on May 18. That's 42% of all board and committee positions.

We're congregational and covenantal in action as well words. That means being a member is serving, being church - the body of Christ - participants not observers.

There are 

• 4 openings on the Board of Deacons (worship, membership, welcome, and care); 
• 7 on Trustees (budget, finances, our amazing facility, and campus); 
• 3 on Mission & Action (our local, state, national, and worldwide outreach and support);
•  6 needed on the Board of Christian Education (children, families, youth, and adult programs and activities); 
• 1 on Plymouth Harbor (our day-program for older adults and respite for their care-givers).

Plus committees - Endowments and Memorials (2 openings); Nominations (2); Personnel (3); Fellowship (1).

The "good news" is that there are many Central members - new and longer time - who aren't yet serving on any board or committee and could and would (and have a great time doing so). It really is a great way to know and share with one another - we are a quite a collection of people - "be and do church."

Please call and/or e-mail Mary Mathis or Jon Ritt to sign up for a board or committee or to ask any questions.  Mary Mathis (click here to email) or Jon Ritt (click here to email). 

CHILDREN'S PEACE CAMP 

June 9-13, 2014, 8:45 AM to Noon 

Rising K to Rising 5th Graders Wanted

Volunteers Needed

Peace Camp will focus on water. We will explore the forest and the stream and think about all the places which hold and use water. The children will learn and play through music, crafts, games, and Bible stories.

YOUTH PEACE CAMP 

July 7 to 13, 2014, 8am-5pm

Rising 6th - 12th Graders Wanted

Volunteers Needed

Peace Camp will be a time of service and fun. We will be participating in service activities in the mornings in the city and in the forest. Afternoons will include a variety of fun activities. There is a cost for registration. We will be inviting youth from other UCC churches. Our limit is 24 participants. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lacey Brown, Youth Director.

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. 

Hunger in America: 

The Problem and Solutions

Sundays, April 27, May 11 & May 18

9:30 to 10:45 AM, Fellowship Hall

Please join the Board of Mission and Action as we study the issue of hunger in America.  This three week study will begin on April 27 with the documentary "A Place at the Table".  The film will serve as a starting point for follow up discussions in May. Handouts or other resources will be distributed for review to facilitate the discussions. We will consider the causes of hunger in America, the different aspects of hunger in America, some approaches for addressing the issue, and the perspectives of people and organizations who struggle with this problem.  

Questions? Contact Bill O'Steen

YOUTH COLLECTING  

CLOTHING, WASHCLOTHS & SMALL SHAMPOOS 

The youth need lots of clothing donations. They are collecting all types of men's, women's and children's clothing and also, specifically, farmworker clothing (long pants, long sleeved shirts, sunglasses, socks, hats and shoes) and items for hygiene kits (wash cloths, hand towels, small shampoos and hotel-sized bars of soap). We will sharing these donations with around 400 farmworkers and their families in Valdosta, GA. There are labeled collection bins in the entryway. Questions, please contact the Youth Director, Lacey Brown.

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.  

BACK BAY MISSION TRIP  

(Sept 21-27, 2014, Biloxi, MS)

On our mission trip to the UCC Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi, we will be participating in the Housing Recovery/Work Camping. There is also work inside at the food pantry or cooking all the meals. If you have questions or would like to sign up, please contact Jean Haller or Bill O'Steen.

SMALL STEPS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE LIVING

With leaves bursting out, lets burst our buttons by remembering to recycle at those luncheons, breakfasts, potlucks, and youth events by using washable utensils and throwing empty plastic, glass and metal containers in the marked bins. GO GREEN.

PLEASE STOCK THE SHELVES: TOCO HILLS

The shelves at Toco Hills Community Alliance are getting low.  As the weather gets warmer, remember the pantry becomes thin.   Mainly two reasons:  Families who have children at home during the summer require extra food.  And most food drives happen in the fall so by spring and summer those food reserves are getting depleted.  This month, our church will focus on collecting  CANNED MEATS such as tuna, chicken, spaghetti with meatballs, spam, etc.  And of course the pantry can also use other kinds of food such as Cereal, Pasta, and Canned Veggies & Fruits.  Thank you for all your doing to help feed our neighbors around Central.  Questions?  Ask Bob Fredrick, Jean Haller or Beth Herndon.

TOCO HILLS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

 Toco Hills needs your plastic bags!  We recycle used grocery bags to put food in for our clients.  Drop them by at 1790 Lavista Road or give them to someone at your church who volunteers with us.  Thanks!

GOING ON RETREAT

Thank you, everyone, for supporting me with time and continuing education funds so that I may attend my fifth retreat at Our Lady of Grace Benedictine Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana.  I am excited to be with my parish clergywomen friends and the Benedictine sisters for the next ten days.  Grace and Peace, Ginnie Ferrell.