LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE: 

Saturday, May 11, 8:00 - 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. 

Pledge & Budget 

Update & Calendar

Pledges & Budget 

We have received 83 pledges totally over $321,000 toward the operating budget thus far.  Thank you!  If you have not yet returned your completed card, please do so soon; the congregational meeting to approve the budget is May 18.

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.  Email Jon Ritt for more information (click here).

Upcoming dates and process:

A second "church chat" will be held this Sunday.  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). 

The Council has approved recommended amendments to The Articles.  These, and other documents related to the congregational meeting on May 18 are on our website (click here).

All Active and Associate Members are requested to attend the congregational meeting.

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, 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

THE MUSIC OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COMPOSERS, 

May 18, 4PM

Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree St., NE Atlanta, GA 30308

FREE ADMISSION

Rev. Michael will be on sabbatical this June, July, and August; after preaching on May 25, he soon departs for India for the summer where he will be studying and practicing meditation and yoga in Dharamsala. Located in northern India, in the Himalayas, Dharamsala is the seat of the Tibetean government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama.

This summer there is an exciting rota of preachers: Lacey Brown, Warren Culpepper, Rev. Ginnie Ferrell, Dr. Jon Gunnemann, Michelle Holtmann, Dr. Ron Joyner, Gail McGill, Rev. Truman Moore, Rev. Joyce Myers-Brown, Rev. Kim Sorrells, Rev. Dave Spence and Rev. Ruben Swint. 

Be sure to watch the E-News every week for information about Sunday worship.

Rev. Michael will return to the pulpit at Central on Homecoming Sunday, September 7, 2014

Women's Daytime Book Group

The next gathering is Thursday, June 5 at 1:30 in the Fireplace Room.  The book is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.  Read and attend as you can; no commitment.  Send an e-mail to Geneva Benoit if you would like to be on the group's email list: Geneva Benoit.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE, June 7

Laura and Bob Winebarger will host June FOG Saturday, June 7th at 7pm.  Laura and Bob have chosen sparkling wines as their selection for the month.  Any and all appetizers or dishes, desserts or snacks to share that will pair with white wines will be appreciated.  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:  June 7th, 2014 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Bob and Laura Winebarger or If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator Robin Lee Fitch at Robin Lee Fitch.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

SAVE THE DATE!  CELEBRATE PLYMOUTH HARBOR, JUNE 8th

Celebrate Plymouth Harbor, our church's Day Program for Older Adults since 1991!   At the 11:00 o'clock service on Sunday June 8 we will recognize and honor the many Plymouth Harbor volunteers and introduce Ms. Kay Coppage, LMSW, Director of Plymouth Harbor since June 2013.  After the service a luncheon in honor of our volunteers will be served in the Fellowship Hall.

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.

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!

CAN YOU GIVE A FISH A GOOD HOME?

Do you have a pond or water feature that can accept some fish?  The ones in Central's reflecting pond need to be relocated.  Summer heat always makes our pool a stressful environment, and this summer the pond will be under re-construction to repair leaks.  Warren Hadlock is generously providing a temporary home, but they need adoption.  They're no trouble, they're quiet as church-fish. Warren Hadlock