IN THIS ISSUE

Worship: Sunday, Mar 8

Mar 8 Luncheon

Service for Wholeness & Healing: March 8

One Great Hour of Sharing

Sacred Spirit Gatherings

Wed Night Dinners

Table Talk Expands

Vernal Equinox Event: March 22

Spiritual Direction in Lent

Fellowship of the Grape: March 7

Earth Topics

Lena's Place: Mach 14

Easter Breakfast

Ongoing Outreach Ministries

Montclair Elementary & Books

Central's Photo Directory

2015 Endowment Grants

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Rev. Michael

Senior Minister

Rev. Ginnie

Associate Minister

Rev. Lacey
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Email Links

Church Office

Update Parish Concerns

Rev. Michael

Senior Minister

Rev. Ginnie

Associate Minister

Rev. Lacey
Pastoral Fellow

Plymouth Harbor

Older Adult Day Program

Central Social Media

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Social Media

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Where Heart & Mind Meet

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Church World Service

Sunday, March 8, 2015
Third Sunday in Lent

Rev. Michael, preaching
Pericope: Exodus 20:1-17
Lectionary Readings: Click here to read them

WORSHIP NOTES

Updates about services this weekend:

There will not be any services at Central on Saturday afternoon.
The Service for Wholeness and Healing IS on Sunday, March 8 at 6:00pm. See article below

A portion of the services on Sunday morning will include the following playful and profound meditation:

Autobiography In Five Short Chapters

Portia Nelson, alt

Chapter I: I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in. I am lost... I am hopeless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretendI don't see it. I fall in again. I can't believe I am in this same place.

But it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I seeit there. I still fall in...it's a habit...but, my eyes are open.

I know where I am. It is myfault. I get out immediately.

Chapter IV: I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter V: I walk down another street.

SUNDAY LUNCHEON:

Sunday, March 8, 12:15pm (Fellowship Hall)

Come join us for delicious homemade soup and fresh-roasted turkey following 11:00 am worship. Bring your favorite salad, bread or dessert to share. The Board for Christian Education and the Youth will sponsor this luncheon. All donations will go toward bus repairs and maintenance.

SERVICE FOR WHOLENESS & HEALING:

Sun, Mar 8, 6:00pm

Wholeness and healing can manifest in so many different ways: sometimes as the rage of resistance, at other times as the courage of acceptance. When we pray for others, often we find that our own hearts and minds have been transformed; by holding others in Love and Light, we have moved closer, too. On Sunday, March 8, as we make our way through Lent to Resurrection Sunday, we will gather for a Service of Wholeness and Healing. Members of the clergy staff, joined by Revs Maureen and Sally, will support this special event. This meditative service will include music, liturgy, shared prayers and private prayers. This is a theologically "open and safe" event; come as you are to give/receive prayers or just to share the energy of the service.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

One great hour of sharing provides support for health, education, refugee, agriculture, and emergency relief initiatives in 138 countries by working with local, national, and global partners. What you give today will be administered in the national UCC setting by Wider Church Ministries, and Global Sharing Resources.

It is important that we give so that we can spread the message of love and equality that Christ taught to his followers. Please consider making a donation today and if you want to know more about all the important work our denomination is doing in the world please go to onegreathourofsharing.org.

This offering is one of five special offerings of the United Church of Christ

We will receive this offering all through the month of March. Checks may be made to Central UCC with memo: OGHS. Also you may give online by going to the Central UCC website. Click on the online giving button and make your donation under "Special Offerings". In the message space, write "OGHS". Thank you for any donation you can give!

INQUIRERS CLASS

(Office Area Conference Room)

9:45 to 10:30 am, Mar 8, 15, 22; Joining Mar 29

Rev. Michael will host a three-session Inquirers' Series from 9:45 to 10:30 AM in his conference room (office suite). The sessions are designed for visitors to get to know him and each other a little better and explore both Central and the United Church of Christ. The next "joining day" will be March 29. To register or for more information, contact Rev. Michael.

FIRST AID / CPR CLASS

CANCELED FOR MARCH

WORKING TO RESCHEDULE IN APRIL

Evenings TBA, 6:00-9:00 pm

We will offer a certified First Aid / CPR class in March. It is a two-part class. We are grateful that one of our members, Judy Padgett, is offering this class for free. Contact: Rev. Ginnie.

CENTRAL'S CHOIR

Retreat, Saturday, March 7, 9am-1pm

Members of the congregation who have not yet joined the choir are invited to dip their toes in the choir community by joining us in our spring choir retreat, which will be held Saturday, March 7, 9-noon, with lunch following. We will be focusing on the preparation of Malcolm Dalglish's "Hymnody of Earth," which we will share with the congregation on Sunday, April 26, four days after the 45^th celebration of Earth Day, which began on April 22, 1970. "Hymnody of Earth" will be accompanied by hammered dulcimer and percussion. In this piece, Dalglish sometimes quotes from music and texts of the Shaker tradition. However, most of the poetry is by Wendell Berry, a Kentucky poet-farmer. Berry's poetry is deeply rooted in reverence for God's creation-the trees, the birds, the universe we share. Berry is the author of the phrase, "Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias." Please join us as we plan to celebrate, through music.

CAMP BEECH GROVE

(Full day sessions)
June 1 to July 10, 9am-4pm

Camp Beech Grove is Central UCC's summer day camp for children 5-8 years old with six one-week sessions. During the week of June 8 to 12, we will also have 4^th and 5^th grade campers. We welcome children who want to connect with each other and nature. As our brochure says, we understand with scientists that our universe is 13.8 billion years old. We profess a faith that compliments and does not compete with scientific exploration and current understandings. Our camp will have that foundation for children. For more information, please contact Rev. Ginnie. A downloadable flyer and application can be found on the church website.

VOLUNTEERS FOR CAMP BEECH GROVE

We are inviting people to volunteer, one morning or one afternoon each week of camp. As a helper, you will be involved in assisting with camp activities and with the children. Please consider helping launch our new camp. For more info, please contact Rev. Ginnie.

Lent 2015

SACRED SPIRIT GATHERINGS: Meditations in Motion & Stillness

Rev. Michael will offer one more cycle of tending our sacred spirit. BOTH offerings are embodied spiritual practice; BOTH are a practice of meditation and mindfulness-the method and amount of movement differ between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Spirit Flow: Tues 6:00pm to 7:15

March 24 (two weeks off for Table Talk)

Meditation and mindfulness in motion; yoga experience is not required-participants make the sequence for the evening their own and take cue from their own body.

Suggested donation: $12/session or $30/series - RSVP requested, not required.

Spirit Stillness: Wednesdays 5:30pm to 7:00

March 11, 18 & 25

Most of us spend more time than we realize in "fight or flight;" it is hard to cultivate inner or outer peace from such a state. This series will explore the spiritual path of "letting go" into stillness. Bolsters and blankets will facilitate the practice; participants will be given a Moleskin journal to support their journey.

Suggested donation: $12/session or $50 series

RSVP strongly requested so that adequate props/supplies are available.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS DURING LENT

Mar 11, 18, 25, 5:30-7:00 pm

Join us for Wednesday Night Dinners during Lent. Rev. Ginnie and Rev. Lacey will provide a meal and a fun activity. These dinners are designed to be a welcoming time of social interaction and intergenerational connection. We will provide the food and the activity. All are welcome!

TABLE TALK:

Expands to Twice a Month (for 3 months)

Table Talk is a safe gathering around shared food (potluck) to discuss our theological musings, wonderings and questions. No advanced reading or preparation is required, but an RSVP to the host home is helpful.

NEW! Culpepper home:

Tuesdays, March 10, April 14 & May 12

Harrison home:

Tuesdays, March 17, April 21 & May 19

SACRED SPIRIT GATHERINGS:

Vernal Equinox

Sunday, March 22, 7:00pm to 8:30

The vernal (spring) equinox is one of the two days of the year when "the light and the darkness are balanced;" then the light overtakes the darkness for a season. For this reason, we celebrate Easter and resurrection in the spring.

On Sunday, March 22, we will again gather around a fire (where there is fire, there must be s'mores). The evening will start with a time of meditative movement (7:00pm to 7:30) and then we will gather around the fire in the gardens. Participants who wish will have the opportunity to write something on a popsicle stick to be released or transformed by the fire and community. An RSVP to Rev. Michael is helpful, but not required. As with the Winter Solstice event, attendees are invited to participate in whatever portion is meaningful to them.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION IN LENT

Letting go can mean many things: renunciation, gifting, walking away, moving on. It can also mean rearranging the pieces to find freedom in the midst of chaos we can't control. The options are almost endless. If you want to explore this theme in depth or seek spiritual companionship for other questions/explorations, you can contact Central spiritual director, Rev. Sally Purvis for an appointment; fees are based upon ability to pay.

Gatherings

FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE

Saturday, March 7, 7pm

Sue Kahn will host March Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, March 7th at 7pm. Sue has chosen prosecco as the wine selection: a dry, sparking, white wine that is delicious and refreshing. Sue will provide a variety of mixers as it is being used to make many interesting and delicious cocktails these day. Please bring any sweet or savory appetizer that will compliment prosecco. 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: March 7th 2015 at 7:00pm. RSVP to host Sue Kahn. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator RobinLee Fitch at Robin Lee Fitch We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

EARTH TOPICS

Monday, March 9, 6:30-8:00 pm

The Living the Questions series, Painting the Stars invites us to wonder about the felt sense of belonging to a sacred and evolving cosmos. In March, we will talk about Session Two, "A Renaissance of Wonder", from Painting the Stars. In the second half of our time together, we will talk about some of the daily readings from the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. You may find it on Facebook or go to http://www.macucc.org/carbonfast. Questions? Contact Rev. Ginnie.

LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE

Sat. March 14, 7:30-10:00pm (FH)

On second Saturdays, Lena's Place Coffeehouse brings an eclectic mix of acoustic artists to Central UCC. All donations ($5 is suggested) benefit Central's "Lena Werking Fund" for local charities. On March14, the charity is El Refugio. Performing at 8:00 pm is Louis Robinson and at 9:00 pm is Bob Bakert. For more information on our performers go to the Lena's Place website.

EASTER BREAKFAST

BRING A DISH, CLEAN A DISH:

Sunday, April 5, 9:00 AM

It's time to begin preparing for our annual Easter breakfast. In addition to the wonderful food so many of you will bring to share, we need volunteers to help set up, serve and cleanup. Please sign up for a shift on the sign-up sheet posted in the narthex. We look forward to celebrating and rejoicing with you!

Community Needs

ONGOING OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT CENTRAL UCC

Our life is full here at Central UCC. Through the year, we serve our local community in many ways. To read about the activities, please click here .

The United Church of Christ's Reading Changes Lives and Montclair Elementary

Wednesday, March 4

The United Church of Christ congregations will take action for literacy by collecting books, advocating and donating their time to March Forth for Literacy, the one-day, church wide effort. Part of the denomination's Reading Changes Lives initiative, March Forth for Literacy will be a day to focus on literacy awareness throughout the UCC, giving congregations a chance to join the wider church with involvement in literacy issues locally and nationally. Central UCC is already doing this vital advocacy work in its partnership with Montclair Elementary. Through an endowment grant, Central UCC was able to secure each classroom with new, grade level appropriate books for the students to use in class and take home on the weekends. Each teacher got to select his or her own books up to $100.00 per class! Along with the new classroom books, some members of Central consistently tutor at Montclair, providing weekly help to the kids who might be falling behind. Our relationship with MES has been a wonderful gift and we are excited to be a part of a national movement for literacy awareness within the UCC.

HUNGER WALK 5K

Sunday March 15, 2:00-4:00pm

Please join us on Sunday, March 15 for the Hunger Walk 5K at Turner Field. The walk starts at 2:00pm. Central UCC has created a team that will walk/run together. Our registration fee of $25/person will go to benefit Toco Hills Community Alliance. You can register online at www.acfb.org. Click on "register for Hunger Walk" and select Toco Hills Community Alliance. Our team name is "Team Central UCC". If you do not wish to run, you can sponsor our team financially. For questions: contact Jean Haller at jeanhaller66@gmail.com Thanks!

Hagar House

April 1, April 2 & April 3

Central has committed to provide meals for the guests at Hagar House in Decatur in April and August, 2015. The April dates are Wednesday, April 1; Thursday, April 2; Friday, April 3. We hope to have 3 volunteers and a team captain for each night to prepare a simple but hearty meal for the women and children needing the emergency shelter that Hagar House offers. Set up, serving, and clean up takes about 2 hours (6 pm - 8 pm). Hagar House is a primary program of Decatur Cooperative Ministry. Volunteers from at least 35 churches and 14 denominations volunteer at Hagar House each year. If you are able to help by preparing food in advance and/or working at the shelter for one of the April dates, please contact Fred Childers (cfchilders@gmail.com) or Maureen O'Brien (mob30064@yahoo.com).

CLOTHES NEEDED

FOR SOUTH GA FARMWORKERS

It's not too early to start collecting clothes for our south Georgia trip in June. Each year, we head to Valdosta, along with the Emory Physician's Assistant Program, to help with the South Georgia Farm Workers Health Project. We are now collecting men's long pants, long sleeved shirts, socks, hats, used sun-glasses, and men's work shoes. If you don't have any of these things but would like to contribute please consider going to a local thrift store to purchase these items. Email Rev. Lacey for details or donation questions.

Hard of Hearing and Deaf

The generosity of members and friends at Central provided $2400 for the Hard of Hearing and Deaf community.

In gratitude and love...Lesley

COLD WEATHER, PLEASE DONATE BLANKETS AND WATER

URGENT: Cold, winter weather will bring freezing temperatures to Atlanta, heightening the dangerous conditions for the men, women and children of our city who have no shelter. The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless needs your help to provide blankets and bottled water for the hundreds who are expected to come to the Peachtree-Pine facility. Please bring your donations between the hours of 8am-8pm to the Pine St entrance where volunteers wearing yellow security vests will accept the items. Financial donations can also be made. Visit the website Atlanta Task Force For Homeless.

Children

CHILDREN'S MUSIC, 1st - 5th GRADES

Sundays, 12:00pm - 12:30pm, Room 209

We will have children's music every Sunday right after church. Any 1^st to 5^th grade children in 11am worship (except the acolytes) are requested to leave at the beginning of the final hymn. Leona will leave at that time also and take the kids to room 209 just inside the doors of the education wing.

GODLY PLAY TEACHERS NEEDED

We are planning for next year's Sunday school. Godly Play is a wonderful story telling curriculum that enhances the understanding of the Bible and the church for both the teachers and the children through storytelling, wondering, and art. This summer we will have a training for Godly Play storytellers and door persons. If you would like to help lead this ministry for our children, please contact Rev. Ginnie.

PRE-SCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL

11:00am to 12:00pm (Rm 205)

Through storytelling, games, and arts and crafts, the 3 and 4 year old children learn Bible stories and begin to explore ways to be kind to each other and our world.

8:30-12:15 Childcare available, Rm 201

11:00-12:00 Sunday school, Rm 205

Parents may pick up their children in Childcare at the end of church.

GODLY PLAY, K - 2nd Grades

Please take your child to Room 201

Class in Room 207 from 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM

The class will hear stories about Jesus life and the seasonal stories of Lent and Easter over the coming weeks. The Godly Play approach helps children to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.

11:00am The children remain in Rm 201

11:10am The Children are brought to Rm 207 for Godly Play.

11:50pm Children return to Rm 201

12:00-12:30pm Children's Music, Rm 209

3rd - 5th Grades
through March 22

3rd Graders are welcome in childcare until March 29 when Godly Play will resume. 4th and 5th Graders pre-registered for the sexuality education course will meet each Sunday through March 22 from 9:30am to 10:45am. 4th and 5th Grade children not registered in the class are welcome in childcare from 9:30 to 11:00am. There will still be children's music for 1st to 5th grades from 12:00-12:30pm each Sunday.

Youth

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN MARCH

Sunday, March 8 - (Lent 2) We will continue our confirmation class from 9:30am-10:45am. Confirmation class will go for about 10 weeks. For youth who have completed confirmation, this is your Sunday morning time also. There is always more to learn and share together.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Rev. Lacey.

Adult Spiritual Formation

CONVERSATIONS

Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 204)

LtQ Series: Countering Pharaoh's

Production-Consumption Society Today

Join the conversation! Drop-in anytime. No prep necessary -- ever! "Conversations" is Sunday School for busy people who want to take a little time out to explore meaningful subjects within a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Our current conversation utilizes a Living the Question DVD featuring the eminent Old Testament scholar and Central member Walter Brueggemann. Discuss similarities between our current American way of life and the Pharaoh's economy of slavery, and explore a journey to covenant community and freedom. Questions? Contact Sally Harrell.

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. We close the door to create a quiet space but you are welcome anytime. Come on in.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY: Sundays, 9:30 - 10:45

(Room 206)

A Just Peace Covenant Community Class studies, explores and takes action on current issues. The class shares leadership and begins each class with "How was your week?" and a short devotional. All are welcome. THE STUDY THROUGH 4/19/2015:

Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine

In this wise, entertaining, and educational book, Amy-Jill Levine offers a fresh, timely reinterpretation of Jesus' narratives. She analyzes these "problems with parables," taking readers back in time to understand how their original Jewish audience understood them. Levine reveals the parables' connections to first-century economic and agricultural life, social customs and morality, Jewish scriptures and Roman culture.

03/08: Chapter 5 - "The Mustard Seed"

Leader: Martene Stansbery

Devotional: Bill O'Steen

03/15: Chapter 6 - "The Pharisee and the Tax Collector"

Questions? Contact Jackie and George Dominick.

GREAT DECISIONS

Sunday, March 15, 9:30am-10:45
Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2

This eight-week series provides a forum for challenging conversations on world issues. No preparation is needed. The Great Decisions briefing book highlights eight current foreign policy challenges. The book cost is $25. RSVP to Mary Ellen Myers.

Girl Scout Cookies are here!

Central's Girl Scout troop will have Girl Scout cookies available for sale Sunday morning, March 8th ($4 a box). Troop #3360 consists of 17 homeschooled girls, ages 7 - 14. They have been enjoying the forest, and have even helped pull some of those pesky vines from the trees. This spring, the Cadette girls will help Montclalir Elementary School create an outdoor classroom with gardens and picnic tables and feed families who attend the April PTA meeting. Contact Sally Harrell if you know how to build picnic tables!

CENTRAL's PHOTO DIRECTORY

Will be ready the end of March. Deacons have been busy making the final preparations. Once completed, we will set up a table in the Commons on Sunday mornings to pick up your copy. We are asking for a $5.00 donation to cover the cost of printing. Thank you for your patience on this big project.

Central Endowment

Open to Receive Grant Applications

We are pleased to announce that the Central Endowment committee will be receiving the 2015 grant applications from March 9 to April 13. The application will be available online on Monday.