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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Worship: April 19
Budget Process
How to Use the E-News
Gatherings
Opportunities for Children
Youth Activities
Young Adult Gathering
Adult Spiritual Formation
Outreach
 
Phone

Office Phone: 
404-633-4505

24-hour Pastoral Care:
              678-672-7637

Email Links



Senior Minister

Associate Minister

Rev. Lacey
Pastoral Fellow

Older Adult Day Program
Email Links



Senior Minister

Associate Minister

Rev. Lacey
Pastoral Fellow

Older Adult Day Program
Central Social Media
 
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, April 19, 2015
Third Sunday of Easter  
Confirmation Sunday 
WORSHIP NOTES  

The following liturgy (weaved quotes from Paul Tillich and Rilke) is part of both services on Sunday (watch for the full quotes on our Facebook page).  At the 11:00 service, teens will be confirmed and join the membership of the congregation; but, this third Sunday of Eastertide, is a good time for all of us to consider what we might "confirm."  Special music at 8:30 ("guitar Sunday") and the "Widor" at the close of the 11:00 service.
 

 

Sometimes...a wave of light breaks into our darkness and it is as though a voice calls to us:  "You are accepted; accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know.  Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later."


 

As well as you are able, have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.


 

When confronted by grace, do not try to do anything, do not intend anything, do not perform anything-for nothing is demanded of this experience, no religious or moral or intellectual presupposition, nothing but acceptance.


 

Do not search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them.  And the point is to live everything.  Live the questions now-perhaps, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into an answer.


 
 



We have received numerous generous commitment cards over the last several weeks--thank you!

If you still intend to make a financial commitment to the 2015-2016 operating budget, please consider doing so soon.  Over the next several weeks a budget will be crafted largely relying on the financial intentions that folk have expressed.  As ever, if your situation changes, you can certainly change your pledge during the year.  All these matters are "steps of faith and good will."  You can return a card to the office or email your pledge to Martha Smith.

The Trustees and Council are considering the budget during the next two weeks.  A 2015-2016 proposed budget will be presented in a "church chat" on Sundays, May 3 & 10.  The congregational meeting for a final vote on the budget (and other items) is Sunday, May 17.
 
How to Use the E-News

Over the next several weeks, we are experimenting with ways to make the E-News more "user-friendly." Here are a few items that help you get the information that you may want:
  • On the left side is a "Table of Contents": click a title to jump to that article.
  • If a name is underlined, that means you can click it to send an email.
  • If text is underlined, that means you can click it to read more or be taken to a website with more information.
Articles "in" the E-News will be shorter so that you don't have to scroll as much; full articles will be available on the "click here" link.
 
Gatherings

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.

 

Harrison home:  

Tuesdays, April 21 & May 19  

 

NEW! Culpepper home:  

Tuesdays, May 12

     


WOMEN'S DAYTIME BOOK GROUP

Thursday, April 30 at 1:30

The next gathering is Thursday, April 30 at 1:30 in the Fireplace Room.  The book is Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Great conversation always. 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.
FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE

Saturday, May 2, 7:00 pm

Barbara and Joe Alfano will host May Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, May 2nd at 7pm. Barbara and Joe have chosen 

SPARKLING WINES that is not Proseco as the wine selection for the month. Barbara and Joe's suggestions include Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain, or sparkling roses.  Please bring any sweet or savory appetizer that will compliment this wine selection.  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! May 2nd, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  RSVP to host Barbara and Joe Alfano by calling 404-217-0286.  We look forward to seeing you at FOG.


 
Opportunities for Children

 
Children's Sunday Faith Formation
 
Children's Music Program
 
GODLY PLAY 
STORYTELLERS NEEDED
We are planning for next year's children's Sunday school. We need a few Bible story loving folks who love kids to help keep this program alive! If you could tell a story once or twice a month, please consider joining our marvelous team! This summer we will offer a Godly Play training. Interested, contact Rev. Ginnie 
 
CAMP BEECH GROVE  
(Full day sessions)
June 1 to July 10, 9am-4pm 
Please like us on Facebook: Camp Beech Grove

We have a wonderful camp planned for the summer. Tell your fri

ends. Put it on your neighborhood list serve. We have room for more children. Click the link to read more...  
YOUTH ACTIVITIES 
Confirmation Sunday:
April, 19 during 11:00am worship
Graduation Breakfast: 
Sunday, May 3 9:00am-10:45am
YOUNG ADULT GATHERING
(Friday, April 17 from 7:00-9:30pm)

Join the Central Young Adults in downtown Decatur at the Marlay House. We will have dinner and drinks out on the patio and enjoy the spring weather. All are welcome-please feel free to bring along some friends. There is no agenda, just time to get to know one another and socialize. Contact Rev. Lacey with questions. 

Adult Sunday Spiritual Formation

CONVERSATIONS   

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

LtQ Series:Painting the Stars
This seven-session Living the Questions (LtQ) DVD series invites us to wonder about the felt sense of belonging to a sacred and evolving cosmos. click here to read more.


PRACTICAL THEOLOGY: 

Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 206)

Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class (Room 206) studies, explores and takes action on current issues. click here for more info.
 

 

 

SACRED JOURNEYS
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Library, Fellowship Hall)
Each week this group explores how spirit guides our personal journeys, and we gain new insights by listening to each other.  click here to read more.
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
 

REGISTER NOW FOR: 

Justice Leaders Engaging and Developing

Thursday, April 25th, 8:30-4:00 pm

This training is offered to support local church members - laity and clergy - who wish to infuse more faith-based justice conversations, education, skills and opportunities into their respective ministries and communities.  This workshop will be led by Rev. Peter Wells, consultant for the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries and Whitney Walton.  Kirkwood United Church of Christ, Cost? $10.50 covers the cost of lunch. Register online HERE.

  
CHOIR MUSIC SPECIAL 
Sunday, April 26, 11:00 am
The choir is looking forward to sharing with the congregation selections from Malcolm Dalglish's "Hymnody of Earth,".  This music is accompanied by hammered dulcimer and percussion.  Musically, it borrows from the Sacred Harp tradition.  Most of the texts are by Wendell Berry, a Kentucky poet-farmer. Those who might like to delve more deeply into the poetry in advance of next Sunday's service are invited to go to the following link: http://www.ket.org/education/guides/hymnody.pdf.
 
Berry's poetry is deeply rooted in reverence for God's creation--the trees, the birds, the universe we share. Author of over 80 novels, short stories, essays and poems, Wendell Berry has been a tireless advocate for localism and environmental stewardship for nearly 50 years.  He was honored at the National Cathedral on Earth Day, April 22, 2012 as a "Steward of God's Creation" by the National Religious Coalition on Creation Care (NRCCC).  Berry is the author of the phrase, "Invest in the millennium.  Plant sequoias." He also coined the phrase, "Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you." Please join us on April 26 as we plan to celebrate through music and word, God's creation.
 
 

HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY CHOIR

Tuesday, May 12, 7pm - Central's Sanctuary

We are looking for volunteers for housing the students and their adult leaders.  If you can possibly help lodge one or more the night of May 12, please contact Debbie Spearman.

  

 

Click here to read more...

 

 

PLANTING AND MULCHING IN THE CENTRAL UCC NATURE PRESERVE

Mulching: Sat., April 18, 9-11am 

Planting: Sat.'s, May 2 & 16, 9-11am

MULCHING: We need people with good backs to shovel and move wheelbarrows of mulch through the forest, renewing the trails.  

PLANTING: On Saturdays, May 2 and 16, we need planters help plant native grasses as part of the creek restoration project. We will have hundreds of small and medium sized plants to get in the ground. There will also be some work required to prepare for the plantings. We will need supplemental workdays/crews to keep the plants watered until they have become established. If you can help mulch, plant or have some time during the days prior to or after the plantings, contact Ron Smith ronsmith310@gmail.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. 
 
TOCO HILLS COMMUNITY ALLIANCE 

Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out of the darkness and the darkness around you will be bright as noon.  Isaiah 58:10

We have recently been blessed with plenty of fresh meat, produce and bread being donated to us at no cost, so our Free Grocery is going strong. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our financial assistance.  Since beginning over 20 years ago, THCA has offered financial assistance to people struggling to pay their rent and keep the lights on in their home. For many, this assistance has helped people bridge the gap to self sufficiency.  Now due to a severe drop in donations, we have suspended our financial assistance. Please consider making a tax deductable donation to Toco Hills Community Alliance.  This can be done through our website at tocohillsalliance.org or by sending a check to THCA 1790 Lavista Rd Atlanta 30329. Thank you.

 

 

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.