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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
IN THIS ISSUE
Worship: May 3
Church Chats
Senior Recital: May 3
How to Use the E-News
Gatherings
Opportunities for Children
Youth Activities
Adult Spiritual Formation
Outreach
Photo Directory
 
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
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United Church of Christ 






Sunday, May 3, 2015
Fifth Sunday of Easter  
 

Service of the Word and Table at 8:30  

"Guitar Sunday" & Communion

 

Service of the Word  and Table at 11:00 

Celebration of Graduates & Communion  

 

Preaching: Rev. Michael    
Pericope: I John 4:7-21

Lectionary Readings: Click here to read them


SUNDAY NOTES  
This text, while it may sound "lovely," should come with a warning label.  On a casual read, it may sound a bit comforting; read it with the intent of actually living it, and it probably starts to sound challenging and even confronting:  "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love."  What might this have to say about the many events in the news this week (Baltimore, Nepal, Supreme Court hearings, 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, etc...)--as noted, it should come with a warning label; something might be demanded of us in a very "lovely" way. 




Also this Sunday:
  • Please see the article below regarding the church chats and upcoming congregational meeting (May 17);
  • Please see the article below regarding the Senior Recital of Abigail and Sallie.

CHURCH CHATS:  

Annual Budget Discussions (Fireplace Rm)

Sunday, May 3, 9:45 to 10:45 AM (Adult Ed Classes Suspended)

Sunday, May 10, 9:45 to 10:45 AM (Adult Ed Classes Resumed)

 

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING:

Budget and Leadership

 Sunday, May 17, 12:15 PM

IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS AND A CONGREGATIONAL MTG.

On Sunday, May 3, 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 and endowment grant recommendations. For those unable to attend on May 3 a "repeat" of the chat will happen on Sunday, May 10. The  

 

The Congregational Meeting will follow the morning worship services on Sunday, May 17. All Active and Associate Members are requested to attend.


 


 

SENIOR RECITAL by:

Sallie Anderson and Abigail Shelton 

Sunday, May 3, 4pm

Central's Sanctuary

Sallie Anderson and Abigail Shelton would like to extend an invitation to the congregation to attend their senior recital Sunday, May 3 at 4:00 pm in the sanctuary.  Sallie is a senior at Greater Atlanta Christian School and Abigail is a senior at Delkalb School of the Arts.  Abigail grew up at Central, and looks forward to a career as a composer and/or violinist.  Sallie joined the choir three years ago, and aspires to a career as an opera singer.  Both girls have contributed often to Central's worship services.   Included on their recital will be selections by Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Schubert. 
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

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 WINESthat 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 by email to host Barbara and Joe Alfano. We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE  

Sat. May 9, 7:30-10:00pm (Fellowship Hall)

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 South Georgia Farmerworkers Health Project. Performing at 8:00 pm is Lauren Lapointe and at 9:00 pm is Harm'n Me featuring Harmon Koeltz & Laura Monk. For more information on our performers can be found online.

 

EARTH TOPICS: Mon., May 18, 7:00pm
For the month of May, we are moving Earth Topics to a later date and a slightly later time, Monday May 18, 7pm. There will not be a gathering on May 4. We'll have more information about the topic in a couple of weeks. All are welcome. For more information please contact Rev. Ginnie. 

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:  

Tuesday, May 12

 
Harrison home:  

Tuesday, May 19   
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 friends. Put it on your neighborhood list serve and again if you have already. Now is the time in which a whole new group of families are signing up for camp. We have room for more children. Click the link to read more...  
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Graduation Breakfast: 
Sunday, May 3, 9:00am-10:45am

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP: Saturday, May 9

Join us on May 9 from 10:00am-2:00pm for a fun day in Piedmont Park. We will meet at the church first and head over to the park using the bus. We will play fun games like Ultimate Frisbee and Capture the Flag. Before heading home we will grab some delicious, frozen yogurt. This is a great way to celebrate the close of another school year. Contact Lacey@central-ucc.org for more details. 
ADULT SUNDAY 
SPIRITUAL FORMATION 

CONVERSATIONS   

(not meeting on Sunday, May 3)

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
(not meeting on Sunday, May 3) 
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
    
 

HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY CHOIR

Tuesday, May 12, 7pm

Central's Sanctuary

Please come and hear this beautiful 50 member choir perform.  Thanks to all who have offered housing to the students.  Your generosity is appreciated.  If you can accommodate a couple students that evening, please contact Debbie Spearman.

  
PLANTING & MULCHING IN THE CENTRAL UCC NATURE PRESERVE 

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.

 

CERTIFIED FIRST AID/CPR CLASS 

Wednesday, May 20, ~ 8am-4pm

There are a few spaces available in the class. Reservations required. Please contact Rev. Ginnie


HELP NEEDED for:

"ART in the COMMONS"

Karen Ku loves scheduling and hanging art in our common area.  She and Elsie Dresch have worked on this together for many enjoyable years, but Karen is away for 4-5 months every summer, so we need to have some folks to call upon when they're unable to do the job, if there are to be yearlong exhibitions at Central.  If interested in learning more, please contact Karen art@karenku.com (404) 510-9076 or Elsie elsiedresch@mindspring.com (404) 231-1525.

 

 

 

CLOTHES NEEDED FOR SOUTH GA FARMWORKERS
We need long pants (less than 36" waist) for the field workers. Thrift stores have some good deals.

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 

The Toco Hills Community Alliance(THCA) needs your support.  Donations from churches that support THCA ( Central being one of the churches) are down significantly this year. Due to lack of funds THCA has had to temporarily discontinue financial assistance and has also cut back on the amount of food THCA buys from the food bank until the situation improves. Central has been a long time supporter of THCA and the board of THCA is again asking for your financial support. As always, food - pasta, cereal, canned goods, peanut butter, etc- is  welcome as well as plastic bags. Please make your checks out to Central UCC and designate for THCA. Thank you very much for your support.

 

Jean Haller and Bob Fredrick,

Board members of THCA

 

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. 

 

CENTRAL's PHOTO DIRECTORY

Available now Central's Photo Directories.   We are asking for a $5.00 donation to cover the cost of printing.  Please see Debbie Spearman or Helen Fredrick.  Thank you!