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Central UCC
Central Congregational
United Church of Christ
 
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404-633-4505

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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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Sunday, October 25, 2015
Proper 25: Reformation Sunday

Service of the Word and Table at 8:30
   
 Service of the Word at 11:00 

Preaching: Rev. Michael
Pericope: Mark 10:46-52
Lectionary Readings: Click here to read them

Worship Notes:
As part of our celebration of "Reformation Sunday," we will share a special prayer for the church inspired by John 17:21 and based on The United Church of Canada's "A New Creed" and the United Church of Christ's "Statement of Faith (in the Form of a Doxology)," in celebration of the full communion of these two denominations:

Uniting God, you call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship: to celebrate your presence, to live with respect in Creation, to be your servants in the service of others, to seek justice and resist evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.  Send your Holy Spirit to bind us in full communion so that we may be a uniting church embodying your love for the world.  As one, we proclaim: in life, in death, in life beyond death, you are with us, we are not alone, all glory and power be unto you.


Young Adults Gathering Tonight!
Thursday, Oct 22 (7-10pm) 
at Rev. Lacey's House
Join us this evening for fun 
conversation and chili! We will gathering in the back yard around a fire and good food. Please bring a side dish, dessert or drink to share. Call or email Lacey for directions: 239-849-0846


PREPARING FOR ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
November 1
Central will again mark its annual remembrance and tender celebration of those who have joined the Company of the Saints of Light with our "bell banners." Any and all are welcome to place a bell on the banners that will be in the narthex for the next few weeks. Bells may be placed for those who have recently crossed from this life to life eternal or for a saint from long ago. The banners will be part of a procession on All Saints Sunday, November 1.

Membership Exploration
(Office Area Conference Room
See Dates below when these three-sessions series are offered. Sundays occasionally through the year, 
9:45 to 10:30 am
Looking to journey with spiritual pilgrims? Have you been considering Central as your community of faith? This 3-part class is specifically designed to share stories and information about Central and the UCC with those who are considering membership. While attendance at all three sessions is not necessary and attendance at all classes does not obligate you to anything, participants will have the opportunity to join Central at the end of this series of classes. 

The upcoming class dates are:
Nov 1, 8, 15; join Nov 22
Jan 10, 17, 24; join Jan 31 
Feb 28, Mar 6, 13; join Mar 20

Questions? Contact Michael

 
ADULT SUNDAY 
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Click the title of each class to read more

Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 204)
The Jesus Fatwah:  Love Your (Muslim) Neighbor, as Yourself (Living the Question DVD series).  Come join our small group at any time.  Our only dogma is "no-prep," so join us at any time.  You'll find lively conversation and a warm community. Sunday mornings. Contact: Sally Harrell 

Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 206)
Practical Theology: 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. 
 
Sunday, October 25  
Study:  THE NEW JIM CROW - Michelle Alexander
Lesson:  SECTION THREE:  Racial Indifference and the Undercaste  (Chapters 4 and 5) 
**The Study Guide is set up in sections with more than one chapter included.**
NOTE:  We will concentrate on Chapter 4 this Sunday.       Leader:  Bill O'Steen
Sunday, November 1
Study:  THE NEW JIM CROW - Michelle Alexander
Lesson:  SECTION THREE:  Racial Indifference and the Undercaste (Chapters 4 and 5)
NOTE:  We will concentrate on Chapter 5 this Sunday.        
Sunday, November 8
Study:  THE NEW JIM CROW - Michelle Alexander
Lesson:  We will welcome guests who have been directly     affected by the War on Drugs and the current laws.    
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.  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 to open it and come on in.
Contact:
Peter Benoit.
 
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
"Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond." (godlyplayfoundation.org) 
9:30am:
Godly Play for children in 2nd-5th grades. (Rm 208)
11:00am:
Bible Stories for  pre-school children (Rm 201, 202)
Godly Play for 5 yrs to 1st Grade (begin in Rm 201)

Contact Rev. Ginnie.

CHILDREN'S MUSIC
We welcome children in grades 1-5 to our group, which meets from 12-12:30 on Sundays.  We will be making music with our voices and with instruments.  Please add your child's voice to our group! 

MUSIC SIGHT-READING CLASS
Wednesday's, 6:45-7:30pm
Sight-reading Class in the Choir Room on Wed., 6:45-7:30pm.

 CHOIR ANNUAL FALL RETREAT
Saturday, October 31, 9-12pm
The choir's annual fall retreat takes place at Central in the choir room on Halloween--Saturday, October 31, 9-12pm.  

 
FIRST AID / CPR CLASS OFFERED
Sunday, November 1 & 15, 1-4pm,
We will offer a certified First Aid / CPR class during the month of November. It is a two-part class. We are grateful that one of our members, Judy Padgett, is offering this class for free. If you complete both Sundays, you may obtain certification.
Questions? Rev. Ginnie: [email protected]


TRIANGLES, CUT-OFFS AND FUSIONS - OH MY!!
Thinking about families ahead of the holidays
Tuesday's, Nov. 3 & 10, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

As we look toward the holiday season, many of us are preparing to encounter our families either by force or by choice. This November Rev. Lacey and Rev. Michael will offer a two part series on new ways of thinking about family systems and anxiety. How might we change our behavior as we once again enter into the annual chaos of Thanksgiving and Christmas? Sometimes a new approach is all we need to enjoy the company of old familiar settings. Please RSVP to Rev. Lacey: [email protected] and let us know if you will need childcare. 



WOMEN'S DAYTIME BOOK GROUP
November 5, 1:30pm
The book is The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony.  This informal group meets in the Fireplace Room, every four-to-six weeks. 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: [email protected].


EARTH TOPICS
November 5, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
(Central UCC Fireplace Room)
Many of us want to share theologically and in practical ways about life on our planet. All are welcome to our gatherings. This Fall we will be presenting chapters from three writings: Hot, Flat & Crowded by Thomas Friedman, The Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry and On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si') by Pope Francis. Reading is not required. The discussions are always lively and deepened by the breadth of experience of the attendees. 
Questions? Contact Rev. Ginnie: [email protected]

FELLOWSHIP OF THE GRAPE
Saturday, November 7, 7:00pm
Helen and Bob Fredrick will host November Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, November 7th at 7pm.  Helen and Bob have selected Tempranillo, a Spanish red wine as the selection for the month. Please bring any sweet or savory or hearty appetizer or dessert that will compliment this 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!
 
FYI:  Several people have said, "I would love to come to FOG, but I don't drink alcohol."  Several folks attend FOG who do not drink alcohol.  FOG is NOT about the alcohol it is about the FELLOWSHIP.   All are welcome!
 
Event Details: November 7th, 7pm, 2015 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to hosts Helen and Bob at 404 636 1862 or email at [email protected].   If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator RobinLee Fitch at [email protected].   We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY LECTURE
Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm
Diana Butler Bass will discuss her new book, Grounded, on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church Decatur (308 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030).  This event is sponsored by Georgia Center for the Book and hosted by Conversations.  No tickets or reservations are required.
 
Grounded explores the cultural turns as Bass unpacks how people are finding new spiritual ground by discovering and embracing God everywhere in the world around us-in the soil, the water, the sky, in our homes and neighborhoods, and in the global commons. Faith is no longer a matter of mountaintop experience or institutional practice; instead, people are connecting with God through the environment in which we live. Grounded guides readers through our contemporary spiritual habitat as it points out and pays attention to the ways in which people experience a God who animates creation and community.

Palestinian Film Festival
Starts Thursday, 15 Oct.

For information on the Film Festival, Click here.

Thursday, 22 Oct: Midtown Arts Theatre
Sunday, 25 Oct: Central Presbyterian Church 
 
SALT SHAKERS
January, February, March
2nd Saturday Evenings
Salt Shakers is an informal way to meet and socialize with Central members in their homes over dinner. We will meet in small groups of six to eight on the fourth Saturday night of each month. The meal will be organized by the hosts with everyone contributing a dish. Dates for 2016's dinners are January 9, February 13, and March 12. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Laura Winebarger:  [email protected]

PLYMOUTH HARBOR BOARD
Plymouth harbor board would appreciate recycled quart glass jars from last year's bean soup sale so we can sell some again at this year's alternative gift fair . Please leave them under the Plymouth Harbor table in the Fellowship Hall.

SUPPORTING PLYMOUTH HARBOR
Plymouth Harbor, a day program for older adults, meets at Central on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, as a ministry to older adults in our church and community who can benefit from structured activities that provide socialization and stimulation. Care is provided by staff and many volunteers from Central and the community who give freely of their time and talents. PH is in need of bingo prizes and desserts. If you would like to donate please contact the Director, Kay Coppage: [email protected]

Help THCA without ever having to get dressed or leave the house!
At Toco Hills Community Alliance we offer Free Groceries for people in 15 zip codes and and Utility Assistance to folks in 5 zip codes.  Frequently we get requests from people outside these areas or requests for other types of services.  We have a referral guide, but it is out of date. We are looking for a couple of people to make some phone calls, look at some web sites and update our referral guide.  If this is something that sounds interesting to you, please email Mary-Louise Wilson at [email protected]  Many of us will be relieved and appreciative.

Justice Alert: Call for Increased U.S. Support for Syrian Refugees
Over the past four years, the brutal civil war in Syria has resulted in over 4 million refugees and one of the worst humanitarian crises in history. Earlier this month, the photograph of a drowned 3-year-old asylum seeking boy pricked the consciousness of the world, highlighting the collective failure of the global community in addressing the crisis.

On September 20th, Secretary Kerry announced the U.S. will increase the number of global refugees it will accept annually from 70,000 to 100,000 by 2017. The U.S. has also donated $4.5 billion in urgently needed humanitarian aid. These are significant contributions, but the gravity and scale of the crisis demands doing much more - and doing it with greater urgently. Germany, by comparison, has agreed to accept as many as 800,000 refugees this year alone, while Canada has agreed to resettle 10,000 this year in an expedited process. 

Over the past four years, the U.S. has settled just over 1,500 Syrian refugees. This level of response is unconscionable and fails to live up to the values we hold as a nation. Given the scale of the crisis, the U.S. pledge of 100,000 over two years remains incremental at a time when much more is needed. The U.S. must open its doors wider and find ways to further expedite the processing of refugee applications.

The U.S. must open its doors wider and find ways to further expedite the processing of refugee applications.