Christ is risen, Alleluia!
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, April 17, 2016 
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Worship at 8:30am with Communion and at 11:00am
Rev. Shannon Michael, preaching
Pericope of the day: ACTS 36-43 


WORSHIP NOTES:

The azaleas in the Memorial Walkway are beginning to fade and the pollen count is coming down; the initial and beautiful burst (and harassment) of spring is passing.  The flock of goldfinches at the feeder will soon be heading further north and at mid-April, we come to "mid-Eastertide."  Twelve days we keep the Christmas feast; fifty for Easter. Since we have all been "born," perhaps it takes fewer days to integrate the mystery of the nativity; even with the annual help of the forest and flowers, resurrection can take a lifetime to understand.

In the pericope for Sunday, Peter raises the widow Tabitha from death to life.  It's a short reading, without much explanation.  What is clear, however, is that the early community that suffered the loss and the confusing aftermath of Jesus' death is beginning to claim resurrection for themselves and proclaim it to others in need.  They are surrendering to the Mystery and leaning into Life.  The invitation is for us to do the same, especially if we are to be an "Easter people." 

Please see the note below about the opportunity to make "hygiene kits" in the Commons in between the services on Sunday.
CENTRAL'S OFFICE WILL CLOSE AT 3:00PM, 
FRIDAY, APRIL 15 
Hardwick Prison, Milledgeville, GA
Saturday, April 16, 8:30am-5:00pm
This Saturday the Church Bus will be driving families to Hardwick Prison in Milledgeville.  We have a driver, but if anyone would like to ride along to share the experience, please contact the office by 3 p.m. Friday for further details.  The bus leaves at 8:30 and returns to Atlanta by 5.
Memorial for Louise Cantrell
Saturday, April 16 at 3:00pm

A memorial service for Louise Cantrell, a long-time member of Central who died in 2014, will be held at Central on Saturday, April 16 at 3:00pm.  The clergy from Light of Hope Presbyterian church where she transferred her membership when she moved late in life will lead the service; Central is delighted to host.  Her cremains will be placed in the family plot in the Decatur cemetery following the service.

Here is a link to a brief obituary placed upon her death on February 20, 2014.   Please do not be confused by the date and time listed in the obituary; it indicates services that have passed. 
Making Hygiene Kits this Sunday, April 17 
9:30am-10:30am in Fellowship Hall.
We still have about 500 kits to make before our trip this summer. We need YOUR help! Come to church a little early this Sunday and join the assembly line! All the supplies will be set up in Fellowship Hall along with bagels and fresh coffee. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Camp Beech Grove
Registration Is Open: central-ucc.org
6 wks, May 31-July 8, All-Day Sessions, 5-8 years
Our small camp (24 maximum campers) offers young children opportunities to play in and learn about the forest and its habitats. We work to create a safe environment for their spirits to be fed and their hearts and minds engaged in the wonders of the forest at Central UCC. We do yoga, hear sacred stories, sing, play, dig in the dirt, and enjoy hands-on nature and science activities. Every day the kids enjoy forest walks and soak in all they can see, touch and hear. Cost is $195 per week ($175 for church members). Email: beechgrove@central-ucc.org
 
Social Media
It's a good time to re-post Camp Beech Grove on your neighborhood listserve and then contact Sally Harrell if you place information about the camp on a listserve.
Like us on Facebook: Camp Beech Grove. 

We are so excited to be offering Camp Beech Grove to folks around Atlanta including our friends in the Montclair Elementary School neighborhood!
Volunteers Needed for
Children's Programs
Thank you to all those who have signed up to help!
 
Needed May 31-July 8 for Montclair Children attending Camp Beech Grove:
  • Morning church bus drivers (8:30-9:30am, M-F)
  • Morning church bus assistants (8:30-9:30am, M-F)
  • Afternoon church bus drivers (3:30-4:30pm, M-F)
  • Afternoon church bus assistants (3:30-4:30pm, M-F)
  • Morning time, adult leaders, assistants to serve cold breakfast (8:00-9:00am, M-F)
  • Bag lunch makers to coordinate with breakfast servers (Work at home)
  • Morning welcome persons are needed at Central UCC to welcome the children, give them their nametags and tend to any other needs. (8:30-10:00am, M-F)
 
Needed on Sunday Mornings, September to June:
  • Greeters for families with children during 11:00 am worship.
  • Greeters in the Education Wing from 9:30 to 11:10 am.
  • Godly Play Storytellers and Door Persons needed for 2016-2017
If you have questions or interest, please contact Rev. Ginnie.
Adult Spiritual Formation

Conversations: 
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 204) 
Come join our small group at any time.  Our only dogma is "no-prep."  Our current DVD, featuring Walter Brueggemann (back by popular demand), reframes the Exodus story in surprising ways.  Brueggemann says, "It is a journey from slavery to covenant that we keep making over and over again . . . [because] Pharaoh has immense power always to draw us back into slavery." In thinking about our modern lives, how have we been drawn back into slavery?  Drop in as your schedule allows and you'll find lively conversation and a warm community.  Contact Sally Harrell.  
 
PRACTICAL THEOLOGY:
Sundays, 9:30-10:45am (Room 206)
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class studies, explores and takes action on current issues.  We focus on scholarly Biblical and Progressive Theological issues of the day. 
Contact Jackie Graves Dominick: georgedominick169@comcast.net

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.  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.
Contact Peter Benoit.

Childcare is available every Sunday 
from 8:30 AM T0 12:15 PM (Rm 201)

Pre-School Bible Story Time
11:00 AM TO 12:00 PM (Rm 202)

Children's Sacred Program: Godly Play
5 YEARS OLD TO FIRST GRADES - GODLY PLAY
10:50 Gather in Room 202; 11:00 AM The Godly Play teachers bring the children from Room 202 to Room 207 where the Godly Play program happens! In the Godly Play program is a sacred time with our children. Its story and reflection, community sharing and prayer, feast and blessing. All the parts of Godly Play make for the whole sacred time. The room is set up so that the children can live visually, verbally and with hands-on connections in the middle of the stories of our faith. The children hear sacred stories of the Old and New Testament, Jesus' parables, stories about Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter and stories about the church. After they hear the story, the kids have a chance to wonder about the story in conversation and respond to the story using art. We wrap up our special time together with a community time of sharing, praying and blessing.

SECOND TO FIFTH GRADES - GODLY PLAY
At 9:30 in Room 208. The 2nd to 5th Grade Sunday School will be exploring the Old Testament all year. For the older children, we, too, are engaging the older children in a sacred time of story, reflection, sharing, praying and blessing. With all the "liturgy" of our hour together, we hope for the children to gain a sense of the mystery and sacredness of God's presence in their lives.

Children's Music
Central's Children's Music Group includes children in grades 1-5.  Children attending the 11:00 worship service leave with the Music Director during the closing hymn, and meet in Room 209, dismissing at 12:30. The Children's Music Group incorporates a mixture of vocal and instrumental music (tone chimes, barred instruments, percussion). On several Sundays each year, the children participate in the 11:00 AM worship, sharing the music they have learned. 
Contact: Rev. Ginnie 
Youth trip to Mercy Community Church
Sunday, April 17 (9:30am-1:30pm)
Mercy's website: https://mercyonline.net/
Our youth will head down to Mercy Community Church this Sunday, April 17 for an alternative worship experience and service opportunity. Mercy is a homeless church that meets on the campus of Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. Their pastor is Rev. Chad Hyatt who has been there for over 10 years. 
Central's youth will meet in our Fellowship Hall on Sunday morning at 9:30am to make turkey & cheese sandwiches for the Mercy community. We will get on the bus at 10:30 in time for the start of Mercy's worship at 11:00am. We will eat lunch with them and be back at the church by 1:00pm. This will be a great experience! Email Rev. Lacey to RSVP

Central Hosting Free Support Class
April 12th - June 21st (Tuesday Evenings)
6:15 pm - 8:45 pm 
Family to Family, an 11 week free class developed by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be held at Central on Tuesday evenings, April 12th through June 21st. Offered to caregivers or family members of persons living with serious mental illness (for example, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression), the class will be co-facilitated by Shaune Lowrey and Central member, Dianne Hiltman.  Class time is 6:15pm to 8:45pm each evening. Have questions or want to enroll?  Contact Dianne (athiltmans@gmail.com) or 678-468-9430.
TABLE TALK: Tuesday, April 19 (Harrison home)
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.
THE LAST RETIRED MEN'S BREAKFAST: Wednesday, April 20, 9:00am
The monthly Retired Men's Breakfast has been a tradition at Central since approximately 1977.  It has served retired men from Central, neighborhood retired men from other faiths, and quite possibly some without faith.  At one time, it had a large number of participants and workers.  However, as the group has aged, the men who were participating have moved away, gradually become unable to attend or have died.  Younger, new retirees have generally not joined to take their place and participation has dwindled. After breakfast in March, we held a discussion with those few present about whether to continue with the breakfast in light of the reduced participation.  Most agreed Central's Retired Men's' Breakfast as we have known it cannot continue long under the current trends. The conclusion was that we would have one more breakfast in April.  After that, there is a possibility of a small group continuing to meet in a different format at a different venue, but the Retired Men's Breakfast at Central will end.
 
So, come join us for breakfast one more time on April 20 at 9:00am to celebrate a long tradition with a great history that seems to have run its course.

Wayne Stansbery, co-chair
Retired Men's Breakfast
EARTH TOPICS MOVES TO
FIRST MONDAYS
Monday, May 2, 6:30 to 8:00pm  (Fireplace Room)   
We decided to explore what "sustainability" or "living sustainably" might mean at our next gathering. It is a complex subject and many of us are challenged to know what it means or how we can live sustainably. Ron Smith has put together a power point for conversation starters. We have a poster with Wendell Berry's "17 Rules for a Sustainable Community". There is no preparation for this gathering. All are welcome to join us.
For more information email Rev. Ginnie.
Next meetings: Monday, May 2; Monday, June 6; Monday, July 11
2016 May Friendship Day
Church Women United in Atlanta
Friday, May 6, 10:00am
Radcliffe Presbyterian Church
284 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Contact:  Joyce Myers-Brown for more information
Fellowship of  The Grape
Saturday, May 7, 7pm
Dianne and Paul Hiltman will be hosting Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, May 7th at 7pm.  They have chosen IMPORTED Pino Grigio.
 
Please bring one bottle of wine our hosts have selected and any appetizer or dessert 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!
 
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 and they bring the beverage of their choice.  FOG is NOT about the alcohol it is about the FELLOWSHIP.   All are welcome!
 
Event Details: May 7th, 2016 at 7:00pm.  RSVP to Dianne 
(678) 468-9430 or email hiltmans@gmail.com. If you would like to be added to the mailing list for FOG, contact coordinator RobinLee Fitch at robinleefitch@hotmail.com.   We look forward to seeing you at FOG.
Recycled Art for Camp Beech Grove
We are collecting hand-sized recyclables, such as: bottle caps, jar caps, small items that you might throw away but are clean and creative art materials. Please bring them to the church office.
If you have questions, contact Rev. Ginnie.
Address Change for Cecil Hess
Cecil Hess has moved. If you would like his new address, please be in touch with Vanessa McCollum in the church office.
2016 Endowment Applications
Central UCC has opened its annual call for Endowment applications.  The application can be found on our website and must be received by noon on April 29.
Donate to our ministries today!
Central UCC wouldn't be the amazing community of faith that it is, without your on going support. Thank you for giving. Your generosity is changing lives. 
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