Christ is risen, Alleluia!
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, May 8, 2016 
Seventh Sunday of Easter: Mothering Sunday
Worship at 8:30am with Communion & at 11:00am
Preaching: Rev. Shannon Michael
Pericope of the day: Acts 16:16-34

WORSHIP NOTES:

There will be a BIG announcement on Sunday -- you won't want to miss it!

The liturgy for the day, at both services, will include an inclusive acknowledgement of Mothering Sunday.

The text from Acts for Sunday is hard, perhaps prompting a significant emotional response: slavery and divination are significant elements of the story.  What's the reader, let alone a preacher, suppose to "do" with this harsh pericope?

Here's a suggestion:  what if the Bible, representing the best wisdom of ancient sages, prophetic preaching of audacious prophets, and the faith stories and sacred songs of our ancestors is, in parts, incomplete and even "wrong."  The book that contains the frequent remembrance of the Exodus, the liberation of the Hebrew people, also contains, even in the "Newer Testament," un-confronted narratives of slavery.  Neither Jesus not Paul "take it on."  Silence is often taken for compliance. 

That's painful, disappointing, and even disheartening.

It's also a path of liberation.  The Bible does not contain "all the answers" and the God of the Oppressed invites us into a Living Word and a continuing testament.  The "unfinished work" of the Bible is actually an invitation into the process, our own process, of resurrection -- into Life.  Certainly we stand in need of "yet more Truth and Light" our own selves. 
Church Chats & Congregational Meeting

The Trustees and Council are actively working on the budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year and will present it to the congregation on May 22 & 29 during church chats ahead of the annual Budget & Leadership Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 5.  Many thanks to those who have turned in a Giving Card-it really helps to create an accurate budget.  If you would still like to return a card, they are available in the pew and can be mailed or placed in the offering plate.  Please remember, pledges can, of course, be adjusted up or down during the year; they simply represent our best intention. 
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.
Leaptrott Trio Concert at Central
Monday, May 9, 7:30pm
This concert will feature chamber works by Schubert and Piazzolla performed by the Leaptrott Trio. They will be performing the B flat major Trio by Schubert and The Four Seasons by Piazzolla (Argentinian composer known for his tango music) among other pieces performed by Ben Leaptrott.
All are welcome to attend.

The Leaptrott trio includes: Kenn Wagner, Charae Krueger, and Ben Leaptrott. Kenn Wagner is first violinist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Chaerae Krueger is principal cello with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Ben Leaptrott, our Organist, is Assistant Professor of Music at Brenau University. He has also been the official accompanist for the District and Regional Metropolitan Opera auditions in Georgia. The Leaptrott Trio has been selected to perform in the Spotlight Series for the 2016 season of the Piccolo Spoleto festival in Charleston, S.C.
May Second Sunday Luncheon Changed to MAY 22
Join us on the THIRD Sunday of May for a cookout following worship. We will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs outside. There will be fun games for all ages- face painting, corn hole, and a few other surprises. Are you a grill master? Rev. Lacey needs your help because she is NOT a grill master. Please email Rev. Lacey.
WOMEN'S DAYTIME BOOK GROUP: May 26 at 1:30pm
The book is In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume, the first adult novel by the beloved young adult author.  Our informal group meets in the Fireplace Room, every four-to-six weeks. Great conversation always. Read and attend as you can, with no commitment.  Send an e-mail to Geneva Benoit if you would like to be on the email list: neve44@bellsouth.net.
Day of Service at Central UCC 
Saturday, June 4- PLEASE RSVP
(8:30am-12:30pm)
It's time to give back to the campus, forest, and building that has given so much to us. On June 4th we plan to mulch the trails, weed the gardens, pressure wash the sidewalks, wash the windows, organize the kitchen, and landscape our beautiful green spaces. No matter what your skill level is there will be a job for you so please don't hesitate to RSVP. Do you want to participate? Do you have garden tools and extra work gloves we could borrow? What type of job would you like to do? Please contact Debbie Spearman with questions and suggestions. See you on June 4! 
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 
Sunday Morning Opportunities to Connect

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. 
May 8th-
Chapter 5: Power and Democracy; Leader: Lee Culpepper

Date: May 15th:  Several members have not been able to attend all sessions for this study.  Several have 
wanted to discuss a particular aspect in more depth.  So, on Sunday (5/1) we decided that we would use May 15th as a "Summary Discussion" session.  Class members are asked to 
identify and present particulars for further discussion. 

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.
Be An Usher ... Easier Than You Think
No committee meetings! No initiation! No secret handshakes! Just come to Central on Sunday as you usually do. We need more persons to help serve as ushers for the 11 AM service.  You only serve 1 out of every 3 months, rotating through the year. Greet and welcome people, hand out bulletins, and hearing assistant devices. Take the collection. That's pretty much it. 

If you're a new member of Central, it's a great way to get to know other members as they come to worship service. If a long-time member, a great way to chat and introduce new ushers to members you know. It's a delightfully simple and simply delightful way to serve at Central.

We'd like more ushers - perfect attendance isn't needed - sometimes "stuff" comes up and you can't be there, but another usher can fill in. 
Want to help or have questions, email Jon Ritt or call at 404-766-3401
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!
Camp Beech Grove Volunteers
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)
 
Sunday Morning Volunteers
Family Greeters
Godly Play Storytellers & Doorpersons, 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.
Recycled Art for Camp Beech Grove
We are collecting hand-sized recyclables, such as: empty cereal boxes, 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.
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. 
STAY CONNECTED:
Central Congregational United Church of Christ
 | 404-633-4505 | Email | Website