Pentecost is an invitation to dream.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, May 15, 2016 
Pentecost Sunday
Worship at 8:30am with Communion & at 11:00am
Preaching: Rev. Ginnie
Pericope of the day: Acts 2:1-21  

WORSHIP NOTES:
On the day of Pentecost, the people were inside a room and their hearts, minds and souls were bursting. What discovery or awakening happened that led the people to proclaim love for the Holy One in so many languages? How does the cosmic voice of an ancient hymn help us to reclaim Pentecost anew?

Sunday, we will hear our congregations' voices in our liturgy. Salena Harrell's poetry graces our Gathering Litany. The Children's Music Group bring new words to the song "Jesu, Jesu Fill Us with Your Love".
Toco Hills Community Alliance
Saturday, May 14 - 9:30 - noon
On Sat., May 14, Toco Hills Community Alliance is having a Work Day from 9:30 - noon to get some much-needed cleaning and minor repairs done.  A light breakfast will be available.  Please come!  The building is behind St. Batholomew's Episcopal Church on LaVista Rd.  "Many hands make light work!"
Table Talk
Tuesday, May 17, 6:30pm (Bill Harrisons')
This "gathering" (not a "group") consists of whoever "shows up;" sometimes we all fit around one table, often we are at two.  We share a meal (there's always plenty of food), but the open and safe discussion is what nourishes us deeply.  Bring your questions and theological musings (and a dish to share, if you are able).
Questions?  Contact Rev. Shannon Michael:  michael@central-ucc.org 

Basic CPR / First Aid (Heartsaver) Training: 
Wed. May 18, 1 - 5 pm

The company Georgia CPR will be at our church for a CPR / First Aid training on Wed. afternoon, May 18. We contracted with this company so the cost would be $50 per person.  You may pay by check at the time of the class. The CPR class is certified by the American Heart Association. The training includes infant, child and adult CPR, AED, Treatment for Choking and Basic First Aid. It is open for others to join the camp counselors. If you would like to join the class, please email Rev. Ginnie by Monday, May 16. http://gacpr.com/
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. 
May Second Sunday Luncheon Changed to MAY 22
Join us on the fourth 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. This event will be a potluck so please bring a side item to share (chips, pasta, salad, dessert, drinks etc...). We need a team of people to help set up and clean up. Are you available? 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.
OFFICE CLOSED:  Monday, May 30
Central's Office will be closed Monday, May 30th in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. The office will reopen Tuesday, May 31st and Vanessa will return on Wednesday, June 1st.
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! 
Membership Exploration (Office Conf. Rm)
June 5, 12, 19; join June 26
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.
Questions? Contact Rev. Michael.



Earth Topics: Monday,
June 6, 6:30-8:00pm (Fireplace Room)

Last month, Ron Smith gave a presentation about sustainability. That very helpful presentation and discussion gave us a framework to think about the complexity of comprehending sustainability and of living sustainably. In June, Matt Carter will do a presentation about solar energy. Finding sustainable and renewable energy sources is one of the big questions with which we need to grapple. All are welcome to join us for this ongoing exploration of sustainability. For more information email Rev. Ginnie.
SE CONFERENCE OF THE UCC Annual Meeting (June 10-11)
50TH ANNUAL MEETING REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
We're excited for this year's annual meeting, our Jubilee year! We are pleased to be welcomed back to the lovely Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia. Although the final details are still being arranged, the online registration is now open at www.secucc.org. There will be a Members in Discernment Retreat on Thursday-Friday. MIDS have received information about this retreat. There will be a Clergy Retreat on Thursday and Friday led by Rev. Kathy Clark, formerly staff to Southeast Conference and now on the national UCC staff.
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. 

Book: DO GUNS MAKE US FREE? Democracy and the Armed Society 
by Firmim DeBranbander

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. We also want to consider the question, "As struggling Christians, what can we do or how do we respond to the current gun culture?"

Date: May 22nd
There will be no SS Class.  We will attend the Church Chat.

Date: May 29th
We will begin our search for a new study.  Please be prepared with some suggestions.


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.
Our Music Director, Leona Greenlaw, Celebrates
Ian Greenlaw, on
e of Leona's sons, was granted a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, on April 29. He will be teaching at Interlochen Center for the Arts this summer and at the Interlochen Arts Academy in the s
chool year. Congratulations Ian! 
 
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: cereal box liners, 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. 
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