The Season of Pentecost is an invitation to dream.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, May 29, 2016 
Second Sunday of Pentecost
Worship at 8:30am with Communion & at 11:00am
Preaching: Rev. Shannon Michael
Pericope of the day: 1 Kings 18:20-39 
Worship Notes:
At the 11:00 Service, we will baptize Skylar Sullivan, not yet a year old.  It is one of the most beautiful acts of a covenant community; as is our tradition, she will be taken into the congregation for many to add their blessing.  

But her baptism (or any baptism) is not just for her; it is a sacred time of remembering for all of us.  We are all called to "remember your baptism, and be grateful."  These words are true, even if we have never participated in the ritual of the sacrament:  all of creation calls us to remember our place in the Universe and to cut through the veil of separateness to see our profound connection to all that is.

Part of the liturgy will include the powerful quote from Paul Tillich:

Sometimes...a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!" If that happens to us, we experience grace. After such an experience we may not be better than before, and we may not believe more than before. But everything is transformed. In that moment, grace conquers [us], and reconciliation bridges the gulf of estrangement. And nothing is demanded of this experience, no religious or moral or intellectual presupposition, nothing but acceptance.
BUDGET AND LEADERSHIP 
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Sunday, JUNE 5
The annual Budget and Leadership Election Meeting will be on Sunday, June 5, following worship.  Items on the agenda include:
  1.  The 2016-2017 Operating Budget
  2. Amendments to The Articles that are intended to remove the "mandatory" term limits on boards and committees and continues our suspension of the Board of Christian Stewardship.  (The full text of the proposed amendments is available in the church office.)
  3. The Nominating Report for church leadership
  4.  The recommendations for 2016 Endowment Grants.
While we may "discuss" other topics, these are the only items on which we may take action at this meeting.  The meeting will also include several "celebrations." All the documents will be available at the church chat on May 29.
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.
Central's 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! 
Fellowship of  The Grape
Saturday, June 4, 7:00pm
Jon Ritt will be hosting Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, June 4th at 7pm.  He has chosen Chenin Blanc ... Loire Valley is its home, but it's grown world-wide (#1 in South Africa).  Jon has also invited us to bring our swimsuits to take a dip in his pool. Please bring one bottle of wine our host has 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!
 
RSVP to Jon (404) 766-3401 or email jonritt45@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.
Informational Meeting 
South Georgia Farmworkers Health Project
Sunday, June 5, 9:30-10:30am 
We will have a parent and student informational meeting about our upcoming SGFHP trip June 19-24. Rev. Lacey will discuss a packing list, hotel room assignments, and what to expect. Come with your questions and your permission forms completed. There will be bagels and coffee for everyone. Email Rev. Lacey with questions.
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.
Sacred  Stillness: 
Incarnating Sabbath as Re-Creation
A Solstice Celebration 
with Rev. Shannon Michael: 
Tuesdays, June 7, 14 & 28 (6:30pm to 8:00)

Walter Brueggemann, in Sabbath as Resistance, writes that "in our own contemporary context of the rat race of anxiety, the celebration of Sabbath is an act of both resistance and alternative...because it is a visible insistence that our lives are not defined by production and goods...it is the awareness and practice of the claim that we are situated on the receiving end of the gifts of God."  

In this 3-part offering, Rev. Shannon Michael, through restorative yoga and meditation, poetry and the music of Cloud Cult, and with mindfulness of the Summer Solstice will create a Sabbath space and practice for re-creation in the summer.

RSVP (strongly requested) to Rev. Shannon Michael.
Suggested donation $10/session or $25/series (no one turned away)
Central Members providing dinner at Lost-n-Found
Friday, June 10
Lost-n-Found Youth is an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to take homeless LGBTQ youths- to age 25- off the street and transition them into more permanent housing. Over the last year, our church has been supporting Lost-n-Found financially and looking for more opportunities to get involved. John Christensen is organizing a meal to be served to the youth and he needs some help. Are you willing to make a pan of meat lasagna? He would also like a green salad, some kind of yummy dessert, and cut up fresh fruit. The food can be dropped off at Central on Friday afternoon and John will take it over to Lost-n-Found. If you'd like to contribute please email John.
Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ
Annual Meeting in Demorest, Georgia June 10-11
Registration for our annual meeting is now open. Each June, UCC churches gather from all over the Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi) to fellowship with one another and discuss the business of the conference. We will meet at beautiful Piedmont College. The SEC Board will present the budget and our Designated Conference Minister, Rev. June Boutwell, will speak to the churches about the state of the conference. Attending the Annual Meeting is a good way to meet new folks and learn about the governance of our denomination. Register for the event here.
Childcare is available every Sunday 
from 8:30 AM T0 12:15 PM (Rm 201)


Children's Sacred Program:Godly Play
Children's Music for Grades 1-5
and weekly Youth Gatherings
will resume in August and September. 
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. 
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.
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.  Every day the kids enjoy forest walks and soak in all they can see, touch and hear. For more information, email: beechgrove@central-ucc.org  
 
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. 

CLEAN UP, CLEAN UP, EVERY BODY EVERY WHERE! THCA
Toco Hills Community Alliance is looking for someone, or a team of some ones to come in one afternoon a week, for about an hour to sweep and mop our premises. We have about 100 people a day coming through, eating lunch and getting groceries, so our floors get pretty dirty.  There is a lot of flexibility on times. Any time after 3:45pm and before 11:30 am would work well.  This would be a great summer service project for a family.  Please contact Mary-Louise Wilson at marylouisew1@aol.com, if you feel you could help.

CLOTHING CLOSET COMING TO THCA
We get a lot of requests for clothing at Toco Hills Community Alliance.  We have a few things, but are looking to expand this part of our ministry. If you love to sort and organize and have always wanted to be a personal shopper, this is for you!  We are also looking for a donation of several clothing racks to help keep us organized.  Please contact Mary-Louise Wilson at marylouisew1@aol.com, if this sounds fun.  Thanks
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