The Season of Pentecost is an invitation to dream.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Sunday, June 12, 2016 
Fourth Sunday of Pentecost
Worship at 8:30am with Communion & at 11:00am 
Preaching: Rev. Lacey 
Pericope of the day: Luke 7:36-50 
Worship Notes:
Jesus asks Simon, "Do you SEE this Woman?" 
In other words, do you recognize her humanity?

Opening our eyes wide to become conscious of suffering and injustice is very uncomfortable. Often times, we realize that we ourselves have played a role in the deprivation and oppression of others. The person that stands in need of forgiveness is not just the woman but also Simon, for his lack of self-awareness.
Simon is quick to cast judgement on the sinful woman. He deems her inappropriate and not worthy of consideration by men of their religious status, but Jesus sees her and he challenges us to see her as well. 
Thank you!
The Board of Trustees would like to thank the 20 + folks who turned out last Saturday for a Central Campus Workday. So much was accomplished in just a few hours time.   We were able to  mulch the forest's trails, weed the flower beds, clean the sanctuary pews, wipe down the pulpit & choir chairs, wash windows inside and out, wash and wax the church bus, and clean and paint some of the memorial garden benches.  Thanks to our  UCC congregation and to Open Community UCC, who did a thorough cleaning of the kitchen.  It was a great feeling of accomplishment working together to keep our church and campus looking beautiful.  Trustees hope to plan another work day next year. - Debbie Spearman
Burning the Mortgage at our Annual Meeting
Sunday, June 5 at our congregational budget and leadership annual meeting we celebrated paying off the mortgage by burning the promissory note in the fireplace. Finalizing this momentous event, while remembering all the saints who contributed their time and money to making our campus "barrier free"was an emotional moment in the life of our congregation. 
Membership Exploration 
(Office Conf. Rm)
June 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.
Sacred  Stillness: 
Incarnating Sabbath as Re-Creation
A Solstice Celebration 
with Rev. Shannon Michael: 
Tuesdays, June 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 Delegates Attending the 
Southeast Conference Annual Meeting (June 10-11)
This Friday and Saturday, delegates from Central (Jackie Dominick, Woody Kent, Pat Blake, Leslie Cardin, Mary Ellen Myers, and Joyce Myers Brown) will represent our church at the Conference's Annual Meeting in Demorest, GA at beautiful Piedmont College. They will discuss and vote on the business of the conference as well as enjoy fellowship with other UCC members in our area. Rev. Shannon Michael and Rev. Lacey will also attend. Rev. Shannon Michael will be teaching a work-shop about yoga and meditation. Want to know more about the conference? Read here. 
Women's Daytime Book Group
Thursday, June 23, 1:30pm
It is non-fiction month, with two selections for discussion:  Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson and Lights Out by Ted Koppel.  Come chat whether you've read one or both (and finishing the book isn't a requirement). This informal book group meets in the Fireplace Room every four-to-six weeks.  Great conversation always. Send an e-mail to Geneva Benoit if you would like to be on the email list.
Fellowship of  The Grape
Saturday, July 9, 7:00pm
Debbie Spearman and Lesley MacFarlane will be hosting Fellowship Of the Grape Saturday, July 9th at 7pm.  They have chosen sparkling Preseco, because it is summer!! Although an Italian wine, there are several US vinters who have tried to duplicate its fruity appeal.  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. 
 
Event Details: July 9th, 7pm, (FOG is the 2nd Saturday of the month due to July 4th holiday.)  RSVP to Deb (770) 490-3838 or email: [email protected] or Lesley (716) 909-1899 email: 9091899/[email protected] If you would like to be added to the FOG mailing list, contact RobinLee Fitch at [email protected].   We look forward to seeing you at FOG.

CELEBRATING OUR MINISTRY WITH
REV. GINNIE FERRELL
SUNDAY, JULY 10
Please plan to attend worship on Sunday, July 10 to celebrate our ministry with The Rev. Ginnie Ferrell.  Rev. Ginnie will preach at both services and The Rev. June Boutwell from the Southeast Conference will help facilitate the order of farewell "recognizing the ending of an authorized ministry."  Following worship there will be a potluck in the Fellowship Hall with a special program (more details to follow).
As has been our custom, you are invited to contribute to a "purse" for Rev. Ginnie.  Please make contributions to "Central UCC" and note "Rev. Ginnie" in the memo.
Camp Beech Grove 



This week we explored the creek often. And we learned about bats and snakes and dragonflies.
 
 
The playground is awesome. The tire swing is always popular!

We still have openings. 
Register your 5-8 year olds on our website: 
Childcare is available every Sunday morning.
for infants through second grade
from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm (Rm 201).

for all children up to rising 5th grade
from 9:30 to 10:50 am

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) 
This week Conversations says farewell to Alice & Jerry Jermyn.
Please join the Conversations Sunday School class this Sunday, June 12 at 9:30 for a farewell to our good friends Alice & Jerry Jermyn.  Alice & Jerry are off to a new adventure in Raleigh, NC, where they are building a new home.  We're so sad to see them go, as we've enjoyed their company so much, so we want to wish them well and send them off loved!  Bring something to eat if you can.  If not, come anyway! 

(Conversations will be on "break" during the summer months.)   
Come join our small group at any time.  Our only dogma is "no-prep."  We often discuss a topic from one of the Living the Questions series.
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. 
June 12th:  Study: SPIRITUAL DEFIANCE: Building a Beloved Community of Resistance by Rev. Robin Meyers  
Lesson: We will begin with the Prologue, "The Church is Dead. Long Live the Church."
Leader: Bill O'Steen
 
June 19th:  Study: SPIRITUAL DEFIANCE: Building a Beloved Community of Resistance by Rev. Robin Meyers
Lesson: Chapter 1, "Undone:  Faith as Resistance to Ego."
 
Note:  We anticipate using the Beecher Lectures on YouTube for a portion of the class and spending at least 2 weeks on each of the 3 chapters.


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.
To The Leadership of Retried Men's Breakfast
Many thanks to you and many others in the Central Congressional Church of Christ for the many great years of the R.O.M.E.O. Breakfasts. I was truly blessed to be able to attend the breakfast and enjoy the fellowship for more than 15 years. May God bless all of you in the Central Congregational United Church of Christ.
Sincerely yours, 
Williams S. Rhodes
 

LENA'S PLACE COFFEEHOUSE: 
Sat. July 9, 7:30-10:00pm (Fellowship Hall)
On second Saturdays, Lena's Place Coffeehouse brings an eclectic mix of acoustic artists to Central UCC. All donations ($5 is suggested) benefit Central's "Lena Werking Fund"for local charities. On July 9, the charity is Clifton's Men's Shelter. Performing from 8:00-10:00 pm are Chase the Moon (with Tom Wolfe, Cindy Craven and Billy Gewin), Rick Diamond and Jerry Brunner. More information on our performers can be found online at lenasplacecoffeehouse.com.
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
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Central Congregational United Church of Christ | 2676 Clairmont Ave. NE | Atlanta | GA | 30329