February 19, 2020
CONGREGATIONAL UPDATES
Stewardship Committee expresses thanks
The Stewardship Committee would like to express heartfelt thanks to the congregation for a successful stewardship season. We challenged ourselves as Centralites to increase our giving and enable the hiring of staff members to fill critical positions.You responded, and together we accomplished our goals. As we move forward with new staff, new initiatives and continued programming that help us live out our faith, we remain grateful for your faithfulness and your ongoing stewardship of time, talent and treasure. Together, we live into a generous hope!
Sincerely,
Vicki Collier and Rob Forbes, co-chairs
Janet Abercrombie, Lewis Amos, Steve Bacon, Anne Blankinship, Tricia Berrett, Jason Bliss, Anita Carwile, Betsy Smalley, Frances St. John, Kathy Taylor, Richard Woodring
Know a great Central Servant Leader? 
Recommend them for service as an Elder or Deacon by March 5
 
Presbyterian churches are governed and cared for by two leadership bodies called the Session and Diaconate. Elders serve on the Session and deacons on the Diaconate in three classes, with each person serving a three-year term. Church leaders have active faith journeys and pray regularly for their congregation, community and world. They demonstrate selfless concern and care for others, are strong collaborators, and listen well. Elders, in particular, will need to have or develop a sense for how complex organizations function and be able to participate well in small and medium-size group deliberations about matters of church governance, finance, mission, and vision. Deacons, in particular, will need to have or develop a sense of how to offer care for other members of the congregation and community and collaborate with the pastoral staff team to develop avenues for congregational care and nurture. 

If you know of someone whom God has gifted for service, please recommend them to the Standing Nominating Committee (elected at the February 16th Congregational Meeting) using this form . The Standing Nominating Committee will prayerfully consider all recommendations alongside the current composition of both the Session and Diaconate, and present new classes of Elders and Deacons to the congregation for election in April. 
WORSHIP & THE ARTS
Sunday, February 23
Jessica Patchett
Psalm 140, Revelation 20.1 - 21.8
Stories they Don't Teach You In Sunday School: Hope from Armageddon 
Don't let go of that Star Word just yet
In worship on Epiphany Sunday worshippers were invited to take a star word as they received communion to guide them through the new year. This week: How does your word enhance worship, devotion, spiritual formation and discipleship?

Lenten Journey

If we're fortunate, seasons of personal growth and transformation reinvigorate and enrich our journeys of faith. Sometimes major life changes, crises, or transitions provoke these seasons. Other times, we're wise to engage in them intentionally, turning to friendships, teachers, and our church community for instigation, inspiration, encouragement, and accountability. 

In these six weeks leading up to Easter, I invite you to join me on a Lenten Journey. Instead of giving things up, take things on. Eat the rich food of the earth and remember that God is the giver of life. Read the beauty of scripture and be amazed again at the way Jesus' life and teachings lead us to experience ever more abundant life. Sing a new song in worship. Make a new friend. Be caught up in God's ongoing work of bringing the world from chaos to beauty, suspicion to love, death to new life.

-Jessica

P.S. I will be hosting a Zoom Bible Study: A Lenten Spiritual Journey all Tuesdays in March from noon to 1 p.m. Look for updates and a link in our special Lenten newsletter coming Monday.
Ash Wednesday Services
Ash Wednesday services will take place at 12:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Rand Chapel. We look forward to seeing you and participating in this special time as we begin the Lenten Journey together.
FROM THE ORGAN BENCH
Vicki Fey

Steve Fey says about the Opening Voluntary – “This Sunday, the Youth Handbell Choir is offering Campana Sonos, an original composition for bells by Kathleen Wissinger. Wissinger is a native of Kettering, Ohio and began directing handbell choirs in 1988. She has extensive experience in leading handbell workshops, and has a large catalogue of published handbell compositions. Campana Sonos, literally ‘bell sounds,’ is a joyous set of variations exploring different ringing techniques and the rich variety of colors they produce.” Read the rest of the blog here .
About, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand"

Composed by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” remains one of the most popular songs/hymns originating from the African-American church. Dorsey composed the work in response to the death of his wife and infant son in childbirth in 1932. The melody is strongly based on the 1844 hymn tune "Matiland," by George N. Allen. The song stood as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite song.
New art exhibit in Tull Hall
Central is happy to have artist and illustrator Ned Bustard's work hanging in Tull Hall as our current exhibit. Ned is a member of CIVA (Christians In The Visual Arts). We will have an interview with him in the next few weeks. You can learn more about Ned and CIVA here.
Taizé Service is March 3
The 45-minute Taizé service includes sung prayers, simple, beautiful music, a time of silence, spoken and silent prayers, and opportunity for individual prayer and anointing. The event begins at 7 p.m. and is held in Rand Chapel.
Free parking for this service is available in front of the church on Washington Street.
LEARN
Central Women to meet Feb. 20

The Central Women will meet Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the home of Kathy Ashe. The program will feature Central's own Jane Fahey and other members of Outcry: Interfaith Voices Against Gun Violence. There is more information on their website, https://www.outcrygeorgia.org. In addition, Kathy is providing delicious Chicken Tetrazzini. The event begins at 7 p.m. The Ashes' home is located, 82 Westminster Dr NE, 30309, in Ansley Park. Please RSVP.
Foodie Faith class begins March 1

As we enter the season of Lent, our Sunday fellowship lunches will become more inclusive. By offering whole-food, plant-based menus, Centralites with dietary restrictions will no longer be excluded. In conjunction with the lunches, a class, 'Foodie Faith: A Lenten Study on How Our Theology Shapes Our Dietary Decisions | A Faith and Family Class' will take place on Sunday mornings.
The 4-week study will address how we embody our theology and ethics with our dietary decisions. Each week will focus on a separate topic, exploring how our theology and food choices impact:

Week 1 ( March 1 ): Physical and Mental Health
Week 2 ( March 8 ): Care and Concern for Non-Human Animals
Week 3 ( March 15 ): Environmental Ethics
Week 4 ( March 22 ): Food Deserts and Social Justice 

The class will meet Sundays from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the parlor and is open to everyone. 

Teachers: Abby Myers is a Licensed Psychologist and is Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine; Jake Myers is a Professor at Columbia Theological Seminary. They have been following a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle for 3 1/2 years.
Women's Retreat March 6 to 8
A Women's Retreat takes place March 6 to 8 at the Calvin Retreat Center. Facilitated by Jill M. Joyner, MDiv, MAPT, the retreat’s theme is, “Honoring The Body.” Joyner has described the event as, “A heart-opening and eye-opening retreat to look at how we honor our bodies. We will explore what God has provided for us with our physical and emotional body, how we have suffered in our bodies, how we have celebrated our bodies and how we can use scripture and our “still, small voice” to write a new script or revise our plan for honoring our bodies," she said. "You can read more about Joyner a www.jilljoyner.wordpress.com . You can register for the event here.
The Shelter
needs your help

 During the month of February, the volunteer coordinators at the Central Night Shelter have opportunities for you to help make a difference in someone's life. In addition to spending the night, volunteers are also needed to prepare sack meals. Upcoming dates at Central Presbyterian where help is needed are Feb. 24 and March 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 22, 23, 24, 10, 11,15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23.
If you can help, contact Wills Moore by email or (404) 863-6511.
Courtyard Ministry seeks volunteers
Since its inception, Cal and Kathleen Engstrom have been at the core of our Courtyard Ministry on Sunday mornings. At this time they are unable to participate to the level they have and all of Central has an opportunity to help continue this ministry with our neighbors. Please sign up here for an opportunity to be a part of this wonderful ministry. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kate. 
New member dinner date change
The new member dinner is rescheduled for Sunday, March 15. Attendees should have received a message from paperless post with the update. We will have more details soon.
Justice Day
Thursday, Feb. 27 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sloppy Floyd Building & State Capitol
Justice Day will bring together a wide array of community members and organizations to show Georgia lawmakers there is still a need for criminal justice reform and meaningful changes to promote healthy and safe communities. The program features leaders in the criminal justice reform movement.
OAC holds fund-raiser on March 26
The Central Outreach and Advocacy Center is holding, 'Cheers for Change,' its annual fund-raiser on March 26 at POUR Taproom from 6 to 9 p.m. The event includes an unlimited scan pass, a commemorative glass and light bites.
Tickets are available at an early bird discount through Feb. 29 at $35. Tickets will increase to $50 on March 1. Patron and host packages are also available.
To purchase tickets as a guest or patron, click here. To register as a host or sponsor, visit here
For more information:
Kimberly Parker, Executive Director, kparker@centraloac.org
Sydney Langdon, Chair of Central OAC Development Committee, sydney.langdon@gmail.com
Melanie Bliss, Co-Chair of Cheers for Change Event Committee, drmbliss@me.com
AND ALSO...
Sunday, Feb. 23 Menu
Fried Chicken, Squash Casserole, Field Peas with Snaps, Collard Greens,
Corn Bread Muffins, Fresh Fruit and Salad Bar,
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies 
Save The Date for Chili!
The Central Presbyterian Youth invite you to enjoy an intergenerational event, the Inaugural Chili Cook-off which will be held March 29 after church. Proceeds benefit the Central Presbyterian Youth Group Mission Trips. Details and your chance to sign up coming soon!
CONNECT
update
Financial and Accounting Update

The Central Personnel Committee has expanded its contract with Marshall Jones Accounting to provide for the financial management and oversight functions of the church. In an effort to streamline questions, we have set up a system to make communications as efficient and smooth as possible. B elow are contacts for financial issues: 

·         If you have questions for, or require contact with, Marshall Jones, please contact Finance Chair Bob Riordan at  riordanatl@gmail.com and Treasurer Tom Holcomb at  tch847@earthlink.net.
 ·       Payroll, Board of Pensions, and Building Use Management - Linda Massengill. Contact:  lmassengill@cpcatlanta.org. In the church office Monday - Friday. 
·       Accounts Payable and Receivable, Contributions, and Acknowledgements - Michelle Christian. Contact:  rchristian@cpcatlanta.org. In the church office Monday - Wednesday.
Do you have news to include in upcoming issues of The Weekly News? Do you have a headshot you can send us? Please send your information to Mark Wallace Maguire by email.

For a list of all events and activities at Central Church,
click here to view our calendar.
Need to add an event/activity/meeting to the calendar?
Contact Debra Link, Pastoral Assistant, by email.
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