From your Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

I have a habit of scribbling down ideas on pieces of paper and putting them in places where I will be able to find them. The only issue with this habit is that sometimes the notes don’t make sense when I find them. This happened this week when I was looking for an idea for this newsletter. I found written on the back of a postcard these 3 lines…

Senile nun…placed near door – …WELCOMING…I could not for the life of me remember why I had thought those phrases important until I put the slip of paper aside, and then it came to me. It was from a story of an abbey where one of the nuns had a slowly progressing condition of dementia. She gradually forgot where she was, who she was, and who others were…BUT she remembered how to welcome people to the abbey. So the sisters went to some special effort to place her near the entrance doors, where she could comfortably sit and consistently and graciously welcome all visitors. This she did wonderfully and warmly until the day she died.

It seems to me that the practice of welcome is terribly important today. Luke reminds us that “Jesus welcomed them, and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured.” (9:11) All of us, as Christians, are hosts in some way, aren’t we? Christian life is a ministry of hospitality and welcome. If you see someone who is lost, or looks puzzled, don’t you automatically want to reach out to them…if you know someone who is lonely or hungry, don’t you visit them, or feed them? If someone is sick, you reach out to them. The leader for one of our church meetings recently arrived a little early, and in addition to preparing the papers and agenda for the meeting, brought snacks, found some bowls in the church kitchen, and set out snacks….so the meeting became more welcoming, more hospitable. A little effort, but it made a difference.

Graciousness and hospitality spill all over the boundaries of a neatly ordered and highly controlled life. Someone offers you a dessert made from a recipe that pays no attention to fat and cholesterol. Do you refuse the treat on totally sound grounds, or do you go ahead and eat it in the name of gracious hospitality? I say, eat it, and give thanks.

You just never know what a difference an affirming, YES, may make in someone’s life … So too, when you look with a different eye at your own cupboards and closets and checkbook, you may see more than what used to seem to be meager amounts.

So, the word for February, 2012? Remember the nun, placed in a comfortable chair near the door, welcoming. And think to yourself, how can I practice the art of hospitality? In my work, in my home, in my neighborhood. I will bet you find a million different ways, overflowing abundantly, maybe even messily, in your life. And you too will make a difference in someone’s life.

Yours, in the spirit of extravagant welcome,

Rebecca

Our thoughts and prayers are with

Gretchen Yealy and Karen Hopkinson

Gretchen’s father & Karen’s grandfather, Holmes Yealy, died in January.

Communion Dates for 2012

February 22 Ash Wednesday

February 26 First Sunday in Lent

April 5 Maundy Thursday

April 15 Eastertide Sunday

May 27 Pentecost Sunday

ASH WEDNESDAY

February 22

Worship Service 7:30 pm

Wednesday Meditation 5:30 – 6:00 pm

February 29 Cathy Clasper-Torch

March 7 Elizabeth Roberts

March 14 Beth LaValley

March 21 Roger Nozaki

Joining Central

New Member Sunday

February 5

Please join the Membership Committee in welcoming new members at a luncheon immediately following the Sunday service. As is our custom, the luncheon will be potluck and members of the Congregation are asked to bring a salad, vegetable, side dish, or dessert to share. The Membership Committee will provide the main dishes. New Member Luncheons are an enjoyable time of fellowship and a relaxing way to meet and welcome new members into our Congregation. We hope you’ll join us!

New Member Orientation*

Wednesday, April 25

Faith Exploration*

Tuesday, May 1

New Member Sunday

May 6

*These meetings are held at the home of the Rev. Rebecca Spencer 15 Taber Ave at 7 pm.

From Claudia

I have just returned home from the two day retreat that kicked off the start of Leadership Rhode Island for 2012. I am now a proud member of the Theta II class of LRI and have met and spent two days and a night with the other members of my class as we embark on what should be a remarkable experience.

Each year LRI selects a class out of a pool of applicants from across the state. My classmates encompass almost every type of for profit and not for profit leadership imaginable. We are diverse not only in our professional leadership roles, but also in our backgrounds and interests.

Over the course of the next ten months we will spend one day a month together exploring various aspects of this wonderful state. We will visit a wide variety of places within the state as we investigate Rhode Island’s heritage, economy, education, government, basic needs, crime/incarceration/community, health, national defense, and the arts in depth. Our theme for the year is IDEAS: Imagine, Discuss, Engage, Act, Solve. Along the way we will learn not only from our speakers, but also from each other, bringing what we are learning back to our own communities.

LRI prides itself on opening doors and exploring aspects of our state while encouraging its participants to think about what servant leadership means. We will talk about current issues facing our state and brainstorm potential solutions.

LRI promotes the concept of “servant leadership” based on the work of Robert K. Greenleaf (a now retired executive with AT&T) who revolutionized how many in the business world and elsewhere think of leadership. Like all of you, I serve the original servant leader—Jesus—who is the exemplar of servant leadership. Take a look at ten characteristics of such a management style and think about Jesus’ leadership: communication skills, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community. See what I mean?

This cutting edge concept has very ancient roots! Why, we Christians have been studying the example of Jesus’ servant leadership for over two millennia now. Being in relationship with others in a caring and ethical way? It might not be a piece of cake for all of us, but we know that it’s a goal for us as followers of Jesus. What’s new is old….

So stay tuned as this year unfolds. I may be the only clergy person in the group, but I offer a unique perspective on the foundational premise of servant leadership and what it means to lead with integrity and with faith. It is going to be an exciting year!

Yours on the Journey,

Claudia

CCC MEDITATION GROUP

Thursday, February 2

6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Deacon’s Room

Join us as we explore our faith through thoughtful reflection. Whether you call it meditation, contemplation, mindful deliberation, or any other descriptive name, the practice of spending regular time in such a practice is just plain good for the body and the soul. Call Claudia with any questions—331-1960.

From Kat

On one of the coldest nights in January, youth from Central and Newman churches set up boxes in the snow to raise awareness about homelessness in Rhode Island. Together, we braved the cold, played games, listened to speakers from the RI Coalition for the Homeless, and experienced on a very small scale some of the challenges of living and sleeping outside.
For me, attending church Sunday morning following the sleepout was one of the more challenging parts of the experience. After spending the night outside by the fire, I reeked of sweat and campfire smoke. Everyone we met at Newman was extremely welcoming, but I still found myself feeling incredibly self-conscious about our smell and mess. Around 7AM, clean, well-dressed people began showing up at the church. What a strange feeling to have strangers suddenly showing up and greeting you while you’re still in pajamas wiping the sleep from your eyes.

I found myself apologizing and backing away when people offered hugs or handshakes; I didn’t want to offend them with the smell of smoke and less-than-clean clothes. No one we met at Newman actually seemed to mind, but I did. Simply put, I felt unprofessional. How much more difficult must social and professional interactions be for someone with limited access to showers and laundry on a more regular basis? How much more difficult must it be for someone to go to church after having spent the night in a car or shelter? How much more difficult must a job interview be if your last “bath” was in a bathroom sink?

Of course, our one night in boxes was nothing close to an actual experience of homelessness. We had cell phones, food, public restrooms, and the promise that loving family or friends would pick us up the next morning and take us “home.” And yet, throughout the night, I was shown the importance of human dignity and how valuable a space to call “home” can be.

As Christians we are called by Jesus to care for the sick, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned. Certainly we are also called to house the homeless. Jesus himself was born outside amongst the animals and the poor, the shepherds to which the angels appeared. Then throughout his ministry, Jesus routinely invited people to his table that others rejected as “unclean.”

The sleepout left me with a lot to ponder, especially on the issue of affordable housing, and I hope you’ll continue the conversation with me and with our youth as we explore ways to respond faithfully to Jesus’ call and example.

Kat

Little Things Mean (COST) a Lot

Yearly Sprinkler Inspection $1200
Yearly Burglar Alarm Inspection $372
Annual fee for Master Fire Box* $500
Annual fee for 6” water line* $1200
Annual fee for 2” water line* $159
Parsonage/ 1” water line* $91
Semi annual rangehood suppression $226
Annual maintenance/furnace $750
Annual Water/church $740
Annual Water/parsonage $556
Annual Sewer/church $876

*Charges new this year

(Please see Ed Bishop if you want more information)

Greetings, Church School Families

We continue to hear and absorb the Good News in the Church School wing, through the liturgical season of Epiphany, and soon to be season of Lent. In a January scripture reading from Mark (1:14-18) we see how “immediately” (Mark’s favorite word!) the disciples follow Jesus when he calls them. They drop everything, let it all go, and walk forward without looking back. As we enter into Lent–a season of reflection, prayer and renewal for the journey ahead–the stories we read are not always so clear and straightforward. Jesus’ journey is more “winding” as he makes his way toward Jerusalem.

Our curriculum uses the beautiful image of a labyrinth. As one walks the labyrinth/maze, one is drawn close to the very heart, and then the path leads away from the middle, only to wind back, forth, and away again. Eventually we make it to the center. During our journey we may question whether we’ll ever reach it! Or, our experience may be one of increasing serenity with each step. The Beatles song entitled, “The Long and Winding Road” brings to mind this Lenten journey:
“The long and winding road that leads to your door will never disappear—I’ve seen that road before.
It always leads me here—leads me to your door”

May we find Christ waiting at the center, opening the door for us!

• Church School notes:We recognize and thank our wonderful new Winter Unit teachers: Martha Pecceu; Gina Mazza; Charley Rardin; Sam Leander; Cheryl Space; Eric Pecceu; Janet Rankin; Ben Frazer; Amy Frazer; Jia Wessen;
• Anna Tanalski; Amy Hebb; DB Hebb; and Noah Kim.
• We thank everyone for their continued weekly church school offering, and the exciting news that we were able to Sponsor a Child in Haiti with our fall offering! You can read about Wiltha Ostin and see a beautiful picture of her on our altar in the children’s Gathering Space.
• Cherub Choir, for Pre-schoolers – 2nd graders, meets every Sunday morning from 10:00 – 10:20, before worship, in the upstairs Gathering Space. All are welcome to join! Any questions please call or email Cathy at #272-3942, or cathfiddle@hotmail.com

Thanks and peace,

Cathy Clasper-Torch

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

February 9 at Janet Jagger’s home

39 Oriole Avenue, Providence

On February 9^th we will be discussing Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Publishers Weekly says, “This is a stunning debut novel, one that sneaks up on you like a whisper and warms you like a quilt in a North Dakota winter, a novel about faith, miracles and family that is, ultimately, miraculous.” This book also comes highly recommended by a couple of members of Food For Thought. Why not see for yourself? Pick up a copy and join in the discussion! Questions? Call Claudia.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

Midwinter Valentine

It’s time for our second annual Midwinter celebration at Central, and this year we continue our medieval feast but with a Valentine’s Day theme! Come out at 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 for an evening of merriment and mischief as we feast on a meal with options for both meat eaters as well as vegetarians.

Love is in the air, you won’t want to miss it!

We will once again include auction items of talents and tokens with items and services sure to please everyone. Juggling, singing, boar’s head processions, secret trysts…come be part of the fun and food.

Reservations are available in Chapel Hall during coffee hour for a donation of $45 per person. All proceeds benefit our Step Forward Capitol Campaign. We’ll see you there!

Special Service of Music

We present a special service of music on Sunday, February 26, at 4 p.m. featuring music of the baroque from three different countries presented by our Adult Choir accompanied by a string orchestra of period style instruments.

You will hear a setting of the “De Profundis” text of Psalm 130 (“Out of the depths, I cry to thee, O Lord”) by French composer Michael-Richard Delalande, a motet by J.S. Bach for double choir, “Fürchte dich nicht” (“Be not afraid”) and a Concerto Grosso of the famous Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi.

Music of this period takes its beauty from the subtleties of the phrase and articulation. This calls for greater clarity of singing, and sensitive, delicate string playing. For this reason we will use early instruments which excel in this type of playing, and our choir has prepared by singing in style more fitting of the baroque, with its rhythmic drive and fascinating harmonic progressions.

When we put it all together we will hear the music just as one might have heard it centuries ago! Come and join in hearing historical music come alive. A reception will follow in Chapel Hall.

PETER & PAUL

CCC Adult Sunday School

9:00 a.m. on 2/5, 2/12, & 2/26

NO Class on 2/19!!!

Fireplace Room

We will continue learning about the efforts of men and women like Peter and Paul who after Jesus’ death proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. “The early followers of Jesus faced powerful obstacles. The might of the Roman Empire and the dangerous politics of ancient Jerusalem lay a heavy burden on those who believed in Jesus. But the new faith would not die. In a brief span of time, this movement would transcend its origins in the provinces of Rome and absorb the capital of the Empire itself. Come and learn how Paul and Peter led one of the most amazing religious movements in the history of the world! Questions? Call Claudia at 331-1960.

RI CONFERENCE LAY MEN’S BREAKFAST

8:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 10

Chapel Hall

Central is hosting this RI Conference-wide event honoring selected men from the UCC churches in our conference. There will be a speaker from Amos House Builds who will talk about their new carpentry training program. Amos House builds provides jobs in the construction trades for men and women who are rebuilding their own lives.

Breakfast will be catered by Amos House’s More Than a Meal program at a cost of $15 per person. All are welcome and reservations may be made through the church office.

The Men’s Group at Central is asking all interested men to volunteer to set up and clean up for this gathering. If you are interested in helping out please let Claudia or John Trevor know.

Book Some Time Together!

For families with children in grades 1-5

Sunday, March 11
12:00 – 1:00
Fireplace Room
Central families, would you like to come together to talk about books? Join with other families for three meetings this Spring to eat lunch, talk, act out scenes, play games, do projects, and have some fun. Our first book will be Frindle by Andrew Clements. This is a book that can be read independently or enjoyed as a family read aloud.
Summary:

Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. Who can forget the time he turned his third-grade classroom into a tropical island, or the times he fooled his teacher by chirping like a blackbird? But now Nick’s in fifth grade, and it looks like his days as a troublemaker are over. Everyone knows that Mrs. Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision, and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she’s also a fanatic about the dictionary, which is hopelessly boring to Nick. But when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from, it inspires his greatest plan yet: to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen — it’s a frindle. It doesn’t take long for frindle to take root, and soon the excitement spreads well beyond his school and town. His parents and Mrs. Granger would like Nick to put an end to all this nonsense. But frindle doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. All he can do now is sit back and watch what happens. This quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have readers inventing their own words.

Please bring your families’ favorite Bible verse or other “words of wisdom” to share to the first meeting. You are also welcome to bring along a brown bag lunch to eat during the discussion.

(Future meetings Sundays, April 29 & May 20.)

Got Mission?

Have you Got Mission? Dive with one of our many activities of the Mission & Action Committee.

Hands-on Opportunities:

In addition to donations, the M&A committee provides numerous opportunities for involvement in our Mission projects throughout the year. Each Tuesday, members serve breakfast at Amos House from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. Contract Tracy Baran  for more information.

On the first Saturday of each month, members serve with Habitat for Humanity for a half-day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., no experience required. Contact Sandi Seltzer for more information.

Members participate in the Camp Street Neighborhood Ministries food distribution on the last Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Contact Beth Taylor for more information.

 

Mount Hope Learning Center needs volunteers for its after-school group to help do homework and tutor students and help plan events for children and for its women’s group to help plan and staff events. Please contact Janet Anderson for more information.

Ongoing Collections:

Camp Street Clothing Collection. Donate new or gently used clothing for the clothing closet at Camp Street Ministries. Drop off your donations at the large wooden box in the hallway in Chapel Hall. Email Beth Taylor for more information.

Food Collection for Camp Street. Don’t forget your weekly food donations, to be brought up to the front of the church during the first hymn. The amount of those living in hunger in Rhode Island is growing each day—Camp Street needs your donations more than ever!

Sojourner House Appeal for Toiletries. Sojourner House has a critical need for toiletry items for its women. Please consider donating: toothbrushes, toothpaste (full size), Bars of soap (full size), shampoo and conditioner (full size), shaving cream, disposable razors (for women), and Feminine hygiene products. Please drop off your donated items at church in the bin marked Sojourner House.

Upcoming Events:

Come visit the M&A table at the Central Committee Fair immediately after church on February 12, 2012 and learn about additional Mission opportunities. Stay tuned for more information on our Spring Mission Day, to be held on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

CCC Auction Meeting

Sunday, February 26

12 Noon Fireplace Room

We are thinking of reviving our wonderful tradition of an auction here at Central. If you are interested in helping, please join us for this short, exploratory meeting! If you would be interested in donating items, please call Rebecca, Claudia, or Amy Hebb.

“My Mood is Killing Me”

One of the makers of anti-depressant medication uses the slogan “Depression Hurts.”

Does it ever!

The fact is that even Christians are afflicted in spite of the “Good News.” I do not want to go into the roots, the symptoms, the diagnosis, or into the treatment of the illness.

Instead I would like to share some thoughts about spiritual help.

For the deeply depressed person, prayer and hope are almost out of reach. He/she feels worthless (contrary to the evidence) and guilty for no reason at all.

Psalm 38 has a very vivid description of one who is depressed:

“the very Light has gone from my eyes . . . My one companion is darkness.”

Paul Gerhardt, German hymn writer of the seventeenth century, knew about severe depression. In one of his hymns he prays for the “highly troubled souls who are tortured by melancholy.” I very strongly would ask that we all should pray for those who do not have the emotional strength for prayer.

Kathleen Norris quotes a nun saying, “I feel as if the others are keeping my faith for me, pulling me along.”

I believe Jesus meant depression, among other things, when He said:

“If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you.” (Matthew 12:28).

It also says in the Bible that the Holy Ghost will pray on our behalf when you are unable to.

Apart from the agony, there is another side to depression. It adds an extra dimension to the sufferers’ perception of life. This can be demonstrated by artists, especially poets, who see more, understand more, and have more to say because of living through depressions.

In the words of Emily Dickinson:

“Either the Darkness alters—

Or something in the sight

Adjusts itself to Midnight—

And Life steps almost straight.”

Life is so brightly lit when depression has left.

-Ilse Kramer

READING THE GOSPEL OF MARK

A Special Adult Education Supper Event

Sunday, March 4

5:00-7:00 p.m. Fireplace Room

Most scholars agree that The Gospel According to Mark was the first Gospel written. In the lectionary this is the year that passages from Mark are highlighted in that cycle. In times past families would gather together to hear books read aloud and that is what we will do. After all, this is how the first followers of the Christian Way would have encountered Mark!

A soup and bread supper is included as we listen to the Gospel of Mark in its entirety with a short discussion afterward. Please RSVP to Claudia.

A Poem

We’d like to share this Hafiz (Persian) poem Laurel McLaughlin included in a memo to the deacons.

The Sun Never Says

Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe me.”

Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
Whole
Sky.

 

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group

“Eden’s Outcasts” by John Matteson will be discussed on Thursday, February 23. All are invited to join this lively group.

CALLED TO CARE TRAINING

Final Class on Saturday, Feb. 4^th

9 a.m.-12 p.m.

ANGELLIC KNITTERS

Sunday, February 12

11:30 a.m. Chapel Hall

We will be knitting at our display at the Committee Fair this month! Stop by and see what we are doing as we spread the warmth of Christ’s love through the prayer shawl ministry of Central.

See you there!

Save a Tree or Two

If you would prefer to receive this newsletter via email, please email us at cccangell@centralchurch.us – or sign up online – you’ll find the form on the right hand side of the homepage!

CCC Women’s Retreat

February 17-19, 2012

Episcopal Conference Center, Pascoag, Rhode Island

It’s time to start thinking about our yearly time away for relaxation and renewal!! Our annual retreat will take place February 17 through 19, 2012 at the spectacular Episcopal Conference Center in nearby Pascoag, RI, which is about 30 minutes from Providence. ECC is located only a few minutes from the village of Chepachet and the property encompasses 180 wooded acres of hiking trails bordering on Echo Lake. The original farm house from the 1700’s has a large addition with bedrooms, meeting spaces, a dining room, etc. And, the caretakers raise llamas on part of the property!

The cost is $160 for six meals, your lodging and all materials.

Imagine! No cooking, planning, appointments, or deadlines for an entire weekend! Just come, and find nourishment for your body, mind and soul.

If cost is an issue, there are reduced payment possibilities available. To add your name to the women’s retreat list contact Claudia at 331-1960.

Central Congregational Community Dinner

What better way to spend an evening than gathered together for fun, fellowship, and food! On Saturday, March 3 at 5 p.m. the Stewardship Committee will be hosting a Community Dinner.

We will start by gathering at the church for wine and hors d’ouevres provided by the wide variety of committees at Central. Cocktail hour will be followed by dinner at member’s homes. Babysitting will be provided by adults at the church for children age 4 and up. There will be a pajama party with pizza, games, and movies provided at the church. Please have children wear pajamas and bring a pillow and blanket. There are a VERY limited number of youth group babysitters available to babysit at homes for children under the age of 4.

Sign ups will be taking place in Chapel Hall following the service on February 5, February, 12 and February 19.

Please let us know when you’re signing up if you’ll need a ride. We also will be taking information on accessibility issues and any allergies or dietary needs.

If you have any questions, please contact Ann Scott.

In the Shade of the Green Tree

This month we will talk about energy conservation here at Central Congregational Church.

Energy conservation refers to the efforts made by individuals and organizations to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved by decreasing energy use through increased efficiency and reduced consumption. By conserving energy, organizations as well as individuals can realize increased environmental quality, reduction in costs, as well as a decreased dependence on fossil fuels.

The two main types of energy consumed at Central are natural gas for heating and electricity for lighting. Over 90 percent of the energy used at Central is for heating alone. Dr. Steve Hamburg, Chief Scientist of the Environmental Defense Fund, suggested in a presentation given here at Central last year that the church could install better controls on the heating system, as well as installing sub-meters where possible.

To date, Central has installed energy saving light bulbs at several locations throughout the church reducing electrical usage. The church reduced electric consumption by 16 percent from 2008 to 2010. Over the next year the Green Committee would like to install temperature sensors throughout the church to monitor variations in temperature. We would also like to investigate potential savings that might result from installing two smaller furnaces to heat separate zones of the church in place of the current one-zone/ one-furnace system.

The Green Committee is committed to finding ways to reduce energy consumption at Central as well as in our homes.

-Lora K. Barlow

Wouldn’t you like to be a poet?

The Poets Page is part of the “centralchurch.us” website. It is the place where Central poets meet. Some of our poets had barely read any poetry, and only few had written poetry before their work was posted on the Poets Page. There is no restriction as to form, all is welcome: rhyming verses, free verse, haiku, sonnets and whatever else. Sometimes there is a series of poems on the same theme (the topic for the present display is The Virgin Mary), but generally poetry writers are free to choose their own contents and title.

The Central Poets’ ages are presently from eight to seventy-five years. Among them are two very talented teenagers. All poems are original ones, but we have also published a series of Central members’ favorite poems from all lands and times. There has been a poetry exhibition, cop-sponsored by the Gallery Committee, named “Partners in Poetry.” The opening included a poets’ reading. There has also been printed a pamphlet with Christmas verses.

At the present time the poets include a non-fiction writer, a lawyer, a minister, an artist, a mountain climber, a librarian, an immigrant, and several students. Impress yourself and others and send your poems to: poetlaureate@centralchurch.us.

FROM THE DECON’S BENCH

Black History Month . . .

Thinking about what to write about, it became a challenge for me in that I wanted to say something that spoke to human understanding and life today. I remember hearing my mother read these poems by Langston Hughes to me as a child. I’d like to share them with you. A bit of American black history. . .

The Ballad of the Landlord

Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don’t you ‘member I told you about it
Way last week?
Landlord, landlord,
These steps is broken down.
When you come up yourself
It’s a wonder you don’t fall down.
Ten Bucks you say I owe you?
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that’s Ten Bucks more’n I’l pay you.
Till you fix this house up new.
What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture and
Throw it in the street?
Um-Huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on-til you get through.
You aint’ gonna be able to say a word
If I land my fist on you.
Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He’s trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!
Copper’s whistle!
Patrol Belt!
Arrest.
Precinct Station.
Iron cell.
Headlines in press:
Man Threatens landlord
Tenant Held Bail
Judge Gives Negro 90 Days in County Jail!

Mother to Son

Well, son, I’ll tell you;
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I’se been a-climbin’ on,
And reachin; landin’s,
And turnin’ corners,
And sometimes goin’ in the dark
Where there ain’t been no light.
So, boy, don’t you turn back.
Don’t you set down on the steps.
‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
Don’t you fall now–
For I’se still goin’, honey,
I’se still climbin’,
And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

These two poems by Langston Hughes were both inspirational and insightful for a young boy growing up in the south. They have caused me to work harder and trust in God that everything will work out for me in my life and this thinking has brought me to Central where I have love and friendship.

God Bless, Larry Kellam

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is an important part of our worship life together. In an effort to uplift our celebration of Baptisms in our community of faith, we will be offering Baptisms during the following Sundays of the church year.

Sunday after Easter April 15, 2012

Meetings to prepare parents for Baptism will be held in our Fireplace Room at 9 am on the Saturday of the preceding week. Please speak with the Rev. Rebecca Spencer if you would like to be included in this very important part of life at Central–The Sacrament of Baptism

Come One, Come All !

…To Central’s Committee Fair on Sunday, February 12^th, after Church, in Chapel Hall

Come Hear about All the Wonderful Activities Our Committees are Doing!!

Become Involved !!!

DO YOU EBAY??

Would you be interested in being part of a group who sells donated items on Ebay to raise money for Central? If you are interested in helping out, please contact Claudia.