News

This year, Central has received an increased grant to feed almost 300 people each month through the Outreach and Advocacy Center at Central Presbyterian Church.

Join us on the second and fourth Sunday of each month to help make sandwiches and pack brown bag lunches. If you can’t make this time but would like to help, please consider dropping off a dozen pre-made sandwiches:

• On the second Sunday, we meet in Room 209, after worship. For more information, email Autumn.
• On the fourth Sunday, we meet in the Fellowship Hall, at 9:30 am. For more information, email Maureen.

We are excited to present to you “The Monthly” for February 2026.

Check out this month‘s newsletter for:

• A Note from Rev. Liz
• New Perspectives: Exploring Christian Nationalism
• Mission & Action Minute
• Sandwich Sunday updates
• Black History Month Concert with The Trey Clegg Singers
• Create & Connect

Click here to download “The Monthly”! There are also paper copies in The Commons, in The Sanctuary and in the Church office. Be sure to add events and gatherings that you‘re interested in to your calendar.

Enjoy “The Monthly” and all the events and gatherings you are going to attend!

We are partnering with The Candler Foundry to host this five-week course facilitated by Jaeun “Kooja” Koo, Hebrew Bible Scholar Doctoral Student at Emory University. This course explores how the Bible works – its history, genres, and truth claims – to help you read Scripture with greater confidence, nuance, and curiosity. No prior training needed – just a willingness to explore.

To support our instructor preparation, registration for this class is required. Register online by January 7th: Sign up for How the Bible Actually Works

My Story: “Well, to me, DEI just means ‘Didn’t Earn It.'”

The words washed over me . . . a familiar yet hostile wave, and I felt exactly like a deer in headlights. I was at a work event 6 years ago, having a casual conversation with a higher up, and there it was—a dismissive, racially charged statement about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Of course I knew, deep down, that the statement was completely wrong. It was a hurtful and intellectually dishonest simplification of complex issues. But in that moment, I froze. I felt the familiar weight of hesitation: Do I confront this person and potentially create an awkward scene? Do I risk damaging the relationship? Or do I just let it slide? Like many of us, I was either intimidated, prioritizing comfort, or just plain stuck. And, because you can’t cuss (not curse, cuss) out your supervisor’s boss, I walked away feeling disappointed in myself for not moving past that hesitation to take meaningful action.

Moving from Hesitation to Action: A Long Talk

If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation—knowing what’s right but lacking the knowledge or confidence to speak up—I have an opportunity for you.

I’ve been engaged with A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth (ALT) for several years now, and I can tell you it is absolutely time well spent. ALT begins with a 21-day anti-racism activation experience, designed specifically to empower participants with the knowledge and skills to combat racism in their daily lives.

Here’s what the experience is all about:

Pre-Work: You’ll start with self-guided learning on the history and impact of racism.

Discussion Sessions: This is the core experience—two, two-hour group discussion sessions that use interactive large and small group conversations. These sessions, available virtually and in-person, are where you gain the language and tools to move past that “deer in headlights” feeling.

Ongoing Support: After the experience, ALT provides community support to foster continued growth and engagement in anti-racism efforts.

Call to Action: Join Me in Taking The Next Step

The work of anti-racism is a spiritual discipline beloved, and it’s one we can practice together.

I would like to facilitate a group from Central Congregational UCC to go through A Long Talk together.

Some people have expressed interest, and that’s awesome, and we still have room for others. Exact details about the dates and times of the meetings will be out by the third week of January. If, at that time, you decide you would like to join our group, you will be welcome. Just e-mail me at [email protected].

My hope is that through this experience, we can all become better equipped to live out the radical love of Christ and confidently interrupt racism whenever and wherever we encounter it.

Let’s move from hesitation into action together! 

We are excited to present to you “The Monthly” for January 2026.

Check out this month’s newsletter for:

• A Note from Rev. Liz.
• A Story from Central’s History: Laura Marcy Askren.
• How the Bible Actually works.
• Taking Action Against Racism.
• Coffee Hour Guidelines.

Click here to download “The Monthly”! There are also paper copies in The Commons, in The Sanctuary and in the Church office. Be sure to add events and gatherings that you‘re interested in to your calendar.

Enjoy “The Monthly” and all the events and gatherings you are going to attend!

Choose a gift that gives back this season! “Shop” for your loved ones by donating in their honor to an organization or project that you believe would appeal to them.

Instead of guessing what color sweater a grandchild might like, perhaps they would be thrilled to know that through their gift a family in Kenya will be able to access water in their village.

Perhaps another on your list is a fan of social media; they may appreciate that their gift supported work to ensure modern media is a force for good!

We trust you will find just the right match for your loved ones…and maybe start a new tradition in your family that reflects and cultivates compassion and understanding here and across the globe!

Check out the market in this catalog.

And make your donation here!

This year you can visit the Alternative Gift Market in the Commons also, on December 7, 14, and 21 following the 11:00 am Service. We’ll have donation forms available in print as well. 

Order a poinsettia or contribute to the Advent Mission Gift (The UCC Christmas Fund) in honor or memory of a loved one. Every gift counts!

You may place a flower order or make a gift by filling out the online form or by scanning the QR code.

Deadline for Poinsettias order: December 14th.

Deadline for Advent Mission Gift: December 31st.

We are excited to present to you “The Monthly” for December 2025.

Check out this month’s newsletter for:

• A Note from Rev. Thomas.
• A Story from Central’s History: Lenten Witness: “There are times when saying ‘yes’ to God means saying ‘no’ to Caesar.“.
• Our Advent and Christmas Season.
• Ways of honoring and remembering friends or family.
• A new Faith Formation Opportunity that starts in January.
• The “Recipe of the Month”: ”Sweet Potato Angel Biscuits”.

Click here to download “The Monthly”! There are also paper copies in The Commons, in The Sanctuary and in the Church office. Be sure to add events and gatherings that you‘re interested in to your calendar.

Enjoy “The Monthly” and all the events and gatherings you are going to attend!

We are excited to present to you “The Monthly” for November 2025.

Check out this month‘s newsletter for:

• A Note from Rev. Liz.
• A Story from Central’s History: The poem “Plymouth Harbor” by Mary Ellen Myers.
• An invitation to consider ”Taking Action Against Racism” with Mari Ann Banks.
• Faith Formation Opportunities.
• Advocacy and Action Opportunities.
• The “Recipe of the Month”: ”Green Bean Asparagus Casserole”.

Click here to download “The Monthly”! There are also paper copies in The Commons, in The Sanctuary and in the Church office. Be sure to add events and gatherings that you‘re interested in to your calendar.

Enjoy “The Monthly” and all the events and gatherings you are going to attend!