News

Friends, Christians, countrymen, 

We’ve heard descriptions of the Holy Spirit quite a bit in recent sermons: it’s present but invisible, like a breeze; comforting and dependable, like a blanket. The week before Jesus ascended to heaven, he described the Holy Spirit as an “advocate” or “comforter” he was leaving with the disciples. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire that made the disciples understandable in every language.

In the GenXYZ class, we’re picking up the story right after this happens. We’re exploring the lives and actions of the nascent Christian church after Jesus left. We”ve discovered how they express their remarkable experience to others and what they did in response to the message, “you have been saved”. I’m not really sure where to find the Holy Spirit in my life, or where it’s leading me. That’s one of the things that drew me to the class.

Together, we’ve found some guidance on where to begin  The early church in Acts 2:42 “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers”. In pursuing those tenets: apostles’ teachings, fellowship, shared meals, and prayers, we’ve been able to take small steps towards listening to the Holy Spirit when it calls us and emulating Jesus in our everyday actions. Quoth Reverend Liz, “Have you seen him?”

So far in our reading, the Holy Spirit has filled and empowered the apostles to share the truth of Jesus. In Acts Chapter 2, while witnessing to crowds in Jerusalem on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit made them understandable in every language. When they were questioned in Acts Chapter 4 after being imprisoned for speaking of Jesus’ resurrection, it filled the uneducated disciples with the boldness to proclaim Jesus’ message of salvation for all. Moreover, the church’s actions after Jesus left are radical, then and now: they held all possessions in common, gave their material wealth to those in need, and focused their lives on supporting one another and spreading witness. 

In that light, the Holy Spirit looks like something incredible; a momentous force that can spur large groups of people to act with peace, love, and understanding. I want to experience it, but my everyday life feels very far from the world of the early church. How can I become filled with the Holy Spirit? From what we’ve read thus far, I think it’s about leaning into boldness, spontaneity, and action, as the early church did. I don’t have the full picture, though, so I’m excited to hear your thoughts on Sunday. 

I do think I’ve heard the Holy Spirit in my life before. You might be familiar–that pain you feel when you see someone in need, the little voice that says “Someone should do something”? I think that’s a whisper of the Holy Spirit, pushing us to action in the things we care about. Because God loves us, he gives us the ability to add more love, kindness, and justice to the chaotic world we inhabit. Each person is uniquely skilled in some part of making the world better, no matter how small. I hope you’ll join the conversation on how to reflect God’s love in our world. It wouldn’t be the same without you. 

Thanks for lending your ears, 

Autumn Siebold

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

Check out this month’s newsletter for:

• “Three Pictures and a Prayer” by Rev. Liz
• Community Conversations with Larry J. Anderson, MD
• Annual Budget & Leadership meeting
• Faith Formation opportunities
• A Story from Central’s History: “Dr. Amey Chappell and the Saving of Central”

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!

First and foremost, Deacons play an integral role in supporting the worship life of our church, including the celebration of the sacraments, greeting members and guests, and ushering. Deacons may also work to sustain the music and arts programs at the church.

Deacons strive to support and care for members of the congregation.

Deacons recommend “in care” status for members of Central pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ including the examination of those candidates as part of the process.

Deacons facilitate receptions for special events.

Meetings are typically held via Zoom on the 4th Thursday of the month, 7 p.m.

Contact Fred Childers ([email protected]) or Karen Torghele ([email protected]) with questions about the Deacon Board or any of the other opportunities to love, to grow, and to serve at Central.

Called To Do This Work

Mary Ellen Myers, now in her 65th year as a member at Central, will offer reflections this Sunday as we consider the ways we – the Central community – are called to use our time, our talents and our treasure in service to and support of one another, the local community and the world.  She has served Central in many capacities, and we honored her at the 2023 annual meeting by naming her a Life Deacon. 

The Green Team is seeking volunteers to help with these events: 

1) Set-up and clean-up for the GIPL clean energy workshop at Central following service on Sunday, May 17;

and 

2) Get-Out-The-Vote virtual phone-banks with GIPL and Fair Count on 5/12, 5/18, or 5/19. 

For more information about either opportunity, please contact Mary White at [email protected].  

Central will welcome Hannah Shultz, M.Div., Program Director at Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), as our guest preacher for worship. 

She will also offer a workshop after worship, beginning at 12:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, on Advancing Clean Energy in Georgia. The workshop will describe practical and affordable actions we can take, as individuals and as a congregation, to mitigate climate change, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and save money, including current options for energy efficiency and solar energy. Bring your questions and ideas! 

The Green Team will host Coffee Hour after worship and provide lunch for workshop participants. 

This past Sunday, in the called Congregational Meeting, we said “YES!” to being a part of a “radically collaborative” ministry and called Rev. Thomas to serve as Co-Senior Minister beginning July 1st. 

Our Pastoral Search Team is wrapping up the last round of edits for our church profile, and we’ll begin the search for the other Co-Senior Minister soon!

We have two more weeks to enjoy “My Life’s Journey”, Theresa Firster’s beautiful art exhibit presented in the Commons.

Check it out and choose the paintings that you like the most! For these last two weeks the artist is offering a 15% discount on all her paintings left in the show. 

Great news! Central’s Endowment Funds make funds available for charitable giving again!

If you volunteer with or know of any nonprofit organization that may be interested, please let them know to get ready. We particularly welcome and appreciate your interest in those groups with whom you have connections.

They may submit their application online, starting Monday April 20 through Friday, May 22. They should look for the application form on our website: https://central-ucc.org/grants/.  

For more information, contact Jasmine Chang ([email protected]) or Mary Ellen Myers ([email protected]). 

We are happy to let you know that this Sunday we are welcoming new members!

Come meet them!

You can connect more after service, during the Coffee Hour hosted in their honor.