404-633-4505 | Join Us On Sundays at 11AM!
404-633-4505 | Join Us On Sundays at 11AM!
Read the latest news for our church.
Apr 29, 2026
Because this group didn’t reach the minimum number of participants, the hosts decided to cancel the class for now. We’ll keep you posted if the class is going to be rescheduled.
Dear Siblings,
I spent much of the past week in Philadelphia with the UCC’s Next Generation Leadership Initiative, as part of our Congregational Vitality trek. We visited three unique congregations. One is a multiracial Reconstructionist synagogue, Kol Tezdek, in West Philly, operating out of a commercial space in a mixed-use residential building. We also visited Old First UCC, a historic Congregationalist church in the Old City, which has adapted a significant portion of its property to support a new housing-first initiative. On Sunday, we worshipped with Salt & Light, a nearly 1000 member UCC/PCUSA church merger that has two campuses, a thriving ministry for children and teens, and is celebrating exponential growth in membership.
All three of these faith communities turn the current narrative about organized religion upside down. People are seeking these places out, in large part because they see these communities putting their hearts, minds, mouths, and money where they know their faith calls them to be— with each other in the struggle for a world made new.
Aside from those campus visits, it was a wonderful time spent with the other folks in my cohort + the two other cohorts on this trip! A lot of idea cross-pollination happens on coffee runs, at lunch, or in between learning sessions.
Our own congregation was the recipient of similar cross-pollination last week with Rev. Andrew Warner of the Wisconsin Conference. We’ll sit with the same text from last week, Acts 2:42-47. We’ll focus less on stewardship and more on our common lot and life together, as we discern our journey in ministry.
Please be sure to stay after worship this Sunday for our Called Congregational Meeting.
See you Sunday,
Thomas
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.
We will welcome Rev. Andrew B. Warner as our preacher for 11:00 am worship on Sunday, April 19, 2026. He will also offer a presentation after worship on generosity and giving for all who are able to attend. I trust that includes your own dear self.
Our own Bill Harrison has led Central’s efforts to establish a planned giving program and invited sister UCC congregations in the area and the Southeast Conference to join and learn along with us. At a stage in life where we begin to think of such things, Bill was moved to consider Central Church in his estate planning and, specifically, a legacy gift—the gift that keeps on giving long after we have departed this life. Why? This is giving that comes from the same depth of love and commitment we have to our family. That kind of love.
The late Channing and Carol Jeschke left that kind of gift to Central last year. That kind of love.
On Sunday, Rev. Andrew has chosen the lectionary readings for the following week, April 26, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, because these texts seemed more suited to his theme: a spirituality of generosity. His focus passages are Acts 2:42-47 and Psalm 23.
More about Rev. Andrew: He serves as President of the Wisconsin Foundation UCC, a philanthropic arm of the Wisconsin Conference UCC and is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE). For many years, he served as a Generosity Outreach Coordinator for the national church, as well as 22 years as a local church pastor. He leads the fundraising efforts of the Wisconsin Conference, supports the planned giving and effective philanthropy in many congregations. The has organized the Wisconsin Foundation based on a community foundation model for the endowments of the conference and congregations.
My favorite part of his bio is this: Andrew lives with his husband and two children outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He loves to cook and entertain, a practice he calls his “gastro-evangelism.” I’m in.
I am looking forward to worship on Sunday and to seeing you there. Or maybe you are seeing us from where you are. Either way, it will be good to gather once again and to welcome our guest preacher. Don’t forget to make plans to stay after for the session with Rev. Andrew Warner. There’s lots going on at Central. Set you GPS.
Love and hugs,
Rev. Liz
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]).
Mar 27, 2026
Dear Members, Friends, Siblings, All,There was another parade that day. How have I lived this long and not known this? I am still a bit stunned. I’ll get over myself pretty soon, but I am still shaken. All those years in Sunday School and they left this out of the Palm Sunday story? The Rev. Anna Golladay wrote a piece for Convergence that caught me out. I will share what she writes, I cannot do better. To read the full piece, go here. |
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A Parade That Wasn’t What It Seemed Palm Sunday is often softened in our retellings. Children wave branches. Congregations sing “Hosanna.” The scene can feel quaint, even sentimental. But in its original context, it was anything but. Jesus enters Jerusalem not quietly, not privately, but in a deliberate public demonstration. He rides a donkey—a symbol loaded with meaning—while crowds gather, shouting political-religious slogans: “Hosanna!” (Save us!) and “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” This was not random enthusiasm. It was organized disruption. Scholars remind us that at the same time, on the other side of the city, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate would have been entering Jerusalem as well—mounted on a war horse, flanked by soldiers, a show of imperial power designed to keep the peace through intimidation. Two processions. Two visions of power. One rooted in domination. One rooted in solidarity. Palm Sunday, then, is not just a prelude to Easter. It is a protest parade. A public, embodied critique of empire. A declaration that another kind of reign—a reign of justice, mercy, and collective flourishing—is not only possible, but already breaking in. |
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So, this is what Jesus was (quietly) about. “Two visions of power. One rooted in domination. One rooted solidarity.” I get it. Sheesh. Did the folks waving palm branches know this is what they were getting into? Did I? Did you? In worship on Palm Sunday, we will welcome seven new members to Central. And we will wave palm branches and eat cake because this is B.I.G. We must celebrate as a congregation and take nourishment to ready ourselves for the journey together. It’s not easy to be a follower of Jesus. We need each other. Hope to see you there or maybe you’ll be seeing us via streaming. Either way, it will be good to gather and pray and sing and celebrate. Oh—don’t forget the hugs. They’re important. Such a fitting and much needed preparation for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. Love and hugs, Rev. Liz |
Mar 27, 2026
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.
Mar 27, 2026
Easter Lilies order by Wednesday, April 1st
Easter Mission Project by Wednesday, April 15th
It’s time to order Easter Lilies or offer a gift to our Easter Mission Project. Both of these are beautiful ways to honor or memorialize a loved one.
For both of them you can use the online form or the printed form that you can find at the entrance to the Sanctuary.
Mar 26, 2026
We are excited to present to you “The Monthly” for April 2026.
Check out this month‘s newsletter for:
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!
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