Central UMC

ATTENTION: Current and Upcoming Undergraduate & Graduate Students

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:32:35 +0000

COLLEGE PICTURES NEEDED

The Central UMC-Atlanta is building a webpage and need a picture of you at college. Please take a digital picture and email it to Wilma Brightharp (click here). This is an effort to help Central members decide where to attend college. Thanks!

The Meaning of Palm Sunday

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:18:15 +0000

First known as the Pascha (Passover), the meaning of Palm Sunday can be understood by looking at the history of the Christian church. Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church around the late fourth century. The ceremony consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons recited by the clergy while the people moved among various holy sites throughout the city. At the last site, where Christ ascended into heaven, the clergy would read from the gospels concerning the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In the early evening they would return to the city reciting: “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” The children would carry palm and olive branches as the people returned through the city to the church where they would hold evening services.

By the fifth century, the Palm Sunday celebration had spread as far as Constantinople. Changes made in the sixth and seventh centuries resulted in two new Palm Sunday traditions – the ritual blessing of the palms, and a morning procession instead of an evening one. Adopted by the Western Church in the eighth century, the celebration received the name “Dominica in Palmis” or “Palm Sunday.”
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street, and shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.

The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.

In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an occasion for reflecting on the final week of Jesus’ life. It is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.

From Reverend Byron E. Thomas

Central UMC YAM-Young Adult Ministry

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:09:55 +0000

By the grace of God, the Young Adult Ministry of Central has been going strong in 2012 under the leadership of Minister and Mrs. Philip Butler. YAM has lead a spirit-filled Sunday worship service and are planning for more; had the Slip or Bowl Tournament with no injuries, praise God; and has strengthened each member’s Christian beliefs and spirituality through discussion and scriptural reference. Come and join Ashley, Cameron, Javoris, Roniesha and Reggie during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday school hour in the conference room of the ROSA building as they witness to one another and share their struggles, triumphs and abundant blessings.

We also have a Facebook page. With 67 members nationwide and counting, log onto Facebook and search for “Central YAM” to JOIN!!! Don’t have a Facebook account? Email Reginald A. Clark to stay in the loop on YAM happenings. God bless!

Gwendolyn Jarrett Odom Memorial Book Award

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:01:39 +0000

Dr. Rosalind Odom and her family have established two book awards for Central members. The Gwendolyn Jarrett Odom Memorial Book Award is a $300 award for a deserving graduate student. The Herbert Burton Odom, Sr. Memorial Book Award is a $200 award for a deserving undergraduate student. Applications are available in the Narthex or email Wilma Brightharp, or Dr. Wayne Copeland.

The application packet must be submitted to the Central United Methodist Church office no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, May 4, 2012.

The Atlanta College Park District Lay Speakers Training

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:03:36 +0000

The Lay Speakers Taining Basic Course is offered for persons who are new to the program. The two Advanced Courses are for persons who are lay speakers needing to update their certification. Call for more information or to request brochures. Registrations are due on or before April 2, 2012. From Anita O’Neal.

The Atlanta College Park District

Spring 2012

Lay Speaking Training,

Saturday, April 14 & 21 2012

9am – 3pm

Bethel United Methodist Church

1215 New Hope Road, S.W.

Atlanta, GA 30331

The Hospitality Ministry Needs You

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:54:55 +0000

The Hospitality Ministry is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with Sunday morning breakfast, which includes setting up, assisting in the kitchen (cooking and dishwashing), serving and cleaning up. This ministry is also responsible for family repasts after funerals and meals served during most special occasions. Retirees are especially invited to serve the church through this very active ministry. For more details contact Hazel Barkley.

Central Resource Directory Being Developed

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:32:39 +0000

The United Methodist Men of Central UMC are developing a Central Resources Directory which is intended to highlight all of the various resources available TO Central members BY Central Members. We will start this compilation with Central members who have experience, expertise, licenses and/or certifications in the areas of life insurance, health insurance, estate planning, wills, bequests, financial management (including stocks, bonds, IRAs, 401(k) plans, etc.), and other related personal and family estate planning disciplines and services. If you are a Central member with any of these qualifications contact W. Love and provide your information for the UMM Resource Directory.

We plan to showcase these resources throughout the calendar year with discussions, Q & A sessions, and information panels for the benefit of all Central UMC members. Additionally, the United Methodist Men will partner with other Central groups and organizations to present these resources in support of all Central UMC events. You may contact W. Love at: wendell.love@gmail.com.

Health and Welfare Ministry Sponsors Grief Symposium

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:22:55 +0000

The Health and Welfare Ministry will sponsor an interactive Grief Symposium on Wednesday, March 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2012 from 6:30 pm -7:30 pm. in the Ministry Center. We will cover four areas of concern: (1) medical/physical, (2) pre-need vs at-need, (3) finance and (4) spiritual. All are welcome to attend.

Pre-registration will begin on February 19th. Any questions can be directed to Valeria Clark or Deloris Roberts.

Central United Methodist Church Watch Night Service

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:23:13 +0000

Central United Methodist Church Advent Revival – “A Season of Hope in a Time of Despair”

admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:11:59 +0000

Save-the-dates for a very spiritually uplifting Advent Revival beginning Wednesday, November 30th; Thursday, December 1; Friday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. The theme for this year is “A Season of Hope in a Time of Despair”.

Each night will host an exciting message delivered by 3 of Atlanta’s most dynamic, and thought provoking United Methodist ministers. On Thrusday night, the guest speaker will be the Reverend Doctor Michael McQueen, Senior Pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. On Friday night, the guest speaker will be the Reverend Doctor Marvin Moss, Senior Pastor, Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Then on Friday night, the guest speaker will be the Reverend Kevin Murriel, Senior Pastor, Antioch United Methodist Church, Fairburn, Georgia.

Dinner will be served nightly at a very reasonable cost. Refer to the worship bulletins, flyer inserts, and posters for more exciting information.

From the Advent Revival Planning Committee