A BIT OF CENTRAL HISTORY
We recently unpacked a box of church memorabilia which included a record of baptisms from years ago. We now know that from 1932-1941, there were 56 baptisms, or about six per year. Bob Matthewson, Central's longest-tenured member who recently passed, is listed in these records.
Our current records go back to 1992 and include 123 baptisms, or about 5 per year. 1992 was when the Westside building was last remodeled, and many records between 1941 and 1992 are no longer available.
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Baptism
If you have been in consideration over taking the step of faith to be baptized, we would love to be a part of that conversation. Coming up, there's going to be an opportunity to be baptized at Central. On Sunday, May 15th, we'll be baptizing a couple of folks during the service, and the more the merrier! If you'd like to talk to someone about baptism, please send an email!
Householder Send-off!
If you haven't already heard, the Householders will be leaving Athens this summer to live in Portsmouth for the next year. Before they go, we want to come together to celebrate, and to bless them! On May 15th, right after the 11:00am service, we'll gather at Uptown for some finger foods, pie, and a time of celebration. We'll plan to eat at 1:00, but feel free to come by anytime before 2:00pm!
VBS Meeting
The theme and dates for Vacation Bible School are set for late July! If you'd like to be a part of the team that plans and serves the children who attend VBS this summer, Allyssa will be holding a meeting this Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:30pm at the West
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BODY OF BELIEVERS:
We are praying for the future vision of Central as a body of Christ in Athens; it's ministry and mission.
LOCAL COMMUNITY:
We are praying for the Department of Job and Family Services of Athens County that serves a large population of people in poverty throughout the county with government-funded services and resources.
WIDER WORLD:
The text below was copied directly from a newsletter distributed by Sojourners.
"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."
Invoking the call of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, more than 50 faith leaders from across the political spectrum joined together today to speak out on the current state and alarming rhetoric of the 2016 election cycle, which they say, "threaten[s] the fundamental integrity of Christian faith and the well-being of society itself."
The statement, "Called to Resist Bigotry -- A Statement of Faithful Obedience," names the racial and religious bigotry of Donald Trump and his disrespect of women as gospel issues, and not merely political matters, saying: "...while Donald Trump certainly did not start these long-standing American racial sins, he is bringing our nation's worst instincts to the political surface, making overt what is often covert, explicit what is often implicit."
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