LENS INTO CENTRAL

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Through Central’s Lens: Claudette Gallman

It is 10:45 am on a

typical Sunday at Central.

The sanctuary is quiet.

The choir is warmed up,

the sound checks have

cleared, and all is ready

for worship. Claudette

and Max Gallman have

just arrived after a long

trip up Interstate 75 from

Jackson. They walk in to their

usual pew toward the back

of the middle section

and wait in silence.

“I come early and sit

in the quietness to

get ready for worship

to start,” reflects

Claudette. “But wor-

ship is more than just

walking in the door

and sitting in a pew.”

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On Claudette and Max’s first Sun-

day in 1996, Margaret and Howard

Montgomery met them at the same

door to welcome them. When they

arrived home that afternoon, Howard

had already left a message on their answering machine to

thank them again for visiting. “I drive almost an hour to

worship at Central because of Mr. and Mrs. Central, Howard

and Margaret Montgomery,” Claudette says, “and because

of everyone I now get to greet on Sunday mornings.”

The time is now 10:55 am on this Central Sunday. As con-

gregants make their way from Adult Education to the sanc-

tuary, Claudette greets newcomers and seasoned members

alike before the opening voluntary begins. For Claudette,

worship on Sundays is the highlight of her week. The music

and the choir inspire her. The scripture and prayers nourish

her. But it’s the people, she says, that make Sundays at Cen-

tral only one part of her worship throughout the rest of

week. “Worship to me is the friendship and family I’ve

made at Central, the cards, the phone calls, and the little

things we do for one another. It’s the contact between

members and the ways we care for one another.”

“That’s why I don’t mind coming up to church. Church is

what’s in your heart. It’s easy for me to get up and get in

the car and ride up to Central, because Central is home.”

For Claudette Gallman, the gift of Central is ONE BODY,

MANY GIFTS.

Through Central’s Lens:

Brenda Spruell

On Sundays her mother, a life-long

Baptist, got her dressed and then Aline Clay-

ton, Central’s visitor, came by to hold her hand

as they walked up the hill from Capitol Homes

to Central. Brenda Spruell was baptized by Dr. Oglesby

during the year before he retired. Her mother was called

upon to introduce new pastor Fred Stair to the PTA at Cook

School where many Central members were volunteers.

Brenda’s active engagement in Central’s ministry continues

to this day.

LENS INTO CENTRAL

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When the Spruells moved from Capitol Homes

Brenda decided that “if I could ride the bus to school I could

ride the bus to my church.” Pins recognizing Brenda’s 14

years of perfect attendance are among those on display in

the Parlor, part of the memorabilia of the Study Class of

which she became a member.

Brenda loves people. “Sharing joys and sorrows is

what you do. It’s how you can be close to people,” she

affirms. She lives that out as a volunteer at Presbyterian

Village, near her home in Mableton, and at Northside Hospi-

tal, where she has logged over 3,000 hours of service.

Recognizing these gifts for caring, in 2014 Brenda

was ordained as a Deacon. She enjoys helping with the Dea-

cons’ BBQ and Christmas Tea for our senior members. Her

greatest joy comes from her ministry in her parish. Taking

communion to at home members, many of whom she has

known and loved all her life is especially meaningful. For

Deacon Brenda Spruell, for all her life, Central has been ONE

BODY, MANY GIFTS.

Through Central’s Lens:

The Iatridis Family

Orange paint dripped on the

dusty courtyard of a church in Pejach,

Guatemala, while 23 Central youth and

adults alternated painting church pews

and playing with the crowd of eager children

tugging at their hearts and hands. Among those in the group

were high school junior Zoe Iatridis and her father, Aris Iat-

ridis, who travelled with the

Central youth group to

Guatemala in June of 2015

for nine days of cultural

exploration, service, and

relationship building. “The trip helped develop me in my

faith and as a human being,” Zoe said of her experience in

Guatemala. She described the trip as the culmination of

what she has learned about God and faith at Central, and

she was especially moved by the generosity of the people

and the joy of the children. Zoe noted that the people of

Guatemala gave her so much on the trip, and she was grate-

ful for the opportunity to learn from them.

Zoe, her parents, Aris and Teresa, and her younger

sister, Nia, joined Central in 2014. Aris described their search

for a church family in this way: “We wanted something that

was good for adults and good for kids, and at Central we got

both.” “It was really scary coming into a church that was so

tight knit,” Zoe said of her first experiences at Central. “Most

of the kids I met had been there for years. I was scared and

didn't’ think I would fit in. I was amazed that I made so many

friends and was immediately accepted.” Zoe

quickly became an active and important

part of the youth group. Along with 13

other youth, Zoe participated in Central’s

confirmation class this year. Over the

course of the year, the group went on

three retreats together, learned about

worship, spirituality, and the practice of

faith, and wrote personal statements of

faith.

When asked about his family’s practice of steward-

ship, Aris said, “We give because we believe in the mission of

the church.” The vital youth ministries at Central are made

possible by the faith of God, the dedication of volunteers,

and the faithful giving of Central members.

“I found a home,” Zoe said of her experience at

Central, “and that’s what keeps bringing me back.” Through

October 2015

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youth and children’s ministries, Central is able to provide a

home for Central’s young people seeking to explore their

faith in a safe and affirming environment: another vision of

ONE BODY, MANY GIFTS.

Through Central’s Lens: Emil Runge

“We need to

raise our children

here.” Those were

the words that Emil

Runge and Julie

Swann said to each

other in November

of 2009, when

they decided to

join Central.

It was clear to Emil and Julie that

Central was a nurturing, spiritual congrega-

tion, and they have been a vital part of the

community ever since they joined. Their chil-

dren, Theodore and Isabella, look forward to

Sunday school and the children’s choir each week.

Through the vibrant children’s ministry, Theodore and Isabel-

la can actively participate in the life of the church, and they

feel connected to other families in the congregation.

Emil has been particularly involved in the Music and

Liturgical Arts committee, currently serving as the chair. The

Music and Liturgical Arts

committee is engaged

in worship planning,

music ministry, and

creating opportunities

for spiritual practices.

Together, the com-

mittee creates sacred

art like the Advent origami

stars, the Ordinary Time

paper lace banners,

and the congrega-

tional art exhibit on

display in Tull Hall.

“The committee is

so different from

what I do on a day-in-

day-out basis,” Emil

said. There is a creative

spirit about the committee and

the work itself and, though Emil says music is not his gift, he

enjoys being a part of the ministry. “The committee works to

make Central a more welcoming place through our music

and art,” Emil said.

For Emil, one of the most meaningful events in the

past year was the Advent Text Talk, led by

Kathleen O’Connor and hosted by Mark and

Marilyn Borst. Through the exploration of

scripture in community, Emil said, “we expe-

rienced God together outside these four

walls.”

Emil also served on Central’s Vision

Team, which was charged with discerning

and communicating a direction for Central’s

ministries over the next few years. “The pro-

cess was

an oppor-

tunity to

remember

what we’re doing well and

think about how we can

be even better,” Emil said

of his experience on the

vision team. He has hopes

for more events like the

Text Talk in the future:

where Central can be the

church beyond the walls

of our building and experi-

ence God together in new

ways.

LENS INTO CENTRAL

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“We give to Central because it is important,” Emil

said of his family’s practice of stewardship. “There is so

much that our church does in the community. If not our

church, then who? If not us funding the church, then who?”

Ministries like Central’s Music and Liturgical Arts would not

be possible without the faithful giving of Central members,

using their MANY GIFTS FOR ONE BODY.

Through Central’s Lens: Michael Lloyd

Michael and Phyllis Lloyd first worshipped at Cen-

tral in 1976 at the suggestion of the wife of a Methodist

minister with whom she worked. They were both working

on Capitol hill and were looking for a church that offered

strong preaching and a ministry that related to the inner

city. That first sermon brought them back, and they soon

become active members engaged in the “socially involved”

ministries of their new church family.

Michael was especially concerned with the peo-

ple experiencing homelessness he encountered who lacked

direct services and resources to get them back on

their feet. In 2009 Mike lost his job. “I realized

that except for the community around me I

too could be one of the homeless.” Look-

ing for a place to volunteer his time and

talent, he turned to the Central Outreach

and Advocacy Center (OAC). The OAC

needed someone to help further develop

the fledgling Main Frame program.

“That’s what I had done for years, designing

training programs,” Michael reflected.

It gave Michael the opportunity to work per-

sonally with the OAC guests, demonstrating that there

was someone “who took interest in them without any

agenda.” This allowed Mike to reach back to his experi-

ences with the Catholic social justice pioneer Dorothy Day

who had taught him, “If you don’t get involved, don’t

expect change.” Michael’s efforts have transformed the

Main Frame into a comprehensive job readiness program

with an increasingly successful record of helping guests find

and maintain employment.

Michael also recently

contributed his leadership

skills to Central’s life

through the Adult Educa-

tion Summer Studies ex-

ploration of Central’s history.

Early in their vocational journeys Michael and John Huss

both attended the same Roman Catholic Seminary. It was

John’s invitation that engaged Michael in adult education at

Central. “It was another experience of the time being right”,

Mike said. Another example of ONE BODY, MANY

GIFTS.

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Through Central’s Lens: Elizabeth Sudduth

The sidewalks along Peachtree Street were crowded, and

the air was warm, especially for October. In the mere hour since

worship ended on Washington Street, a community of Centralites

had gathered just outside the Peachtree Center Marta station

along Atlanta’s Pride Parade route.

They wore custom tye dye T-shirts,

held rainbow flags, and waved tall streamers

painted by our own Berta Irwin. Among

Central’s contingent was member

Elizabeth Sudduth. She held a Marriage

Equality sign in one hand and one end

of the Central Presbyterian Church parade banner

in the other.

“It was the most amazing and life-affirming experience,”

Elizabeth remembers. “People all along the parade route

thanked us for being there representing a faith community.

The Pride parade is a concrete way we can be involved in

the community and work for change in the world.”

Elizabeth first became involved with the parade through

the Congregational Events committee. “I think the Invitation committee came

up with the idea and realized they probably couldn’t do it all themselves, so they asked to

partner with other committees,” she said. In the end, the effort was a collaboration between the Invita-

tion, Congregational Events, Local Mission, and Music and Liturgical Arts committees.

After Elizabeth Sudduth first visited Central in June of 2011, she knew there was no need to visit another church. She

loved Central’s sense of community and emphasis on social justice, and she soon enjoyed singing in the choir each Sunday. Over the

past four years at Central, Elizabeth has not only served on the Congregational Events committee, but she’s also been an active

member of the All Church Retreat planning

committee and the Xs & Ys fellowship group.

“I have made amazing friends at Central, and I know

I can always count on them. Making good friends

can be really hard, but not at Central,” says

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth now serves on Session as a

Ruling Elder and emphasizes the important role

that session members play in setting the church

budget and making financial decisions. “We really

do work hard to be good stewards of the congrega-

tion’s funds,” she reflects. “The more gifts the

congregation is able to give, the more great things

we can do with them!” Another example of ONE

BODY, MANY GIFTS at Central.

LENS INTO CENTRAL

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MANY GIFTS, ONE PURPOSE

In expressing gratitude to God for their many gifts, Central members make financial gifts to

support and extend the congregation’s mission and ministry. These MANY GIFTS are for ONE PUR-

POSE, to provide adequate resources to meet our commitments to our staff and our mission part-

ners and to maintain our facilities and undergird our programs and services.

Each fall during Stewardship Season, we ask you, Central’s members, to plan your giving for

next year so that our congregational leaders can plan our mission and ministry for 2016. From mid-

September to mid-November you will have many opportunities to learn and respond. The diversity

of our MANY GIFTS and their apportionment to our ONE PURPOSE are shown in the graphs below.

Mission

Worship

Pastoral Care & Congregational Life

Learning

Core Administration

Under $500

$501-$1,000

$1,001-$2,000

$2,001-$5,000

$5,001-$10,000

$10,001 and above

This graph shows the distribution of pledge

amounts to Central in 2015.

It takes MANY GIFTS.

This graph shows the distribution of

funds to various ministry areas within

Central’s budget.

We have ONE PURPOSE.

Mark your calendar! Soup, Selfies and Sharing

Sunday, October 18th at 5:45 pm in Tull Hall Come share stories and selfies at this

fun-filled congregational event!

Sign up to attend at cpcatlanta.org In preparation for this event, send your very own

selfie to Quin Hicks at qhicks@cpcatlanta.org.

October 2015

8 | visit us at www.cpcatlanta.org