Centenary's Weekly Newsletter August 26, 2016
A Message from Centenary
Dear Centenary Family,
 
Pastor Matt Bates

It's hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and the fall routine is just around the corner.
 
As we approach September, we start the process of looking toward our ministry for 2017. That involves establishing a budget, reviewing our goals for ministry, and finding leadership for 2017.  And this year, it will involve joining in a discussion about our future ministry through 2020 led by our Centenary 2020 Committee.
 
One of the things our 2020 Committee has discovered is that our current lay leadership structure has 116 slots to be filled for a church that averages about 140 in worship attendance. One of the things we will study more closely is how to streamline that structure so that fewer people are required for the administrative tasks of the church and more people are freed to be in service and mission.
 
In our polity, the Lay Leadership Committee is the only committee led by the pastor. Each year, I feel a special responsibility to help us identify the leadership that will help us be the church we are called to be. The truth is, in our situation, the primary criteria for leadership are willingness and availability. 
 
If you would like to make yourself available to be considered as a servant and leader for 2016, I would love to hear from you. I'll be sharing more information soon about specific places where you can serve, but, in the meantime, I'd love to talk to you if you feel like God is calling you to serve in some way.
 
This Sunday's sermon is based on the Gospel reading, Luke 14:1, 7-14. The title is "At Dinner With Jesus." Sometimes, the smallest actions can reveal the greatest truths about our real character. And around the dinner table, we learn some of life's greatest lessons, experience some of life's greatest tensions, and receive some of life's greatest blessings.
 
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
 
Peace,  
 
Matt
Church
This Week at Centenary

Saturday, August 27 at 1 pm:  Wedding
Rev. Cheryl Owen-Watson and Mr. Mark Watson request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Lisa Michelle Watson to
Bryan Allen Frise, Jr. at Centenary. Reception to follow.


New Adult Sunday School Class 
A new study for adults is being offered in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. Led by Matt Bates and Ann Davis, Get Their Name is a study by Bishop Bob Farr that helps congregations create a culture of invitation, connect with those who are disconnected from the church, and learn how to share our faith with others in a natural, authentic way.   

Important Notice about Sunday Parking on 4th Street

Please re member that on Sunday mornings if you park on 4th Street in one of the handicapped parking places (right hand side of the street as you head north - see photo on the left), you must display a  handicapped parking tag or risk being ticketed. 
 




Calendar
Upcoming Events

Sunday School Teachers and Assistant Teachers Needed
Please, please consider volunteering this school year to teach or assist in our children or youth Sunday School classes for just one Sunday morning a month. The classes meet from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Please see Ann Davis for more information.

Items for School Kits
With all of the back-to-school sales, this is the ideal time to pick up items for the school kits we will be assembling for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) this year. The items we really need to complete kits are:  pads of wide ruled paper (spiral or top bound pads 150 sheets or less, can also be packages of loose leaf paper 150 sheets or less), pencil sharpeners (handheld - must be at least 1 inch long!), blunt children's scissors (rounded tip only, not ones with plastic blades), 24-count boxes of crayons. We have plenty of pencils, erasers, and rulers left from last year's collection. We also need the cloth bags to put the items in:  14x16 inch cloth bag (homemade or purchased bags are both acceptable) made of heavy-duty fabric only, such as denim, corduroy, or drapery fabric. No advertisements, religious, patriotic, military, or camouflage symbols. Closures are optional but must be buttons, snaps, or Velcro sewn in middle of opening.

New Shoes for Back to School Ministry
Children in the Richmond Metro area are gearing up to go back to school. It's a very exciting time for many children! However, many families are not able to afford comfortable, solid footwear for their children. When shoes are worn out, too tight, or otherwise uncomfortable, children have difficulty focusing on their studies. At Centenary, we have the opportunity to do something about this problem! One way we can help is by donating new shoes for these children. There is a table in the sanctuary for donations. All sizes are needed. Shoes must be new, and sneakers are preferred (please no high heels, sandals, or bedroom slippers). T here is also a piggy bank where money may be placed for Centenary staff to purchase needed shoes. Another way you can help is to sign up to volunteer to help with the shoe drive on Labor Day. The drive will be held in two locations this year; Centenary volunteers will be helping at the downtown location at Third Street Bethel AME Church. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin across from the kitchen downstairs. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Owen-Watson at owenwatson@comcast.net .

Friday, September 2 at 7:05 pm:  Flying Squirrels Game
Centenary was just given a group of free general admission tickets to the final Friday night regular season home game for the Flying Squirrels. From their group sales office:  "It is hard to believe that we are already entering the last two weeks of our seventh season here in Richmond. With 62 home games in the books, the Flying Squirrels are once again one of the top teams in attendance, a testament to the connection we have built with this town, our fans, and our valued partners such as you and your organization. Without groups like you, we would not be able to have such great crowds throughout the summer!" On September 2, the Flying Squirrels will host the Altoona Curve to begin a four game series. There will be a free t-shirt giveaway for the first 1,000 fans 15 & older so make sure to arrive early!  Sign up on the bulletin board outside the kitchen if you would like to attend this game. 
 
Tuesday, September 6 at 6:30 pm:  Centenary Bowling League Meeting
Yes, we still have a bowling league that had its origins around 1938! We are small, but we have a wonderful time. It is a handicapped league so you do not have to be a great  bowler to participate. Our purpose is to enjoy some time with friends and our church family.  We bowl at Shrader Lanes, near Parham and Broad, on Tuesdays at 7 pm.  The organizational meeting will be held at Shrader Lanes on Tuesday, September 6, at 6:30.  The meeting will be followed by free practice bowling. League bowling will begin on the following Tuesday, September 13. Our season runs 27 weeks with Tuesdays off during the Christmas season. If you cannot commit to the season, we would love to include you on our list of substitutes.  If you are interested in more information, please contact Mary or Les Dobbs, mftdobbs@aol.com , lcdobbs@aol.com , or 804-262-5801. 

Sunday, September 11 at 12 noon:  Church Picnic
Mark your calendars for a picnic following the 11:00 am Worship Service. Grace Street will be closed in front of the church and tables will be set up on the street and sidewalk. Hot dogs and beverages will be provided by the Congregational Care Committee. Please bring a large covered dish or dessert to share. Bring your families, friends, and neighbors!   

Thursday, September 15 at 6 pm:  Discover Downtown Eateries
Join us for dinner at Wong Gonzalez located on Grace Street right across from Centenary. Wong Gonzalez isn't quite like any place you have been before. A concept born in the hawker stalls of Malaysia's bustling town centers where all the wonderful and dynamic flavors of South East Asia are found and then raised in the kitchens of small Mexican towns full of rustic culture and mouthwatering aromas. Wong Gonzalez is a rousing and exciting blending of Asian and Latin cuisines. The best of both worlds brought together but never forgetting the sanctity of either. Not just Chinese... not just Mexican. They like to call it Mexinese! Everyone will order from the menu and we will each pay for our own meal. Please sign up by September 11 on the bulletin board outside of the kitchen or call the church office at 804-648-8319.  

Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 am:  Service of Celebration
The Committee on Episcopacy of the Virginia Conference United Methodist Church invites you to attend a Service of Celebration on the assignment of Sharma D. Lewis as Resident Bishop. The service will be held at Reveille United Methodist Church, 4200 Cary Street Road in Richmond. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Read more about the election and assignment of Bishop Lewis.
Please Remember in Prayer

Joe Ciucci
Ruth Ann Davis
Susan Dobyns (friend of Leah Hundley)
Grace Hinchman 
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland          
Jean Jones
Mike Jones
Donna Mestre (Betty Brown's sister)
Troy Nelson
Marcus Smith (Suzanne Ray's uncle)
John Seyfarth
Ann Michael Sturgeon's family (A.J. Crick's sister, who recently passed away)
Kevin Watson (upcoming surgery on September 1)
ten_striped_candles.jpg
Celebrating Birthdays in August

Charles Almany
Matt Bates
Anne Harrison Beck
Kaira Boston
Steven Boyd
Rob Brager
Judy Bristow
Michelle Call
Joseph Ciucci
Goldie Craig
Cary Davis 
Carol Duncan
Serena Durst
Susan Gillis
Kathleen Gregory
Shawn Gregory
Grace Hinchman
Lucy Hottle
Cory Hudgins
Marc Hudgins
Bob Hundley, Jr.
Nancy Hundley
Lorna Leake
Gregory Lewis
Sharon Murphy
John Pagan
Kelley Parks
Yvonne Robertson
John Seyfarth
Katie Shingleton
Mary Beth Siddons
Timothy Siddons
Tommy Speidel
Sharon Steele
Amanda Surgner
Kathy Talley
Meredith Thrower
George Vetrovec
Alicia Webster
Mirian Wickman
Betty Wright
Suzie Zeh
Photo of the Week
Not quite ready for passengers, but it really does look like an elevator now!
Centenary United Methodist Church | (804) 648-8319 | www.centumc.org 
Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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