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Dear Centenary Family,
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Walk-In Ministry |
I am thrilled to announce that Centenary's Walk-In Ministry has received two grants for 2017. One is from the Richmond District Board of Missions, who has awarded Centenary with $2500. An article about our ministry will appear in the February Richmond District newsletter.
Also, the Virginia Conference Common Table has approved a Sustaining Program Grant in the amount of $3,000 for Centenary. In approving this grant, the Common Table invited our church's participation in a new accelerator program that provides support, training and resources to become more self-sufficient.
Last week Nancy Cook, Chair of the Outreach Committee, and I attended a two-day Ministry Accelerator Event. This event, held at the Conference Center, connected us with others in similar ministries around Virginia and mentors with experience and expertise in non-profit work. It also offered training in strategic planning, creating community partnerships, fundraising, budgeting, volunteer recruitment/training/retention, and branding/storytelling/marketing.
Most of the ministries at the event were just starting out, although there were a few that have been doing their work for awhile. Nancy and I shared our experience from Centenary's many years of providing meals to the hungry in downtown Richmond. We were also excited to hear about other approaches and programs. We both agreed that the most helpful part of the event was in learning how to tell our story better to those outside of the church. How can we get others excited and committed to the wonderful work that we do every Friday at lunchtime? We need to cast a wider net inviting others to participate and contribute to our ministry.
And isn't that true of all of the ministries at Centenary? We need to tell our faith story better to those outside of the church. We need to cast a wider net inviting others to come and be a part of Centenary!
Blessings,
Ann Davis
Director of Membership Development
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, January 29: Worship at 8:40 am (informal) and 11:00 am (traditional)
Senior Pastor Matt Bates will preach
Blessed based on the scripture reading from Matthew 5:1-12.
Sunday, January 29 at 10:00 am: New Adult Sunday School Offerings
Dean Simpson will lead a study of the book What Do Other Faiths Believe? A Study of World Religions by Paul Stroble. In this study the author interviews leaders in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faiths to explore how the beliefs and practices of these religions are similar to and different from basic Christian beliefs.
For Young Adults, Pat Shipley and Dave Jarvis will continue leading a study that focuses on the foundation of "Love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind" (Luke 10:7) titled Dream. Think. Be. Do.
Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 pm: Acts of Faith Theatre Outing to The Top of Bravery
Join a group from Centenary attending this Quill Theatre production at Richmond Triangle Players (1300 Altamont Avenue in Richmond). This astonishingly powerful work tells the story of the life of Bert Williams, beloved African American vaudeville star of stage and screen. Starring Jeremy V. Morris, who also wrote the play, this original musical will bring laughter, tears, and rejoicing in the joys and pains of our rich and fertile history.
Check with Ann Davis to see if there are any tickets still available.
2017 Pledge Offering Envelopes
The new 2017 Pledge Offering Envelopes have arrived. Please pick up your numbered box of envelopes in the hallway by the church office.
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About Sunday's Music
This Sunday we hearken back to an earlier time in Christianity. Giovanni Croce (1557-1609) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance. He was quite famous during his life because of his easily accessible music and his association with the very famous cathedral of St. Mark's in Venice. His motet Beati eritis uses one of the verses of The Beatitudes (Blessed are those ... ) which is the Gospel reading - Matthew 5:1-12.
During the first two-thirds of this brief work, the choir sings beautiful polyphony (interweaving musical lines). Even the music on the words
curse,
persecute, and
evil is written to be sung beautifully rather than harshly. However, the mood changes at the words
Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and be glad)! Suddenly we are treated to a lively dance in three-quarter time perfectly setting the text.
Stan Baker
Director of Music/Organist
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with Her in 2017
This week's readings:
February 1:
Leviticus 1-4
February 2:
Leviticus 5-7
February 3:
Leviticus 8-10
You can now register if you are joining Bishop Lewis in her challenge to the Virginia Conference to read the Bible in entirety in 2017. The short poll allows you to add your name as well as district (Richmond) and your home church (Centenary). Register here.
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Thursday, February 2: 25th Annual United Methodist Day at General Assembly
This is an avenue of faithful advocacy that helps participants look beyond mercy ministry and join together with elected officials to make a difference and exercise the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. The cost is $35. Final registration is Friday, Jan. 29. Registration questions may be directed to the Rev. Barbara Lewis at BarbaraLewis@vaumc.org. General questions may be directed to the Rev. Pat Shipley at plsrevdoc@aol.com or to the Rev. Randy Harlow at crhncboy@aol.com. To register and for more information, follow this link
Friday, February 3 at 7:00 pm: Acts of Faith Theatre Outing to The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr
Join a group from Centenary attending this Quill Theatre production at the
Glen Allen Cultural Arts Center
(2880 Mountain Road in Glen Allen). This is an irreverent, high-speed roller coaster ride through the Bard's plays. Join this madcap trio of ambitious prop-laden
actors as they weave their wacky way through Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild night that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter!
Tickets will be between $0 and $25, depending
on the size of our group.
Sign up on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
Sunday, February 5 at 12 noon: Staff Appreciation Reception
We are blessed at Centenary with a small but caring and dedicated staff. To show the congregation's gratitude, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee is organizing a Staff Appreciation Reception immediately after the 11 a.m. worship service on February 5. A sign-up sheet, soliciting volunteers to bring various kinds of snacks and finger food, has been posted on the bulletin board across from the kitchen. Please direct questions or suggestions to Reid Ashe, 513-7223 or
reid@alum.mit.edu. Please come and help us celebrate this wonderful group of people.
Saturday, February 11 at 6:00 pm: Gospel Concert
Saturday, April 1: Bishop's Convocation on Prayer
Bishop Sharma Lewis will host a Bishop's Convocation on Prayer at Trinity United Methodist Church (903 Forest Avenue in Henrico). The Rev. Juanita Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, will be the plenary speaker for the convocation.
Workshops on a variety of topics are also being offered.
Sunday, March 5 at 12 noon: Chili Cook-Off
Mark your calendars and start looking for a winning chili recipe! This will also be a fundraiser for scholarships for children to attend summer camp at Westview on the James.
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Please Remember in Prayer
Ryland Bailey, Sr.
Joe Ciucci Jr.
Rebecca Enos
Grace Hinchman
Jack & Lois Hinerman
Judy Holland
Inez Johnson (friend of Vic and Nancy Grand)
John Seyfarth
Wendy Tisdale (friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd)
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Celebrating Birthdays in January
Evan Cooke
Rex Dazey
John Thrower
Elizabeth McNeil
Kevin Harris
Kelly Andreycak
Catharine Tucker
Robert Mast
John Benton
Alexa Rosypal
Mary Lou Rosypal
Rugby Baker
Christopher Murphy
Emily Smith
Allan White
Stella Vetrovec
Anita Mays
Eugene Walter
Nancy Hill
Harrison Farmer
Meredith Farmer
Rives Priddy
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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