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Dear Centenary Family,
Summer is upon us but there are still exciting opportunities for us to grow and serve. I hope you're planning to come to the Chili Cook-off this Sunday to help us raise money to support two students from UMFS for summer camp.
Our golf tournament this week was a great success as we raised money to fund our Rise Against Hunger event set for Saturday, June 23. I hope you'll put that date on your calendar and invite someone to come and join you for that event.
Next Sunday, June 17, I'll be attending Annual Conference, but wishing I could be in worship with you. That Sunday, our young adults will be leading both of our services. Molly Monaghan, a teacher at Wilder Middle School will be our speaker. We're so fortunate to have wonderful young adults as part of our church family and you won't want to miss worship that day!
This Sunday, we begin our Summer Sunday School schedule. Our children's Sunday School will be taking a break until September 9. We're so grateful to Melissa Martinez for her wonderful job teaching and look forward to picking things up in the fall. In our combined adult Sunday School gathering this summer, we'll have a variety of presentations and discussions. This Sunday, I want to share with you some information about the future of the United Methodist Church in light of the work on the Commission on the Way Forward in preparation for a called General Conference in February of 2019. We'll talk together about how our church continues to wrestle with problems around human sexuality and think a little bit about what this might mean for our future together here at Centenary.
Beyond this Sunday, we're working on presentations from folks with expertise in areas that will be interesting to all us: the master plan for the city of Richmond, issues around looted art, particularly in the Nazi era, the history of public education in the city of Richmond, a few sessions of Bible Boot Camp where we refresh our memories about the central themes of the biblical story, and a study of the parables of Jesus that helps us see these stories in new ways.
And, we're working to put together what we hope will be some exciting new efforts this fall including new opportunities for fellowship and study in small groups. We're also working on new initiatives to help us reach out to our friends and neighbors here in downtown Richmond, not to mention events that help us live more fully into our identity as a Reconciling congregation and publicly proclaim the good news of God's reconciling love, as well as opportunities to celebrate the successful conclusion of our recent capital campaign.
These are challenging days, no doubt, to do ministry in an ever-changing world, but exciting days for this wonderful church that, though steeped in history and appreciative of tradition, is always looking for new ways to share God's love.
I hope you have a great summer, join us as often as you can for activities here at Centenary this summer, and get ready to share your gifts to help us move into the fall with new energy and passion for serving God and others!
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, June 10, Third Sunday After Pentecost
8:40 a.m. Informal Worship
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Service
This week, Dr. Bates will preach
"Welcome to the Family!
"
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with her in 2018
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Chili Cook-Off: Join our church family and friends
THIS
Sunday, June 10
,
(Please note this is a change in date) at high noon for Centenary's Chili Cook-Off. Bring your best chili to share and compete in any of the following categories:
1. Traditional
2. White
3. Vegetarian
If you have not had a chance to sign up on the bulletin board, you are still welcome to participate and bring your best chili! If you would like to bring a side or a dessert, feel free to do that as well.
This is our fundraising event to send two UMFS students to summer camp at Westview on the James. Donations are encouraged and accepted. More details will be forth coming.
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Help Needed in Our Congregation
Rita Callis, a Methodist minister, and her husband Charles are new members of Centenary. Since January, Rita has been serving our Senior Adults in a volunteer capacity. Rita is bravely living with cancer. She and her husband could use some help with meals. If you are able to assist call or text 804-615-8175 or email Mary E. Vetrovec at
[email protected]
, who is coordinating a meal calendar.
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Save the Date:
On
Sunday, June 10
, the children plan to make treats and lemonade to pass out to the congregation after the 11:00 a.m. service.
Sight and Sound Theatre Trip: Join us for our next Centenary Travels trip on
Thursday, September 27, to see
Jesus, Live on Stage! This is an all-inclusive trip with motor coach transportation, snacks on the coach, lunch at Good 'N Plenty Restaurant, theatre ticket and all gratuities. Dinner will be fast food on the return trip. Experience an authentic PA Dutch Country meal served family style. Visit the award-winning bakery and shop the well-stocked gift shops! Payment due by
August 1, or sooner. Please make check payable to
Robert Almond. Minimum number of participants for the trip is 40 and spots are on a first come, first served basis.
See the bulletin board across from the kitchen for flyers with more information.
Canned Goods and Non-perishables Collection: The Smethie Circle would like you to join us in collecting canned goods and non-perishable items for The Doorways, formerly known as The Hospitality House. It provides lodging and kitchen facilities for families of children undergoing medical procedures. Dear little Brandon Herman from St. Lucia, lived at The Doorways during his medical treatment by The World Pediatric Project. He and his Mother Sophia attended Centenary and we fell in love with them. We would like for this project to be in his memory.
We will begin our collection in June and continue through the summer. Containers will be placed outside the Ladies' Parlor and in the Social Hall.
Thank you for helping to keep the memory of Brandon alive by continuing to serve other children and their families as they make The Doorways home while undergoing medical treatment.
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing Event:
On
Saturday, June 23,
we will gather in the fellowship hall (no later than 8:45 a.m.) to pack meals to provide for families in distressed areas of the world. This is a wonderful time for fellowship and commitment to missions. Bring family, friends, and neighbors. Join in the fun! (Reminder: Wear a hat or use a hairnet).
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Serena Durst
Rev. Jim Boice (in the recent passing of his wife, Sally Boice)
Ellen Matthews (recovering at home
)
Eric Pace (recovering at home)
Susan Somma (in the recent passing of her father)
Rev. Kathy Talley (recovering at St. Mary's Woods following shoulder surgery)
Rev. Rita Callis
Lee Covington (scheduled for back surgery on May 14th)
Rex Dazey (recovering from eye surgery)
Julie Lee
Delois McDougal (one of our Friday Helpers- awaiting the results of a biopsy on back May 17)
Marshall Fox (brother of Phyllis Fox Stump, dealing with complications after surgery)
Greg deKramer and family (Leah & Bob Hundley's nephew who had a bone marrow transplant in May)
Leland Lycette (severe back pain)
Ron Davis (friend of Vic & Nancy Grand)
JoAnne Judd (close friend of Sharon Steele's, recovering from a massive brain injury in Boulder, CO)
Merle Brown (recovering from broken hip at home)
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Celebrating Birthdays in June
Alex Hundley
Carter Vaughn
Doug K. Wilson
Susan Somma
Clint Jones
Barrett Brown
T.J. Speidel
Sue Siddons
David Pippin
Neil Shingleton
Rebecca Enos
Christie Siddons
Marshall Balance
Christian Brock
Leah Hundley
Anne McCutcheon
Florence Clay Bishop
Connie Bennington
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Photos of the Week!
Hope to see you at the Chili Cook-Off this Sunday!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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