Centenary's Weekly Newsletter Friday, August 10, 2018
A Message from Centenary

Stuff We Need to Know  
A Note from Mary E. Vetrovec 
"Serving the City for Our Third Century" Campaign Chair

"Let's Talk About Church Money!" These are 5 words that can evoke fear and trembling among the most faithful church members and pastors. On Sunday, September 9, we are going to talk about church money! In June 2015, we launched a 3-year Capital Campaign to raise $800,000. Our goals were to completely renovate our 55-year old church kitchen and to build a new elevator. Thus, enhancing our outreach ministries and church hospitality while making all floors of our church accessible via the elevator. This was a giant goal for our 140 active members. Within a year, the goal of the Capital Campaign was in sight. WE DID IT! We built, paid for, and exceeded our goal. Now, we can officially High 5 and close the campaign. During this celebratory time, we as a church family, are able to choose a use for our remaining campaign funds of $73,341.

Here are some ideas for the remaining capital funds:
  • Adding to the 2017/18 Easter offerings for the Fellowship Hall flooring.
  • Initial funding for a Capital Reserve Repair Fund. This would support major repairs, i.e. a new A/C chiller needed this fall.
  • Have a giant ice cream party (especially important if the a/c is not replaced).
  • Bathroom repairs and remodeling.
  • Others? Your best ideas? Email: [email protected]
Or, contact Ryland Bailey or Mary E. Vetrovec. 

Sunday, September 9, 12 p.m. Fellowship Hall Eat, Love, Pray and Praise the Lord with Gladness!

PS: Stay tuned for Church Money Chat #2- coming next week.
 
This Week at Centenary
 

Sunday, August 12, Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

8:40 a.m.       Early Service
 10:00 a.m.        Sunday School 
       11:00 a.m.        Traditional Worship

This week, Rev. Kathy Talley will preach "Live in Love."


A BIG THANK YOU to our Centenary Family!- for all the calls, cards, visits and expressions of concern during Richard's recent short hospitalization and rehab stay. He is coming along well and progressing each day with AT Home Health Care! Thanks again to you ALL and we so appreciate your thoughts and good wishes! 

Sharon and Richard Steele 
A Rise Against Hunger Update 
We just received word that the 10,000 meals we packed this past spring have been delivered to ORPHANetwork in Nicaragua. Thank you so much to all the volunteers who helped to make this possible! 
A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with her in 2018
 

August 12        Jeremiah 1-3
August 13        Jeremiah 4-6
August 14        Jeremiah 7-9
August 15        Jeremiah 10-13
August 16        Jeremiah 14-17
August 17        Jeremiah 18-22
August 18        Jeremiah 23-25

Upcoming Events

Pecan Orders:
Our annual pecan sale is here! To order, a sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board across from the kitchen  next week. You may choose from:
  • Whole pecan pieces
  • 1/2 pecan pieces
  • Large or medium pecan pieces
  • Chocolate covered pecans
  • Dark chocolate covered pecans
  • Cinnamon covered pecans
Please note- we have to order cases of 24 and if we have multiple orders for over 24 bags, we will only be able to fill the first 24 orders. Extra bags of pecans will not be ordered this year so be sure to get in your order.



Pub Theology:  
Our next Pub Theology gathering is Sunday, August 26, 5:30 p.m. at Urban Farmhouse in Scott's Addition.  We will discuss,
"What do we mean when we say that the Bible is the "Word of God?"  Young adults--and any others interested--are invited.


Dementia Conference Information:   
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 20, then click on the link or call the number below to register and join me for the Alzheimer's Association 2018 Education Conference. The keynote speakers this year are Melissa Andrews, President & CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, a consortium of non-profit organizations working to expand the world of possibilities for aging, and Doug Pace, Director of Alzheimer's and Dementia Care for the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association.  The 2018 conference promises to continue the Association's tradition of providing the most up-to-date information on the disease, care giving, and healthy living.

See you at the conference!


804-967-2580 (number to register for conference).

 
Grace & Peace,
Tim
Rev. Dr. Timothy R. Gerde

Annual Church Picnic:  
Join us on Sunday, September 16, when we will close Grace Street and have a picnic in front of the church after the 11:00 a.m. worship service! This will also be our "Bring a Friend to Church Sunday." What a great event to invite your friends and neighbors too! Please bring a casserole or dish to share. We hope to see you there and don't forget . . . to bring a friend! 



Bishop's Convocation on Prayer:  
The Bishop will be hosting a Convocation on Prayer Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Reveille UMC (4200 Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221). Feel free to check out the conference website for more details: 

Items for School Kits:   The children of Centenary will be assembling school kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) throughout the year.  With back-to-school sales already starting, this is the ideal time to pick up supplies for the schools kits!  Below are the items that go into each kit. 
 
  • Blunt scissors (round tip only, no plastic scissors)
  • Box of 24 crayons
  • One-subject notebooks (no marble composition books)
  • Loose-leaf paper (100-200 page packets, wide or college rule)
  • Hand-held pencil sharpener (1 inch or longer)
  • Ruler (12 inches or 30 centimeters long)
  • Unsharpened pencils
  • Eraser (2 inches or larger)
 
These items should not have any advertisements or religious, patriotic, military or camouflage symbols.  Please let Meredith Thrower ([email protected]) know if you have any questions.


Annual Shoe Drive:   
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 you can help is by donating new shoes for these children. All sizes are needed! Children from kindergarten to high school need to start the new school year on the "right foot." There is a table in the sanctuary for donations to the Richmond Partnership of Churches Annual Shoe Drive. Shoes must be new, and sneakers are preferred (please no high heels, sandals, or bedroom slippers). If you would like to make a monetary donation, feel free to leave that in the piggy bank on the table. You can also include a check in the offering. Please note on your pledge envelope "For Annual Shoe Drive" as well as the bi-line of your check.  Thank you in advance for helping our children start their school year with a comfortable, solid foundation!



VA PrideFest 2018:  
On  Saturday, September 22 , Centenary Downtown United Methodist Church will be hosting a booth at the 2018 VA Pridefest on Brown's Island.  We invite you to assist at our booth as we take time to meet and invite our LGBT brothers and sisters to become a part of Centenary.  Please check your calendar and sign up on the 2018 VA Pridefest sheet on the bulletin board across from the kitchen.
 
We will be sharing information about our Reconciling Congregation that extends hospitality and encourages full participation of ALL regardless of age, race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, education or economic background, and physical or mental ability.  Please sign up today and work with our team to reach out and welcome new members to our family!


Peaks of Otter Centenary Travels Trip:  
This is an all-inclusive trip with motor coach transportation, snacks on the bus, lunch at the Peaks of Otter Lodge (Buffet), National D-Day Memorial, Poplar Forest, and all gratuities included. Payment Due by September 1, 2018 -Make check payable to Robert Almond.  The cost of the trip is $125.00 per person and see the flyer on the bulletin board across from the kitchen for more information.
 
 
We Need Your Votes!:  
For our Centenary Summer Movie Series, we ask again for your input. September's movie will be selected from three great choices, by means of a drawing, and we want you to vote for your favorite. You may vote as many times as you have enthusiasm to do so. Ballots are available on Sundays on the table outside the chapel and at the July and August presentations. During our August movie session, we will draw one winner 'out of a hat!' If your ballot is drawn, you receive a gift for your efforts and your selection will be shown in September. VOTE EARLY!  VOTE OFTEN!



Movie DVD Exchange: 
Have a DVD you  have watched too often? Bring it to a Centenary Summer Movie Series showing and exchange it for a different one. Also, if you see a DVD you like on display, take it and leave a donation to RISE AGAINST HUNGER! At the end of our series, any remaining DVDs not exchanged will be donated to the McGuire Veteran Center. It's a win, win situation!!!

Centenary Summer Movies: 
We are commemorating the 78th anniversary of WWII's Battle of Dundirk and the Battle of Britain with our August movie selection, Mrs. Miniver. This 1943 Academy Award 'Best Picture' takes us into the lives of a very ordinary British family, who are called to do extraordinary tasks in the face of war and the invasion of their homeland. Starring Greer Carson (Academy Award Best Actress for her portrayal) and Walter Pigeon. Mrs. Miniver swept the awards and takes us back in time and the mindset of the "Greatest Generation."  Join us on Wednesday, August 15, at 6 p.m. for all the pathos and spirit-lifting drama . . . no war ration tickets required!


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.


 
Jim Boice (Recovering from a recent fall)
Mark C. Inge (Job eliminated)
Greg deKramer and family (Leah & Bob Hundley's nephew who had a bone marrow transplant in May; transplant seems to be successful and Greg is back at work; please continue to keep him in prayer- especially in the next few months)
Joe Speidel (please keep Joe and his family in your thoughts and prayers; Joe's mother passed away Friday, August 3)
Alicia Webster (Sister of Rachel Hanning; had emergency surgery last)
Kayla Vigil (Cousin of Carrie Toro in Wyoming; in serious condition after ATV accident)
Nancy Grand (outpatient surgery)
Richard Steele (at home)
Serena Durst
Rev. Rita Callis
Lee Covington 
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)

Celebrating Birthdays in August

Timothy Siddons
Serena Durst
Kathleen Gregory
Mary Beth Siddons
George Vetrovec
John Seyfarth
Nancy Hundley
Goldie Craig
Tommy Speidel
Lorna Leake
Katie Shingleton
Grace Hinchman
Mirian Wickman
Joseph Ciucci
Shawn Gregory
Matt Bates
Kathy Talley
Meredith Thrower
Bob Hundley, Jr.
Sharon Steele
 
Photo of the Week!

A great time was had by all last Sunday at the "Showdown for the Savior: St. Bridget's vs. Centenary" in beach volleyball!



Centenary United Methodist Church | (804) 648-8319 | www.centumc.org 
Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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