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Dear Centenary Family,
We have been so blessed to have Rev. Rita Callis working with our older adult ministry since the first of the year. Regrettably, however, Rita's battle with cancer has returned. Some of us were able to attend a retirement party for Rita this past Sunday at Westover Hills UMC that was joyful, funny, and sobering all at the same time. We have come to love Rita and her husband Charles and will walk with them in the days and months ahead.
I also want you to know that we are very pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Tim Gerde to our staff to lead our ministry with older adults. Tim retired a year ago as the pastor at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Ashland. Tim has a distinguished record of service in the Virginia Conference having served in a variety of settings, including Fairfax UMC and Peakland UMC in Lynchburg. Tim and his wife, Marilyn, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. Tim finished seminary at Wesley Seminary in Washington, DC and also completed a Doctor of Ministry there. Tim also has extensive training in Clinical Pastoral Education and has led several of his congregations in forming and sustaining Stephen Ministry programs, an excellent program that equips laity to care for one another. He brings this wealth of experience along with a love for God and people and an enthusiasm for pastoral work to share with us here at Centenary. I know you will enjoy getting acquainted with Tim and working with him.
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. But instead of delving deeply into that important and mysterious doctrine as we do some years, I've been drawn to the epistle reading, Romans 8:22-27. This text also has its own level of mystery to ponder in its discussion of the witness of the Spirit with our human spirit. But this text makes an important affirmation we all need to hear from time to time. When God's Spirit bears witness with our human spirits, we discover the inner conviction that we are all children of God. That's just a way of saying that one of the great gifts God wants to give each of us is the gift of knowing deeply within that we are loved and accepted by God. I am convinced that the world needs this gift, because many people, perhaps even some of us who've been in the church a long time, go through life wondering whether or not we are worthy of the love of God.
This text is also an essential for United Methodists. It was one of John Wesley's favorite texts. It helped him with his own intense personal struggle to find peace with God and within. He thought proclaiming to the world that this gift of assurance of salvation, as he called it, was one of the main reasons God had raised up the Methodist movement. This Sunday let's think some about some of the obstacles that stand in the way of our receiving this gift-and the great joy we might experience in helping others come to know deep within that they are children of God.
I hope to see you Sunday!
Peace,
Matt
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This Weekend at Centenary
Sunday, May 27, Trinity Sunday
8:40 a.m. Informal Worship
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m.
Traditional Service
This week, Dr. Bates will preach
"You Are God's Child.
"
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A Challenge from Bishop Lewis to Read the Bible with her in 2018
May 31
Esther 6-10
June 1
Job 1-4
June 2
Job 5-7
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Chili Cook-Off: Join our church family and friends on
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
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
mevetrovec@aol.com
, who is coordinating a meal calendar.
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Volunteers Needed:
We are looking for a few willing volunteers to help out in the office during Mandy's maternity leave beginning the end of August/beginning of September. If you are interested in becoming an office volunteer, feel free to contact the church office at 804-648-8319 or cent.umc@verizon.net.
Annual Golf Tournament:
Join us at the Hollows Golf Course on
Thursday, June 7
, for the 2nd Annual Earl Siddons Open. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a putting contest at 11:30 a.m., lunch at 11:45 a.m., and a Golf Tee-Off at 1:00 p.m. The cost is $75.00/ person, $15.00 for lunch only (firm reservations needed for catered lunch). The proceeds benefit Rise Against Hunger. Hole sponsorships are also available at $50.00 per sponsor. Gift certificates can also be donated to be given as prizes. Be sure to mark this date on your calendar and don't forget to practice your swing! Please Note: We will need a strong number of reservations to ensure the pricing above. You can RSVP at the church office, 804-648-8319 or cent.umc@verizon.net, if you are interested in attending.
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.
Items Needed for School Kits:
School kits provide children around the world with basic school supplies such as paper, pencils, and other items.
To complete our goal of 150 kits, we still need:
1.
Paper (loose leaf or 1 subject notebooks-
please, no 3 or 5 subject notebooks; 1 subject only)
2.
2 gallon plastic, resealable bags
Join us on Sunday, June 3, and help us put together the kits!
Annual Conference Offering:
Bishop Lewis has announced the annual conference mission offering goal of $200,000 to focus on the following missional priority projects: 1.
Cambodia: $50,000
- Church Growth and Development and Community Health & Agric. Development, 2.
Brazil: $25,000
- Shade and Fresh Water Ministry with Children, 3.
Mozambique: $25,000
- Lay Leadership Development, 4.
Native Americans: $10,000
- Support for Volunteers in Mission teams working with Native American Ministry and Tribal Youth,5.
Cuba Recovery: $25,000
- Hurricane Recovery for Churches in Cuba, 6.
Haiti: $25,000
- Funds to support Volunteers in Mission teams to Haiti, 7.
Puerto Rico Recovery: $25,000
- Hurricane Recovery support for Puerto Rican churches, 8.
Moscow Seminary: $15,000
- Support for student scholarships
.
You may contribute by making your check to Centenary and designating it for Annual Conference Offering, or noting this on an offering envelope.
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).
Wanna go to the Movies??? The Reaching Committee is investigating whether there is an interest among members in showing monthly summer movies here at Centenary. Enclosed in this week's bulletin is a survey which committee members ask you fill out to help them gauge your enthusiasm in this fun summer pastime.
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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 May
Mann Brown
Bernice Walter
Billie Davis
Phyllis Stump
Mary Simpson
Pat Shipley
Earl Moss
Roy Cooke
Joyce Haley
Alice Cooke
David Ashe
Lynn Bailey
Tori Brock
Buck Haley
Sally Jordan
Charley Webber
Robb Stottlemyer
Louise Smith
Chris Jarvis
Kim Golden
Penny Speidel
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Photos of the Week!
We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and we thank all who have sacrificed so that we might have the freedom of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. God bless you all!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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