Wednesday, November 17, 2021 |
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CENTRAL TIME
weekly e-news from Central United Methodist Church
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from Cam Treece
By now most of us have already made our plans to celebrate Thanksgiving. This year is shaping up to be a more “normal” event than last year, with more of us planning to travel and spend time with family. For those of us who were not able to be with family last year, this Thanksgiving will be filled with a greater sense of gratitude. And yet, for many, this Thanksgiving will also be marked with a sense of sadness; for many who were with us last year are not with us now.
This is one reason why Thanksgiving, and the following holiday season, can be a challenge. On the one hand, we recognize that we have reasons to be grateful. On the other hand, we also know deep inside that we don’t always feel grateful, sometimes even the opposite. For me, it raises the question: is it possible to feel gratitude and sadness, even depression, at the same time? If you research the question on the internet you will find plenty of articles, blogs, and studies suggesting it is not. Many claim that if you are feeling gratitude, then all other emotions will be driven out. However, based on my own experience, and the experiences of others, I believe it is possible to feel both at the same time. The truth is, human nature is complex and complicated. We are a mixture of the rational and irrational. Sometimes what we do and feel makes sense to us, and sometimes it doesn’t and that’s okay. I can find many reasons to be grateful and still acknowledge my sadness at the same time. And if I can’t really find reasons for my sadness or depression, that is okay also.
We are well-meaning when we try to cheer someone up by encouraging them to count their blessings when they are feeling low. Sometimes, that can indeed help. However, sometimes this advice can have the opposite effect. Being grateful can no more make cancer go away than it can depression. I can recognize that “this is the most wonderful time of the year” and still feel the blues all at the same time. I believe God understands this and is also okay with it.
This is one of the reasons I appreciate the Psalms so much. If you take the Psalter in its entirety, you will find the full gamut of human experience expressed. This includes everything from joy and comfort, to despair and rage. It’s all there, included in the hymns of Israel and the church. This inclusion tells me that God’s love is big enough to handle and affirm whatever it is that we are experiencing. We don’t have to pretend, and we don’t have to feel bad for how we are feeling. Sometimes the best thing we can do is feel whatever we are feeling, without judgment or a rush to “fix” it. We can do this for each other as well.
Sometimes it is uncomfortable to be with someone in their grief or depression. We want to say or do something to alleviate it. However, allowing someone to be where they are and letting them know it is okay is incredibly affirming and can bring a healing balm. I am genuinely looking forward to Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, but I also know I will have times where I will struggle. If you find yourself feeling the same way, know that you are not alone, and God is with you, Emmanuel.
Grace and Peace,
Cam
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Messy Christmas - Wednesday, December 22
5:30-7:30pm (Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall)
Other Messy Church Dates in 2022
Sundays from 4-6pm on . . .
January 30, February 20, March 20, and May 15
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PRAYER FOR CENTRAL
By Jan Francis
Receive us O God, where we are and as we are as a family of faith.
Create in us an awareness of that poverty of spirit that will connect
us to something beyond ourselves.
Burden our hearts for the forlorn and forgotten and empower us
to realize our unique spiritual gifts.
Enable us to discern the good from the best as we strive to reach the
expanding circles of our community, and keep us centered
on the example of Jesus.
Help us to ignore whatever would distract us from our mission.
Confirm our faith with ever-increasing expectations of what we can
achieve through your transforming power and grace.
Amen
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November 21, 2021
Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday
Eleven o'clock Sanctuary or on-line Central's facebook
Gospel Lesson: John 18:33-37
Sermon . . .
NOT FROM THIS WORLD
Paige Wolfe, Minister of Christian Education and Programs
Hymns:
715 Rejoice, the Lord Is King
577 God of Grace and God of Glory
UMH 886 The World Methodist Social Affirmation
Nursery Worker
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from the Choirmaster's desk...
Central UMC has enjoyed a robust and distinctive music program for decades. I am but the latest in a long line of choir directors (Dr. John Bullard, Jane Rolandi, and Dr. Vic Bilanchone, to name some of the most recent) who have led the Chancel Choir in beautiful and appropriate music for worship on Sunday mornings and for other special observances. The choir, made up primarily of volunteers, is a rich blessing of diverse musical backgrounds, who, collectively, have provided consistently beautiful musical offerings to God and to their fellow parishioners. Through the foresight of my predecessors and through the generosity of the church, the Chancel Choir experience has been enriched by the presence of section leaders/soloists. Like their title suggests, these professional singers are the musical leaders of their sections, and they are the go-to singers for the demanding solos of our Christmas and Easter cantatas, as well as other solo opportunities. In no way discounting the contributions of our volunteer choir members, it is fair to say that the addition of these paid singers to the choir has made it possible over the decades to set and maintain an amazingly high bar of musical offerings.
While Central UMC is developing its budget for 2022, I wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to make a financial contribution to underwrite, in part or in whole, one or more of these section leader/soloist positions. Currently we have three Converse students, Anna Neely, McKey Monroe, and Mark Shelton as our respective soprano, alto, and tenor section leaders/soloists. In the past, Central has had four paid section leader/soloist positions: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. It would be wonderful to restore this fourth paid section leader/soloist position, but no money has been budgeted toward this position since before I was hired as Central's Music Director in 2015. Likewise, if you would be willing to underwrite, in part or in whole, a new bass section leader/soloist position, you have that opportunity now. Please contact me by phone, 864/921-3991, or by email, if you are interested or would like more information. Thank you.
Keith Jones
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NO Wednesday Night Supper next week.
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Thanksgiving and Christmas project 2021
We are asking that the membership of
Central help provide turkeys and hams for
T.O.T.A.L. Ministries
"Telling Others They Are Loved."
Together we can do this!
You may contribute by . . .
Giving money on-line at
Or you may mail a check to the church, designating it to the
Mission Food Project.
Please address it to:
Central UMC
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
The Thanksgiving and Christmas Project continues through December 15th.
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Please continue to pray for . . .
Thomas Bridges, Dottie Broyles, Debbi Herman, Ernest Geter, Stephanie R. Hatley, Caroline Keaton, Claudia Lange, Flo Pettigrew, Mildred Ragan, Barbara Ropp, Edith Rowell, Rev. Tom Wilkes, and Doris Wilson
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Tuesday Evening Bible Study with Andy Crosland in-person at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
The subject is The Book of Isaiah.
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Sacred Traditions
And
Rituals
Tranquility with Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
November 28
Reflection
Miracles and Godwinks
God's everyday messages from Heaven, that we often label Miracles, come in many shapes and sizes. This first Sunday in Advent and the first evening of Hanukkah begin celebrations recognizing and acknowledging two such Miracles.
Recently, a new word - Godwink, has been introduced to describe those little coincidences that aren't coinicidences but come from a divine origin. A series of books have been written about these signs of hope, which in turn, have inspired a series of Hallmark Christmas movies - all based on true stories.
Whether referring to them as Miracles or Godwinks, both may be a glimpse into the true nature of the Universe, reminding us that everything is connected. Sometimes we see the connection, but mostly we do not. In one sense, everything that happens or doesn't happen is a Miracle or Godwink and our challenge is to see these in every happening.
Debra Lester and David Heatherly will create and share our Reflection as part of the service. Both serve on S.T.A.R. Councils - Debra coordinates Media Communication and David is the Chair of Councils.
A portion of the offering collected has been designated for H.A.L.T.E.R. - honoring Debra and David for sharing their creative energy with us.
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Church Announcements for
Central Time or Sunday bulletin
If you have an announcement that you would like to appear in the Central Time, Sunday bulletins, on social media, or on the church's website, please submit that information to: info@centralumcspartanburg.org before noon on Mondays. Thank you!
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Be assured that your many expressions of love, caring thoughts, memorials, and prayers for peace following my sister's accident and untimely death have helped me tremendously. We are blessed to be a part of such a loving congregation.
-Barbara Ropp
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Ways to Give to Central
We continue to be deeply grateful for continued support of the mission and ministry of Central Church. There are a few ways to continue to make offerings extremely easy.
- The US mail always works. We are at 233 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.
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Contact Ann Darby to set up a recurring gift through an automatic bank draft.
- On the homepage on the church's website there is a "Give" link. Once you set up that app any additional gifts are as easy as one or two clicks.
Stewardship
a/o October 31, 2021
YTD Receipts $426,786 *
YTD Expenses $452,498
YTD EXPENSES over RECEIPTS $25,712
*plus PPP Loan
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The Permanent Endowment Committee of Central UMC has determined that there is approximately $52,000 available to be distributed for “programs, ministry, outreach and missions of the Church.”
Those interested may apply by filling out a Request for Funds from Endowment, which may be obtained from the church office. Applications should be submitted to the church office by November 30, 2021. The Permanent Endowment Committee will meet thereafter to make decisions as to recipients with disbursements made before the end of the year.
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Cannon's Memorial Chapel
Palmetto Moravian Fellowship
Worship Service
November 28
9am
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Memorial
To Buddy Mullins by Joan Johnson
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November Birthdays
20 Rubie Yonce
21 Ted Ellis, Mary Knight, Magdalene Nichols
22 Jean Yonce
23 Lillian Zimmerman
24 Perry Henson
25 Dianne Mercer
27 Gina Hamer, Keith Parris
28 Kit Maultsby
29 Hunter Zimmerman
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Please note: There will not be a Central Time e-newsletter next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you!
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LET'S STAY CONNECTED!
Central (864) 582-7263
Central United Methodist
founded 1837
Central Office Hours:
Monday through Thursday
8:15 AM-4:15 PM
and Friday
8:15 AM - 12 Noon
Mission Statement:
"Our purpose is making and nurturing
disciples of Jesus Christ."
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Get text notifications from Central
To sign up, text the word "Central" to 864-661-4726. After texting the keyword to this phone number, you will receive a reply asking for some simple info. Please click the link, include your name, and submit the form. You will be signed up! Any questions, contact Rev. Paige Wolfe.
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