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A Message from Centenary
Fall Financial Update
Dear Centenary Family,
The purpose of this letter is to update you on our financial position as of September 2019.
Our income from contributions is down $15,000, compared to this point last year. The reason we have our eye on this is that over the last couple of years, we have worked to reduce our spending so that we are using our endowment more wisely and faithfully. Our current endowment policy allows us to use 5% of the endowment each year. We really want to stay true to that commitment so that our resources will be there for the next generation.
In 2018, we had about $50,000 in income that we knew we could not forecast or anticipate either from pledged or non-pledged income. But we stepped out in faith. And you responded so generously! We underspent our budget and many of you were very generous at the end of the year. As we entered 2019, we were hopeful that a similar pattern might persist.
But, for a long time, we have been aware of something many churches like ours are facing. Many of our older, faithful members are no longer with us. That is part of the gap we are experiencing in our income at this point in the year.
I also want you to know how much progress we have made in the responsible use of our resources.
In 2016, I shared some information with you about our financial situation that our then, 2020 Strategic Planning Committee was wrestling with as we sought to discern God's will for a sustainable vision for the 21st century. I won't share all the data with you I shared at that point, but I want to remind you of three points that led us to work hard to change our spending practices.
1)
The endowment in 2016 was half of what it was in the year 2000.
2)
In the previous four years, an average of 26% of our annual budget had come from the endowment.
3)
That means that on a budget of around $600,000 in the previous 4 years, an average of $156,000 of that was coming from the endowment.
But that is no longer the situation. Beginning in 2018, we have been trying to live with a 5% draw from the endowment, a norm most financial advisors view as responsible and sustainable. But, as in 2018, we have another $50,000 in income that we cannot forecast or anticipate from pledged or unpledged income this year.
I am so grateful for all the hard work our leaders have put into these efforts. And I am so grateful for your generosity and faithfulness.
If you feel called to help us overcome this deficit in giving and finish 2019 strong, we would be very grateful.
Yours in Christ,
Matt
P.S. In early November you will receive a letter updating you on our plans for 2020 and inviting you to join us for our Commitment Sunday on November 24.
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Hymn Festival 2019: In Memoriam Richard Steele:
Join us, THIS
Sunday, October 20, 2019, at 4 p.m.,
Keith Beniston will return and there
will be a guest choir from the University of Mary Washington under the direction of Chris Ryder.
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Reconciling Tenth Anniversary Recommitment, November 2-3
Note Change in Worship Time for November 3!
This year marks the celebration of the tenth anniversary of Centenary being a Reconciling Congregation. We are planning several events throughout the year that will help us remember where we have been, consider where we are now, and envision together where God is calling us to go with our Reconciling witness. We have invited Helen Ryde, the Southeastern Jurisdiction Coordinator for the Reconciling Ministries Network to join us for the weekend. One of our goals for the weekend is to have an opportunity for us to share with other clergy, congregations, and laity the process involved in becoming a Reconciling Congregation. We also want this time to be a time for us as a church family to learn, discuss, and discern what our Reconciling identity means at this particular time in our denomination and to recommit ourselves to this important work.
Please join us for these events:
Saturday, November 2
12 Noon-2 pm--Join us for a light lunch and discussion on the theme, "Where Are We Now?' We will talk about our journey toward becoming a Reconciling Congregation, take stock of where we are, and learn more about where our denomination is at this time.
Sunday, November 3--10:00 a.m. Combined Worship--No Sunday School
- Combined worship service featuring Stan Baker and the Centenary Choir, as well as music led by Drew Willson and Lee Covington.
- Helen Ryde will share the story of her faith journey with us.
- Rev. Pat Shipley will preach and we will celebrate Holy Communion on this All Saints' Sunday.
- A Covered Dish Luncheon will follow and we will have a time of learning and conversation focused around the theme, "What's Next? The Future of Centenary and the UMC." Please bring your favorite casserole, salad, or desert to share. The church will provide beverages.
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Centenary Member in Arts Events!
Richmond's Contemporary Arts Fair will take place on October 23-27 and Washington, D.C.'s Superfine! D.C.'s Art's Fair will take place on October 30-November 4.
Included in the schedule of events at the Current (Richmond), is the premier of a new documentary titled The Builder (produced by Shockoe Artspace.
The Builder
is a documentary set in Richmond, Virginia, focusing on an art collection, building culture and a collector of contemporary art, Don Childress (a contractor who began his art collection by trading construction jobs for artwork with artists expanding or building studios). Premiering October 25, 2019, at Current Art Fair in Richmond.
This collection will feature our very own John Adams!
It will also be screened at later dates at the VMFA, VCU, The Byrd Theatre, and in locations in DC/Northern, VA.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019
LAITY SUNDAY
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
8:40 a.m. Early Service
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship
Dr. Matthew D. Bates
will be preaching this Sunday and his sermon is entitled "The Past Does Not Have to Be Prologue.
Did you miss a service? Would you like to listen to a sermon again or share it with a friend? You can now listen to the sermon or the entire 11 a.m. service. The services are posted on our church website,
(Click on this link to go to the church website.). Each sermon
is normally available Sunday or Monday afternoon and remains available for later listening. Please tell anyone who might enjoy listening.
Second Fridays:
Coffee Theology at Urban Farmhouse in Scott's Addition (6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m.)
Fourth Sundays:
Pub Theology at Triple Crossing Downtown (6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.)
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Announcements
The next Office Work Day will take place on
Thursday, October 24, 2019. We will still be answering phones and returning emails; however, our response time may be a bit slower due to a larger task load for the day. Thank you so much for all of your patience and support!
Introducing Gatherings, Our New Pop Up Drink Shop!:
We will be serving specialty coffee, cider, and yummy treats!
Open: 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. - 12:20 a.m.
Located just outside the sanctuary by the Ladies' Parlor.
Check the weekly church newsletter for our next pop update!
Stop by and bring a friend!
New Sunday School Classes Begin:
Join us for Sunday School. Dean Simpson is leading a class on
The Great Theologians.
Robb Stottlemyer begins leading a class on Shea Tuttle's new book, "Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mr. Rogers,"
which can be purchased on Amazon.
Adult Handbell Choir:
The Adult Handbell Choir rehearsals will meet
at 8:30 a.m. on the third floor in the room across from the elevator.
The annual pansy sale to benefit Shalom Farms is here!
The flowers can be picked up on
Friday afternoon, October 18, 2019, or Sunday, October 20, 2019.
Thanks so much and happy planting!
Editors, The. "How to Grow Perfect Pansies That Will Fill Your Garden With Color." Good Housekeeping, Good Housekeeping, 22 June 2018, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20706070/pansy-flower/.
RISE AGAINST HUNGER MEAL PACKING EVENT:
On
Saturday, November 9, 2019,
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).
Lunch and Learn: Shea Tuttle Book Signing Event!:
Won't You Come "Meet" Our New Neighbor?
Meet author, Shea Tuttle, and wife to our very own Drew Willson!
Join us on Sunday, November 10, 2019,
following the 11:00 a.m. service
for a light lunch and a 20 minute discussion about Shea's upcoming book, Exactly As You Are- The Life and Faith of Mr. Rogers. After the discussion, there will also be an opportunity to purchase and have a book signed by Shea!
Celebrating Centenary's 10th Anniversary as a Reconciling Congregation:
Our Reconciling Task Force is working hard to develop some ideas to help us observe the 10
th
Anniversary of Centenary becoming a Reconciling Congregation. We have recently hosted a gathering of the Reconciling Congregations and Communities from the Virginia Conference. We are planning a series of events through the Fall of this year and Spring of 2020 that will help us consider how to continue to live fully into the many different dimensions of our Reconciling statement. As you know, we seek to be a church that welcomes
all
people, and there's always growing to do as we seek to live out that bold vision. We have a budget of about $5,000.00 to cover expenses for all these anticipated events and want to give members of our congregation the opportunity to support these efforts financially. If you would like to contribute to these important efforts, you may do so by marking a check or envelope simply "Reconciling." Thank you in advance!
School Supplies:
Because of your generosity, our youth were able to assemble 48 school supply kits in June! They will assemble more during the year to take to next year's conference. We still have enough of many of the required items but do need:
- One-subject spiral-bound notebooks (each kit requires 3 notebooks)
The Centenary Buddy System:
The Centenary Buddy System is looking for individuals who would like to reach out to new members, provide updates for upcoming events, and be a resource to explain the ins-and-outs of the church. Those interested should sign up on the bulletin board by the fellowship hall or talk to Mann Brown/Nathan Grubb.
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Joanne Crick Berft- daughter of Phil & AJ Crick, asking for prayer for recent health issues
The Family of Lois Hinerman- who passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Bernice Walter- medical issues
Les & Mary Dobbs
Pat Shipley- in the recent passing of her brother, Tom Shipley
Merle Brown- at Memorial Regional Hospital and a had a cardiac
catheterization
Lynn LaBarre- father passed away suddenly in Social Circle, GA
Alex Hundley- undergoing basic training for the Army
Allen White- passing of a childhood friend
William Clyde Hundley- son of Bob & Leah Hundley, recent cardiac catheterization
R.B. Bennington- at home
Leah and Bob Hundley
Phyllis Stump
Serena Durst- back problems and much pain
Mary Alice Nesbitt
Lucille Hunt- at Morningside at Bellgrade
Jane Grand-
has been moved to a skilled nursing facility and has leveled in her recovery
Riley Davin- niece of Vic and Nancy
Shannon Conway requests prayer for Charles Sherman, Peter Oxborrow, Leon Beale and Family
Jeff Hatch
Nancy Penman- Wendy Smith's mother who has had a stroke and lives in New Jersey
A.J. & Phil Crick- at Morningside at Bellgrade
Justin Laman- nephew of Lucy Hottle, a young father who has cancer
The Family of Jenny Bush- friend of Leah Hundley, who recently lost her battle with stage 4 melanoma
Wendy Tisdale- family friend of Agatha and Christina Kidd, diagnose with staged 4 lung cancer
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Wayne Panton
Barry Sanderlin
Milton Wright
Merle Brown
John Dillehay
Toni Corcoran
Norm Dinwiddie
Matthew Simpson
Lynette Bailey
Mary Anne Dazey
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Photo of the Week!
Congratulations to Officer Frias and his baby girl, Kaylynn. Today was Officer Frias first day back from paternity leave. Welcome back and thank you for all you do!
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Visit Us: 411 E. Grace St., Richmond, VA 23219
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