This Week at Centenary
Friday, November 27, 2020
Important Update
Worship Moved to Zoom this Week
Please Read Below
 
Dear Centenary Family,
 
I hope you will read all the newsletter below, most of which we prepared just before Thanksgiving. Since preparing the articles and messages below, several things have occurred that will change our weekly routine and our Sunday morning routine for the next two weeks.
 
You may know that on Tuesdays, a faithful group of staff and volunteers assembles to take care of church business. We process the offering, pay bills, check mail and so forth. This has worked very well since the Pandemic began.
 
After completing our work on Tuesday, we learned later that day that one of our faithful servants had received a positive Covid-19 diagnosis.
 
Since then, we have been following the prescribed processes for such an occurrence.
 
  • We have contacted everyone who was in the building that day.
  • We have reported this to our District Superintendent
  • We have consulted with medical professionals.
  • We have convened a meeting of our Healthy Church Team.
 
I want you to be aware of several actions we are taking in response to the best advice we’ve received and with the health and well-being of our congregation and staff in mind.
 
  • We will be closing our building for 14 days (counting from Tuesday, November 24).
  • We are making plans to have our building professionally sanitized.
  • Several people who were there Tuesday, me included, will be self-quarantining.
  • Because of the suspension of activities in our building, we will not be able to livestream worship as usual.
  • We will also be suspending our Walk-In Ministry for two weeks. 
  • In lieu of our livestreamed service, I’m inviting you to join us on Zoom the next two Sundays at 11 a.m. I’m still working on what that will look like. It will be different, but will include reading of the Scripture, some reflection on that, and prayer with and for one another and the world. You’ll find the link for worship below.
 
Thank you for your continued flexibility as we navigate these ever-changing currents together.

Please pray for healing for the one diagnosed with Covid-19 and those who may have been exposed.
 
Peace,
 
Matt
 
Dear Centenary Family,
 
As we approach Thanksgiving, I know the way we celebrate will be different for all of us. I know many of us will miss gathering with family and friends as we usually do. I’ve been thinking that in spite of the challenges we still face I have much to be grateful for. I’m grateful to be part of this church that is filled with compassion and finds its joy in serving God and others. I’m grateful for our staff who have worked so hard during this pandemic to help us continue to communicate, care, worship, and serve. I’m grateful for our leaders who have taken on added responsibilities and helped us make wise and prudent decisions, while being willing to dream about what is next for us in mission and ministry. I’m grateful for faithful volunteers who give so generously of their time and talents to move the church’s ministry forward. I’m grateful for my family which is a source of stability and encouragement. More than anything, I like you, am grateful for the offer of God’s grace in Jesus Christ which is a gift beyond anything I could earn or deserve.
 
I invite you to make your list. How has God cared for you, provided for you, watched over you in the past year?
 
As you know, this coming Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday of Advent. Meredith Thrower has undertaken a labor of love, re-typing and reproducing an Advent devotional by Jean Craig for children from some years ago. Even though focused on children and their families, this is something that can be a blessing for all of us during Advent. I invite you to read Meredith’s note below and consider making this devotional part of your spiritual practice during Advent. I’m looking forward to doing that. I invite you to consider making the preparations Meredith describes below.
 
This Sunday’s sermon focuses on Isaiah 64:1-9. My title is “From Anger to Advent.” Some of us might harbor some unexpressed anger as we consider the ongoing challenge of the pandemic, the disruption in our normal routines, and the persistent anxiety that we’ve experienced during this time. But anger that derives from our frustration over the way life is can lead to anticipation of what God is about to do. Perhaps this Advent like no other we can adopt an attitude of eager anticipation as we keep our eyes open for the arrival of God’s presence and power to save and heal us all.
 
The journey’s not easy. But I’m glad we’re on the road together.
 
Peace,
 
Matt

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Hello Centenary Families! 

I hope you are surviving these strange COVID times. Attached is an Advent Devotional geared towards families. This devotional was written in 1979 by Jean Craig who was a long-time member of Centenary and a missionary. Many of you remember these devotionals from your childhood days! More information about Jean and her devotionals is at the beginning of the attachment. It brings back many memories and I hope you enjoy it!

 
If you would like Advent candles to use with this devotional, I found some options on Amazon.
 
 
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous Advent!

Meredith
Online Worship

Sundays, November 29
and December 6


Join us on Zoom as we gather together for worship at 11:00 a.m.

This Sunday Rev. Matt Bates will be preaching.
His sermon is titled From Anger to Advent.

Centenary has moved to a new kind of church record keeping solution called Realm®. It primarily serves the administrative needs of our staff, but it also offers some exciting opportunities to support the way you are involved in our church. Not only will this improve work life for our ministry staff, it will make it easier for our church family to connect with each other, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of believers.
 
To find out more about Realm, please visit our website. Want to create an account? Please email Laura – centunitedmethodistchurch@gmail.com. She will need the email address that you would like connected to your account. From there, she will send an email with the link you need to set up your account.

New technology is never easy and can be confusing. Here is a PDF that will walk you through your new account. And you can always reach out to Laura. She is happy to set up a time to talk with you and help you feel comfortable with Realm
Ways to Make Your 2021 Pledge
You recently received a stewardship letter, with a pledge card. In error, the card says you can bring it with you to worship on November 29. Of course, we are not meeting in person for worship! Sorry for this oversight. But we do have two ways to pledge:
  1. Fill out and mail your pledge card to the church. We are receiving mail even on the days we are not there.
  2. If you have created a Realm account, you can make your pledge directly from your account. Click here for instructions!
Thank you for your generosity to Centenary!
SERVING OPPORTUNITY
The Serving Team would like to give you another opportunity to reach out to make Christmas happier for some most deserving people, our Veterans at Mcguire Hospital. For several years our Walk Ins have sent the cards; but that can't happen in 2020. We still want them to be reminded that they are not forgotten during this Christmas Season. You may send as many cards as you like to the following address in a large envelope. Each card would be signed by you and a few words of thanks and encouragement to the veteran. Volunteers will distribute the cards. PLEASE DO NOT SEAL THE INDIVIDUAL ENVELOPES. We appreciate your effort and concern for our men and women who have given their all for our country. Please send the cards to:

Voluntary Service (135)
CVHCS
1201 Broad Rock Road
Richmond, VA 23249
PECAN UPDATE
We have some pecan available for sale -- $12/bag.
  • 3 Halves
  • 16 pieces
To place your order contact Leah Hundley.
Please make checks payable to Leah Hundley.
Bring in the Harvest Success
The Serving Team would like to thank our congregation for the wonderful response to our annual Bring in the Harvest food drive. We have always had a great response to provide groceries to those in need; but this year with so many suffering job losses, it was especially important that we stepped up to lessen the pain. This year’s donations far exceeded passed years – it required three vehicles to deliver the food to Sherbourne UMC. Sherbourne has a food pantry that serves 100-150 clients each week and they were extremely grateful that we had thought of them. In our parking lot during the drop offs, someone said that Centenary is always at its best when serving others. Amen!
Bible Study Opportunities

Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

When the Bible studies return next week, there is a bit of a change - the evening Bible study will now meet on Tuesday evenings. It will be the same format, just a new time! Next Tuesday, the reminder email will have the link you need for whichever time you works best for you!
Reconciling Task Force will meet Wednesday, December 2 at 7pm via Zoom. Contact Joe Speidel at joespeidelva@gmail.com if you would like to become part of this group.
Doug Wilson shared this John Wesley quote -
some thoughtful, healing words.
The Upper Room
available as a PDF
The Upper Room is continuing to support their standing order partners with a PDF of the November/December issue!
You may download your copy here.
Birthdays This Week

December 1 - Lou Webber
December 3 - Sam Shingleton

Dec. 2 @ 7 p.m. Reconciling Task Force
Dec. 16 @ 4 p.m. UMW Smethie Circle

All events are on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
Ka Cheng - friend of Vicki and Phyllis Stump diagnosed with breast cancer.
Susan Campbell and family - upon the death of her husband, Roy Lambertson
Ronnie Clements
Jack & Denney Collins - Jack is now recovering at home. Continue to keep him and
his wife Denney in your prayers. Jack and Denney are part of our young adult
ministry. Cards and expressions of support and concern can be sent to Jack Collins,
1217 Stanhope Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227.
Shannon Conway - requests prayer for the Charles Sherman, Peter 
Oxborrow, Leon Beale and family.
Tim Gerde - recovering at home.
Jeff Hatch
Clyde Hundley - recovering from a recent blood clot. 
Heidi Kara - upon the death of Florencio Puente, husband of Heidi's stepmother, who
also passed away recently. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Mary Mismas - recovering from back surgery.
Patti Oman - health concerns - friend of Beth Hensley.
William Ray - husband of Suzanne Ray, recent hospitalization at Memorial Regional Hospital.
Jerry Rodwell - Amy Bates's dad - recent cancer diagnosis.
Phyllis Stump - at Lakewood Manor.
Ron Towers - is recovering at home. Cards can be sent to 202 North 20th Street, Apt. 306, Richmond, VA 23223.
Mariah Travis - Barrett Brown's sister, who in undergoing tests.
Chris Wimbush - the recent loss of his father.