Dear Centenary Family,
As you know, the United Methodist Church continues to experience struggles and challenges around issues of inclusion. And as you know, Centenary has been at the forefront of advocating for the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in our denomination. The General Conference that was delayed from May of 2020 to August of 2021 has been delayed yet another year to August of 2022 because of the pandemic. The hope has been that at this General Conference, the Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation through Separation, agreed to by representatives from all various points of view in the denomination, would be adopted, and those no longer desiring to be part of an inclusive United Methodist Church would depart and form a new denomination, which recently has been named the Global Methodist Church.
In this interim period of waiting, there is still much work to be done and many opportunities to advance the cause of the Christ who welcomes all.
Because of Centenary’s place as the first Reconciling Congregation in Virginia, we are sometimes approached and asked to offer leadership in the Reconciling movement. Several months ago, we were asked to be part of a fundraising effort on behalf of Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) to help with the creation of a new website. RMN’s website is one of their main tools for communicating their message of welcome, educating persons about matters of human sexuality and faith, and empowering congregations and individuals in the work of actively inviting and receiving all people into the work, life, and ministry of the church. I have found their resources to be invaluable and have often pointed other people to the RMN website for information and support.
In December, Reconciling Ministries Network’s website crashed. They have patched things together for the time being but are working on building a new, state of the art website which will cost about $25,000. We have been asked to lead the fundraising effort for RMN’s new website within the Virginia Conference by reaching out to other Reconciling congregations, communities, and individuals to invite them to be part of this effort. To demonstrate our commitment to this effort as we invite others to join us in it, our Reconciling Task Force requested, and our Church Council has agreed that we will try to raise $5000 as a congregation toward this effort through our Easter Offering.
I have been asking myself in this time of uncertainty what I can do as an individual and as a pastor, and what we can do as a congregation to try to ensure that the new United Methodist Church that we hope comes into being after General Conference 2020 is a church that is unambiguous in its offer of God’s love to all people. This is one thing you and I can do together to move in that direction. The other thing I continually ask myself is how our choices, actions, or lack of action brings blessing or causes harm to those we know, love, and care about who identify as LGBTQ. There is much negativity in our world right now directed toward these persons and their families. We have been and want to continue to be on the right side of God’s coming reign of justice and love.
You may make your gift to this cause as you feel led by sending your gift to the church, designating it for “Easter Offering” or going online and making your contribution there with the same designation. (Please choose EASTER OFFERING in the Fund pull down menu.)
Thank you for considering this opportunity to show others who we are and make even more plain the nature of the God we know, love, and serve.
Peace,
Matt
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Livestream Worship
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
This Sunday Rev. Drew Willson will be preaching.
His sermon is titled Breathe In, Breathe Out.
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Clergy Against Racism
Good Friday Pilgrimage
Click here for more information.
Registration Deadline is TODAY!
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We look forward to worshiping with you during Holy Week.
All worship services are available online on
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March 28 - Palm/Passion Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
- March 28 - Zoom Reception at 12:00 noon. See information below.
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April 1 - Sanctuary Visits for Prayer and Reflection - 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. See information below. Not available online.
- April 1 - Holy Thursday Worship with communion at 7:30 p.m.
- April 2 - Good Friday Teneabrae Worship at 7:30 p.m.
- April 4 - Sunrise Worship with communion at 7:00 a.m. - in CUMC parking lot. See information below. Not available online.
- April 4 - Easter Worship with communion at 11:00 a.m.
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Join us for a Zoom Reception following worship hosted by Lay Leader, Karen Daly Junker.
Come and learn more about our Easter Offering
and Centenary's Reconciling work.
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Sanctuary Visits
for Prayer and Reflection
Would you like to have an opportunity to visit our sanctuary during Holy Week for a time of quiet prayer? Centenary Downtown’s sanctuary is our sacred space bequeathed to us by a Centenary family that spans generations. We long for a time when we can once again safely gather to raise our voices in prayer and song, and the Healthy Church Team is working toward that goal. The Team has sought and received permission from our District Superintendent to open the sanctuary for individual or family visits, provided we meet the health protocols established by the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Initially, we would like to offer an opportunity for individuals and households who are quarantining together to schedule a brief time for prayer and contemplation in our sanctuary on Tuesday, March 30, between 11am and 1pm. Depending on the response we get, we may offer a second session on Saturday, April 3, between 11am and 1pm.
If you are interested, please e-mail Jim Hill at jaschrhill@gmail.com by Saturday, March 27, to request a time. Here’s how we will meet the Healthy Church protocols:
- All participants will be required to wear a mask and maintain appropriate distance.
- Scheduling—Depending on number of responses, we will schedule a 20- or 30-minute slot for the visit. This allows for arrival, escort to the sanctuary, 15-20 minutes in the sanctuary, and escort to a second exit while the area is cleaned between visitors.
- Safe Traffic Flow—Participants will note their preference for front or back entrance arrival. A program host will greet you at the designated entrance, review the information on the Health Acknowledgement Poster, and complete a symptom check and personal contact information. The host will escort you to the front of the sanctuary so you need not touch anything en route. At the end of the visit, the host will escort you to your exit.
Although we are not providing access to other parts of the building (e.g., fellowship hall, Sunday School rooms), restrooms will be available. We’ll also be able to validate parking in our lot on Tuesday, if needed.
*Please excuse the bureaucratic language;
you will know and recognize your “host” and we will be delighted to see you!*
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Easter Sunrise Service
Sunday, April 4
7:00 a.m.
The Easter Sunrise Service will be held in the Centenary Parking Lot in a designated, roped off area. Holy Communion will be served. We will displaying the Easter Cross with live flowers. If you would like to help decorate the cross, please plan to arrive before the 7:00 a.m. service to place your flowers. The cross will be put in the stand a few minutes before the service.
A parking attendant will assist with parking cars.
COVID safety precautions will be followed:
- Please check your temperature at home to ensure that you do not have a fever above 99 degrees. If you are not feeling well, please plan to stay at home.
- Face masks are required at all times.
- Social distancing will be observed (6 feet apart standing or sitting.) Family members may sit or stand together.
- Some chairs will be provided for those who need to sit. The service will be approximately 35 minutes.
- The Church will not be open at the Sunrise Service.
We are planning for a Happy Easter as the Centenary family gathers together
in-person at this special sunrise service at our church and
gathers on-line at our regular online Sunday worship service.
If it is raining, the service will not be held. An email will be sent to church members announcing the cancellation of the service by 6:00 a.m.
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Please Save the Date…
Richmond District Annual Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, March 20 -- 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Mary Jane Rawley,
Former Conference UMW President
Enjoy your favorite breakfast treat and beverage as we gather via Zoom.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click here if you would like to download the bulletin.
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Geranium sale
$4.50 each (4 “ pot)
Come in red, hot pink, white and salmon.
Orders due by April 5, 2021
We will take orders for specific colors but cannot guarantee color. Please make checks to UMUMR. To order and make payment, please contact Leah Hundley. Susy Meyer will pick them up on April 9, 2021 and they can be picked up at her house or she will kindly deliver.
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All events are on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
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Ka Cheng - friend of Vicki and Phyllis Stump.
Ronnie Clements
Shannon Conway - requests prayer for the Charles Sherman, Peter
Oxborrow, Leon Beale and family.
AJ Crick
Bush Enos - brother of Rebecca Enos.
Vic Grand - upon the death of his sister, Beth Campbell. Also remember in prayer Beth's husband, Glenn Campbell and her daughters, Shelby and Riley.
Jeff Hatch
Alex Hundley - as he deals with life in the Army in Korea.
Sally Jordan - recovering from surgery, now at home.
Mikey - recovering from surgery.
Patti Oman - health concerns - friend of Beth Hensley.
Wayne Panton - undergoing tests.
John Seyfarth - John is doing well but we think he would appreciate a note or card from his church family.
Rev. Pat Shipley - recovering from surgery.
Phyllis Stump - at Lakewood Manor.
Peggy Thomsen--recent breast cancer diagnosis
Richard Vigil - cousin of Carri Toro, undergoing a lot of tests.
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