August 20, 2021
In person
and Online
Worship
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.
Join us in our beautiful sanctuary or online at
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8am-Noon

Contacts
804-648-8319
www.centumc.org

Email Addresses
Rev. Matt Bates

Rev. Tim Gerde

Stanley Baker

Office/Laura Nealley
Mission Opportunities

Dear Centenary Family,
 
As we’ve watched the events unfold in Afghanistan this week and seen the pictures of the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti, we wonder what we can do to make some difference in the midst of such human tragedies. 
Thankfully, beyond offering our prayers, there are concrete things we can do. I’m grateful to folks who have shared opportunities with me and I want to pass these on to you.
 
Rev. Pat Shipley shared information from a friend who is helping drive Afghan evacuees from Fort Lee to Washington, D.C. This work is being done through Lutheran Social Services. This website shares the ways volunteers can be involved in the work of assisting Afghan families who are making the difficult transition to life here in the U.S.
 
Rev. Tim Gerde also forwarded this message from his friend, Rev. Jim Gulley who has worked in Haiti for a number of years. 

Dear Family, Friends and Acquaintances,
Because I was engaged in mission & development in Haiti for 10 years — before and after the 2010 earthquake (and my rescue from the collapsed Hotel Montana) — and continue to have many colleagues and friends affected by this earthquake, I am reaching out to ALL whose names are in my laptop address book:  
I am appealing to your compassion and your capability to financially support the people of Haiti at this moment. Words are inadequate to describe the series of shocks which the people of Haiti are enduring:
  • unending political turmoil & gang violence, 
  • assassination of the Haitian President last month,
  • a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, followed in a matter of hours by 
  • Hurricane Grace(?) flooding a battered people! 
See the update from UMNews: Standing with Haiti amid quake and storm by Heather Hahn.
 
Where there is no end to suffering, there can be no end to compassion, giving and coming to terms with our own complicity in Haiti's suffering. Giving is the easiest -- but essential -- thing for us to do first. 
 
If you need a trustworthy channel where 100% of your funds will go to Haiti, send through UMCOR - The United Methodist Committee on Relief and its International Disaster Response and Recovery Advance #982450: https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450/ (cut and paste into your browser). The Haitian people need our support now!
 
Grace, compassion and peace,
Jim
I’d encourage you to check the link to the article above about the situation in Haiti. And as always, we know UMCOR does a great job in getting resources to people in their time of need.
We recently received a letter from Bishop Sharma Lewis about some things the Virginia Annual Conference is doing in response to Haiti. You will notice opportunities to assist local churches in Haiti which have been especially hard hit and have been centers for assistance in past disasters. You’ll also notice an invitation to an online prayer vigil for Haiti on August 26 at 7 p.m. Here’s the link to that letter.
We also have an opportunities right here in Richmond in
September to be in mission. 

On September 11, we are invited to join with Rev. Drew Willson and friends from Boulevard UMC in an outreach effort to Hillside Court spearheaded by Rev. Robin Mines who serves at Hood Temple AME Zion and Taylor’s Chapel AME Zion Churches. Here are some of those details:
Health Fair at Hillside Court, September 11, 1-3 p.m. Join collaborating churches and organizations as we offer together:

  • onsite vaccine clinic, COVID education, antibody and COVID testing (Virginia Department of Health)
  • Information about healthcare access for uninsured people and people with Medicaid (CrossOver Healthcare Ministry)
  • School supplies
  • Voter registration and restoration of rights
  • Grill out!

Let me know if you’d be interested in attending this event. Our main role would be to learn and offer support and perhaps see how we can contribute to future events like this.

If you have questions about any of these mission opportunities, please contact the church office.

I’m working on a sermon based on John 6:56-71. It’s entitled “Jesus May be Lord—but He’s Not Pushy!” After Jesus’ beautiful offer to be the bread of life for us and the world, some of the disciples start to leave, deciding that though what Jesus offers is wonderful, it is also costly. But some stay, deciding that Jesus has the words that lead to life. One of the ways we can stay on the journey with Jesus is to find ways to serve, joining Jesus in those places where suffering is real and love is in question. But Jesus never coerces us to follow. It’s always our choice.
I’m excited about these opportunities for us to make a difference. And there will be more on the horizon. Even as we continue to slog through this pandemic, God is with us—and God can use even people like us! I look forward to worshiping with you Sunday!

Peace,
 
Matt
Fellowship Opportunities
United Methodist Women Meeting
September 15 at 1:00pm

The next UMW meeting will be at Leah Hundley's home on September 15 at 1:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. Rev. Tim Gerde, our Coordinator of Older Adult Ministries, will speak on the ways to include shut-in members, and how we can help. All are invited. For more information or to RSVP please contact the church office.
We will be outside unless it is too hot.
Everyone is welcome to drop in on Tuesdays at 11:00 am for a chat, a prayer, or wherever the spirit may lead.
No pre-registration is required.

For more information, please contact the church office.
Finance Update
Great is Thy Faithfulness!

The 2021 Operating Budget (rounded to hundreds)
  • God continues to provide for the work of Centenary through your faithful generosity. Our contributions, pledged and unpledged, as of June are at $184,500, 94% of the year to date budget!
  • Expenses, other than apportionments, are under budget by $27,100. This is due primarily to having the financial secretary position open for three months $8,600, repairs being under budget so far this year $9,400 and the balance attributed to restricted operations continuing into this year.
  • We have paid $26,400 of the $31,700 in revised Priority 1 apportionments due through June. Council continues to monitor our cash position each month to determine whether apportionments can be covered as planned, after salaries and necessary expenses.
  • As of June, paid expenses exceeded collected revenues (all gifts and endowment earnings draws) by $1,400. We are prayerful all operating expenses will be met by year end. Our history is that giving is generous when needs are known.

Reminder Notes
  • Our annual giving does not cover the salaries for the Coordinator of Older Adult Ministries, Minister to Young Adults and funding our missionaries. These items are covered by gifts and bequests.

We give prayers of thanks for God guiding us through the valley of the pandemic and helping us discern a vision of our mission forward. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a member of the Finance Team: Herb Young, Barbara Pierson or Mitzi Golod.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Keeping You Informed
TIME TO ORDER PECANS! 

YES, we are selling our delicious Georgia PECANS from Schermer's again this year! Their prices have remained the same as last year -$12/bag. 
Please place your order with Leah Hundley OR on the sign-up sheet opposite the kitchen. We are offering:
  • halves & pieces in 16-oz. bags
  • chocolate covered
  • dark chocolate covered
  • cinnamon glazed in 12 oz. foil gift bags. 
Please order by SEPT. 1st, with delivery around Nov. 1st. Payment can be made at delivery. 

Thanks for your continued support of this UMW project that enables us to make annual donations to a variety of worthwhile organizations.
Big Elevator is Still Out of Order

We’re sorry to report that our big elevator is still out of order. We are actively pursuing its repair while waiting for the necessary parts. The maintenance issue resulted from the elevator being idle for a prolonged period of time. A number of other elevator owners are having a similar experience. We are currently on a waiting list for the repairs needed. In the meantime, thank you for using our small old elevator which works just fine. Go figure!

Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The Upper Room

The July/August issue of the Upper Room is now available online. We also have a
limited supply of paper copies, both regular and large print available in the office.
August 24 @ 11:00 a.m. - Drop In Cafe


September 2 @ 10:00 a.m. - Hymn Sing at Hillcrest Baptist Church


September 15 @ 1:00 p.m. - Smethie Circle

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH