Centenary Newsletter - November 19, 2021

As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to stop and reflect on all the blessings God has given us. Like many of you, I am grateful most of all for God's grace and mercy. I am grateful for family and friends who offer love, support, and encouragement. I'm grateful for vaccines! And frontline medical workers who risk their own health to care for others. I'm grateful for the beautiful colors of this fall season.

By now you've received information about our Pledge Sunday on November 28. I am very grateful for your generous and faithful support of Centenary's ministry throughout the course of the pandemic. These have been challenging months, but you have made it possible for our ministry to continue. As I think about the commitment you and I will make for 2022, I am approaching this year's Pledge Sunday by thinking about the things I am grateful for as I think about our church family. Admittedly, like any humna organization, we are not perfect. But there is so much to be thankful for. Here are a few of things I'm grateful for:

A congregation that is resilient and has been able to withstand challenges and still be in minsitry--since 1810!
A congregation that is not afraid to have courageous conversations about challenging topics.
A congregation with historic strengths in mission and worship!
A congregation with mature and committed lay leaders.
A congregation that really believes in (and practices) the Good News that God's love is for all people!
A congregation where members care for one another.
A congregation with a long history, grounded in tradition, but open to taking risks and making changes to live into God's future.

I believe Centenary is a great investment! When we pledge, we are investing in a congregation that is not focused on itself, but a congregation that is always looking to love its community and city in the way that Jesus has loved us and all the world! Through our gifts, we are changing the world through love.

On a personal note, not a day goes by that I do not stop and thank God for the opportunity to be part of this congregation.

One of the greatest stewardship texts in the New Testament is II Corinthians 9:6-15. I'd ask you to read that passage and reflect on it a bit. This is Paul's appeal to the Christians in Corinth to give generously to the offering he is collecting for the church in Jerusalem where Christians are really struggling. Verse 15 might just be the short prayer you and I might offer as we consider what God is calling us to do for Centenary in the coming year: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

I look forwrd to worshiping with you Sunday--and living into the Advent season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus!

In Christ's love,

Matt

Fellowship, Study & Outreach

Bring in the Harvest

Sunday, November 21 - Final Call!

As our tradition, we are collecting food to donate to Sherbourne UMC Food Pantry. You don't need to bring all the items listed. Please bring what you can.

Sunday is the final day we are collecting food.

Items needed are:

1 can corned beef or stew
1 lb. box spaghetti
1 jar spaghetti sauce
3 boxes macaroni and cheese
1 box cake mix
1 can cranberry sauce
1 pkg stuffing

1 box instant mashed potatoes
1 large box of cereal
1 jar peanut butter
2 packages dried beans or peas
2 cans tuna or salmon
2 cans of fruit
2 cans of vegetable

A Christmas Celebration is Coming Soon!

The Hallmark Channel presents "Christmas in July" showing its cheery, snowy movies in the heat of the summer. Centenary's pandemic twist will be "A Picnic for Christmas." Join us on Dec. 12 for our favorite prepared foods in indoor and outdoor spaces. To help prepare for this out-of-season celebration, we ask that you RSVP in advance! Also, we are looking for a 1-day loan of portable patio-type heaters. You can RSVP, volunteer to help, and/or indicate if you have a heater by calling the church office (804-648-8319).

Servants Needed

As we continue adjusting to new patterns because of the pandemic, we are seeking more people to help us reach and serve others in our community.

Online Worship Hosts - One immediate need we have is for people to help us improve our hospitality to members and guests who worship with us online. We need people who would be willing to welcome and greet people online just as we do in person, to encourage all worshipers online to fill out a registration form so we can know who is worshiping with us, follow up on members who usually attend and miss several Sundays, and follow up with visitors who join us for worship. Training will be provided.

We are also seeking people to serve on one of our three ministry teams. These teams will be active in the coming year as we reshape our ministry in this, what we hope soon will be, a post-pandemic world.

Reaching Team - The purpose of our Reaching team is to reach out to new people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, invite them to faith in Christ and participation in the life of the church, and to begin to help them connect with Centenary so that they continue to grow in faith and find their place of service.
Gathering Team - The purpose of our Gathering Team is to continue the assimilation of new members and nurture people of all ages in the Christian faith.
Serving Team - The purpose of our Serving Team is to equip members for outreach, mission, and service in the world.

Please consider where God might be calling you to serve. Please contact the church office with any questions.

These Zoom gatherings will not meet the week of November 22 - Happy Thanksgiving!

Keeping You Informed

3rd Quarter Update on the 2021 Operating Budget

(rounded to hundreds)

As of September 30, year-to-date contributions pledged and unpledged are $279,800 and at 95.2% of planned giving. We are grateful for all who are supporting Centenary's missions by their gifts.
Expenses, excluding apportionments, are under budget by $24,000.
As of the third quarter, we have a remaining balance of $19,000 of the total $57,100 Priority One revised apportionments for 2021. As we have done during the pandemic, Council monitors our cash position each month to determine whether apportionments can be covered, after salaries and necessary expenses.
At the end of the third quarter, paid expenses exceeded revenues (all gifts, other revenues, and endowment earnings draws) by $18,900. We are prayerful this shortage will be covered by the end of 2021.

Reminder Notes

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

We hope all of you are looking forward to having time with loved ones this Thanksgiving. We are grateful to be able to worship together again and for your continued commitment to our church! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to a member of the Finance Team: Herb Young, Barbara Pierson, or Mitzi Golod.

November 21 - Bring in the Harvest

November 25-26 - Office Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!

November 30 @ 11:00 am - Drop In Cafe

December 1 @ 10:00 am - Wednesday Bible Study -

December 12 - Church Picnic following the

Lessons and Carols service

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH