Test by Centenary United Methodist Church

OUR CLERGY AND STAFF Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III Senior Minister gkinken@centenary-ws.org Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org Susan Bates Organist and Music Associate sbates@centenary-ws.org Martha Bassett Alternative Music Leader mbassett@centenary-ws.org Reverend Bret Cogan Assoc. Minister of Spiritual Formation & Education bcogan@centenary-ws.org Kristy Eaton Contributions keaton@centenary-ws.org Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries jemmons@centenary-ws.org Reverend R. Craig Ford Associate Minister cford@centenary-ws.org Goldie Irving Respite Care Program Manager girving@centenary-ws.org

OUR PAGES Table of Contents/Clergy and Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 Lent: The Grace of Christ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 From the Editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 Good Friday Tenebrae ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 Glenn Kinken: Church Built Upon Grace~~~~~~~~ 6 Lenten Journey Worship~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7 Page Eight: Marvelous Grace ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8 Kate May: Thank You~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Easter Egg Hunt~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11 Stephen Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 UMW May Meeting ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 13 Tammy Pollock: Grace in the Flesh~~~~~~~~~~~ 14 Easter Morning Worship ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 17 Bret Cogan: Grace Changes Everything ~~~~~~~ 18 Calendar ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 20 Jeremy Pegram: A Mysterious Force ~~~~~~~~~ 22 Memorials ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 24 Honoraria ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 25 Glenn Kinken: House of Grace ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 26

OUR COVER

Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org

Our cover image features the Sacrificial Lamb from the "Christ's Crucifixion" window in the Sanctuary. The lamb, with its head surrounded by a three-rayed nimbus, signifies this is not an ordinary lamb, but the Lamb of God. Even as lambs were sacrificed, Christ was a sacrificial lamb.

Sandra Gramley Congregational Care Coordinator sgramley@centenary-ws.org

You can learn more about the windows of the church by reading Centenary United Methodist Church Symbols: The Story Told in Glass, Stone and Fabric.

Stacy Holley Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister sholley@centenary-ws.org John Markle Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org Reverend Jeremy Pegram Assoc. Minister of Evangelism, Engagement & Missions jpegram@centenary-ws.org Doug Peninger Director of Communications dpeninger@centenary-ws.org Tamara M. Pollock Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org John Rogers Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org

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From the Editor

an you believe it? We are already in the season of Lent! Wait! What? Yes, Lent is here. The Lenten roses in the garden are in full bloom and the back deck is yearning to welcome folks for warmer evenings.

offering a daily devotional. For 2020, we will be delivering these devotions straight to the in-box of your email account. You can read more about it and how to make sure you are signed-up to receive those devotions on page three.

As we consider what this time of year means to Christians, we take a journey from Ash Wednesday, to Holy Week, and then on to Easter Sunday. As we take this journey for 2020, we will be pondering the "Grace of Christ."

As Easter approaches, don't forget to bring your flowers to place on the Living Cross. We will have one in Memorial Auditorium and one on the 5th Street porch. Be sure to bring your camera or smart device to take a picture and create wonderful memories.

Have you ever really thought about it? I know we hear the phrase "passion of Christ" often. But have we ever really lingered on the idea of God's grace? God's amazing grace. As you read through this issue of Through Centenary Windows, our team writes from varying angles about their experience and understanding of the concept. I must confess, in full disclosure, that I wasn't sure there would be enough material. I was wrong. The more I thought about it and the more I heard what folks would be offering, I got excited. One article, in particular, got me. Tammy Pollock came to my office to pitch what she was considering writing. Now, I've known Tammy for many years. I consider her father a substitute for mine, having lost my father in my early twenties. I directed her wedding to Eddie. Needless to say, she is one of my dearest friends and I consider her family. All of that being said, after she told me her

story, in her own words and voice, I had tears in my eyes. The story she weaves of grace is beautiful and tender, not to mention, very personal. She wasn't sure it would be received well. I assured her that it needed to be given to you. You will know what I mean after you read it. Other writers offer different ideas and thoughts on the subject. I hope you will enjoy getting to understand the varying concepts of grace through their lens. There are a few things to note for this season. Be sure to mark your calendar for special worship services during Holy Week. It all begins on Palm Sunday, April 5. Continuing through the week we have Holy Wednesday worship at 7pm, Holy Thursday at 7pm and Good Friday Tenebrae worship at 7pm. Of course, we finish out the week with the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday, April 12. A full calendar of events for the season can be found on page 7. During Holy Week, Bret Cogan will be

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As we enter this Lenten journey to discover grace, I hope each of us will find something new, or perhaps rediscover our faith in exciting ways. I hope we will see, hear and feel the grace of Jesus in ways we never imagined. I hope that the marvelous, infinite, and matchless grace of Christ will surround us all as we take this journey, together. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see you at Centenary!

Doug Peninger Director of Communications

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| ministry feature |

Building a Home

Editor's Note: Volunteers began the building of the Habitat for Humanity home. However, once the COVID-19 pandemic it, only Habitat professionals were allowed to complete the project. This article was written as the pandemic was starting. On the next page you will find imgeas from the dedication and meet the homeowner and family.

n a chilly, sunny day in February, over 20 volunteers from Centenary had a great day raising the walls on a new Habitat house. Some were old pros and some, like me, were newbies. No matter. All hands are welcome at a Habitat house, and if you’ve never volunteered before, you should try it! No one laughed Rev. Dr. Glenn Kinken gkinken@centenary-ws.org because I missed a nail more than I hammered it, nor was anyone annoyed when I kept borrowing a pencil or a tape measure or a ladder. Can you use a table saw? I sure can’t, but lots of people could so I just brought them lumber when they needed it. Do you know what a ram set gun is? I didn’t, but I do now and I cheered Tom Bach on who used one like a pro. Do you wish you knew more people at church? You will, if you work on a Habitat house. A few Sundays ago, I was walking down front for communion and squeezed the shoulder of my new friend, Sue Stephens. I had seen Sue for years at church but had never met her; now I can call her by name. And the more we know each other at our big, wonderful church, the more connected and engaged and valued we feel, and I’m up for that any day. The response to our call for volunteers was amazing – we had more people want to come that Saturday than Habitat would allow on site. On top of that, so many people wanted to help with lunch that Judy Ditmore and Dave Hill finally had to say, “We’ve got plenty of people to serve, but you could make a donation if you like”. And people did! There are so many volunteers to mention but space is short, so I’d just like to say thank you to all. Thank you to those who were there, thank you to those who wanted to be but we didn’t have room for, and thank you to those who fed us. I am also thankful that Jeremy Pegram said a prayer for us before the build got started that Saturday. I forgot to think about God for the next few hours because I was so busy working and learning and laughing and talking. But I remembered Him at the end, once I got in my car and all was quiet. I sent up a prayer of gratitude for all the blessings of the day, a prayer of thanksgiving for all that working and learning and laughing and talking. It was a great day for a terrific cause. 

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8 | page 8 |

Marvelous Grace Sing this with me....

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!

Doug Peninger

dpeninger@centenary-ws.org

I remember singing this hymn in my childhood at the Southside Baptist Church in Charlotte, my hometown. At first, I was always seated beside my mother and in later years on the front rows of the left side of the Sanctuary, where the youth group always sat. Yes, we always sat up front.

When I was a kid, I had no clue what this hymn was about. Marvelous grace. What in the world was that? All I knew at that time was that it was normally the altar call hymn and someone had better go to the front and talk to the preacher or we would be there for a while. I know I'm not the only one who remembers those days. We all come from somewhere.

When I think about the term grace, my mind goes in so many places. A former client named her daughter "Anna Grace." I 've always thought that was the most beautiful name. I am also reminded of a recent visit to Monaco and while walking through the Cathedral of Monaco came upon the crypt of Princess Grace. Another direction is the grace I see in my colleagues as they share the love of Christ to our congregation and community. When I continue to look at the lyrics to this hymn, the words are quite astounding. You know, grace is not something you can earn. It's given. It's given. We just have to receive it.

Growing up as a Baptist, before I saw the light and became a Methodist, I remember the nights in RA's and

youth group learning how by grace we are saved through faith. It's given to us before we ever know we need it or want it. I must confess, grace is a good thing. Being human, I mess up all the time. I try so hard, thinking I'm doing the right thing, and then realize I've messed up. Grace welcomes me back. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace. This past summer, the senior high youth traveled to Puerto Rico on a mission trip. I was blessed to be given the opportunity to go as a chaperone. Let me preface this experience by saying this... it has been over twenty years since I served as a youth minister in Charlotte, so I was more than a little nervous about spending an entire week away with our youth. But, off we went. Once we arrived, we got our rental vans and traveled to the coastal town of Arecibo. There wasn't much to write home about, at least as American standards go, but these people called it home as they shared with us their beautiful culture and their love. As the week went on, the teams went to different locations and in the evenings we celebrated in worship. I was told that on the last night of worship, a tradition would happen. I had no clue what this meant. I figured everyone would have to share and it would be a big tear-fest. Imagine my surprise when I found out there would be foot washing. Yes, good-old-from-the-bible foot washing. Could I handle it? It just was not in my wheelhouse of things to do. The last night came and the time had come. The team that ran the mission outpost and worship were the first ones to illustrate how to do the foot washing. They carefully came to each of the chaperones first and gently asked, "may I wash your feet?" If this has never happened to you, believe me, it is very humbling. Here I was, almost a stranger, sitting there while another person humbly knelt down to wash my feet. Following the washing, a prayer was shared. After my feet were washed, I began to wash the feet of our youth, as did our other chaperones. This intimate, display of compassion and grace is something I will never forget. I'm not saying that foot washing is for everyone or that we should incorporate it into our worship at Centenary. But, in that moment, it was beautiful.

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When it was decided that our theme for Lent would be "the Grace of Christ," I immediately thought of when Christ humbled himself as a servant and gracefully washed the feet of his disciples. I have to ask myself, how have I shared the grace of Christ today? Where have I seen the grace of Christ today? If I blink, I will miss it. So, I'm older now. My mother lives in assisted living and cannot attend worship services. She still reads and studies her bible daily. I'll bet in her mind she stills sings along. I know I do. ď Ž

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 9 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

| children's ministry |

At-Home VBS

Rev. Kate May

kmay@centenary-ws.org

acation Bible School is probably my most favorite thing about children’s ministry so imagining a summer without it is tragic! Luckily, with an amazing team from Centenary UMC and Calvary Moravian we are creating an At Home Vacation Bible School that will give whole families the opportunity to participate in Vacation Bible School all together! We’ll be delivering four days worth of content over two weeks by email so that families can participate on the schedule that works for them, so that it can be completely customizable to the ages and number of kids who are participating, and so that it can be easily shared with friends, neighbors, grandkids, anyone you think would enjoy this amazing experience! Let me tell you a little more about what will be flying to your inbox starting July 19! Every day we start and end the day with an

assembly time that introduces the main point for the day and gets everyone pumped up for an awesome day and then sends everyone out fired up to share the good news they experienced! We will be sending these out as videos that will set you up for a great time of fun and learning. As we are again partnering with Calvary Moravian you’ll see me leading this time as well as Amanda Schumpert who oversees discipleship ministries at Calvary. Everyone loves the music at VBS so we’ll be sending out links to some great songs and videos so you can have your own praise filled dance party! You can start enjoying theme song, “Fly” HERE .The Bible Storytime is of course a centerpiece of our fun learning time at VBS so you’ll also receive video versions of these stories told in super interactive and enthusiastic ways by ministers from both Calvary and Centenary. If you and your kids love crafts we’ll be sending instructions and video tutorials about how to make some great crafts most of which can be made with supplies you already have at home! I promise, any one can help kids do these fun but simple crafts! And don’t worry, we’ll send out a supply list ahead of time so you can gather

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everything you need! We all need more opportunities to be active right now so we’ll also be sending instructions for wonderfully active games that tie back to our point for the day! Again, these will be simple games with few or no supplies that can be played with mom, dad, and one child or your whole neighborhood if you want to! All this fun would make anyone hungry so you’ll also receive instructions for some simple snacks that you and your kids can make together. Even the snacks will connect to the point for the day so you’ll be able to re-enforce learning while you are in the kitchen and snacking together! Of course, the most important thing about VBS is taking the things you learn and living them out in your life so we’ll also be sending out kindness challenges that your kids or your whole family can participate in because loving God and loving neighbor translated into kidspeak looks like kindness!

everything in one day, you can choose a few pieces to do each day overt eh two weeks, this is totally a choose your own adventure Vacation Bible School! You can do it with your kids, you can do it with your grandkids, you can invite some of your friends and neighbors over and do it together. Little ones can participate and grandparents can participate. We are so excited to be able to share this with so many people this summer with no limits based on space, volunteers, age, availability, truly the sky is the limit as we learn that everything is possible with God! Do you want to make sure you receive all of the information and content about this awesome VBS? Email Kate (kmay@centenary-ws.org) and tell me “I want to be on the VBS mailing list!” We ask that no matter what you begin praying that this would be a transformative experience for families! 

Some of you might be like me and asking, “OK so how do I really do this?” It’s easy! You will receive emails with content on Sunday, July 19, Wednesday, July 22, Sundays, July 26 and Wednesday, July 29. Each email will be content we would usually use all in one day of VBS, but since everyone’s schedule is different right now you can pick and choose what pieces you do, you can do

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Stay Connected with Centenary

PODCAST

Apple iTunes & Google Podcast

FACEBOOK centenarymethodist

WEBSITE

www.centenary-ws.org

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APP

Apple iTunes & Google Store

HELP ALONG THE WAY

Stephen Ministry

Centenary United Methodist Church Winston-Salem, NC

The Stephen Ministers of Centenary are ready to journey with anyone through any loss or difficulty such as a job termination, death of a loved one, divorce or acquired disability. A care receiver can expect a Stephen Minister to hold information during a listening session in the strictest of confidence. To ensure privacy, Stephen Ministers do not acknowledge the situations of care receivers in public settings. Please know, it is always the right and privilege of the care receiver to approach a Stephen Minister at any time. Once a referral is made for someone to receive care, the care receiver is matched with a Stephen Minister of the same gender. The Stephen Minister will meet with the care receiver at a time and place that is most convenient. A Stephen Minister relationship may be as short as six weeks, or could be as long as a year or more. We hope that others at Centenary and elsewhere (non-members are welcome) who are going through difficulties— family situations, illness, divorce, death, relocation to elder care, job loss, most anything that causes concern and disruption to normal daily life—will consider asking for a Stephen Minister to walk through this experience with them. If you or someone you know might benefit from a Stephen Ministry relationship, please contact Rev. R. Craig Ford (336.397.1353), Judy Ingram (336-407-3986), or Phil Ashley (336-766-0196). JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 13 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

| youth ministry |

Grace in the Flesh And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

Tammy Pollock

tpollock@centenary-ws.org

hen I was just eight years old, my parents divorced. It was a very painful time in my young life, very. Due to many circumstances swirling around my parents separation (my mother was deeply mentally ill), my brother and I lived full-time with my father with minimal visitation with my mother, which back in the early eighties, was virtually unheard of. A couple years later my dad remarried an incredible woman, Elaine, who he’d met in the Air Force. Now, anyone who has a broken family and navigates a new step-parent knows that it can be a difficult road. The same was true for us. However, one thing I remember about my new mother was she required our family to attend church each Sunday. It wasn’t an option, it was just the way we lived together. Little did I know that her ‘encouragement’ for us to be a family of faith would shape and mold my young life into the person I am today. Years later, after I’d grown, graduated from college, had a family of my own, and was still navigating caring for my biological mother at a distance, I found myself at odds with God. In a

Tammy Pollock & Elaine Hewitt beautiful chapel on the campus of San Francisco Theological Seminary (where I was doing national research and study on youth ministry) I sat quietly in a prayer service grieving the relationship I had with my biological mother. I cried out to God and asked Him why I didn’t have the mother I’d always longed for. My relationship with Sarah Ann was so painful, so volatile, so deeply broken. And here I was, once again, preparing to travel from San Francisco, CA to Omaha, NE to try and help her once more. In the midst of my anguish and prayer, I heard God whisper to me, “oh, but I did give you the mother you always longed for, she just looks different then you expected.” In that beautiful place, in the midst of tears, music, and stillness, I realized that God, in His infinite wisdom, had bestowed the most beautiful gift to me all those years ago in my step-mother, Elaine. Our relationship had been so hard and frustrating at times, but she had stayed the course with our family. She had made the absolute decision when she married my father to, not just be his wife, but to be our mother as well. I remember writing Elaine a letter that day thanking her for her love and her grace, thanking her for not giving up on

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me, even when I was a difficult child at times. Her grace, God’s grace, washed over me in that moment and for the first time in my life, I realized grace in the flesh. Dr. Peter Graves always used to say, “Grace stands for: ‘God’s Reward at Christ’s Expense’.” Our relationship with God made right by the love and power of Jesus Christ. God coming to us in the flesh to reveal just how much He loves us…the very nature of God is love. We teach our young Confirmands that grace is not earned, it is freely and abundantly given by our God who loves us unconditionally. We remind them often and always that there is nothing they can do to make God love you any more and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less…He simply loves you.

in weakness.” I believe that because I have lived that. And with every breath I have and every chance I get, I will proclaim the love and grace of Jesus Christ. And, my hope and my prayer is that as we live into the grace freely offered, we can walk well in grace. 

As I reflect on my life and how I came to love God so fiercely, I know it had so much to do with Elaine making sure we knew who God was...staying the course and keeping us in church. Her recognizing that without God we (my brother and I) wouldn’t have what we needed to navigate life and love our biological mother with grace. I still mourn the loss of Sarah Ann (she went to heaven three years ago) and mourn the pain she suffered in this life. But because of the faith my ‘other’ mother taught me, I can rest in knowing Sarah Ann is brand-new and living with our Lord in the light and love of His grace. Paul tell us in 2 Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power in made perfect

Front Fow: Elaine & Butch; Back Row: Chris, Tammy & Matt

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| adult formation |

Grace Changes Everything

Rev. Bret Cogan

bcogan@centenary-ws.org

any years ago, long before I heard about Jesus and his message of love and forgiveness, I experienced the wonder of grace. Like many boys my age in late elementary school I loved all things related to toy cars, especially HO slot cars. It was the summer of 1971 and that year for Christmas I had found an AFX deluxe racing set under the tree with my name on it! That same summer I discovered within a bike ride of my house a hobby shop that specialized in these slot cars! I spent many hours in that shop, looking at all the cool cars. I went so often the owner knew me by name. He patiently put up with all my questions and seemed to enjoy my budding passion about this new hobby. One day I found a car I really wanted, a dark blue Shelby Cobra. It cost more money than I had and yet day after day I went into that shop to see it, hoping one day it would be mine. When I asked my mom if she would help me get it, she said something about “Your birthday is coming.” But I didn’t want to wait, so one day when the Hobby Shop wasn’t busy, and no one was around, I took it out of the package and put it in my pocket. I remember hurrying out the shop, almost running to my bike outside. I rode as fast as I could to my house and ran inside. I quickly went to my bedroom where my track was set up and was about to put that dark blue Shelby Cobra on the track when I realized I couldn’t. It wasn’t mine. I had stolen it from a man who had been kind to me. I had taken something from him, and I felt a deep sense of guilt. It was too late to take it back that day, but the next day I was waiting at his shop when it opened. He greeted me by name and as we walked in together he said, “I saw you leave in a hurry yesterday.” But before he could say another word I took the dark blue Shelby Cobra from my pocket and put it on the counter. He looked at me with kind eyes and said, “I wondered where that car went.” I expected him to be angry and I quickly told him I was sorry, and I would never take something from him again. He smiled and said,

“I know, you’re a good kid.” He then told me he would put that car back for me and let me make payments on it. That was the day I discovered the meaning of grace, and more importantly, I experienced the power of grace and how it lifts us into the love of God. More often than not when we talk about grace it sounds like a transaction. We say we are sorry and ask for forgiveness and grace is given. Grace is often described as undeserved mercy, or not getting what we truly deserve. This too seems more transactional than what I experienced that day, and what I have come to know throughout my life. Although I never stole anything ever again, I have found myself in need of grace more often than I want to remember. I have come to understand this thing we call grace as a deep experience of love and acceptance that reaches out to and from within me, often before I have returned to the one I have offended or hurt. Grace is the dynamic experience of the movement of God’s Spirit within us that affirms us by revealing where we have come up short. Where we have not lived into our best selves as God’s children. Grace uses our guilt to call us back into relationship with those we have wounded or misjudged. Grace is the energy and passion found within God’s love that will not let us go, not because God does not want us to hurt others, but primarily because God does not want us to hurt or lose ourselves. Grace was found in those words “I know, you’re a good kid.” Grace sees us for who we are beneath everything else that covers up our belief and trust that we are loved. Grace is lived and experienced within relationship with those around us, and most especially within our willingness to trust God’s love for us, and all of God’s creation. When we have experienced grace, allowed it into our heart, mind and soul, it changes everything! 

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IN MEMORIAM Karen Lea Prater Hocutt May 24, 2019 Mary West Crocker Ball December 2, 2019 Jack Brown Yarbrough December 24, 2019 Robert (Bob) Bell December 27, 2019 Jon Burkhart January 2, 2020 Margaret Howard Nicholson January 13, 2020 Alice Mae (Mitzi) Williams January 19, 2020 Roy Walker Shelton January 21, 2020 The ministers and members of Centenary Church extend their deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and pray they may know the comfort and peace of our Heavenly Father.

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| evangelism, engagement & missions |

That We May Live Together

ello Centenary Family! I am thrilled to begin serving as your Associate Minister of Evangelism, Engagement, and Missions. I cannot wait to jump into this role as we work together to bring about God’s love to our community and world.

If there’s one thing you should know about me it’s that I am a people-person to my core. I love being around people of all ages and get my energy from the interactions I have. I imagine this love of people comes from the fact that I grew up in a household with two outgoing parents, a brother who was always willing to invite more people along on any journey, and a sixty-five year old neighbor who happened to be my best friend. Rev. Meg Gaston

mgaston@cetenary-ws.org

tried to make that my life motto. Isn’t it wonderful to imagine working and living in a world where differences are celebrated and the first thing you look for in another person is the face of God? I look forward to sharing more of my life with you as we serve alongside one another. All I ask is that you offer me grace in abundance as I live into this call and learn your names. Oh, and share any and all of your corniest jokes and best places to get ice cream with me. 

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with as many people as possible. This initially looked like being a high school math teacher, but after taking a few mission trips during my time at Pfeiffer, I felt God leading me down a different path. For two years after college, I served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries with the United Methodist Church, spending fourteen of those months on a rural farm in Japan called the Asian Rural Institute (ARI). My time in Japan helped me gain clarity on my next steps while simultaneously opening my eyes to the ways we can better serve alongside our neighbors. The motto at ARI is “That we may live together,” and ever since then, I have

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| congregational care |

The Lord Almighty Is with Us

Rev. Susannah Pittma

spittman@cetenary-ws.org

uring my first year of seminary at Emory University, I served as a chaplain intern at a community for senior adults. Among the residents with whom I visited was Ms. Smith (not her real name). While our conversations varied with each visit, every visit concluded with Ms. Smith’s request that I read aloud Psalm 46. Ms. Smith cherished this psalm and shared with me the ways that it sustained her throughout her life, particularly in seasons of hardship. Although I read the psalm at her request, I realized over time that the words of Psalm 46 were also sustaining me in my journey. As I was navigating the experiences of “adulting” and becoming a pastor, the psalmist’s words offered hope, comfort and strength. Indeed, the psalmist reminds us in verse seven of our faith’s foundational truth: “The Lord Almighty is with us” (NIV). No matter the season, God is with us, and God’s love and grace sustain us.

us”. Upon reflection, I see the instances where God’s presence was made known to my family and me through conversations with loved ones, quality time for prayer, reflection, and family, and the gracious welcome that I received from the Centenary family. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve at Centenary in the ministry of congregational care. In just the brief time that I have been a part of the staff, it has been evident to me that this is a congregation that truly cares for one another and seeks to affirm God’s loving presence in all seasons of life; to me, such actions are at the heart of congregational care. I look forward to journeying with each of you in this season, guided by the wonderful truth that “The Lord Almighty is with us.” 

In the 16 years that have passed since my visits with Ms. Smith, Psalm 46 has continued to serve for me as a powerful reminder of God’s presence, especially in difficult seasons. Indeed, for many of us, these recent months have been difficult, as we may have experienced significant loss as well as feelings of uncertainty, fear, grief, and frustration. This season brought changes to the normal rhythm of life for the Pittman household. While finishing my Master of Arts in Counseling degree, classes transitioned to online delivery, and I conducted counseling sessions with clients at my internship via telehealth. My husband, Lonnie, and I tried our best to homeschool our son, Preston, as he completed 2nd grade. In the midst of these new rhythms and the roller coaster of emotions that often accompanied this season, I sought sustenance and hope. I often returned to Psalm 46 and the reminder that “The Lord Almighty is with

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Memorials

We remember the saints who have gone before....

Boy Scouts In memory of Matthew Gfeller by Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Gfeller Jr.

Centenary Fund In memory of Dan Cox by Mrs. J. Robert Elster. In memory of James “Jim” Calton Hardwick Jr. by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Putter Caudle, Anita Helms, Mrs. Pat Jones, Brenda Maready and family, Sam & Mary Ceile Ogburn Sr., Elizabeth Ogburn and Michael Swinson, Warren & Mary Jo Plowden, Guy & Liz Rudisill, Murray & Jelinda Rudisill and Gabe & Beth Villena, Marguerite Taylor. In memory of Beverly Barrett Isley by Barrett Kenan. In memory of Margaret Howard Nicholson by Sandra & Wayne Shugart. In memory of Dr. Jack Marrell Rogers by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Martha Martinat, Robert & Beverly Taylor, Jerry & Nancy Warren. In memory of Roy Walker Shelton by Leigh Barrett & Robert Hege, Circle 1. In memory of James Colin Sifford by John & Hannah Appel, Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Michael & Deanna Avent, Kay & Bill Baldridge, Gwen & Ed Blackmer, Katy & Mickey Boles, Brenda & Francis Brantley, Ed & Melanie Broyhill, Deborah & Will Burns, Susan & Ralph Burroughs, Ken & Kay Chalk, Linda & James Cherry, John Cherry, June Cherry, Kathryn Brotherton, and Noah Brotherton, Circle 5, Bob & Mitzi Clark, Tom & Nancy Cannon, Dottie & Barry Cook, Gordon H. Cox, Jane & Penn Craver, Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Crowder Jr., Lila Cruikshank, Cheri Daly, Joseph & Bonnie Dempster, Mr. & Mrs. Mike Dew, Kathryn & Bobby Edwards, Forsyth Country Club, Lyndsay & Hails Foster, Shelia & John Fox, Mr. & Mrs. John Gallins, Dr. & Mrs. James Gibbs, Carol & David Gilbert, Hello Bridge Club, Alan & Kayron Howard, Russell & Christine James, Janie & Jarman Jenkins, Pat Jones, Edward & Linda Kelly, Hayden

& Mary Kepley, Mr. & Mrs. Rob Kornegay, Merriel Lawing, Stephanie Lawless, Brenda Maready and Family, Anne McKiernan, Dennis & Martha McNames, Libby & Bill Noah, John & Beth O'Brien, Mr. & Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn Sr. and Michael Swinson, Anita & Tom Ogburn, Pearl Baptist Church, Rosemary & Robert Pulliam, Bob & Ileita Reed, Paul & Elizabeth Rieker, Liz & Guy Rudisill, Mary & John Schultz, Gerda & Herbert Seeland, James N. Smith, Dr. Charles V. Taft, Marguerite Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Dan Underwood, Edie & Mark Wachtel, Anne Kerr Walker & H. Lindsay Holcomb, Janis & Mike Waltrip, Jerry & Nancy Warren, Laura & James Bland, Paul & Nancy Gywn, Robert & Rosemary Pulliam, Ed & Sue Welch. In memory of Ian Shober Stokes by Ronald & Sharon Shealy. In memory of Stuart Ficklen Vaughn by Lindsay Holcomb Jr., L. Glenn Orr, Kathryn & Bobby Edwards. In memory of Reverend Jack Brown Yarbrough by Louise & Jim Kelly, Hayden & Mary Kepley. In memory of Alice Mae “Mitzie” Williams by Sandra & Wayne Shugart. In memory of Barbara Long Welch by Mitchell & Allison Baise, Dr. & Mrs. James D. Branch, Betty & Jim Brewer, Grace & Jimmy Broughton, Cannon & Company, LLP, Clodfelter Concrete Company, Inc., Linda Gibson Davis, Mrs. Mary Eagan, Brenda Funderburk, Clyde & Pat George, Martha T. Gwyn, HKS Hardware & Hollow Metal, Inc., Lynn & William Howard, Sally Huffman, Paul & Amy Johnson, William & Kathy Junker, Ann & Bob King, Nancy & Aubrey Kirby, Mrs. Greta J. Kramer, Martha Martinat, Marshall & Carolyn Miller, Josh & Laura Neelon, Louise Nixon, Sam & Mary Ceile Ogburn, Jane & Steve Poe, Nancy Porter, John & Dinah Reece, Salem Electric Company, Maxwell & Julia Taylor, Ed & Sue Welch, Joe & Faye Windham and Punt & Kim Windham, Jason & Kristen Zaks. In memory of Bernice Arnold by Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, the Chapel Class, Patsy & Richard Kirkland, Mr. & Mrs. James JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 24 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

Monroe Jr. In memory of Bernice Clayton by David & Hazel Sink, Ralph & Gayle Atkinson, Barbara Earnest, Nancy & Aubrey Kirby. In memory of Blair Frederick Robert Barton-Percival by Bill & Louise Bazemore. In memory of Joanne Meier by the Chapel Class. In memory of Kent Robert Curlee by John & Betty Carr, Robert & Mildred Fritts and Melissa Cura, Mrs. Wanda Henson, Marilyn Minford, Carol Pope. In memory of Maxine Loudermilk Clark by Mr. & Mrs. Henry M. Booke. In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Smith by Allen Clark Dotson. In memory of Rebecca Linthicum by James & Virginia Sutton. In memory of Robert “Bob” Miller Weatherman by Doris S. Bostian, Jackie G. Gross, Michael & Pamela Harris, Janie & Jarman Jenkins, Linda & David McCoy, Jane & Sam Ogburn Jr., Janice Sorge. In memory of Robert R. “Bob” Severs Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Henry M. Booke, Rebecca Deaton, Robert Howell, Alma Thompson. In memory of William Alexander Creech by Barbara Earnest, Mrs. J. Robert Elster.

General Fund In memory of Reverend & Mrs. Franklin G. Markley by Frank Markley. In memory of Barbara Long Welch by Gayle Anderson & Carey Hedgpath, Mr. & Mrs. Tommy L. Hickman, Mr. & Mrs. John C. Whitaker Jr. In memory of Ida Marie Peninger-Friend by Mr. & Mrs. James Monroe Jr.

Loaves & Fishes In memory of Barbara Long Welch by Martha Keiger. In memory of Maxine Loudermilk Clark by Martha Keiger.

Love Thy Neighbor

Roots Revival

Senior Adult Ministry

In memory of Ian Shober Stokes by Judy Newton Scurry. In memory of James Colin Sifford by Judy Newton Scurry, Anna Steele.

In memory of Robert “Bob” Miller Weatherman by Robert & JoAnn Curlee.

In memory of Reverend Jack Brown Yarbrough by Wilba Brady, Mr. & Mrs. James W. Douglas, Bill and Louise Bazemore, John C. Paterson Jr. In memory of James Colin Sifford by Sara Jane & Larry Elliott. In memory of James Colin Sifford by Bill & Louise Bazemore.

Missions In memory of Bernice Clayton by Circle #3.

Missionary Friendship Fund In memory of Roy Walker Shelton by Mr. & Mrs. James R. Donald.

Sacred Music Fund

In memory of Paul E. Bower by Michael G. Smith. In memory of Bernice Clayton by Gerald & Lynda Taylor. In memory of Richard “Dick” Bynum by Lisa Bynum. In memory of Robert “Bob” Miller Weatherman by Gary & Chris Martin, Gerald & Lynda Taylor. In memory of Thomas P. Stockton by Jeff & Susan Stockton Worth.

Stephen Ministry In memory of Bernice Arnold by Selwyn Matthews.

Honoraria

We celebrate the kingdom of God among us...

Centenary Fund In honor of the Centenary Ministers and Staff by Helen & Jim Fridy. In honor of Reverend Craig & Janet Ford by Brenda M. Maready. In honor of Glenn Orr’s 80th Birthday by Tom & Megan Lawson. In honor of Reverend Bret Cogan by Robert & Joann Curlee. In honor of Reverend Jeremy Pegram by Robert & Joann Curlee.

General Fund In honor of Edwin Welch Jr. by Mr. & Mrs. Tommy L. Hickman. In honor of I. L. Long Construction by Mr. & Mrs. Tommy L. Hickman.

Loaves & Fishes

#9 by Helen & Jim Fridy. In honor of Janette Griffin by Alice Justice.

Love Thy Neighbor In honor of Tammy Pollock by Tom & Megan Lawson.

Sacred Music Fund

In honor of Jonathan Emmons by Centenary United Methodist Women, Sharon Shealy, the Maready and Kennedy families. In honor of Jacob Patrick by Sharon Shealy. In honor of Martha Bassett by Sharon Shealy.

Music & the Arts In honor of Jonathan Emmons by Centenary United Methodist Women.

In honor of Carl & Mimi Hein by Carolyn Creech. In honor of Circle

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 25 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

Music Library In honor of Jonathan Emmons by Alan & Susan Keely.

Senior Adult Ministry In honor of Reverend Craig & Janet Ford by Jeff & Susan Stockton Worth. In honor of Reverend Craig Ford by John C. Paterson Jr.

Stephen Ministry In honor of Wilba Brady by Jean Manning Grotgen.

| senior minister |

Improvise, Adapt and Overcome

Rev. Dr. Glenn Kinken gkinken@centenary-ws.org

ife does not always turn out like we have it planned. If you did not believe that statement before, this year has truly shaped up to prove its veracity. A little more than six months ago we began the year in worship celebrating Holy Communion and reading together the words from john Wesley’s Covenant Service: “Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things.Lord, make me what you will.I put myself fully into your hands:put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing.I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal.” Then over the next few weeks I preached on dreams and visions for our church to be a place of heart rendering worship, a center for deepened discipleship, a beacon of hope, respect, dignity, and equality for all people, a community of believers who care for each other, and a place for transformation of lives, our community, and God’s world. We embarked upon our Lenten journey centered around grace and that is when the wheels on our plans for the year spun off. COVID-19 became very real and as the pandemic consumed the news so it also consumed our plans for the year (or did it?). The is an adage which says, “Want to hear God laugh, tell God your plans.” It brings a good chuckle. But the truth of the matter is we make plans all the time and just like a construction on a road trip, life takes detours. The detour raises questions, thought. What do you learn on the detour? What do you see that you would not have seen otherwise? Was the detour a more pleasant (not necessarily faster) route? We have truly taken a detour this year! I don’t think that God is laughing at us, as much as smiles because of the things we have discovered along the way. We have rediscovered a deep desire and need for weekly worship services. Our worship numbers have been at levels not seen in the past fifteen years. This tells us me we recognize the need to approach the throne of grace for comfort,

support, and wisdom and praise on a regular basis. I hope we never forget this need or take worship for granted again (even if it means that you stay home the occasional Sunday and worship in your PJs). God created humanity to live in community and survey after survey indicate that the lack of community with each other during the stay-at-home order was extremely difficult for us. But in learning the depth of our need for connection we leveraged technology to connect with the important people in our lives via the telephone, text message, Facebook, and video conferences. These could never replace the connection of physical presence, but we learned to be more intentional about our connection and connectivity with others. If we hold onto that nugget of learning, we will be more kind and caring. The conversation concerning race and racial injustice and the actions around it have broken our hearts. But they have awakened our spirit and stirred our souls. We better see each other, no matter the Pantone of skin, as children of God and as our brothers and sisters. May we continue listen and give voice to those who cry out, “How long, O Lord…” until their cries are answered by our actions. Finally along the detour of this year we have found our lives transformed. We have a greater appreciation of our blessings, not the blessings of our neighbors, but OUR blessings. These blessings may be large of small, but as we look around our lives we see there is much for which we are to be thankful. But as we truly peel back the layers of our blessedness we count more and more the little things we often overlook — silence at the end of the day, the chirp of the birds, the laughter of children, a quiet walk in the neighborhood, clear skies, a sense that we are not alone, but that God truly is in control of it all. I hope we never forget this transformation and always look upon life with a sense of awe and reverence. As I examine the events of the last few months, I realize that life has taken a detour. Let me be clear. I am not saying that God caused this detour. The detour happened, as it often does in life. But it is while on the detour we discovered truths richer than we could have ever envisioned simply because our hearts were open and willing to take direction from God. We were forced to improvise our plans (on a daily basis at

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 26 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

first). We adapted our normal courses of life — work, school, travel, shopping, worship, faith formation, care and connection, and play — throughout. In adapting we learned new truths about ourselves. We found new efficiencies, zeroed in on what mattered the most, and began making changes that maybe we should have made in our work, social, family, school, and church lives years ago. As these adaptations have become less change and now more habit, more second nature, more a way of life, we have overcome both the adversity caused during this pandemic season and the adversity of life which was preventing us from living our best life. At the moment we realize we are in a

better place, with a better outlook on life, trusting God to lead — we rejoice that we are God’s children. I don’t know what the next six months hold. But thus far in 2020, I have learned that we can improvise, adapt, and overcome anything because God will guide us along the journey and the detours which will inevitably come. 

“Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things. Lord, make me what you will.I put myself fully into your hands:put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing.I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | 27 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

(USPS 628-480)

Periodicals Postage Paid at Winston-Salem, NC

Published By: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 Fax: (336) 723-5840 Website: www.centenary-ws.org Postmaster Send Address Changes to: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 A Stephen Ministry Congregation Printed on recycled paper

WORSHIP AT CENTENARY Traditional Worship Sunday 8:30 am Memorial Auditorium

Sunday 9 am Sanctuary Includes Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Worship

Sunday 11:00 am Sanctuary Includes Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Worship

Wednesday 7 pm Memorial Auditorium

While you are away from our church home, we invite you to worship with Centenary on your computer, smart TV, smartphone, tablet, or whatever electronic device that has access to the Internet. Our Live Stream worship will be there for you. Be sure to sign in so we may be in connection with you. Join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00 am.