Centenary Every Day: September/October 2021

IN WORSHIP AND CONCERT

SUNDAY • OCTOBER 10 • SANCTUARY 11am Worship and 2:00pm Concert EXIGENCE VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Inspired by the mission of Sphinx, the mission of EXIGENCE is to promote excellence and diversity through choral music within Black and Latinx communities by creating a platform for soloists and composers of color while inspiring and challenging audiences around the country and world. Learn more by capturing our QR code.

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ourPAGES worship discipleship transformation

Exigence in Worship & Concert~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2 Every Day for Everyone~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 From the Editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5 Glenn Kinken: Every Day for Everyone ��������������6 Book Study with Rev. Susannah Pittman ������������8 Congregational Care~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~9 Bret Cogan: First 15 Challenge~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~10 Rise Against Hunger ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~12 Heart of Christmas & Stay Connected �������������13 UMAR Comes to Centenary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~14 Susannah Pittman: Gift of Encouragement ����������18 Kate May: Yep, Homework!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~20 Connection Groups ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~22 Tammy Pollock: You Belong Here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~24 Baptisms & New Members ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~26 What In the World Is Realm?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~29 Meg Gaston: Mission Focus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~30 Seven Facts About Stewardship~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~32 Mary Ann Wexler: Giving Post Pandemic �����������33 UMW September Meeting & Youth ���������������34 Shining Light on Mental Health ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~35 Worship at Centenary ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~36 PUBLISHED BY Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 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

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FROM THE EDITOR

W

e are back with an allnew magazine! Since we have been away, a lot has happened. We have all been through the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still surging throughout our country and world.

We have experienced loss of loved ones and learned new ways of coping.

We laughed, cried, put on a few pounds, learned that we really can work from home if we need to, and maybe we have gotten to know our neighbors just a little better. One thing for certain, our faith has perservered through all of it and has grown stronger over the last 17 months.

Where would we have been without our faith?

Let me tell you all about our new magazine. As the staff at Centenary began planning for fall, we met for hours, using white boards and large pad easels to write out all of the

opportunities for minstry within our walls and our community. When it was over, it was quite overwhelming. To see the lists and offerings all in one place was amazing. But, I was stumped.

This was suppposed to be the planning session where I walked away and knew which direction we would be going.

That just didn't happen. Sometimes, you have to think on things.

After leaving the white boards and papers on the walls overnight, I came back into the room and just stared at it. I began to write words and thoughts down on a pad. I did word research and prayed. "Lord, where are we going and what are we doing?" Then, as it always does, it happenend and it was crystal clear. The simple words, "Every Day for Everyone" fell into place.

The more I thought about it, the more it became clear that this simple phrase is really what we are all about.

I pitched the concept to our Senior Minister and he approved. We were on our way. Think about it. Isn't our faith journey an every day thing?

And, isn't our faith walk available to everyone? Everyone? Absolutely, it is.

Within the pages of this magazine, you are going to find articles to help you live out your faith every day. From gardening at the Food Bank Garden to starting your day out with the First Fifteen Challenge, there is something for everyone. But here's the best part, you can share this magazine with your friends and collegues. All you have to do is share the link found in your web browser. If you want a printed

copy, you can do that directly from the screen, or stop by the church.

Another feature you will find with each article is the "learn more" tab at the bottom of the page. Each tab has a QR code. If you are unfamiliar with these (how to make them work), all you have to do is open your camera app on your smart device and point it at the code. The camera will recognize it and a notification will appear on your screen. Tap on the notification and you will be redirected to a web page where you will be able to learn more about that ministry area. If you still have questions, be sure to contact any staff member at Centenary and they will be able to walk you right through it.

Also, as we developed this new magazine, we knew we had to say goodbye to a dear friend. "Through Centenary Windows" served us well for many years and I am grateful for the vision and endurance it gave to us. Now, as we chart this new path of sharing and caring for our community, I trust you will enjoy "Centenary Every Day." There is a bright future ahead and it truly will be "Every Day for Everyone."

I'll see you at Centenary!

Doug Peninger Director of Communications

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EVERY DAY FOR EVERYONE

I REV. DR. P. GLENN KIKEN III gkinken@centenary-ws.org

n early March our staff began preparations for the ministries we would offer this fall. As we prayed and discerned what God was calling us to do, two items of note became apparent.

First, this would be the first time that our entire campus was available for ministry use in three years, and second, this was the first time our ministries could resemble anything close to what they were pre-pandemic. Our staff dreamed and envisioned opportunities for the congregation members to grow in their relationship with God through study and practice of the Christian faith. We dreamed of ways we could use our facility, resources, staff, and most importantly the congregation to reach out to the community and invite people in to journey alongside us as we grow together in faith, community, and life. The end result is what you will discover in this magazine, on the website, in the

weekly Happenings, through ministry area specific emails, and in the worship bulletins – Every Day for Everyone.

This theme speaks to what we believe God is calling us to do right here on 5th Street and your street – provide an opportunity to grow closer to God and practice one’s faith each day of the week for all of God’s children. The Church is partly its building and its organizational/ ministry structure, but more importantly it is the community of believers. This year we are especially intentional in the ways Centenary offers physical space for ministry to the community, in the program ministries which discover God’s love through classes and connection groups, and in the missional, handson ways to share the love of God with those who need it most. We are offering a ministry opportunity each day for each one of us. I am excited about what this will mean for our church

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and community as we know, grow, and go with active discipleship.

As for the everyone part… this includes all of us. Each of these ministry offerings are designed to engage our congregation from the youngest to the oldest. But these are not just for our members.

This is for the whole community. We have something wonderful to offer the world. I encourage you to think about who you know would benefit from what we are offering.

Think about who would make a great addition to our church family.

Think about who would find joy, assurance, compassion, or care within our midst. Invite them to be a part of what is happening at Centenary. They are just who we are looking for because that is kind of church we are – a Church for Everyone.

Every Day for Everyone – what a beautiful dream for a renovated church. 

LEARN MORE

To learn more about "Every Day for Everyone" and all of the ministries at Centenary, visit our website (www. centenary-ws.org) or scan our QR code.

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REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE OR CAPTURING THE QR CODE

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GRIEFSHARE The Congregational Care ministry at Centenary invites you to GriefShare, a video seminar series that features some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery topics as seen from a biblical perspective.

The video seminars are combined with support group discussion of the information presented during the video and of how group participants are dealing with the death of their loved one. The 13 weekly seminars will begin on Monday, September 13, 2021, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, and continue on Mondays through December 6, 2021. The GriefShare group will meet in the East Building Room 107 at CUMC, entering on 4½ Street. For questions, please contact Sandra Gramley (ext. 1352)/sgramley@ centenary-ws.org. To register for the seminar, CLICK HERE.

LOSS OF A SPOUSE Congregational Care invites you to a GriefShare seminar reflecting on the Loss of a Spouse on Sunday, October 24 from 2:00pm-4:00pm. This video and discussion-based seminar will offer practical and encouraging support for navigating the grief of losing a spouse. Information on registration will follow in future communications.

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REV. BRET COGAN bcogan@centenary-ws.org

THE FIRST FIFTEEN CHALLENGE

The times they are a changing!

How many of us heard as we entered the work force the inspirational maxim, “Dress for Success!” I suspect this phrase lost its impact quite a while ago. If any shred was left, the COVID pandemic, which forced us to work from home and discover something called Zoom, sped its demise! But still the idea of finding inspiration to begin our day is something I suspect we all can benefit from. This summer we began what I called “Going Deeper” with a daily scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. I hope you were able to spend some time with this tool and it gave you some encouragement, insight and maybe

even a little inspiration! As I said, we all need inspiration, and that is why we are beginning The First Fifteen challenge. It will look and feel familiar to those of you who have been using the "Going Deeper" daily readings. The primary difference will be how we are asking you to use the First Fifteen daily readings.

If you are like me, the first thing you do when you wake up is look at your phone, check your email, and read the headlines from various news feeds. If you are like me, you are also aware, depending on what you find, your day may or may not begin with much of anything that feels like inspiration. The First Fifteen Challenge invites you to take the first 15 minutes of your day, Monday through Friday, and spend it with God by reading a daily scripture, a short reflection, and a daily prayer.

These readings will be shaped to help prepare you for worship since they will be guided by the topic of the sermon each Sunday. They will also help us, as a congregation, begin our day by taking a few moments to focus our lives, give thanks to God and ask for God’s guidance for our day. Fifteen minutes is all we are asking you set aside. Fifteen minutes to invite God into your life may be the inspiration we all need to live more fully into who we are at Centenary UMC as we learn to live and love like Jesus! 

LEARN MORE

To learn more about "The First Fifteen Challenge" and to register to receive the devotionals, scan our QR code.

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Stay Connected with Centenary

REALM CONNECT Apple iTunes & Google Play

WEBSITE

centenary-ws.org

FACEBOOK

centenarymethodist

INSTAGRAM centenary_umc

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PODCASTS

Apple iTunes & Google Play

UMAR COMES TO CENTENARY EDITORS NOTE: This article was composed by Rev. Kate May and Rev. Meg Gaston. We begin with Kate as she describes how this partnership originated and conclude with Meg as she represents the missional and outreach component of our ministries at Centenary.

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It all started

when I was having breakfast with my friend Ruby. We were catching up and talking about all things work and family. I shared with her about the renovation that Centenary was preparing to embark on and how it would have such an incredible impact on the ministries of the church but that we were hoping the impact could extend into the community as well, especially to our community partners. Ruby said, “Tell me more.”

So, I began to describe the kinds of spaces we were so excited to create and share and I mentioned the art room. What I haven’t told you yet is that my friend Ruby works for UMAR, a United Methodist organization that supports adults with different abilities.

One of the ministries of UMAR in a few cities around Western North Carolina is a day program for art where the adults connected to UMAR can come and create beautiful things in multiple mediums expressing their own creativity and, in some instances, selling their art pieces and receiving a portion of the commission themselves. Of course, this gives incredible value and dignity to the artists themselves.

As I described the art space Ruby dreamed, “I wonder what it would look like to start a new UMAR art day program using Centenary as the hub. We (UMAR) have always wanted to start an art program in Winston Salem, after all it is the City of the Arts and with MOJI coffee at the library

right next door and with the Inner Rhythm choir rehearsing at Centenary as well what a beautiful hub this could be!” We both got tremendously excited and I shared with her that several of our ministry areas had also created goals to reach out to the special needs population in Winston Salem. This seemed like it was meant to be. And so, over a breakfast of biscuits and sausage gravy (what better dream fertilizer could you find?) a dream to partner Centenary and UMAR through an art day program was born.

This is where I was looped in with Kate and Ruby. I was jazzed about having UMAR here after being able to visit the art program in Lincolnton where I used to serve. UMAR is one of our Mission Partners and they do wonderful work in our community and across our conference. This program will take place in our new art room and another one of our classrooms Monday-Thursday. It will start small with the participants being the residents from the UMAR homes in Winston-Salem, with the hopes that it will expand and grow to reach individuals who live further out from the church. We are so excited for this opportunity and what it will mean not only for the UMAR participants, but for us as well. To be able to provide our new space to such a wonderful ministry helps us to live into our Every Day for Everyone approach. If you would like to know more about UMAR or find out ways you can volunteer with the art program that will be at Centenary, please contact Rev. Meg Gaston. 

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OUR MISSION We are a nonprofit on a mission to promote community inclusion, independence and growth for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, employment and cultural enrichment opportunities.

HOW IT WORKS Day Programs at the UMAR Arts centers in Charlotte, Lincolnton and Reidsville, NC, and now in Winston-Salem, offer fine-art vocational services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Each center encourages creativity and self-expression through visual, performing, horticulture, literary, 3-D, cultural and culinary arts. Blending living skills, life experiences and community involvement opportunities, the arts curriculum provides a foundation for arts-based learning while working to identify and secure employment for artists who wish to work at galleries, gift shops, local markets or nurseries. Artists also have opportunities to show and sell their work in local galleries, shows and regular art sales. Proceeds from these shows and sales benefit artists and the UMAR Arts Program, and each artist gets to keep 40% of the sale!

LEARN MORE

ABOUT UMAR BY VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. SCAN THE QR CODE AND YOU WILL BE REDIRECTED.

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THE GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT SUSANNAH PITTMAN spittman@centenary-ws.org

One of the early apostles

whom I find inspiring is Joseph of Cyprus. Described in Acts 11:24 as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” he devoted his life to encouraging others in the Christian faith and to building up the early Church. When the disciples in Jerusalem were reluctant to believe the authenticity of Paul’s conversion to Christianity, it was Joseph who advocated for Paul. For a season, he traveled with Paul to spread the Gospel and to support the new churches. Joseph’s compassion and care made such an impact that the apostles called him “Barnabas”, which means “son of encouragement”.

As we focus on how our life as the Body of Christ at Centenary is for “every day for everyone,” Barnabas serves as a powerful example for us.

Just as Barnabas was intentional in his daily encounters to share the love

of Christ and encourage others, we are called to do likewise. The Holy Spirit works within us and around us, guiding us in the countless ways that we can use our daily moments to offer care, support, and encouragement to others. Such opportunities may include writing a note to a loved one going through a difficult season or praying with a friend. Participating in a small group and serving others are also ways that we can build up one another. Perhaps God is calling us to use our life experiences to offer support to others with similar experiences. Embracing these daily moments as opportunities to express encouragement and care can make a significant impact in our individual lives and in the furthering of God’s Kingdom.

Our Congregational Care ministry also seeks to provide support, care, and encouragement “every day for

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everyone.” Our pastoral staff, Stephen Ministers, Shining Light on Mental Health ministry, and grief support ministry are here for you as listening ears, resources, and companions in the journey. You will find more information about upcoming events facilitated by the Congregational Care ministry in this publication and in future communications. Wherever you are in your daily journey, we are here to support and encourage you.

The gift of encouragement that God bestowed upon Barnabas was vital to the early Church. His ministry of support and compassion fostered hope and unity within the Christian community and provided a powerful witness of Christ’s love in the world.

As we seek to live out our faith every day, may we, too, strive to be known as “[children] of encouragement.” 

LEARN MORE To learn more about our Congregational Care ministry at Centenary, visit our website or scan ou QR code.

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YEP, HOMEWORK!

REV. KATE MAY kmay@centenary-ws.org

In the book "Dream Big" by Bob Goff Bob shares a cultural learning moment he had in Uganda. He was waving goodbye to some children he had just been playing with and they began running behind the jeep he was leaving in. As he continued waving, more and more children began running behind the Jeep. Finally, the driver explained that in Uganda, when you wave at someone it does not mean hello or goodbye it means, “Follow me!”

As I reflect on the goodness of the renovation work done recently at Centenary, that story has stuck with me. We are so excited to begin welcoming children and families back into this awesomely renovated space and we wave them in enthusiastically, as they have begun to come for nursery, family worship, Vacation Bible School, the Backpack Blessing & Open House and Sunday School!

It is a tremendous joy to be able to be together in person even if it is still not what it was before. I pray daily for a safe and effective COVID vaccine for our children! However, as much as we love to welcome them into this amazing building which facilitates their Christian formation in innumerable ways, truly the most important thing we can do is send them back into the world to love God and show kindness to all people! We send them out to follow Jesus!

kids that they don’t get homework from church. But then I heard my words again inside my head and I quickly corrected myself. I told them that everything we learn and do at church is homework. The things we learn and do shouldn’t stay inside the walls of the church, instead it should transform us so that we become closer to the person God created us to be.

It’s not enough to learn the parts of the armor of God, instead what really matters is knowing that the things that the armor of God represents are the things God gives us to be strong when hard times come. This is why we give the kids a weekly kindness challenge.

It is a concrete way for them each week to take what they have learned at church and put it into action in their lives. This is why we tell them over and over again that, “God loves you and so do I.” When we know we are loved it is way more easy to act loveable and to love other people.

So as much as it has made my heart sing when I have heard kids complaining to their parents, “But I don’t want to leave!” after playing in our new play place or after going down the slip and slide in the front yard for the millionth time, we cannot simply come to church and revel in the goodness we find there. We must allow the goodness to fill us up and propel us out whether we are 6 years old, 36 years old, or 86 years old! 

Recently in Sunday School, I told the

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LEARN MORE

ABOUT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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This September we want to invite you to make connections to help you grow your faith, grow deeper

relationships with one another and grow closer to God. Over the past year and half, we have learned we can overcome the most difficult challenge of our lifetime. We found a way to gather to worship, meet in small groups, and maintain our faith. But let’s be honest, we want and need more, more connection, deeper faith, and a solid foundation that only a community guided by God’s love and grace can provide. That is why this fall we are inviting you to join a connection group with 7 to 12 other people, couples and individuals who will meet for 8 weeks for about an hour and a half to share your story, and your questions about our faith and quite possibly all we have dealt with this past year. There will be guiding scriptures, but these connection groups are not bible studies, but I am sure each of us will group deeper in our faith and are awareness of God’s love for us over our 8 weeks together. If you have questions about these groups, contact Bret Cogan. The link to register will be coming soon in the Sunday bulletin and "Happenings" email. Let’s come together and make the connections we all long for and have miss.

How is a Connection Group different from other small groups or Sunday school classes?

• Small size, 7-12 people • Once a group is launched, it continues as an intact group (new members are not added) • Members are committed to personal growth, attendance, and sharing • Trust and friendships are cultivated through shared conversations and earnest listening • No reading or homework, just bring an open heart and open mind

Who will be in the Connection Groups?

• Groups may be a mix of ages and genders, based on open sign-ups for the various meeting times offered • Groups might also be more homogeneous, if group leaders wish to recruit a specific demographic group

How long will Connection Groups last, and how often will they meet?

• Once a week for 8 weeks, with the possibility to continue after 8 weeks - depending on the group's and leader's preferences • All members and leaders have the option of an "offramp" after first 8 weeks, but may go on to join or lead new groups

What will Connection Groups actually do?

• Each meeting will include: opening prayer / discussion of the week’s topic / sharing of prayer requests / closing prayer (approx. 1 ½ hour) • Group leaders will be given a brief Scriptural passage, introductory comments, and suggested discussion questions for each week’s topic • Casual refreshments are encouraged at group meetings, with some sort of dinner option for the last week (group pot luck, casual restaurant, etc.)

• Group leaders may team up with a co-host to handle hospitality matters

FAQ'S What is the purpose of a Connection Group, and why is Centenary introducing this new idea?

• To re-connect with God and others, watching over each other in love • To grow in our relationships, with God and with each other • To build a bridge for people who may have walked away from the church but still want the relationships and growth that a church community provides • To share in faith, fellowship, and fun

LEARN MORE ABOUT CONNECTION GROUPS

BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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YOU BELONG HERE “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a (NIV)

TAMMY POLLOCK tpollock@centenary-ws.org

Every summer my mother’s side of the family gathers at Atlantic Beach for a week together. Everyone, my husband & children, my aunts & uncles, all of my cousins and second cousins, come together. It’s such a sacred and holy time of togetherness that all of us commit to the following year before we leave each summer. Our time at the beach is more than just lying in the sun, swimming in the pool, and building sandcastles...although all those things are important.

The heart of what brings us back together again, summer after summer, is that we belong together. We live all over the United States, we work, go to school, and are consumed by the drive the world demands of us.

But for one week out of the year, we let all that go and speak of our belovedness and significance to each other, mostly just by being present to one another.

Beach week is a touchstone and a reminder that we are all bound together in love, faith, grace and belonging.

As I sat on the floor of our condominium, with my family gathered around, sharing dinner together, I couldn't help but think of our youth ministry. Some of my most sacred and precious times with our church babies is when we are all gathered together laughing, eating, sharing, playing games, and talking about the Lord on the 4th floor. We have created this new and beautiful space

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for YOU (unlike any other place). A place where once or twice a week you can come and be in the presence of those who love you deeply and be reminded of the one who calls you by name as His beloved child. We all need that place. A place where we are known, seen, heard, loved, and delighted in.

My prayer as we are finally able to come back to church after so much distance between each other, is that you will find your place here at Centenary, you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you belong here, and that we, like the One who created you, call you our beloved. Come on back, we are waiting for you! 

 PRAYER ROOM FOR EVERYONE  WARMING KITCHEN WITH SEATING FOR 50 PEOPLE  ALL-NEW RESTROOMS  CLASSROOM SPACE WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY  GAME ROOM

“We are all bound together in love, faith, grace and belonging.”

LEARN MORE

ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITSINT OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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v

BAPTISMS & NEW MEMBERS We celebrate baptisms and new members as we welcome you in Christian love as you grow your faith every day.

Kiel and Jessica Beehler (Chase)

Brian and Ashley Brooks (Louise)

Mike & Lisa Cunningham (Olivia and Madeline)

Tripp & Anne Edwards (Nathaniel)

Sarah Coulter & Eugenia Peskoe (Eleanor Coutler)

Joey & Kim Herman (Ainsley and Avery)

...we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

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Jeanette Juran

Kevin & Kacie Karpinski (Carter)

Pat & Ashley McGlone (Madden and Tripp)

John & Laura McNames (Parker and Price)

Justis Mitchell

Chris & Annsley Munnelly (Miller)

Paul Odom & Sarah McFarland

Chris & Ellen Owens (Chris, Charlie, Ben and Anna Jane)

Mark & Anne Schweppe (Jack, Sam and Ann)

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Alden & Jennie Smith (Callie)

John & Samantha Turner (Cal)

Frank & Becky Wyatt

WE WOU LD LOVE F O R YO U T O B E A PA R T O F O U R FA M I LY We invite you to come and explore your faith journey at Centenary. Our Starting Point class will give you the tools to discover a deeper connection to Centenary and its membership and ministries. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Rev. Meg Gaston (336-724-6311).

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REALM? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS

Realm is our online community. It’s used by both staff and congregants for connecting and interacting with our church.

If you consider yourself part of Centenary’s church family, give Realm a try! Realm allows you to: • Manage contact information for you and your family members (address, phone, email, and text messaging opt-in).

• Upload a photo to help clergy, lay leaders and staff to get to know you!

• Provide further information to help out our ministries (allergies, skills/interests, etc).

• Set up and manage your giving.

• Easily register for church events in just a couple of clicks. If the registration requires payment, Realm automatically ties the payment to your payment method preference established in your profile.

• Adjust communication preferences coming from ministry groups you join to stay informed.

LEARN MORE Log in to Realm at www.onrealm.org or by clicking here.

If you have questions or would like help getting started, please contact Stacy Holley at sholley@centenary-ws. org or 336-724-6311 (ext. 1359).

For help with giving or contributions, please contact Mary Ann Wexler at mwexler@centenary-ws.org or 336-7246311 (ext. 1346).

• Access our congregant directory.

• Download the Realm Connect App for portability convenience.

• If you are a leader of a class, team or committee, Realm offers additional features that can help you to manage your group’s communications and events. Click here to open the Group Leader Guide.

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DISCOVER OUR MISSION PARTNER

THE JIM AND BETTY HOLMES FOOD BANK GARDEN IS LOCATED AT 1001 REYNOLDA ROAD ON THE CAMPUS OF THE CROSSNORE SCHOOL. TO VOLUNTEER, SCAN OUR QR CODE TO BE DIRECTED TO THEIR WEBSITE.

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MONTHLY

MISSION FOCUS REV. MEG GASTON mgaston@centenary-ws.org

As our way of being the church continues to change, we want to make sure our approach to Mission has the flexibility to change as well.

Starting in September, we will have a “Monthly Mission Focus” where we will highlight one of our ministry partners and the ways in which you and your family can get involved.

Through discussions with mission team members, we thought about what “Every Day for Everyone” would look like in our partnerships with those in our community. So often Mission opportunities leave out a group of people who are either too young or physically not able to volunteer in the ways that are available. We want to change this so that regardless of how old or young you are, or what your schedule may look like on the weekends or week days, there will be opportunities for you to get involved.

The Betty and Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden is our focus for the month of September and we are excited for all

that this entails. Not only will there be options for you to sign up to help harvest the many crops they have coming in next month, but there will also be an opportunity for families with young children to either visit the garden or come to the church to learn more about the garden and their work.

We are excited not only to shed more light on our mission partners, but also to bring our church together as we serve alongside each other and our community. I am excited about all that our church does and look forward to growing our mission program over the next year. 

LEARN MORE

ABOUT MISSIONS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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S E V E N FA C T S A B O U T S T E WA R D S H I P

657

• active pledges for 2021 (carried over from 2020 due to pandemic)

$2,854,420 in total pledged

• for 2021

232

• pledges have made no contribution yet for 2021

$746,931

• in contributions have been made online (as of mid-July)

49%

• of gifts have been made via credit card

13%

• of gifts have been made via checking auto-draft

38%

• of gifts have been made via checks or cash

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GIVING POST PANDEMIC We’ve made it through the upheaval in our daily lives from the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t think there is anyone who wasn’t affected in some meaningful way. We had to do things differently and we all adapted. The same is true of Stewardship at Centenary.

MARY ANN WEXLER mwexler@centenary-ws.org

Every year, we begin to plan ahead for expenses for the next year. It’s an estimate.

A guess based on current and prior years as well as anticipated expenses for new items. Programs, activities, events, employee salaries, utilities, insurance, maintenance…you name it…it all has to be planned for ahead of time.

A church functions similar to other nonprofits. We don’t manufacture items for sale or send a bill for tuition or club dues.

We are dependent on contributions that our members and visitors give to us out of pure generosity and as a gift back to God for their church. No debt collector comes to your door if you don’t give us a gift. It’s completely free will!

One pattern this church has fallen into, along with many other churches, is that members give but they tend to give the same amount every year for five, ten or even twenty years or more. Our expenses go up every year like everyone else’s, so we are deeply appreciative of those who increase their pledge, however much they can, to help us cover our expenses.

Soon, if not already, you will receive your new pledge card for 2022 in the mail. You will also see social media videos about pledging to Centenary and there will be emailed invitations to make a pledge online to support your church.

to dedicate a pledge to the church for the operating budget. We want our programs to thrive and develop as we celebrate Jesus and bring others to Him! If you are unsure of your current pledge or have any questions about your online Realm account, please let me know by email to mwexler@ centenary-ws.org or by giving me a call to 336.724.6311 x1346.

I look forward to hearing from you! 

As we plan for 2022, I sincerely pray that you will make the choice

LEARN MORE

ABOUT WAYS YOU CAN GIVE

BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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Our prayer, as we extend an

invitation to each of you, is that you would come with a seeking heart, eager to know Jesus Christ and a desire to be part of our amazing community. We know our world is so full of opportunities and choices that it is so easy to be involved in many different things. We hope what you will find here at Centenary Youth Ministry is a place to belong, be you, and be loved.

Our Youth Ministry is intentional about loving you where you are and encouraging you to grow deeper in your relationship with God by giving you space and tools to encounter the living, loving Jesus so that your life may be transformed. To learn more about youth ministry at Centenary, contact Tammy Pollock (336-724-6311)

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 | 34 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

W H E R E D O I S TA R T ?

Now that you have read our pages, how will you live out your faith "Every Day for Everyone?"

Here's a simple checklist to help you start.  Tell a friend and invite them to participate  Join a Connection Group  Take the First Fifteen Challenge  Join the book study with Susannah  Attend weekly worship or live stream  Volunteer at the Food Bank Garden  Go the the Exigence concert  Help pack meals at Rise Against Hunger Need help getting started? Contact any of our clergy and staff and they will help you get connected. Their contact info is to the right.

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 Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries jemmons@centenary-ws.org Reverend R. Craig Ford Associate Minister cford@centenary-ws.org Reverend Meg Gaston Associate Minister of Engagement, Evangelism & Missions mgaston@centenary-ws.org Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org Sandra Gramley Congregational Care Coordinator sgramley@centenary-ws.org Stacy Holley Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister sholley@centenary-ws.org

Providing monthly educational programming on diverse Mental Health topics.

• A Family Journey through Mental Illness • From Mental Illness to a Renewed Mind • Help for Substance Use Disorder • Teen and Substance Abuse • Children and Anxiety • Support for Caregivers • Our Faith Community Comes Together • Creating Caring Communities for Mental Health • Reframing Healthy Eating To learn more about this ministry and for any questions you may have, please be in contact with Rev. Susannah Pittman (336-724-6311).

John Markle Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org Reverend Susannah Pittman Assoc. Minister of Congregational Care spittman@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 Amanda Tilley Contributions atilley@centenary-ws.org

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 | 35 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

JOIN US FOR W O R S H I P AT

CENTENARY

SUNDAYS 11AM • SANCTUARY & LIVE STREAM 9AM • MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM WEDNESDAYS 7PM • MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM LEARN MORE ABOUT WORSHIP AT CENTENARYBY CAPTURING OUR QR CODE.

646 West Fifth Street • Wintson-Salem, NC 27101 www.centenary-ws.org 336-724-6311