DEPARTMENTS From the Editor EDITOR
Eben Alexander
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“Are You Hungry?” Dr. W. Mark Ralls, Senior Minister
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Worship in the Park
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Food, Inc.
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United Methodist Women
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A Healthy Kitchen
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Dr. Mark Pashayan
The buzz on the third floor is that vacation is over. How can I tell? The pace at Centenary dramatically changes as ministers and other program directors kick into “high-gear” all of the events and programs for the fall. Let me say, there are amazing events and ministry opportunities coming your way. As we begin this exciting time, I want to introduce a new feature. We will be using three different icons throughout our publications to illustrate different concentrations. They are learn, service and meditate. These will assist you in knowing which type of event or opportunity is being presented. I hope you will join in the “Are You Hungry?” theme for the next nine months. Your ministers and program directors have been working for several months to present this incredible journey to you. Please feel free to call anyone on staff to answer any questions you may have. By the way, I hope you will enjoy the theme hymn as the lyrics speak to every component we will be examining over the next year.
Eagle Scout Brothers
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Food for Thought
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Glad Tidings
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Norwood Robinson The Most Meaningful Thing
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Memorials & Honoraria
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Thank You
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Roots Revival
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Loaves & Fishes
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New Members
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Children’s & Youth Music
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Centering Prayer
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The Big Silence
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Front Porch Days
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On the Cover
Events & Announcements
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“Empty Baskets”
Youth Ministry
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The Creation Care team sponsored the “Leave Some: Take Some” vegetable sharing table during the summer months. The empty baskets were a perfect example of the longing to be filled with earthly food. This representation also speaks to our desire to be filled with the Spirit.
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Get out your calendars, get set, make your plans to be here and celebrate our tremendous heritage of faith as we enter an amazing journey. Doug Peninger
learn
meditate
serve
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Reflections
mralls@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1362
“Are You Hungry?” Dr. W. Mark Ralls
Senior Minister mralls@centenary-ws.org
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hen I was living in Germany, every Saturday morning I would wake up early, walk downtown, and have breakfast in Bonn’s one and only McDonald’s – my weekly dose of American fast food. This McDonald’s was beside the train station that was “home” to many of the city’s street people. One Saturday, I was very early. Hardly anyone was in the restaurant besides the staff. As I was eating, I looked up and saw a homeless man sleeping in a corner booth. His head was resting on the table. Then I noticed the manager. He was walking briskly toward that table. I grimaced, wondering just how ugly their confrontation would be. But the manager walked right up to the table and set down an Egg McMuffin. The homeless man looked up. They smiled at each other like old friends, and the manager went back to his duties. Seeing that sandwich arrive was just a small act of compassion, but it revealed a different way of seeing the world. I still remember that simple act. The memory of it continues to feed my soul.
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That event speaks to me about who God is. God gives to us just as freely and with even more compassion than that kind-hearted manager displayed. For the next nine months, we focus our worship on those divine attributes that reveal to us the true nature of God. God is generous and loving. God is trustworthy and kind. My hope and prayer is that throughout these weeks, the hunger that each of us feels for God will in part be satisfied. That event also speaks to me about who we are called to be as the image of God in this world. As the manager gave of himself, I believe we are being called to share our prayers and presence, our gifts and service with the world. My hope and prayer is that throughout these weeks, each of us will commit anew the vows of membership we take. We will see them not as obligation but as opportunity to respond to the physical hungers in Forsyth County. As we do this, we will become – even more – the image of God in this world. Warmly,
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Movie & Discussion on Food Issues Sunday October 6, 6-8pm, Memorial Auditorium
With our focus on food this year, Centenary Creation Care invites you to come for a special viewing of Food, Inc., a documentary about the costs of putting value and convenience over nutrition and environmental impact. It also looks at how profits are put before consumer health, as well as the conditions and safety of American farmers today. Food, Inc. reveals surprising and often shocking truths about what we eat, how it’s produced and who we have become as a nation. Following the film will be a discussion time led by members of the Creation Care Team. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. For more information about Centenary Creation Care Team, go to www.CentenaryOnline.com/CreationCare.
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United Methodist Women
Our Passion for Missions Pulsing throughout our United Methodist women’s groups is a deep passion for missions. You can just feel this spirit when our UMW women gather at their monthly circle meetings, at our four membership and luncheon meetings, and when we come together to raise money for women, children, and youth!! Below is a “spotlight” on inspiring mission projects and activities our nearly 500 members are making happen!
Education Missions
Fall UMW General Meeting
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issions and friendship are two themes of the UMW General Meeting and Luncheon to be held on Monday, September 9th. Our speaker is Dr. Gail O’Day, Dean and Professor at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, who will speak on “Friendship as Christian Practice.” All tables will be adorned with new school supplies gathered by Circle Nine again this year as a local mission for students at the Children’s Home.
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Also benefitting children is our new mission project for the Easton Lending Library Initiative, part of the larger Reading Initiative initiated by Jill Tackabery and Maria Edmonds King in 2012. Students at the Easton Elementary School have few resources for books to read at home; although they are allowed four library books a week this is not enough to encourage young readers. To supply books for each Friday’s book swap at Easton this coming school year, Circle members have collected new or used K-7 books during the summer to bring to our General Meeting. Paperbacks and hardbacks are acceptable. If others wish to join in this mission, a check donation may be written to the school and earmarked for Book Swap. Contact Dianne Iseman with questions (659-4252)/dianneiseman@aol.com.
Prison Ministry Circle Six Reaching Out in a Powerful Way
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aptain Rodney Stillwell’s Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministries program “Fun with the Father Program” sends a father and child through a ropes course at Camp Hanes in May where they experience trust and build self -esteem for stronger families. This program is designed to strengthen inmate families and to create a positive influence on the father/child relationship through the healing aspect of fun and teamwork. Circle Six was so inspired by hearing his message that they raised over $2400.00, and sent over 50 games and books to help in this ministry.
United Methodist Women Joy in Fundraising Table Extravaganza October 19
advance for their support. Women, children and youth in our community are strengthened in countless ways through such generosity.
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n an awesome “spirit” of pulling together and “joy” in working together we are planning for and anticipating the third annual UMW Table Extravaganza fundraiser to be held on Saturday October 19 at 9:30 am in our Memorial Auditorium. We eagerly gather for fellowship and for the joy in being able to “give back” in a bountiful way to missions. Last year this one abundant event raised $15,126.37, after expenses, and all of it was designated for our mission focus of women, children and youth. The recipients of these funds were: the Children’s Home (Gray Cottage and Healing Center) and Family Services/Domestic Shelter.
A Prayer for UMC Women By Becky Perkinson
Seek (Find those cute stores to shop during your summer travels) and you shall Find (fabulous gifts items for the 3rd annual Table Extravaganza.) Knock (Knock on the doors of your
neighbors, friends and those businesses you patronize) and the door shall be Opened (think of it as giving this person the opportunity to give back to their community.)
Ask (We need everyone’s help to make
this fundraiser a big success) and it shall be Given (Vacation getaways, holiday items, artwork, home/garden accessories, gift certificates, etc.)
And the Love comes a trickling down (100% of all proceeds empower women and children out of poverty)
We know that this year’s attendees will be just as spirit filled and we thank them in
General Meeting & Luncheon
September 9 • Noon • Memorial Auditorium
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Dr. Gail O’Day
ome and enjoy our UMW General Meeting that will be Monday, September 9 at noon in the auditorium. Dr. Gail O’ Day will speak on “Friendship as Christian Practice: Living Together in Jesus’ Love.” Dr. O’Day is Dean and Professor of the New Testament and Preaching at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. She is a graduate of Brown University and earned a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and a Doctorate in New Testament from Emory. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Please RSVP to your circle leader by Tuesday, September 3. If you are not in a circle, you may call Mary Ceile Ogburn (725-7573) by the same deadline. We always welcome new faces! Please note that the board meeting will be held at 10:30 am in room 115 prior to the luncheon.
For any questions call Judy Smith (724-7232). Come and connect with friends after summer and sign up for lots of surprise give-aways.
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A Healthy Kitchen Leads to a Healthy Life By Dr. Mark Pashayan, MD Pediatrician Wake Forest Baptist Health Brenner Children’s Hospital Pediatrics - Clemmons
First- “Real food” means groceries not frozen dinners, not boxed mixes, not fast food meals. Learn to shop around the periphery of the grocery store for fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grain baked goods. Learn to cook from healthy ingredients. Take your kids to the Farmer’s Market, not the Supermarket. Children are subjected to expensive, slick advertising campaigns on TV and the internet designed to make them crave sweet drinks, sugary cereals, and salty, fatty snacks. Engage kids in cooking. Make it a game. Make it fun. Make it delicious.
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opular media are full of tips about diet, exercise, and health in general. There are so many recommendations out there, it can be hard to choose a healthy diet and exercise plan for our families. Unlike the popular media, the medical literature has the task of providing evidence for the benefits and the risks of behaviors. Based on this evidence, what can we say with certainty in 2013? Well, our food choices and sedentary lifestyle are killing us. We certainly don’t walk as much as we did, so “exercise” has to be scheduled into our busy lives. Convenience foods and casual dining restaurants provide less nutrition and more calories. Children spend more time in front of the TV or computer and less time playing outside. What simple changes would help?
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We should learn to cook. Michael Pollen has written extensively on food, nutrition and cultural ties to eating. He summarizes his wisdom into eightwords: “Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants.” Just doing these three things, will make a huge difference.
Second- “Not too much” means “eat until you are no longer hungry.” Many of us eat until we are stuffed. Food tastes good. Why not eat more and more until we can’t eat any more? Well, clearly, the last thirty or forty years have shown measurable increases in “overweight” and “obese” children and adults. Many people rush meals, snack constantly, and eat with their eyes, not their stomachs. Restaurant meals are larger and children and adults who eat out have been shown to eat twice the calories they would eat at home. Even strollers and car seats have cup holders and snack trays so our little ones never have to be hungry! Our culture does not encourage savoring tastes, eating slowly, paying attention to food and lingering over table conversation. The last two generations of Americans have demonstrated lack of interest and skill in home-cooking. Children’s lives are so over-scheduled with after school activities and enrichment that eating out is often the only way to squeeze in a meal. Third- “Mostly plants” means “consider meat as a condiment.” Eat vegetables first, prepare delicious vegetables, and serve healthy proteins such as beans, nuts and seafood. Avoid large amounts of red meat and prepared, preserved meats such as bacon, cold cuts and sausages.
Changing nutrition this way improves health measurably even in folks who don’t lose weight. In the 1990s, The Lyon Diet Heart Study had to be stopped short, because it proved to be too helpful. In this study, patients on a regular diet were compared to patients on a “Mediterranean Diet” which consisted of “healthier proteins, carbohydrates and fats”. Researchers found that the patients with the healthier nutrients had 50 to 70% less deadly heart disease. They told the “control group” with a regular diet to switch immediately. So eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains breads, cereals, beans and nuts. Use olive oil. Eat some dairy, fish and poultry, but little eggs and red meat. Add a touch of daily exercise, and you have a formula for good health. Why not just buy a popular diet book? They all work, right? Yes, they do, but after 6 months or 12 months, most of the lost weight returns. Research has shown that a very low fat diet (advice from the 1960s) is not very helpful because it tastes awful. The type of fat, rather than the quantity, turns out to be the secret. Substitute canola or olive oil (polyunsaturated rather than saturated) for butter and trans-fats and enjoy your food. It is clear that various diet plans of high / low carbs will all work. The only people who succeed in dropping weight and keeping it off combine increasing activity with choosing foods wisely. When they eat out, they choose the same way, saving the big, three-course meals for the occasional celebration. They prepare delicious food at home which they savor when they eat. And you can too.
To learn more Michael Pollen http://michaelpollan.com/resources/ Mark Bittman http://markbittman.com Glycemic Index http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_ for_100_foods.htm Harvard Nutrition Source http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/
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Scout Troop 920
Brothers Earn Eagle Scout By Ernie Osborn
removing debris, planting fifty-four various trees, shrubs, and 200 daffodil bulbs. In addition he refurbished an original bench, built two new ones and spread four cubic yards of mulch. Clark raised over $3,000 for his project by hosting a dessert and concert at his home with The Katlyn Marks Band. The younger Osborn held positions of Quartermaster, Troop Guide and Assistant Patrol Leader. He attended Camp Raven Knob for three summers and undertook a 10-day, high-adventure backpacking trek at Ben Delator camp in Elk Horn, Colorado. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow.
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rothers Ross Everett Osborn and Clark Alden Osborn, members of Boy Scout Troop 920, were presented their Eagle Scout rank awards at a Court of Honor ceremony at Centenary United Methodist Church on June 3. The presentations were made by Mark Brewer, former Scoutmaster and current Chaplain. With these two Eagle Scouts, Troop 920 continues its 94 year legacy totaling 237 Eagle Scouts. For his Eagle Project Ross Osborn led a team of friends, Scouts, neighbors and classmates in the design and construction of 4 picnic tables and 6 sets of planters all made from Evergrain, a recycled plastic product. The tables and planters were installed at The Summit School where Ross attended from Kindergarten through the Ninth Grade. For his fundraiser, Ross employed a local band, Below the Line, to play on the Summit patio where patrons dined on desserts. He raised over $3400 which covered the cost of the band, refreshments, and all the materials. During his scouting adventure Ross served his troop as Scribe, Chaplain and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He attended Camp Raven Knob three summers, was elected to the Order of the Arrow and attended Sea Base High Adventure Camp.
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Ross is a rising senior at Reynolds High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, and the Varsity Lacrosse team in addition to being a Crosby Scholar. For his Eagle Project Clark Osborn refurbished the Pool Basin area at Reynolda Gardens. Clark and his volunteers logged over 100 hours replacing deteriorating border logs, raking leaves,
Clark is a rising junior at The Lawrenceville School where he participates on the Junior Varsity Football, Wrestling and Golf teams while earning Deans List recognition. Both Ross and Clark Osborn are sons of Nancy and Ernie Osborn and the grandsons of Claire and Mal Osborn, all of Winston-Salem.
FOOD for THOUGHT Wednesdays @ 12:00 pm Centenary’s Memorial Auditorium | 646 W. Fifth Street, Winston-Salem NC 27101
are 37 students enrolled. After meeting with Sylvia Shelton, WSSS’s Development Director and Centenary member, GT’s volunteers were asked to sponsor the Winston-Salem Street School Fundraiser Luncheon being held September 17 at Forsyth Country Club. The 200 invitation only attendees will be treated to lunch and an invitation to participate in the support of the WSSS by speaker, Dr. Mark Ralls. A monetary donation will be presented by Glad Tidings on behalf of Centenary UMC and a challenge will be extended to the attendees to lift up the school with financial gifts. A final tally of contributions generated by the luncheon will be reported at a later date.
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The beauty of this event reminds us all that when you shop in Glad Tidings books and gifts, all proceeds over operating costs indeed go towards ministries and missions supported by Centenary UMC. In this case, a big thank you to Centenary members who shop in Glad Tidings from the Winston Salem Street School and the Glad Tidings’ Volunteers. Shop Glad Tidings where gift giving is made easy!
lad Tidings volunteers were offered the opportunity to decide where the profits generated by sales from the shop would be designated for 2013. Several worthwhile ministries were nominated during a June luncheon meeting. Overwhelmingly, the group voted to donate a projected $10,000 to the Winston-Salem Street School, a true neighbor to Centenary, located one block from the church. WSSS is an alternative faith based high school and creates a loving environment giving students one last chance to earn their high school diplomas. Winston-Salem Street School has determined that is takes $7,777 to educate one student each per year. Currently, there
Outreach Committee From Francis of Assisi …
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received…but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” Ponder this…how is your heart? Is it full from kindnesses given to others while you are doing God’s work OR does it have that empty neglected feeling? Centenary’s Outreach Committee met in July to discuss and finalize its financial support to worthwhile ministries within Centenary, our community and our world. It was a beautiful gathering of hearts responding with due diligence and love to the needs of “the least of these”. Interwoven in the important financial
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discussion were the “feet on the ground” opportunities that will be offered to Centenary members to fill their hearts with service as we put the gift of labor behind the gift of money. These gifts go hand in hand because there is no sense in financing a project if no one is there to contribute the work. As we begin the season of “Are You Hungry?”, make the commitment to yourself to fill your heart by hands-on-help to others. There are more opportunities than can be mentioned in this small space and they come in all shapes and sizes. Contact Judy Jones (397-1361) and she will help you assess the right match for your skills. This is your invitation to fill your heart by loving others. Make the call today. Judy Jones
15 Francis of Assisi - Painting Š 2012 John August Swanson | Eyekons
cford@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1353
Senior Adult Ministry
The Most Meaningful Thing By Charles Monroe
We are dedicating the Senior Adult page in this issue of “Windows” to Norwood Robinson in sincere gratitude for his life, his leadership, and his commitment to Christ and Centenary United Methodist Church. Charles Monroe has interviewed Norwood and has written an account of their interview as Norwood told about his family, his military service, and his dedication to the church. Additionally, several of Norwood’s friends have shared their thoughts. Norwood has been an inspiration to many. If you have been blessed by knowing Norwood, please write him and express your gratitude. His address is: 1244 Arbor Road, Apt. A406, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27104 Thank you, Norwood, for all that you have done and continue to do. Sincerely, Craig Ford
Kirby nodded to pianist John Trulove, who had previously entertained those present with a medley of patriotic and old-time favorites. As John began playing, everyone stood and sang the second and third verses of America the Beautiful. It was obvious to those of us who were guests that Norwood was held in very high esteem by his fellow members of the Chapel Class.
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hapel Class members and guests had just finished singing the first and fourth verses (as is their practice) of America the Beautiful last July (2012) on the Sunday after the July 4th Independence Day. As everyone took their seat, Norwood Robinson spoke up asking, “Why don’t we sing the second and third verses?” Aubrey
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Norwood has been the designated teacher of the Chapel Class for over fifty years. No one is quite certain exactly when he took over for Luther Hodges (nephew of Governor Luther Hodges). Luther had taken over for Charlie Wade, the first teacher. Norwood is the third teacher and no one wants to even think about who will be the fourth. If you look at Norwood’s biographical information as listed on the Robinson & Lawing, LLP web site, you will see “Teacher, The Chapel Class, Centenary United Methodist Church,” along with “Past Chairman, Board of Stewards,
Centenary United Methodist Church.” It is evident that Norwood takes pride in these roles and considers them to be a very important part of who he is. Norwood grew up in Roseboro, NC, a son of Judge Edward Croswell Robinson and Lolita Underwood Robinson. They attended Roseboro Baptist Church where his mother and father taught Sunday School classes each Sunday. After graduating from high school in the spring of 1942, he enrolled in summer school classes at Wake Forest College while waiting to reach his 17th birthday, the minimum age for appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Soon after turning 17 in June, he was pleased to learn that he had received his hoped-for appointment. He enrolled at West Point in the fall. Norwood was one of the youngest in the class which was scheduled to complete the fouryear program in three years to help meet the wartime demand for army officers. He remembers marching with his unit to chapel every Sunday for church services. Like many others in Norwood’s 1945 West Point graduating class, he was destined to join US Army forces in Europe, but the war in Europe ended in early May,1945. Norwood was redirected to Fort Knox, KY, for tank training in preparation for joining the 20th Armored Division for the invasion of Japan. By mid August, the Japanese had agreed to unconditional surrender following the dropping of
nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With the war ending, plans changed again resulting in Norwood’s assignment to the 1st Armored Division in Germany where he became Company Commander of Company A, 1st Tank Battalion with responsibility for 20 tanks and 185 soldiers. The unit occupied a former German military base in Karlsruhe, a town located on the eastern bank of the Rhine River in southwest Germany. As part of the allied occupation force in the American zone, the troops in that area acted as a deterrent to further penetration into western Europe by Soviet forces. One of Norwood’s proudest achievements while at Karlsruhe was joining forces with his closest friend, Ward Dworshak (son of US Senator Dworshak from Idaho) to raise money to build a chapel on the base. Ward and his fiance were married in that chapel with his devoted German Shepherd “Chief” as Best Dog and Norwood as Best Man. Norwood returned to the US in 1948 and fulfilled several temporary military assignments before resigning his Army commission after four years in order to enter law school at Duke University in the fall of 1949. Over the years, as a civilian, he continued to maintain a close relationship with the military by serving on the board at West Point from 1965 – 1990. He subsequently served as North Carolina Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army from 1996 – 2001. Norwood was an excellent law student at Duke and was Co-Editor of the Duke Bar Journal and a member of the Order of the Coif. What Norwood remembers most about those three years at Duke was meeting his future wife, Pauline Louise Gray. Pauline, the daughter of James Alexander Gray and Pauline Bahnson Gray, was spending many weekends during the summer of 1951 at her family’s summer home at Roaring Gap. Pauline had graduated from Hollins College in 1950 with a BS in chemistry and was working in the Toxicology Laboratory at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Robert Taylor, a classmate of Norwood’s at Duke, was serving as tennis pro for the summer at Roaring Gap Country Club. While visiting Robert at Roaring
Gap, Norwood was introduced to Pauline and his life was changed forever. He and Pauline were married at Centenary UMC on March 22, 1952 and began 55 years of married life together. Norwood graduated from law school at Duke in June, 1952. He and Pauline remained in Durham after graduation while Norwood studied for the bar exam. After passing the exam and being licensed to practice law, Norwood and Pauline moved to Winston-Salem in the fall of 1952 and took up residence on Westover Avenue near College Village. Norwood joined McKeithan & Graves, a local law firm which specialized in real estate law. He and Pauline began attending church at Centenary where they had been married the previous March. Pauline had grown up attending Centenary where her father had been on the building committee when the church was built in 1930-31. Her uncle Bowman Gray donated the building site which included his former home place. The couple and their growing family continued to be active at Centenary over the years, Pauline as a Circle Leader for 40 years and Norwood as a Sunday School Teacher and as a leader in business affairs of the church. They raised four sons, two of whom are twins, Dr. Edward (“Ward”) Norwood Robinson, Jr. (Greensboro) and James
Gray Robinson (Phoenix, AZ); Michael Lindsay Robinson (Winston-Salem) and Mark Alvin Robinson (Louisville, KY). The couple was later blessed with 10 grandchildren: Patrick Edward Robinson, Alexander Wood Robinson, Danison Gray Robinson, Emory Norwood Robinson, Tanner Gray Robinson, Spencer Croswell Robinson, Lindsay Alexander Robinson, Michael MacRae Robinson, Catherine Gray Robinson and Elizabeth Stuart Robinson. In addition to the 10 grandchildren, the family now includes two great-grandchildren, MacRae Alexandra Robinson and Chandler Gray Robinson. Chandler has recently started attending Centenary. Norwood’s son Michael and grandson Tanner are members. Norwood and the family lost Pauline on December 8, 2007. After spending a year or so at McKeithan and Graves doing title searches and other tasks associated with real estate law, Norwood was
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offered the opportunity to join another local firm which saw a future for him in litigation. He accepted the offer and joined Vaughn, Hudson, Ferrell and Carter, a predecessor of the highly respected Winston-Salem firm Petree, Stockton & Robinson. As his family grew, Norwood’s legal career flourished at his new firm and particularly at Petree, Stockton & Robinson. Norwood still takes great pride in the many fine attorneys who were a part of that firm which subsequently merged in 1997 with a large Atlanta firm. Rather than be a part of a larger firm, Norwood, along with some others from the old firm, chose to move in a different direction. He is preparing to finish his sixty-one-year legal career at the highly respected local firm, Robinson & Lawing, LLP. When he recently referred to Robinson & Lawing, LLP as his firm, he quickly corrected himself to say “this is now my son Mike’s firm.” During his long and distinguished legal career, Norwood has been referred to as “an institution,” “a legend,” “the finest courtroom lawyer in North Carolina,” “the venerable Winston-Salem attorney,” and perhaps some other flattering and not so flattering terms. One organization noted that Norwood, in 61 years of practicing law since 1952, has had “no instances of professional misconduct.” As we neared the end of the interview I asked Norwood what inspired him to be teacher of the Chapel Class for over 50 years. He responded that “teaching the Chapel Class is the most meaningful thing I have ever done. I became fascinated with the Bible and reading scripture to prepare for the Sunday class.” Norwood
has relied heavily on the series of books on the New Testament written by the Scottish theologian, Dr. William Barclay. “He made a great contribution to Christianity.” Norwood continued, “I think of myself as a devout person. My faith in Jesus has meant so much to me in trying times.” I reminded Norwood that the Chapel Class is expecting him to resume teaching the class in September, after the summer break. He responded “I am taking one day at a time.”
“I think of myself as a devout person. My faith in Jesus has meant so much to me in trying times.”
Norwood Robinson in the words of some friends and fellow Chapel Class members. Norwood has been my Sunday School Teacher for five decades. It has been fifty years of enlightenment and entertainment. He has artfully shared insights and interpretations of scriptures, augmented by Dr William Barclay and other biblical scholars. He has shared stories and anecdotes and jokes to which Dr. Barclay and those other biblical scholars contributed absolutely nothing whatsoever. . You have to marvel and have the deep appreciation for the devotion and dedication that Norwood has given to this task, week after week, year after year, and frankly, the job doesn’t pay that well. Some years ago I was asked to play the piano for the Chapel Class. I had serious misgivings as to whether or not my syncopation and jazzy style of playing would be appropriate for a house of worship. Soon after I began playing I heard a tap tap tap. It was Norwood’s foot keeping rhythm to the music. It was all the approval I needed. John Trulove It is hard for one to realize, unless one has taught in the Chapel Class (or in a similar class), just how much time and dedication it takes. Norwood has done it for over fifty years! Norwood told of one Saturday night when he and Pauline were coming back from Durham, with Pauline driving and with Norwood in the back seat, studying for the lesson for Sunday morning! Now that is dedication!!
Aubrey and Nancy Kirby
Working for Norwood back in the early 1960’s was a fascinating and demanding experience!! He is a great teacher in the Chapel Class but is also a great teacher/leader/boss in the business world. His knowledge and expertise in the legal field made him an outstanding attorney. It was a great opportunity to have worked for him! Gayle Atkinson Norwood Robinson is a legend at Centenary United Methodist Church. He loves the Lord, loves the church and has been a faithful teacher of the Chapel Class for many years. Norwood has strong convictions and expresses his thoughts as to how things should be done at Centenary. He has a strong following in the Chapel Class and is held in high esteem. Jerry Warren There are many ways to describe Norwood Robinson, but writing today I think of three that are very special to me: Courage, compassion and concern. Courage—there has never been a doubt as to the stand that Norwood takes on any subject, and he always has the courage to fight for what he believes. Concern—I shall always remember that moment of crisis in the construction of Arbor Acres - a huge payment to be made and no funds. Norwood,deeply concerned and caring, called a meeting of interested persons and raised the money in one day. After that smooth sailing. Compassion—His love of his church, his family, his friends, and Arbor Acres is part of his heritage. Jule Spach As a former Sunday School teacher, I am in awe of Norwood Robinson’s devotion to teaching the Chapel Class for over half a century. WOW!!! His love of God, country and the members of the class are as evident as his silver hair. Norwood’s service to the Chapel Class at Centenary will be remembered and revered for generations. Frank Rayburn
Senior Adult Contact Information: Craig Ford: 397-1353 / cford@centenary-ws.org Handy Helpers: John Anthony • 765-3804 Senior Adult Chair: Charles Monroe • 773-0446 Programming: Jean Burroughs • 759-2387 Church: 724-6311 19
Memorials Centenary Fund
Respite Care
In memory of M. Louise Thomas by Harry and Nancy Underwood, Henry and Dyeann Jordan. In memory of Hazel Newman Nading by Harry and Nancy Underwood. In memory of Jacqueline E. Canady by Harry and Nancy Underwood. In memory of Robert C. Kennedy by Betty and Kenneth Smith. In memory of Elma Stearns Deleot by Betty and Kenneth Smith. In memory of Conrad Sink, Jr. by Betty and Kenneth Smith. In memory of Michael P. Sekelsky by Betty and Kenneth Smith. In memory of Gladys Poindexter by Betty and Kenneth Smith, Henry and Dyeann Jordan. In memory of Amanda Nance Stewart by Suzan Elster. In memory of John Getting Hofler by the John A. Spencer family. In memory of Elizabeth Rogers Millar by Dr. Robert Means, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barron, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Brady. In memory of Wilma Helene Halverson by Leta Duffin, Suzan Elster, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Brady. In memory of Frances Pollock by Edgar Draughn, Jr. In memory of Bennett Daniel Gross, Sr. by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Duckett, Mr. and Mrs. J. Aubrey Kirby, Grover and Jane McNair, The Chapel Class, Louise and Everett Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn, Sr., Susan Mann, Dalton Ruffin, Norwood Robinson, Betty and Jim Brewer, Judy Hardy, Ray Blevins, Barbara Blevins, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cooper, Jim Scott and Amy Herman, B. Edward and Loyce Kluttz, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Taylor, Fred and Phyllis Marshall, Henry and Dyeann Jordan, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Brady. In memory of Ben and Mary Gross by Gabriel and Patricia Avram, Nancy and Tom Cannon. In memory of Virginia Hulse Johnson, mother of Mary J. Sperry, by Mr. and Mrs. Morris D. Marley. In memory of Edna T. Robertson by Larry and Sara Jane Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Vaughn, Ann Rutter. In memory of Leonard Lee Walker by Ralph and Gayle Atkinson. In memory of Elizabeth Webster Brandon by Jean Beam, John and Judy Mountjoy, Dr. and Mrs. David Kelly, Missy and Buck Butler. In memory of Dan Reid, brother of Peggy Rhodes, by Jean Beam.
In memory of Wilma Helene Halverson by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barron.
Radio Ministry
...Susan Sommerkamp in the death of her mother, Edna Stewart.
In memory of Flora R. Raper by The Clay/ Chandler Sunday School.
Scout Troop 920 In memory of Franklin Reid Warren, III by Jo Ann Frazier, Julia Moore, Gordon Cox, Aunt Priscilla and Uncle Stuart French, Anita and Tom Ogburn, Deana Vickers, Mary Lou and Peter Wilson, Danny and Ellen Steadman, Helen Blackford, Hester Booker and the Dennis Crowder family, Dan and Georganna Armstrong, Charles and Joy Shore, Tom P. Watts, Larry and Wanda Foster, Ed and Vicki Graham, Ty Thompson and Cooper Carter, Surgical Services Department at Forsyth Medical Center, Ann Flynt, Susan Blalock, Jack and Treva Trivette, Charles and Kathryn Morgan.
In Memoriam Bennett D. Gross, Senior June 5, 2013 Franklin Reid Warren III June 11, 2013 Elizabeth Webster “Lib” Brandon June 28, 2013 Leonard Lee “Rick” Walker June 29, 2013
Spiritual Formation
Janice Myers May July 2, 2013
In memory of Elizabeth Rogers Millar by Nancy and Tom Cannon.
Edna Tysor Robertson July 4, 2013
Stephen Ministry In memory of Arthur Townsend Klinger by Dr. Richard Patterson, Mike and Deanna Avent, Bob Noble, Tommy and Jan Nance, Martha Crist, Margaret Chestnutt, Elizabeth and Neil Gardner, Tom and Sue Maker, Ted and Joyce Maker, Chris Patton, George and Phyllis Walker, Tom and Linda Barr, the family of Beverly and John Barr.
Missionary Friendship Fund In memory of Elizabeth Rogers Millar by Circle 3. In memory of 233 by Circle 3.
Love Thy Neighbor In memory of Linville Slawter by Phyllis Slawter. In memory of Bright Sink by Barbara Lister-Sink for the Medical Clinic.
...Lydia Clark and Noelle Scott in the death of their father, Maurice H. Cain, of Falkville, AL.
We extend sympathy to... ...Diane Baker in the death of her mother, Bee Chapman.
Myra Faulkenberry Summers July 11, 2013 John Weiser Masten July 13, 2013 Frank Borden Hanes Sr. July 17, 2013 Robin Redmon Reynolds July 20, 2013 Mary Thompson Lucas July 21, 2013 Anne Woodward Kenan July 24, 2013 Elizabeth “Lib” Benson Johnson July 26, 2013
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.
Honoraria Centenary Fund
We celebrate the birth of...
In honor of Dr. Bob Nations by Jim and Helen Fridy. In honor of William and Sandra Hunter on their 50th Wedding Anniversary by Noel Hunter. In honor of Janice Walker by Ralph and Gayle Atkinson.
...MacRae Alexandra Robinson to parents Meaghann & Tanner Robinson, and big sister Chandler on June 20, 2013.
Extra Gift In honor of Bill and Mary West Ball on their 50th Wedding Anniversary by Pam and Bill Ball. In honor of Dr. Bob Nations by Carver and Betsy Rudolph.
Children’s Ministry In honor of the baptism of Susanne Chandler Marley and her grandparents, Bev and Mo Marley, Sally and David Blanco by Nancy and Tom Cannon.
Music and the Arts In honor of Chris Myers by her writing friends, Jean Ashley, Judy Briggs, Barbara Byrd, Ellen Crowther, Pragna Shah and Alma Thompson.
UMW General Fund In honor of Carol Leinbach by the family of Arthur T. Klinger.
Youth Ministry In honor of Thomas Setzer’s Confirmation by Melanie, Matt and Mary Poyner York.
...Thomas Allen Lycan to parents Tom & Sarah Lycan, and big brother Matthew on June 22, 2013. ...Virginia Campbell Clark to parents Brian & Ashley Clark, and big sister Norah on June 25, 2013. ...Graham Davis Jones to parents Mark & Walker Jones, and big sister Frazier on June 25, 2013. ...Harold Leo Welch to parents Rob & Elizabeth Welch, big sister Jane and big brother Robert on July 17, 2013. ... Beverly Cross Douglas to parents Dixon & Gaines on August 1, 2013.
We celebrate the baptism of... ...Allston Julius Stubbs V (Jack), Sarah Olivia Stubbs (Olivia) and Ava Lyon Stubbs (Ava), children of Mr. and Mrs. Allston Julius Stubbs, IV (Al and Carlie), granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allston Julius Stubbs III (Allston and Jean Olive). ...Elizabeth McCall Stanley (McCall), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Blake Stanley (Blake and Lindsay). ...Hannah Esther Walton (Hannah), daughter of Drs. Perry James Walter and Nicole Roberts Walton (Perry and Nicole).
We celebrate the marriage of... ...Calen Michael Butler and Elizabeth Marie Garner on May 11, 2013.
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Thank You Dear Beloved Centenary; Words cannot begin to capture the deep appreciation and love I have for you in my heart. From the moment God began to tug me into a new direction of my ministry, my grief for you also began. These past six years have been a wonderful adventure. Yes, it was a journey of many twists and turns but through it all, my admiration, respect, fondness and abiding love for this wonderful congregation has grown stronger year by year. Please know how much I appreciate your love gift, your many cards and notes, your conversations of affirmation and the wonderful reception given in my honor. I will treasure them all forever. But more so, I will remember you as the church that inspired my faith and touched my heart. Continue to love and pray for Dr. Ralls, the staff, the lay leadership and for each other. Time and distance only separate us but our affection for each other transcends all those. I will cherish my time at Centenary eternally and for me, know absolutely, there will never, ever be another Centenary! All my best, always, Mark King
Dear Friends, As I sit at my office desk in Union Grove United Methodist Church, I am counting the many blessings God bestows. You all at Centenary come to mind today. I am grateful for my many years at Centenary. God has blessed me with your friendship, your support and your care through the years. I am so grateful for the send off received on my last Sunday with you. Your cards, calls and expressed sentiments were tremendous. The reception and the love offering were generous and meaningful expressions of your love and care. Diane and I thank you all so much. I hope our journey together helped our faith grow and our shared compassion in congregational care and counseling ministries gave us hope and health. It is a rare privilege to serve a United Methodist Church for 21 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to be with you and for you to be with me. May God continue to bless us and keep us always. Bob Nations
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Loaves & Fishes
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A Community Ministy of Centenary United Methodist Church
oaves & Fishes continues to see people struggling in Forsyth County, both from unemployment and from hunger. Because we have fewer rules than many other agencies on who can be seen, we truly see the people who often slip through the cracks. Our finances dictate only seeing nine clients a week for financial aid so that we can more likely be a real help to them rather than less help to more people. We have also tried to be generous in the food we give to both our nine clients and the nearly forty people who come in each week just for food. With school back in session, we feel grateful that the
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students will have breakfast and lunch provided, but they often don’t have much at night and on the weekends. I encourage all of you to pay attention to the Food of the Month that is published in the Windows and online. If you can’t remember what the actual food of the month is, remember that we ALWAYS need canned meat (beef stew, tuna, chicken) and hearty soups and peanut butter (preferably in plastic jars.) Try to think what a hungry child or adult would really need to get them through the night or the weekend.
The average we pay out each week is $900, so you can see the difference donations mean. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who would love to be able to give more help to those in need, so please consider Loaves & Fishes when you want to recognize someone or just want to know you are helping the less fortunate. Please contact me at mdbach332@hotmail.com if you have questions about food, donations or volunteering at this wonderful ministry.
We continue to be grateful to those of you who have donated funds to Loaves & Fishes to supplement the $32,000 we get yearly from the Alspaugh Trust.
The Missions Bins located at the 4½ Street entrance.
Welcome
New Members
Kelly Baird & Kelly Barham Baird Sidney & Carson
Scott & Mary Lynn Copus Kimberly & Josh
William Mebane & Jayne Dallas
Joseph & Deanne Hettinger Abby & Cate
Lisa Poston
Robert & Rosemary Pulliam
John & Sue Drinkard Julie
Chris Speaks
We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.
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Music & the Arts
Children’s & Youth Music at Centenary A New Season Begins By Anne Saxon
“Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me…” --Deuteronomy 31:19
T
his September we are beginning our 7th year of building the Children’s and Youth Choir Program and are thrilled to provide choirs for preschoolers high school, from Kindermusik® through the Cantus Choir and West End Ringers for youth. It has been a true journey of love. Through our dedicated and qualified teachers, and the full support of our choir parents, these children and youth are able to provide worship leadership and participation regularly on Sunday mornings throughout the school year. Besides our weekly experiences and worship leadership, festivals, musicals, and summer camp experiences are also a part of our program,
faith, while setting up some of which are optional. We are excited about our new season’s beginning and have been planning throughout the summer months.
the year ahead. We will begin at 5:20 and end at 6:30 in the auditorium.
Kindermusik: The following We are now offering TWO separate Wednesday, September 11, is a separate orientation for our KindChoir Orientation Sessions: ermusik offerings for preschoolers. It will begin in the auditorium at Kindergarten-5th Graders: On 6:00 and end at 7:15 in the classWednesday evening, September room (2nd floor children’s wing). 4, children from Kindergarten You will have an opportunity to through the 5th grade will have learn more about the program, their annual “Choir Orientation” meet the teachers and visit the in the auditorium. You are invited classroom. This fall, classes will to come and bring your child to continue to be offered for ages 2-4. register for choirs, preview the handbook and yearly schedule, and have robe fittings. It is an opportu- Youth Choirs will begin after Labor Day and we are putting the nity to gather together and celebrate music as an expression of our final touches on our schedule and planning. Information will be sent to our youth by Tammy Clark and Anne Saxon. We welcome singers and handbell ringers from the 6th - 12th grades to come and join us! Even if you are a novice, we have a place for you in our choirs. Please prayerfully consider your family’s participation this year as we continue to provide a faithbased musical education and experience here at Centenary UMC. We ask that Kindermusik - 5th grade parents fill out the online registration form so we can make our plans for the coming year.
The mission of the Centenary UMC Children’s and Youth Choir program is to provide a faith-based musical education to children and youth. Our goal is to develop this through singing, playing instruments, worship involvement and leadership, and parent participation. Our directors are dedicated to the success of each child, as we empower children and youth for creative and fulfilling service and participation in their faith journey.
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Centering Prayer Workshop at Centenary Saturday •October 12 • 10am-4pm
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s we begin our year-long theme “Are You Hungry?” the first focus is on prayer. Our Spiritual Formation Ministries will host a special workshop by Contemplative Outreach of Charlotte. This workshop is open to everyone in the community, so bring a friend along to discover this silent prayer method in which we experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering Prayer adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him. The Workshop will be presented by Ann Starrette and Burt Melton. Ann Starrette is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Davidson United Methodist Church. Burt Melton is an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte and co-facilitates the weekly Centering Prayer group there. He has practiced Centering Prayer for over 20 years. The Workshop will include several talks on Centering Prayer, what it is and how to practice it. You will also have an opportunity to experience it. There will be time for questions. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required by October 4. For more information, go to cpcharlotte.org. To Register: Make a check payable for $30 to Contemplative Outreach of Charlotte and remit along with this form to: Claire Hunsucker, The United Methodist Foundation, 13816 Professional Center, Ste 100, Huntersville NC 28078 [Registration Closes October 4]
______________________________________________________ Name ______________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________ City, State and Zip __________________________ Phone
__________________________ Email Address
______________________________________________________ Home Church
THE BIG SILENCE Stumbling into the Heart of Christ February 16-20, 2014 St. Francis Springs Prayer Center Stoneville NC
If you hunger for a deeper experience of God through prayer, then join us for this special four-day guided retreat. Sunday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, will have big spaces of silence so that we might experience the gift of God’s transforming grace. Inspired by the documentary The Big Silence (see link on our webpage), this retreat will be grounded in the modern classic The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. There are only 16 rooms available. If you would like to view a PDF flyer/registration, go to www. centenary-ws.org/SF or contact Rev. Jonathan Brake, Minister of Adult Spiritual Formation & Education, jbrake@centenary-ws.org.
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Front Front PorchPorch Days Days Children’s Ministry
kmay@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1331
By Rev. Kate May
F
ront Porch Days were created as a way for Centenary to work together as a Church family and get to know the community around us. This is a opportunity for everyone, no matter age or stage in life, to come together and be in service. As we begin our focus of “Are You Hungry?” for the year, let’s join together and take the love of Christ out and meet people where they are, physically and spiritually. This year your ministry team has some great opportunities planned. Read on for more information and mark your calendar.
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STOP Hunger Now September 8
Centenary did this last year and it was a huge success. What a better way to kick off “Are You Hungry?” than packing thousands of meals to feed people who otherwise wouldn’t have a meal. All ages can come together to be a part of this great outreach and be hands on as there are opportunities for everyone.
World Communion Sunday October 6
In worship at Centenary we will be taking part in the sacrament of Communion, and would love to extend the opportunity to break bread together with those who aren’t able to make it to worship. We
want to take communion to some of our church family members. We’ll learn about communion and no matter how young or old you are, you’ll have a part in sharing this special meal. Come and be present in this sacred time with those we don’t get to see every week.
Packing Meals: Loaves & Fishes November 17
We are able to collect items for Loaves and Fishes each week here at Centenary with our collection locations, but this is an opportunity to take it one step further, and pack the gift of a Thanksgiving meal. Let’s join together to feed the physical hunger of those living around us each and every day.
Caroling at Love Thy Neighbor
Planting for Arbor Day
With December’s focus for “Are You Hungry?” being love, what a better way to show that than to be a part of Love Thy Neighbor? We will join in song together to bring Christmas cheer for all to hear as we celebrate the coming of the Christ child. This is great for the whole family. Bring ideas of your favorite Christmas carols and join us!
To help celebrate Arbor Day, we are going into the community to plant trees and flowers to preserve God’s beautiful creation. This will require anyone and everyone; from those who have ever helped mom in the garden/yard, to those with an expert green thumb. This will be a great way to be in service for our local community that will have lasting effects for years to come.
December 8
Valentines for Troops January 5
During a time of such unrest in the world, we want to take a moment to thank those who are sacrificing their time for the love of their country. We will make valentines that we will send to our troops. Come and join us for a great time of fellowship and showing our love and support to those who serve around the world.
Serving at the Overflow Shelter
April 27
Not only will we be feeding our community’s physical hunger through these Front Porch Days, but we will also be feeding a spiritual hunger for those whom we serve, as well as our own as we journey closer to God. We hope you will join us in these wonderful opportunities as we witness what God is doing with and through the congregation at Centenary. If you would like to be a part of or, want more information about any of the Front Porch Days, contact Kate May (397-1331, kmay@centenary-ws.org).
February 9
When the nights get cold our homeless shelters fill up quickly and more space is needed to keep everyone safe and warm. This month we will be working with other churches in our area to help meet the needs of the overflow shelter.
Linus Project March
We will be making blankets that will be given to the Linus Project. Project Linus provides new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. We have a branch in Winston Salem that delivers the blankets to Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
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Events & Announcements Front porch days September 8 • 2 - 4 pm We will have a packing event in the auditorium. This is a great project for any age (great to do as a family)!! Come join us as we pack the meals from start to finish! Stephen Ministry Stressed? Discouraged? Lonely? Sad? Don’t Suffer Alone. Help is Available. Sometimes we fall into a trap where we think it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help. So when we’re stressed, discouraged, lonely, or sad, we try to keep our struggles hidden and are reluctant to ask for help. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others—and allow others to care for us in our time of need If you would like to find out more about Stephen Ministry for yourself or someone you know (possibly a friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative) talk with Mark Ralls at 397-1362 or Craig Ford ar 397-1353. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care into your life. FEED THE WHOLE CHILD Bring your new or gently used books to donate to children who come to our Loaves and Fishes community ministry hungry both for food and for knowledge. Books will be sorted by age level and made available to children whose families seek assistance on Tuesday mornings at our 5th Street annex. As we gear up for our “Are You Hungry?” theme this fall, here is a perfect opportunity to connect physical hunger with educational hunger in a tangible way. All subjects and reading levels accepted. Bins will be placed on the children’s wing (2nd floor) and at the 4 1/2 Street entrance. Contact Sarah Howell (showell@centenary-ws.org) if you have ideas or would like to help. CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Children’s Worship We offer children’s worship each Sunday during the 11 am worship service. After beginning as a part of the larger worship service with their families, kindergarten through third grade are invited to join Rev. Kate May in the Dining Room. Children will return to the Sanctuary after the sermon. Parents are asked to pick up their children from their reserved pews once worship concludes. Attending children’s worship is optional; children are always welcome to remain in the adult worship service. Bible Sunday Sunday, September 8 is Bible Sunday. On this Sunday we will be celebrating the milestones of going to kindergarten and going to third
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grade by giving our new kindergarteners and new third graders a Bible of their very own. If you know of a rising kindergartener or third grader who should be included in this celebration please contact Ashley Maner (3971332, amaner@centenary-ws.org) so that we can make sure that no one gets overlooked! YOUTH MINISTRY Join us for our Sunday morning events! 8:45, 9:00, 10:10, 11:00am: Worship 9:45am: Sunday school Our Cornerstone middle school youth group (6th-8th grades) meets from 5:00-6:00pm each Sunday evening, followed by a youth dinner at 6:00pm. Our evening finishes up with our senior high youth group (9th-12thgrades), The Well, from 6:45-8:00pm. Come be a part of this incredible ministry where we seek to know God and to soak up the love of Christ so we can share that knowledge and love with all who we encounter. We meet upstairs on the 4th floor and can’t wait to see you! September 5 Quarterly Youth Leadership Team meeting in the 4th floor kitchenette. September 15 12:00 pm: Love Thy Neighbor (LTN) set up 1:00-3:00 pm: LTN & Medical Clinic September 29 10:00 am: Worship in the Park at Tanglewood ADULT ED. / SPIRITUAL FORMATION Food for Thought With great excitement we announce a newly reformatted Wednesday Noon lunch program called Food for Thought. We realize the need for men and women working in the vicinity of our building to have a midweek opportunity for a nice lunch and inspirational reflection. Rev. Jonathan Brake, Minister of Adult Spiritual Formation and Education will be offering several series throughout the year, looking at how faith and life intersect. There will be visuals on the “big screen” and handouts on the tables along with a great meal and live music, all for $7. If you work in the downtown area, bring a co-worker and join us in the Auditorium on Wednesdays to receive some Food for Thought! We begin on September 11, the food line opens at 11:45 am and thoughts start rolling at 12:10 pm. For more information contact Rev. Jonathan L. Brake (397-1334)/jbrake@centenary-ws.org. Fall Small Group: Women’s Bible Study This is a new group designed to connect women who want to explore ways to grow in their faith as a spouse, parent, woman, and more in the wild world we live in. We will begin with The Christ-Centered Woman: Finding Balance in a World of Extremes by Kimberly Dunnam Reisman. No matter your stage in life, we will discover how to use scripture to help us contemplate, sort, and prioritize, while
experiencing Christ as Rock, Solace, and Guide. (Childcare will be provided with advanced request). This study will meet six times on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, September 10, 24, October 8, 22, November 12, 26 (9:15-10:30 am). To register for this or another fall small group, go to www.CentenaryOnline.com/SmallGroups or call Judy Jones (397-1361)/jjones@centenaryws.org. Leave Some: Take Some – Sharing Our Abundance If you have extra veggies, leave some. If you need veggies, take some. When you grow a vegetable garden, you know what it’s like to see extra abundance go to waste. If you don’t grow a garden, you know what it’s like to wish you had some homegrown tomatoes, squash and more. This summer, Centenary is offering a table at the 4½ Street entrance for “Leave Some : Take Some” an opportunity to share your home grown vegetable abundance with other church members who will savor it. Sponsored by the Centenary Creation Care Team. (No purchase, no trading necessary. These items are freely given and freely received!) Help us Pick Veggies It’s Harvest Time! Come on out to the Betty & Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden on the campus of The Children’s Home and help us pick vegetables and melons for the hungry. All ages are welcome, so come as a family, a group of coworkers, or just on your own. Summer harvest times are usually Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00-10:30 am. For volunteer hours and more information, go toJimAndBettyHolmesFoodBankGarden. Shutterfly.com. Centenary @ Prayer Wednesdays, 1:00 pm-1:45pm in the Chapel Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life and practicing prayer is like exercise for the soul. As we focus on our hunger for God, satisfied in part through prayer, you are invited by Rev. Jonathan Brake, Minister of Adult Spiritual Formation & Education as he leads us to experience a variety of ways to pray, all the while strengthening your own faith and our church. Centenary @ Prayer happens every Wednesday 1:00-1:45pm in the Chapel. No registration necessary. Prayer Workshops in the Chapel Sunday Evenings • 5:00 • September 8-29 (First Sunday of each month thereafter) Do you hunger for more out of your prayer life? Are you stuck in a prayer rut, wanting to discover more ways to communicate with God? These prayer workshops will explore such possibilities as Lectio Divina, Daily Examen, Fixed-Hour Prayers, Praying in Color, Centering Prayer, and more. Bring an open heart and enter the chapel quietly. Facilitated by Reverends Sarah Howell and Jonathan Brake.
SENIOR ADULTS Trip to Abingdon, VA October 17 The Senior Adult Council’s fall trip is coming! Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 17. The annual fall trip will be to Abingdon, Virginia, to see the classic Broadway musical, Kiss Me Kate at the Barter Theater. Specific details of the trip will be sent out via e-mail, but please go ahead and mark your calendars so you won’t miss this great trip. For questions, call Aubrey or Barbara Smith (765-7885). MISSiONS Mission Work Team A work team being organized to go to either Swan Quarter or Stumpy Point, North Carolina, to perform home repair construction activities (through the North Carolina UMC Conference). This need has developed from storms in 2011 and after. While final details are still in preparation, the schedule is to depart W-S on Monday morning 9/16 and return Sunday afternoon 9/22. Team housing will be utilized and will include bathroom and shower facilities (or porta potty and trailers). We will be responsible for our own meals. Transportation will be provided by church bus and mission truck and trailer. Projected member cost is $60. If you are willing to participate or have additional questions please contact Phil Kinken (722-0555)/ or pkinken@aol.com. Please commit by 8/25 or before in order to complete coordination details for the trip. Tentative plan is for a team meeting to be scheduled about Wednesday 9/4. Sepetember & October Food of the Month
following dates: September 4, 18, 25, October 2, 9 or by calling Janis Waltrip (722-0538) or Becky Perkinson (813-2457) to pick up your items. All donations must be received by or before October 9th. If you would like to donate items to the bake sale, Please Contact Wanda Luck-Willis (4166198)/ wwluck5@gmail.com. Your donation(s) will impact the lives of women, youth and children in our community. Easton Lending Library Initiative A new UMW mission hopes to encourage young readers at Easton Elementary School by providing books for their Friday book swap this coming year. We are calling all circle members to collect new or used K-7 books during the summer to bring to our General Meeting on September 9th; or, a check donation may be written to the school and earmarked for Book Swap. Paperbacks and hardbacks are acceptable. For questions, contact Dianne Iseman (659-4252)/ (dianneiseman@aol.com. MUSIC and the arts Children’s Music Begins soon! CUMC’s Children’s Choirs will be meeting on Wednesdays at new times this fall, from 6:00 7:30 pm. We will continue to offer an optional family dinner served from 5:30 - 6:00, which will now be served on the 3rd floor of the Children’s Wing. Choir for Kindergartners - 5th graders begins with a parent-child Orientation on Wednesday, September 4th, from 5:20 - 6:30 pm, with rehearsals beginning the following week. A SEPARATE Kindermusik Orientation will be on Wednesday, September 11th.
The September food of the month is Canned spaghetti & packaged noodles and peanut butter. The October food of the month is canned meats and dried mashed potatoes or canned potatoes.Please bring your food donations to the Missions bins, located in the Reception Narthex at 4½ Street.
We ask that parents register online at www. centenary-ws.org/ChildrensChoirs. We hope you can join us! For more information contact Anne Saxon, Program Director, at Midpatch@ aol.com.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Perhaps you’ve heard the Carillonneurs, Centenary’s adult handbell choir, at a worship service, and thought, “I might like to ring bells.” Please consider this your personal invitation to join us this year. It’s a small choir of 12 – 15 people who share a love of ringing bells and helping to lead worship throughout the year. This wonderful group has one problem: There aren’t enough ringers. But you can help by joining us for ringing, fellowship, worship, and (we might as well admit it) fun.
General Meeting & Luncheon September 9 • Noon • Memorial Auditorium Dr. Gail O’Day will speak on “Friendship as Christian Practice: Living Together in Jesus’ Love.” Dr. O’Day is Dean and Professor at the Wake Forest School of Divinity and she is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Please RSVP to your circle leader by Tuesday, September 3. If you are not in a circle, you may call Mary Ceile Ogburn (725-7573) by the same deadline. Please note that the board meeting will be held at 10:30 am in Room 115 prior to the luncheon. For any questions, call Judy Smith (724-7232.) Table Extravaganza • October 19 Join us and be part of the UMW Table Extravanza by donating an item for the silent auction. Donations can be dropped off at the church on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-12:00 on the
Ring Praise!
Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings. For more information, Please contact Camille Jones (723-6039)/jkjones45@msn.com. Summer Art Show July 11 - October 10 • 4½ Street Gallery The Music and Arts Ministry is happy to bring you the Summer Art Show entitled, “The Goodness of Light.” The exhibit runs through October 19, 2013. The spiritual reference for this show is Genesis 1:14.
Kathy Watts Writing Class Wednesdays in September • 11 am The Music and Arts Ministry invites you to be a part of our fall 2013 writing class. Kathy Watts returns to facilitate this group. The focus will be writing prose or life stories. Class will begin Wednesday. September 4 at 11 am and continue each Wednesday through the month. The class will have 10 participants. A $50.00 fee is payable by the beginning of the class. Please plan to attend and express yourself by this learning experience. For questions, you may contact Barbara Byrd (748 1629). Sculpting Class Tuesday Afternoons • 1:30 pm • Arbor Acres Centenary member Tom Ogburn is conducting a series of sculpting classes at Arbor Acres this fall. These sessions meet on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:30 for approximately 6 weeks beginning October 1, 2013. A small fee is charged to cover materials. Although priority is given to Arbor Acres’ residents, occasionally there is an open spot for a member of Centenary. If you would like to put your name on an “I am interested in the sculpting class” list so that you could be called if there is an opening, please call or email Misty Decker at Arbor Acres. Her contact information is: 336-464-0682 or mdecker@arboracres.org. Dr. Ed Wilson Returns October 22 • 7 pm • Memorial Auditorium Dr. Ed Wilson returns to Centenary for a wonderful evening of poetry. More details will be coming. GlAD tidings New beginnings with our Small Groups are right around the corner! Be sure to pick up your curriculum in Glad Tidings. We are happy to help with Bible selections as well. Fall items are arriving daily and there is a new vibe in Glad Tidings. Wind and Willow mixes are buy one get one free of single and/or lesser value. Can’t beat this deal and time to stock up for football and cool evenings with some warm, delicious soup! Shop Glad Tidings where gift giving is made easy! Judy Jones, Manager (399-5003) UNIDENTIFIED STOCK The church has received 2 stocks in our Charles Schwab account, but we do not know the names of the stock donors. The unidentified donor stocks are from Suntrust and General Electric. If one of these stocks belongs to you, please notify Kristy Eaton by phone at (397-1341)/keaton@ centenary-ws.org. Please remember to notify or have your broker notify Kristy Eaton of your intention when gifting stocks to the church.
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Youth Ministry
tclark@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1337
Ideal Summer Trip By Garrison Pollock
G
reetings friends. If you would please for a moment imagine your ideal summer trip. The beach, the mountains, the lake, maybe even another country? I bet not many of your first thoughts were “hey let’s go sleep on the floors of the churches.” Or “ Let’s take a 15 hour bus ride with minimal amounts of air conditioning.” These and many other exciting and sometimes unpredictable variables were all a part of what 20 high school students and 5 adults signed up to do this summer. Queens, New York ... one of the most diverse places in America. Many people could have guessed that Queens was not ready for the youth from Centenary, but no one could have predicted what Queens would do to the hearts of every member of our mission team. At 9 am on Saturday, July 20, 25 people pulled away from the 4 1/2 street entrance. Some of these people were friends, some were brand new faces, but everyone of these people had one thing in common... no one was prepared for the transformation through the love of Jesus Christ that every single person on the trip experienced. The typical day consisted of waking up at 6:30 in the morning, which as many of you parents of teenagers know is a miracle in and of itself.
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They, then, would walk to breakfast which, for the boys, was a good six blocks away. Breakfast, then devotional and quiet time to think and talk with God and then it was off to the worksite. Some of our groups held a vacation bible school with the children while others met and heard many fascinating stories from the adults living at a few of the assisted living apartment complexes within the city. One group was able to see the humbling and tragic devastation that was inflicted on the community by Hurricane Sandy. As Paul wrote in the book of Galatians “we must use our freedom so that we may be servants to one another in love”. Each one of the members of our mission team was not only able to understand, but experience and embody, what this passage of scripture truly means. What started the week as twenty-five separate journeys was, somewhere along the way, intertwined and woven together into one adventure. An adventure with one goal and one purpose: to show and spread the love of Jesus Christ. And while there were no pillow top mattresses or tropical sandy beaches, God gave a gift to each member of that team, of that family. Each members heart was open and flowing with Christ’s love. In Psalm 100,
we read the words “make a joyful noise unto The LORD”. If you would like to hear this joyful noise, I urge you to stop one of the members of this mission family that embarked on this adventure. Ask them to tell you stories. Ask them what songs they sang. Ask them details. Ask them anything. You will find that through these words and through these stories, you will hear the joyful noise the Psalmist is referring to. If someone gave me the challenge of picking one word to describe the mission trip, the possibilities would be endless. Joy, eye-opening, excitement, challenge, and fun would all be great candidates. But all would fall short of the one word that truly embodies the spirit of the entire journey. That word would be love. Christ’s love was palpable throughout the entire process. From the planning to the trip itself to long afterwards. Every member of the mission family was able to reach out and love a community that desperately needs it, was able to love other youth groups that they had known only for moments, and was able to love each other totally and unfailingly through Christ.
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(USPS 628-480) Published Monthly By: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 Fax: (336) 723-5840 Website: www.centenaryonline.com 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
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