Sightings & Soundings • Summer 2023

Rooted in Resurrection

With this issue of Sightings & Soundings, we come to the end of a program year, one full of vibrancy, growth, energy, and joy. Music & Arts at Centenary has flourished in this post-pandemic era, deepening worship experiences for our congregation and expanding Centenary's presence in the community. We've developed a music series that reaches wide, we've established a devoted space for visual art, and we've welcomed hundreds of community members into our sanctuary.

As we reflect on where we've come from and where we are called to go, contemplative theologian and late Winston-Salem resident Beatrice Bruteau (1930-2014) lends a perspective which I find inspiring, particularly as we continue on in the afterglow of the Resurrection. Bruteau suggests that we, as heirs to the Resurrection, are newly empowered to view the whole of reality from a radical vantage point:

We are looking now from a point of view that is rooted in our sense of our own reality in God. It makes everything look quite new to us, and our new ability to offer love-and-meaning energy to our world helps it to become "new." Indeed, we are called to be co-creators of newness in concert with God, and God's gifts of music and art provide us with tangible ways of doing just that. Music and art draw us toward a different order of reality, deeper modes of expression, and higher levels of perception. Bruteau goes on to describe the fruits of this reoriented focus:

Perceiving creative action and interaction as reality itself, we feel ourselves fully living, full of the richness of God's life, the interior fountain that never fails.

The beloved hymn “How Great Thou Art” will lie at the center of 11:00 AM worship on June 25, a festival worship service that will officially conclude our program year. That day, may we heed the call to consider, in awesome wonder, the world's God's hands have made May we be moved that our souls would sing. And may we depart that day eagerly anticipating a 2023/24 program year filled with new opportunities to create, to express, and to root ourselves in the richness of God's Resurrection life.

Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries

Artistry & Vestry

Worship long has been enhanced and deepened through art. Whether musical, architectural or other visual media, people of all faiths embrace art as way both to glorify God and to bring Him into our chapel. We create for our Creator.

Worship at a Glance

May 21

Carillonneurs

Confirmation Sunday

June 25

Then Sings My Soul Festival Worship

July 2 - August 13

Summer Choir

Can't commit to weekly rehearsal or worship? Join us any Sunday in the Choir Room at 9:45 AM to sing in 11:00 AM worship!

Last September, we opened the Atrium Gallery to establish an inviting place for members of Centenary and the greater community to gather, contemplate, and celebrate God’s creative gifts. The Gallery is a space to experience one’s faith through the creation of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and woodworking.

Our inaugural guest artist was renowned painter and Winston-Salem resident Steve Childs. Through both his works and inspiring lecture, Steve invited us to experience the innate oneness of spirituality and art. On the evening of his opening, Steve explained that his intent when building his own studio was to create “more of a spiritual kind of place, set apart from our daily chaos, where we can go and be restored, yet when we leave, it guides us to where we need to be.” His works baptized our gallery, transforming it into just such a space.

The Gallery is not only for experiencing the work of others, but is a space in which to be inspired to create. Every Thursday afternoon, the Gallery is filled with children’s laughter and creative spirits as they make art while growing in faith. Our youngest congregants are invited to be at home in this special vestry as they explore their creativity. The children’s art will be exhibited this month as a finale to our inaugural Art in the Atrium Series.

The Atrium Gallery is a blessing. It is a holy, sacred place for everyone to heal, meditate, celebrate and share our communal joy in experiencing the creations of others. It is a chapel. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Gallery this August as Nick Bragg, well-known Winston-Salem artist and former director of Reynolda House and Old Salem, opens our 2023/2024 series.

“Through the grace of God, we will astound with beauty, compel with goodness, convict with the truth, and question the absence of these qualities today. But most of all we will make – since that is what God did. And God said that it was good. Amen.”

- Ned Bustard, It Was Good

“Every time an artist creates, they act in the image of the Creator.”

- James Romaine, It Was Good

- Sheila Brame and Virginia Sheffield, contributing authors

Then Sings My Soul . . .

Wednesday, June 14 • 12:00 - 12:30 PM

Virginia Sheffield, soprano & Brian Wong, piano

Monday, June 19 • 7:00 PM

Juneteenth Musical Celebration

Jointly hosted by the Piedmont NC AGO

Sunday, June 25 • 11:00 AM

Festival Worship

The Centenary Chancel Choir

Saturday, July 15 • 7:00 PM

Piedmont Wind Symphony

July 17 - 20, 2023

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Register Here:

CMA Camp is offered for infants through rising 5th graders. Offerings include singing, handbells, Orff handchimes, creative movement, art, Kindermusik, and more! Snack is provided daily. The week ends with a camper-led worship service on Thursday at 12:30 PM followed by refreshments. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled week!

PRESENTS

Every Thursday, 5:00 - 6:35PM Ages 2 to 6th Grade Register Here: