May 2026 - Under the Dome - Central UMC

MAY 2026

Under The The Dome Dome Central United Methodist Church Central United Methodist Church

ISSUE #35

UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMITTEE MEETINGS Education & Spiritual Growth Committee Meeting May 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM Moody Parlor

The Well Design Team Meeting May 13, 2026 | 6:00 PM Sunshine Classroom

Coffee with the Pastors May 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM Spears Fellowship Hall

Children’s Committee Meeting May 15, 2026 | 9:30 AM Malambri Center Classroom

Preschool Board Meeting May 4, 2026 | 4:00 PM Moody Parlor

Scrapbooking Group May 17, 2026 | 12:30 PM Sunshine Classroom

Endowment Committee May 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM Christian Family Conf. Room

Help4Kids 5K-5th Graders May 17, 2026 | 2:00 PM Help4Kids Building

National Day of Prayer May 7, 2026 11:00 AM-1:00 PM 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Ingram Chapel

Worship Committee Meeting May 19, 2026 | 5:30 PM Christian Family Conf. Room

Breakfast for Graduating Seniors May 10, 2026 | 10:00 AM Spears Fellowship Hall

Outreach & Advocacy Team Meeting May 19, 2026 | 6:00 PM Moody Parlor

Graduation Sunday May 10, 2026 | 11:00 AM Sanctuary

Happy Travelers Trip May 20, 2026 | 7:30 AM Murrells Inlet

Adult & Family Ministries Team Meeting May 11, 2026 | 5:00 PM Moody Parlor

Veterans Breakfast May 21, 2026 | 8:00 AM Spears Fellowship Hall

Stephen Ministry Meeting May 11, 2026 | 6:00 PM Christian Family Conf. Room

Memorial Day Church Office Closed May 25, 2026

Board of Trustees Meeting May 12, 2026 | 5:15 PM Christian Family Conf. Room

Faith-Sharing Team Meeting May 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM Sunshine Classroom

Rev. Thomas Smith

Senior Pastor

Dear Friends,

We have experienced a meaningful Lenten season and celebrated the joy of Christ’s resurrection on Easter.

We have celebrated baptisms and weddings, with more to come. We have welcomed new members, including a group of young people who professed their faith through confirmation. We have recognized our Heritage Members, those who have been part of Central for 50 years or more. In May, we will recognize members of our church family who are graduating from high school and others who are receiving degrees.

The endless weekly rhythm of Sundays is punctuated by opportunities to celebrate God’s work in our midst.

I have been thinking about this since a near miss I had with a snake a couple of weeks ago. While walking along the edge of a field at a friend’s farm, I looked down just in time to see that my right foot was inches from stepping on a copperhead. In a physical act I do not think I could replicate, I jumped a few feet to one side and avoided a trip to the hospital. I then spent the afternoon pulling fish from my friend’s pond and enjoying the company of friends.

I could have spent the rest of that afternoon thinking about the snakes no doubt slithering around me, but instead I chose to make the most of my time in outdoor fellowship. We can look around the world and be weighed down by all that is going wrong, and there is plenty going wrong. The troubles of the world can and should weigh on us, but Sunday comes each week as an opportunity to look toward God, enjoy the fellowship of our brothers and sisters, and seek to grow in God’s love and grace. We can focus on the negatives to such an extent that we close our eyes and stop our ears to the good things happening around us.

God is with us. The risen Christ walks alongside us through life. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. Let us be the kind of people who recognize that all is not well with the world, but who nevertheless look Godward and seek to join God in mission to the world. It is an essential truth in ministry that Sunday is always coming.

Week after week, day after day, God offers us time to focus on God, be spiritually recharged, and go forth empowered to engage the world.

All of which is to say, I hope to see you Sunday!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Rusty Crimm Associate Pastor One of the great joys I’ve found in ministry—and in life—is finding older friends and mentors to go to for advice. I’ve tried to be intentional about fostering relationships with other clergy couples that Katherine and I can lean on. I’ve also tried to be intentional about seeking out older clergy—Black and white—to learn from so that my ministry is forward-looking, but also honors the work of the people who have done this job successfully for a long time. We recently celebrated the life of Rev. Mel Flail, a Central member and longtime pastor, who was one of those people; and Mel was friends with another beloved friend of mine, the late great Rev. Keith Hunter. I still hear both of their voices in my head sometimes as I consider next steps, as I write sermons, and as I talk to younger clergy (I am, admittedly, rapidly aging out of the “young clergy” designation).

The church, by design, is an amazing experiment in intergenerational relationship development. We often segregate ourselves based on age and gender (amongst other things), but too often fail to cross those lines outside of Sunday morning worship. I am a better pastor because of the influence of Mel and Keith and the dozens of others whose experience I’ve learned from, and I want to encourage you to find ways to cross those boundaries and learn from people who are of a different generation than you. If you are an older adult, you’ve got things to learn from the younger adults, and vice versa. We all have things to learn from one another, and Central has lots of ways to do just that!

Rusty

Rev. Meg Bryce Jiunnies Pastor of Faith Formation & Discipleship May is here, and it doesn’t just remind us of new beginnings—it is the real entry into summer for those of us here in Florence. We begin remembering the rhythm and the heat to come! Central’s staff and clergy are busy planning offerings of fun, fellowship, and faith for June and July. And summer is the perfect time for you to invite someone without a church home to join us in casual ways—all it takes from you is an invitation, and what a blessing you will be to someone who doesn’t enjoy the blessings of support and fellowship we have here at Central. Consider, especially, not only our worship services, but also Vacation Bible School and the BBQ & Bluegrass event in June, and Balcony Friends in July.

Take a good look in these pages, and please join me in thanking God for the wonderful things happening here. And then mark your calendar for things you don’t want to miss!

And...you might have a great idea that just needs some others to join in, and perhaps some resources—that is exactly what I love to do! Come by and see me if you have an idea for ministry that we want to get going, or even if you are in the middle of listening to hear what God is calling you to personally.

Meg

SUNDAYS @ CENTRAL Sunday Worship Times 9:00 AM

Chapel Service - Sanctuary

9:00 AM

The Well - Davis Christian Life Center

11:00 AM

Sanctuary Service

Sunday School All Sunday School classes meet from 10:00 to 10:45 AM on Sunday mornings.

If you need help finding a classroom, please visit our Welcome Center in The Commons or ask a greeter at any entrance and they will be more than happy to show you the way.

Children’s Sunday School PRESCHOOL 3K/4K – Malambri Room 145 ELEMENTARY 5K/1st Grade – Malambri Room 231 2nd/3rd Grade – Malambri Room 221 4th/5th Grades – Malambri Room 219

Youth Sunday School 6th-12th Grades – Youth Room 206

Adult Sunday School Christian Discussion – Room 277 Koinonia for Young Adults - Room 172 New Beginnings – Room 272 New Horizons – Room 279 Sarah Blanton-Philathea – Room 174 Searching Disciples – Room 275 Spiritual Journeys – Room 276 Sunshine Class – Room 164/165 Wesley Fellowship – Room 170

Nursery at Central At Central, our nursery ministry is a meaningful first step in a child’s spiritual journey, providing a safe, loving environment where seeds of faith can grow.

All staff have completed background checks and are certified in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid, so families can feel confident in their child’s care.

If you need nursery care for a church event, contact Abbey Allen, Director of Nurseries. If you’re 18 or older and interested in joining the team, Abbey would love to connect with you.

CELEBRATIONS

Kasey and Cece Jordan New Members | March 29, 2026

Brice Edens DuBose, Jr. Baptized | March 29, 2026

2026 Confirmation Class New Members | April 19, 2026 Oliver Powers, Max Brown, Billy Hardaway, James Wade Timms, George Dawson, Ian Powers, Coleman Jones

Jackson Stone New Member | April 19, 2026

Michael Rook Miles Baptized | April 26, 2026

Let’s Fill Let’s Fill the the Altar Altar Flower Flower Calendar Calendar At Central, At Central, our our call call is is clear: clear: One One Church.

Church. One One Community.

Community. One One Calling.

Calling.

One way One way we we live live this this out out is is by by caring caring for for the the spaces spaces where where we we gather gather to to worship. worship.

Each Sunday, Each Sunday, altar altar flowers flowers help help create create a a beautiful beautiful worship worship environment. environment.

When they When they are are not not sponsored, sponsored, the the church church covers covers the the cost—so cost—so this this is is an an opportunity to opportunity to turn turn an an existing existing expense expense into into aa shared shared act act of of generosity. generosity.

You are You are invited invited to to sponsor sponsor altar altar flowers: flowers: In memory In memory of of aa loved loved one one In honor In honor of of someone someone special special To celebrate To celebrate a a birthday, birthday, anniversary, anniversary, or or milestone milestone Simply SSimply imply as as an an expression expression of of gratitude gratitude These dedications These dedications support support the the life life of of the the church church and and allow allow us us to to share share in in one another’s one another’s stories, stories, joys, joys, and and memories. memories.

It’s a It’s a small small act—but act—but one one that that reflects reflects who who we we are are together. together.

To sign To sign up, up, contact contact Shay Shay Justice Justice or or stop stop by by the the church church office. office.

LET'S JOIN TOGETHER

National Day National off Praye of o Prayerr Prayer at Central UMC “Glorify God among nations, seeking him in all generations.”

Thursday, May 7, 2026 Central’s Ingram Chapel

11:00 AM-1:00 PM 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Everyone is invited to join our prayer vigil on the National Day of Prayer.

Come as you’re able and unite with us in intentional, intercessory prayer. Feel free to invite others.

If you’re interested in hosting a portion of the event, please contact Tracie Paschal or Rev. Meg Jiunnies for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES GRADUATION SUNDAY MAY 10, 2026 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES WILLIAM CLARK ARTHUR SOUTH FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

WILLIAM LAWTON HESTER WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER IN WELDING

JOHN MICHAEL MORGAN V TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

JEAN ALLEN CATES TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

ALLIE CLYDE HIGGS WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL, STEM PROGRAM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

BRYCE CHAVAZ SWEETENBURG WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

JULIA MARSHALL CATES TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

JAMES DRAYTON LEE TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

CADEN WOOD TAYLOR WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

CLAYTON THOMAS FOLSE WEST FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

DAVIS CHRISTOPHER LOVE SOUTH FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL WOFFORD COLLEGE

DONALD HUGH GRANGER III WILSON HIGH SCHOOL, IB PROGRAM NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

THOMAS ELVINGTON MOODY TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

COLLEGE GRADUATES LYDIA ROSMARIE BAREFOOT ROLLINS COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MINOR IN COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES

DALTON EARL MOODY UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTING

MARY CATHERINE MCLEOD POTTER WOFFORD COLLEGE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

ANNA GIBBONS COKER CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, HONORS COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION

MARY HODGES KNIGHT WOFFORD COLLEGE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

KATE SAVILLE SANSBURY UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTING

GRIFFIN MYERS FOLSE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

ETHAN HAUN MCCOWN CLEMSON UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION SCIENCE MANAGEMENT

ELOISE SIMMONS HUPFER WOFFORD COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SPANISH & GOVERNMENT CALEB GARRISON KING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS DECEMBER 2025

MARY TINDALL PARHAM CLEMSON UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHILOSOPHY EMILY CLAIRE PEEBLES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA HONORS COLLEGE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY

ANNA CAROLINE STONE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MINORS IN CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGICAL MATHEMATICS

AMY SMITH THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE MINOR IN DATA SCIENCE. HARPER WESLEY SMITH WOFFORD COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT CHRISTOPHER RYAN TAYLOR, JR. WOFFORD COLLEGE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY

POST GRADUATE DEGREES GRACE ANNE BROWN THE CITADEL MASTER OF ARTS PSYCHOLOGY: CLINICAL COUNSELING

TYNER JOSEPH JIUNNIES YALE SCHOOL OF DIVINITY MASTER OF DIVINITY

YOU’RE

Invited

JOIN THE

SUMMER SUMMER

CHOIR Sundays 10:00 AM June and July

First Floor Choir Room Contact Don Grice for more information!

Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School Sunday, June 14 - Wednesday, June 17 Themes for 2026 VBS: Day 1 - God is our creator! (Genesis 1) Day 2 - God knows everything! (Psalm 139) Day 3 - God is our safe place! (1 Samuel 23-24) Day 4 - God is love! Luke 22:39-24:12 We’re excited to invite your family to serve our community! During VBS, we’ll be collecting bottled water and other non-perishable items for the Manna House. It’s a simple, hands-on way for kids to help others and make a meaningful impact.

You can shop from our Amazon wish list using the link we’ll share in May; items will be shipped directly to the church office.

We’ll also have a collection box in The Commons from June 1–June 21, so you’re welcome to bring donations with you to church during that time.

Thank you for helping us love and serve our neighbors!

There’s still time to sign-up for VBS! Scan the QR Code or visit www.centralmethodist.net/children

to register!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

The Easter Egg Hunt was such a fun afternoon!

Thanks to all who came out and made it such a great success!

Upcoming Dates & Details Help4Kids Volunteer Event & Fundraiser

Sunday, May 17 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Help4Kids Building The Children’s Ministry is hosting a fundraiser through Sunday, May 17. We’ll be collecting items to donate during our family volunteer event at Help4Kids.

Contact Catherine Lucius for more information.

Kids Mission Camp with Highland Park Monday, July 13 - Thursday, July 16 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Join us for a week of serving at various missions in the community! Kids will learn about God while serving our neighbors.

Scan the QR code to register!

More summer activities to be announced in June’s Under the Dome, so be on the lookout!

Happy Birthday!

Sarah Helen Dawson - May 1 Samuel Miles - May 9 Shep Yarborough - May 15 Cooper Connelly - May 16 James Hardaway - May 17 Harrison Cole - May 19 Alden Gorton - May 20 Daniel Kosh - May 22 Reese Tabor - May 24

May Memory Verse Now hurry, go tell his disciples, “He’s been raised from the dead.”

Matthew 28:7

YOUTH MINISTRY Upcoming Dates & Details May 3, 2026 – Year-end UMYF Party Join us at El Agave and Smiling Scoops— bring money for dinner and dessert!

Friends are welcome, so feel free to invite others. Please RSVP to Julie by May 1 so we can make a reservation.

June 12, 2026 – Florence Flamingos Game Join us for a fabulous night with the Florence Flamingos! It’s Neon Night, featuring a post-game drone show. Tickets are $16 per person and include food and drinks.

Please let Julie know by June 9 if you plan to attend. Friends and family are welcome!

May’s Bible Verse I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Keep Checking Back!

Birthdays Annabelle Slice – May 15 Will Hester – May 16 Braxton Batelli – May 20 Claire Lewis – May 23 Carson Timms – May 27

We have so many awesome things planned this summer!

Please continue to check your email, our social media accounts, Under the Dome, and the mail about upcoming events!

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2026

Adult & Family Ministries HAPPY TRAVELERS Join the Happy Travelers on Wednesday, May 20, for a relaxing two-hour cruise along the scenic Waccamaw River. Take in the beauty of former rice plantations, historic trunk gates, and moss-draped oak trees while watching for wildlife like alligators, eagles, and osprey along the way.

Space is limited, so be sure to register early to reserve your spot.

We’d love for you to join us!

SCOUTING

Luke Arthur, son of Andy and Leigh Ann Arthur, and Davis Love, son of Nathan and Brandie Love, will receive their Eagle Scout awards at a Court of Honor on May 11.

Both Luke and Davis have been involved in Scouting for more than 10 years, beginning in first grade when they joined Central’s Cub Scout Ministry.

For their Eagle Scout service projects, Luke led the painting of parking lot lines at Central, and Davis led the construction of a fire pit at Central’s Scout Hut. Congratulations to both!

Luke Arthur

Davis Love

VETERANS BREAKFAST All veterans are invited to attend our Veterans Breakfast on Thursday, May 21, at 8:00 a.m. in Spears Fellowship Hall.

Major Al Jeffords, a Vietnam helicopter pilot, will share his experiences and reflections from his time in service.

The breakfast is complimentary, and guests are welcome to attend. This gathering offers a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, connection, and appreciation for those who have served. You may register on Realm, by calling the church office, or by emailing Adriane.

LOOKING AHEAD Join us for a fun and flavorful evening at our annual BBQ & Bluegrass event on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in the Davis Christian Life Center.

Enjoy a delicious barbecue meal while listening to live bluegrass music from Borrowed Time, featuring Sharon and Johnny Tanner. It’s the perfect way to relax, enjoy great music, and spend time with friends and family.

Registration will open June 1. We hope to see you there!

Outreach BLOOD DRIVE Central’s next Blood Drive will be held Thursday, June 18, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Davis Christian Life Center. Please sign up in The Commons or contact Kathryn at kvelicky@centralmethodist.net for assistance.

BRIDGING FUTURES SUMMER LEARNING CAMP A 5-day summer camp for migrant and immigrant children will be held June 22–26, 2026.

Hosted at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church in partnership with Cross Cultural Impact, the camp will offer full-day programming to reinforce learning during the summer months. Certified teachers will support students in English, math, and other subjects. We are seeking volunteers to lead art, music, games, and other activities throughout the day. You may volunteer for one day or multiple days. Sign-up forms will be available soon; in the meantime, please let Pastor Rusty know if you’re interested.

2026 CUMC BOOKBAG DRIVE From June 21 to July 19, we will be collecting school supplies to fill 150 bookbags for local students. These donations will benefit Briggs Elementary, Lighthouse Ministries, Helping Florence Flourish, and Manna House in preparation for the July 29 start of the school year.

Donations may include bookbags, notebooks, looseleaf paper, Ticonderoga pencils, Crayola crayons, and glue sticks.

Join us July 21 to pack bags—contact the church office to volunteer. Prefer not to shop? Give through the offering plate or Realm (designate Bookbag Supply Drive), and Outreach will shop for you. More details and an Amazon wish list coming soon!

Bible Studies While some of our Bible Studies will take a break over June and July, we have several options that will be available this summer!

The women’s Engaging God’s Word Study will continue at 10:00am, with the next session starting on June 3. Led by Rev. Meg Jiunnies, this is a 6-8 week study of one of the books of the Bible. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Meg at mjiunnies@centralmethodist.net by the last week in May. Save the date for Balcony Friends, returning July 8. This short, annual event—no preparation required—is for women of all ages. We’ll meet from 5:30–6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, then head to a local restaurant each week to continue the conversation. It’s a casual gathering, perfect for inviting friends, and will run through the end of July.

Clergy & Staff Senior Pastor Thomas Smith, tsmith@centralmethodist.net Associate Pastor Rusty Crimm, rcrimm@@centralmethodist.net Pastor of Faith Formation & Discipleship Meg Bryce Jiunnies, mjiunnies@centralmethodist.net Pastor Emeritus Tom Pietila Retired Pastors Dannye Bragdon, Julian Lazar, Alice Hocking, Leon Wagnon, DeVere Williams Director of Music/Organist Don Grice, dgrice@centralmethodist.net Worship Director of The Well Lance Hatchell, lhatchell@centralmethodist.net Music Associate/Director of Handbells Beverly Hazelwood, bhazelwood@centralmethodist.net Director of Children’s Choirs Jaime Martinez Director of Preschool Choir Kristen Hardaway Director of Nurseries Abbey Allen, aallen@centralmethodist.net Director of Children’s Ministries Catherine Lucius, clucius@centralmethodist.net Director of Youth Discipleship Julie Knight, jknight@centralmethodist.net Director of Adult & Family Ministries Adriane Reynolds, areynolds@centralmethodist.net Facilities Manager Dan Rogers, drogers@centralmethodist.net Business Manager Tara Ballenger, tballenger@centralmethodist.net Director of Media Philip Maenza, pmaenza@centralmethodist.net

Church Office

Office Manager Shay Justice, sjustice@centralmethodist.net

Phone: 843-662-3218

Media Associate Kathryn Velicky, kvelicky@centralmethodist.net

Pastoral Emergency Care: 843-662-3206

Director of Central UMC Preschool Jennifer Walters, jwalters@centralmethodist.net

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Physical Address: 167 South Irby Street Florence, SC 29501 Mailing Address: 265 West Cheves Street Florence, SC 29501

www.centralmethodist.net

Kitchen Manager/Chef George Hicks Caretakers Jason Taylor, Charles Beaufort, Ronald Jones, Aaron Meyers-Coward Housekeeper Nicole Shaw Safety Officers Marilyn James, Johnny Spears, Billy Brown, Chris Benjamin, Kee’Shawn Mitchell, Jared James