2015 may:june windows

Through Centenary

WINDOWS 3 Summer Worship 4 Welcome Bill Medlin 5 Pentecost Festival 6 Guide to Transition 8 Prayers of the People 10 Celebrations 11 The Swanson Exhibit 13 Path Less Traveled 14 Worship Elements 16 The Pall

The Artwork of John August Swanson

Torchbearers & Crucifer

17 Congregational Care 18 Senior Adults 20 Memorials & Honoraria 22 Make A Joyful Noise 24 Children’s Ministry 26 Hands Feet & Fellowship 28 Glad Tidings 29 Creation Care 30 Youth Ministry The Old Stone Church

The Hammered Dulcimer

Are You Ready for Summer?

Keeping Winston-Salem Beautiful

Silence, Icons & Holy Rest

From the Editor Our journey of “Go”-ing has brought us to the warmer months of May and June, a time when we kick off the winter blahs for good, break out the sandals and flip-flops and enter into a final push of activities before we start the summer vacation season. For me, this wonderful time of year always features getting the spring planting done in order to enjoy the blooms and blossoms as summer approaches.

Make no mistake, I love this time of year. During these warmer months, I’m able to dust off the road bike and enjoy long bike rides across the country roads of this area. I’m able to enjoy watching the sun set across the western sky from the back deck while the dogs enjoy a nap. This time of year also ushers in the grilling season when friends and family come over and enjoy food and fellowship together.

This is also the season when we, at Centenary, celebrate Pentecost, the annual celebration of the birthday of the Christian church. I hope you will make plans to attend the celebration May 24. On that day, we will combine our Simplify, Rejoice! and 11:00am Traditional worship services into one celebration at 11:00 in the Sanctuary. Then, we will feast together on the 5th Street lawn while enjoyong great music from Martha Bassett. Be sure to see the poster, later in the magazine. We will also have an 8:45am worship service that day as well as optional Sunday school.

Be sure to look at the Summer Worship poster on the next page. This summer, we are trying something new as folks are spending time away from Winston-Salem. As we join together at the Celebration service, at 9am, and the 11:00am Tradtional service, I hope you will experience worship in a new way and invite your friends.

Warmest wishes,

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Doug Peninger Director of Communications

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bmedlin@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1362

Welcome Bill Medlin

Life Is Transient

By Dr. William T. Medlin III

T

he days fly by, don’t they? I just arrived at Centenary two weeks ago and this will be the only article I will write for you because when the next edition of Through Centenary Windows comes out I will be gone! That’s hard to believe. I only arrived and very quickly I’ll be gone. No, I am not talking about death----at least I hope not! I’m talking about my interim time with you. The rapidity of life should remind us how important every single day is, but we are so motivated, so driven, that we seldom slow down enough to even think that eventually life on earth for us won’t “be”! It will not be a reality. We will exist, but in some realm of time and space that only God knows and understands. We will not, however, exist here. That is really sobering. It’s almost depressing, unless we remember the importance of what the Bible calls, “numbering our days.” For me, that means counting them, using them, building memories with them, so that when we come to the end of life’s journey we will not look back and say, “Boy, I ‘should have’ spent more time with my spouse, my children, my parents, my friends, my pets……” “Man, I ‘would give my eyeteeth’ to live my life over again. I was so focused on making a living that I forgot to make a life.” The honest truth is that the day comes when nothing else in this world will matter other than God and family. Having “stuff” is okay, but I don’t think I will see a BMW or Cadillac in heaven. If I do, I may be in the wrong place!

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Life is transient. It doesn’t last long….. it keeps on moving. The old hymn, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” has a final stanza that goes, “When ends life’s transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen steam shall o’er me roll; blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul.” I have to admit that this stanza is not a real “upper.” It feels like a “downer.” But whatever else it is, it states an existential truth. Life “runs” by us. We turn around and our children are grown. Our parents are old. And we wonder what happened.

Transience is what happened. It is the reality of life “running away.” But we don’t have to take it lying down. We don’t have to let life “run over us.”

Every day we need to select the most important things in life we can do that day. We need to create time to eat lunch with our children at school, to tell them Bible stories and nurture them in the faith, to read to them at night, to hold them and tell them how much we love them. We need to surprise our wives with flowers or candy for no reason at all, except that we love her. We need to go by to visit our parents, even though they just don’t understand how chaotic our lives are and how little free time we have.

Because the day will come when we would give everything we have to be able to do those things again. The day comes when the only things in life that matter are God and family.

We hear the expression, “My, my, where did the time go?” The time “went” while we were looking in an-

other direction! Don’t let that happen.

Focus on God and family. Then life’s transience----our presence here on earth for only a short time----will be a blessing. After all, it is not the transience of life that matters. It is what we do during the transience.

God be close to you.

Bill

Centenary welcomes Bill Medlin as its Interim Senior Minister. Bill will be with us April 13-June 30.

A Guide to Transition How the United Methodist Church Works • The United Methodist Church is structured as an episcopal (meaning it is headed up by bishops), connectional (meaning all congregations are interconnected and not independent) system.

• Local churches are organized into districts, districts into annual conferences, and annual conferences into jurisdictional conferences. This structure differs slightly in the global church, where central conferences serve the function of higher-level church governance.

• Once every four years General Conference meets as the legislative body authorized to speak for the UMC as a whole by making changes to The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions, both of which govern all the workings of the church. General Conference is made up of an equal number of lay and clergy delegates.

• District Superintendents lead the districts and bishops preside over the annual conferences.

• The bishop and district superintendents make up the cabinet and appoint ordained ministers to positions in local churches or extension ministries in an itinerant (traveling) system.

What does this look like for Centenary?

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Local Church

Centenary UMC

District

Yadkin Valley

Annual Conference

Western North Carolina

Jurisdictional Conference

Southeastern

District Superintendant

Rev. Jeff Patterson

Bishop

Bp. Larry Goodpaster

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the process for interviewing and hiring a new senior pastor?

A: Actually, there isn’t one! Our itinerant system means that ministers are sent to a congregation rather than called by it. Pastors are employees of the annual conference and not of the local church.

Except in cases of a specialized associate position, selecting and interviewing candidates is not a part of the process for United Methodist clergy or churches. The bishop and cabinet take into consideration the gifts and experience of each pastor and the needs and context of each church, then work to make the complex puzzle of our conference fit together.

Q: How long will our next senior pastor stay?

A: Ordained elders are appointed for one year at a time. It used to be that pastors showed up to Annual Conference in June and were told they were moving the next week—but the system has changed now so that there is more consultation and conversation around changes in appointments. The trend has been that Methodist pastors in general are staying longer than they used to, but all elders are appointed annually, so any guess on how long a pastor will stay at a church is just that—a guess.

• Rev. Jonathan Brake and Rev. Sarah Howell are elders in the Western North Carolina Conference appointed to Centenary.

• Rev. Craig Ford is a retired elder in the Florida Conference, not under appointment at Centenary, but serving on staff.

• Rev. Kate May is a deacon in the Western North Carolina Conference appointed to Centenary. Deacons are not a part of the itinerant system.

Q: Where did this itinerant system come from?

A: Itinerancy was inherited from the early days of Methodism both in Britain and in America, when circuit riders moved from

place to place to meet the needs of people in a growing movement. Today, it allows for churches to benefit from the gifts of different pastors over the years and for pastors to go where they are needed most within the broader context of the connection.

Q: What is the timeframe for receiving our new senior minister?

A: The timeframe is set by our bishop each year. Here is what we can expect during our pastoral transition in 2015.

• January: Churches and clergy communicate with their District Superintendent about a change of appointment.

• February–March: The Cabinet (Bishop and District Superintendants) meet several times to pray for discernment in the appointment making process.

• April: Appointments for the 2015-2016 annual conference year are projected.

• April 12: Dr. Mark Ralls’ final Sunday here at Centenary before he enters renewal leave.

• April 19: Dr. Bill Medlin’s first Sunday as our Interim Senior Minister.

• May: Announcements are made public to congregations about the clergy person projected to come in July.

• June: At Annual Conference, appointments are fixed, meaning they become official.

kingdom of God. You can help with the transition by supporting our remaining staff who are working hard to prepare themselves and Centenary’s ministries for new leadership. Most importantly, you can be in prayer. Here are some specific people for whom you can pray in this time.

• Rev. Dr. Mark Ralls and his wife, Jennifer, as they look forward to the next chapter in their life and ministry.

• Our current clergy and ministry staff: Rev. Jonathan Brake, Rev. Sarah Howell, Rev. Kate May, Rev. Craig Ford, Tammy Pollock, and the many other staff who make ministry at Centenary possible. We encourage you to go to our website, click on the Staff page, and pray for each of them by face and name.

• Bishop Larry Goodpaster and the rest of the Cabinet, particularly our District Superintendant, Rev. Jeff Patterson.

• Our Interim Senior Minister, Dr. Bill Medlin, and his wife, Sarah.

• Our incoming Senior Minister, whoever that may be.

• Our lay leadership, including members of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and Church Council, whose names can be found on our website.

• All Centenary members.

• Other United Methodist churches experiencing times of change and transition.

• July 12: Our new Senior Minister’s first Sunday in worship here at Centenary.

Q: What can we as members of Centenary do to help with the transition?

A: Transitions go smoothly in churches where the congregation stays focused on the broader vision even in the midst of change. Remember the vision cast for us

by Dr. Ralls—“GO—The Kingdom of God Is at Your Doorstep!” While we cannot predict what exactly might show up on our doorstep, we do have faith that it will lead us further in to the building of the

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The Monday before Christmas, my phone rang and I saw that it was my good friend, Sylvia Shelton. She was on her way back from exercising at the Y, headed for a birthday lunch for her husband, Steve. When she began the conversation with “Judy, it is not good”, my attention immediately focused. “I either have pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer or…..” The third option was not heard. How could this be? Of all my friends, Sylvia takes excellent care of herself, eating properly, exercising and keeping spiritually focused.

It would be after the Christmas holidays before Sylvia would find out what she was dealing with and what treatment she would follow. It was Ovarian Cancer and surgery was scheduled for January 9, 2015. Mark Ralls supported having a Prayer Vigil for Sylvia which would be a day of continuous prayer offered on her behalf in the Chapel at Centenary.

Emails were sent and we had a total of 127 people praying for Sylvia. It was a beautiful day full of expressions of love and support. Sylvia and Steve told Mark right after the surgery that they felt the power of those prayers resulting in strength and resolve that all would be well. Sylvia’s progress has been nothing less than amazing. When Mark and I called on Sylvia after she returned home from the hospital, she told us she needed a vehicle to witness and testify about what the Prayer Vigil had meant to her recovery. Prayers of the People was birthed that day!

We decided that a committee would be formed to frame a day of silent prayer and reflection each Monday from 8:00 am until 5:30 pm in the Chapel at Centenary. The Chapel is really a sweet, holy place where you can settle in without much effort and feel the peace of communicating in prayer.

Booklets of different prayers are offered to participants as a prompt if needed. Most people begin with a specific person or situation in mind, but find themselves praying for one person after another. Prayers of the People is offered

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to everyone who believes in the power of prayer and our invitation goes to all people no matter their denomination.

Four times in the past weeks, we have had prayer vigils for specific individuals, Sylvia Shelton, Kim Masich, Drew Moore, and Judy Ingram, all of whom had serious health issues.

Sylvia and Kim have witnessed about the power and healing they have felt from these prayers. Drew continues to make encouraging progress. While Judy Ingram was in surgery, her doctor was surprised to see that she did not have pancreatic cancer, but autoimmune pancreatitis. Please join us because prayer does change things, and you can witness and be a part of those changes.

This ministry is simply an opening of the doors of the beautiful Centenary chapel to anyone who would like to visit for a time of individual silent prayer and reflection between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. every Monday.

Participants do not need to attend or be members of Centenary – any and all are welcome and encouraged to take part in this sacred time. This is intended to be a time open to all members of the community. Visitors are advised to use the 4 ½ Street entrance to the church upon arrival for Prayers of the People. • Please direct any questions to Congregational Care, Judy Jones (918-0346)/jjones@centenary-ws.org.

... this ministry is simply an opening of the doors of the beautiful Centenary chapel to anyone who would like to visit for a time of individual silent prayer and reflection...

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Celebrations

Welcom e

New Members

Alex Fowler

Ashton Harrell

Brooke & Weston Keit Libby

Katherine Rowe McElroy (with Gene McElroy)

We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.

Katherine McGurn Receives Girl Scout Gold Award Katherine McGurn, daughter of Faye and Scott McGurn and a member of Girl Scout Troop 41099 in Advance, was awarded the highest honor in Girl Scouts for her program to decrease sedentary lifestyle of children and teenagers. Her project, Passion in Every Step, involved over 80 hours of community service to address the issue of sedentary lifestyle by creating an educational program with community groups about healthy eating and movement while incorporating her passion for dance. Katherine worked in partnership with Centenary United Methodist Church, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Davie County, and the Davie High School Dance Program to decrease sedentary lifestyle of children and teenagers. Katherine has been a Girl Scout in Advance for 12 years and during that time received Girl Scouts’ Bronze and Silver Awards through extensive community service. She is a senior at Davie County High School and plans to attend North Carolina State University’s College of Design in the Fall to pursue a degree in Architecture.

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A Path Less Traveled The Paintings of John August Swanson

By J.T. Felton

T

hroughout his life, artist John August Swanson has taken the path less travelled. Born on January 11, 1938 in Los Angeles,California, to a Mexican mother and a Swedish father, John is deeply rooted in both cultures. He has spent most of his life in the Los Angeles area where he lives to this day Growing up, John had ambitions to attend college. He was accepted to The University of California Los Angeles, but quickly found that academic pursuits were not his calling. In the late sixties, John discovered his vocation as an artist through the guidance of the famous Sister Mary Corita Kent. Corita is still acknowledged as one of the foremost serigraph artists in the country. As a teacher at Immaculate Heart College, she passed her knowledge on to many students, including John. Her impact on him was so profound that he still lists her as the main reason he became an artist, specifically in serigraphy.

Serigraphy involves multiple screens and laying colors over one another. All screens are drawn and cut, and then each color is applied one at a time.

Since John’s paintings have up to 89 colors in them, this is an extremely tedious process that takes months to complete. An advantage, however, is that multiple prints can be made at the same time leading to a series of the same work.

John says that his early years as an artist were the most difficult for him.

There were many times, even into his 30s that he wanted to walk away from art, but it always called him back. Eventually, he prevailed through perseverance. John likens his journey as an artist to the famous bible verse John

21:6. This verse speaks about having faith and trying again when you believe you still are against a wall.

After again and again “casting his net into the sea” he finally began to gain some recognition.

John creates his art not just to spread beautiful paintings around the world, but instead to communicate his ideas.

He recognizes the power his art has on people, and while many different interpretations can come from any one painting, he feels it is important for him to find a way to express his own message. “My work is my most social act. My art is the way I can talk to you,” he says.

Like many artists, John August Swanson began to develop his own style with many themes running through it. This began with his Mexican heritage. His paintings contain many bright colors and symbols often associated with the Southwest United States and his mother’s home of Mexico. Beyond his upbringing, John also was able to incorporate his life experiences into his art. One of his favorite memories from childhood, and something he still enjoys, is visiting the circus. Many of his paintings embody his love for circus folk with an emphasis on clowns. He recalls that, when he was younger, his reward for good behavior would often be a trip to the circus.

Another common theme revolves around his beliefs as an activist. He has fought for causes through his art, but he has been most concerned with the plight of immigrants and laborers.

This is a tie-in to his Mexican roots as he saw people he identified with being persecuted for being different.

In many cases, John has turned to the Bible for inspiration. One of these

scripture-based 15 pieces has made him one of the few modern artists to be featured in the Vatican Museum Collection of Religious Art. Titled “TheProcession” the serigraph depicts perseverance and determination, not unlike his own life journey. He believes the piece, which contains 89 different colors, to be his greatest life work.His works are also featured in The National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, and The National Air and Space Museum. His largest collection of artwork resides at The Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. In 2008,The Chandler School purchased over 55 of his pieces to adorn the walls of their newest building. For his contributions he was awarded The Dean’s Medal for his art’s positive impact on the campus.

Now, at 77, John continues to create.

His art is what he loves, and despite the devastating loss of a longtime friend and fellow printer, he continues to produce inspirational paintings.John’s rise as an artist is a story he loves to share in the hope of inspiring others to chase their dreams. John uses a creative way to inspire, and communicates a clear message through his paintings: do what you love, and be great at it. •

Editor’s Note At the time this article was written, J.T. Felton was a communications intern for The Basilica of Saint Mary. It is reprinted with permisson.

The Swanson Exhibit will be on display at the 4½ Street Gallery May 24 - September 1. Take note of the advertisement on page 19.

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showell@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1348

Worship Elements

Crucifer & Torchbearers Older elementary and middle school children serve as torchbearers, and students who have gone through confirmation may serve as crucifers.

By Rev. Sarah S. Howell

The torchbearers carry the light of Christ into and out of the sanctuary.

(A note on terminology: acolytes carry an acolyte stick with which they light stationary candles located by the altar; torchbearers carry the candles themselves, in the form of torches,

I

have fond childhood memories of my time as an acolyte at Davidson United Methodist Church. I took my responsibility of carrying the light in and out of the sanctuary very seriously, carefully measuring the amount of wick exposed on my acolyte stick (no one seems to know the technical liturgical term for those things!) and pacing gingerly down the aisle, intent on making sure the little flame didn’t go out.

Of course, I wasn’t so serious that I could resist spinning the loose ends of my cincture, the rope tied around my waist over the white robe, called an alb, that I wore. I would use the heavy knot at the end of the cincture to turn this liturgical garment into something resembling a nunchuck—a feat that elicited dirty looks from the altar guild and talkingsto from my parents.

These memories came back with a smile when we began to re-incorporate child and youth torchbearers and crucifers into our 11:00 worship service. Thanks to the hard work of Lynn Lilley, Rev. Kate May, and others, our young people now have a new opportunity for worship leadership.

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represent the light of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us in worship. And as the torches go out, we see God’s light going out into the world, reminding us that when worship ends, our service begins.

The crucifer leads the procession, carrying the cross of Christ to remind us that Jesus died for us while we were sinners. The cross is at the center of worship, pointing both to Jesus’ suffering and death and to his resurrection, which we will one day share.

Here at Centenary, our torchbearers and crucifers have another important role: they act as communion servers when we celebrate the sacrament in our 11:00 service. This has proven to be deeply meaningful to our youth as well as to congregation members who receive the body and blood from a young person answering the call to serve the church.

and place them by the altar. When our youth carry torches down the aisle during the processional and recessional, they are serving as torchbearers. When one participates in the baptismal liturgy and lights the baptismal candle with an acolyte stick, he or she is serving as an acolyte. That’s just a fun fact—we won’t correct you if you use a different term!) The symbolism is simple but profound: the torches coming in

Let me stress something: we do not place children and youth in worship leadership roles because they are cute. They serve in these ways because they are part of the body of Christ and members of this church—not only members but also leaders! Our baptismal liturgy refers to “all, of every age and station.” We stand in need of grace, old and young, clergy and laity, and our torchbearers and crucifers play a special role in the giving and receiving of the means of grace, in particular worship and the sacraments. •

Crucifer: Matthew Mottesheard Torchbearers: Bradley Parrish & Connor Haas

The Pall

Caring for People

By Reverend Sarah Howell The church universal and Centenary in particular have the honor of caring for people in their most vulnerable moments—at birth, at death, and at the crises, heartbreaks, times of needs, and sicknesses that come in between.

While the world may offer alternative solutions to many of the problems that face us, one of the spaces in which the church is uniquely positioned to provide care is in death.

One of the ways in which Centenary provides dignity and hope in the laying to rest of a loved one is in the use of a pall. A pall is a piece of cloth designed to cover a casket or an urn in place of a spray of flowers. When used

consistently, a pall offers a visual of the truth that all are equal before God in both life and death.

Centenary has two palls: one large one to be used with coffins, and one small one to be used with urns being placed in the columbarium. The large pall is white with a pattern of four crowns forming a Greek cross, a rose representing the Nativity, and a fleurde-lis representing the Trinity. The small pall is white with gold trim and a gold cross in the middle.

one suitable for ashes. When Helen Kennedy’s husband, Warren, passed away, Helen searched for a pall to use and could find only a plain white one borrowed from another church. In response, Linda made our small pall in memory of Warren Kennedy.

Both palls are available for services at Centenary upon request and are cared for by our Altar Guild and staff. If you have questions about the palls, please ask. •

The small pall was made by Centenary member Linda Meier after it was discovered that Centenary did not have

...caring for people in their most vulnerable moments...

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cford@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1353

Congregational Care

Ministering to God’s Kingdom within Centenary

By Michael Lawless, Co-Leader of Congregational Care Leadership Team As members of Centenary, we’re challenged and energized to respond to the 2015 vision for our church: Go, God’s Kingdom is at our doorstep.

As we seek to creatively fulfill this laudable vision, we simultaneously want to nurture God’s Kingdom within our church community. A loving and supportive ministry to all members and visitors who enter Centenary for worship, study or fellowship defines congregational care.

healthy Christian relationships. To that end, one goal of the Team is to provide educational and enrichment events that foster healthy relational growth with one another, within families, and most importantly, with God. The Team also is charged with identifying areas of congregational care that may be unmet or need

There are many layers of congregational care at Centenary. Rev. Craig Ford watches over and provides congregational care at the ministerial level. He and our other ministers devote hours each week to providing comfort, support and guidance for our church family. Staff member Judy Jones is strongly committed to congregational care, particularly in her support of small group studies and of Centenary’s recently initiated Prayers of the People held on Mondays in the Chapel.

Many of Centenary’s members provide essential congregational care.

Our United Methodist Women’s Circles personify such care in their ministry to members of the various Circles, and often to families who are not members of a Circle. Stephen Ministers offer confidential, one-to-one support when a need is identified. Support groups comfort those who experience divorce or who grieve the loss of a loved one. Senior adults volunteer hours of visitation to homebound members.

additional support. In that regard, we want to address the reality that members of our congregation who have personal or family mental health issues often are reluctant to make those needs known due to embarrassment or perceived stigma. We seek to understand how our church community can more effectively support and provide resources to those members and families.

The Congregational Care Leadership Team envisions a nurturing and caring church community where all experience Christ’s presence and enjoy

Activities began this year with a focus on emotionally healthy spirituality.

Its premise is that as Christian disciples, our spiritual maturity is fully

realized only when we are mature in our emotional health. Rev. Peter Scazzero, founding minister of a large multi-ethnic church in Queens, New York, has written extensively on this topic, first in his bestselling book for individuals, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, then in a book addressed to pastors and church leaders, The Emotionally Healthy Church.

In January, Leadership Team member Jane Poe began an 8-week small group study of The Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course.

DVD presentations by Rev. Scazzero and a study guide allow for deeper exploration of the concepts in his book. The study features key biblical themes that integrate emotional health with spiritual maturity. It identifies spiritual disciplines with the potential to transform unexciting Christian experience into a powerful, authentic relationship with oneself, with others and especially with Christ. Look for additional offerings of this small group study later in the year.

We thank each of our ministers, groups and individuals who provide loving, supportive care to members of our church community. In doing so, they help us realize the kingdom of God within the walls of Centenary. • Congregational Care Leadership Team: Rev. Craig Ford, Michael and Sandee Lawless(Co-Team Leaders), Janet Ford, Libit Glenn, Aubry and Nancy Kirby, Jane Poe, Judy Reed and Pink Willis.

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cford@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1353

Senior Adults

The Old Stone Church

By Rev. R. Craig Ford

O

ne of the first things that I did when I realized that I was going to be joining the staff of Centenary United Methodist Church was to read the little booklet, From Saddlebags to Sanctuary, that told about the history of the church. The little green book caught my attention because, back in the early nineties, a large volume was written about the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. That book was titled Saddlebags to Satellites.

The booklet, From Saddlebags to Sanctuary, interested me further because on the inside of the back cover was a quote from John Ruskin. The quote read, “Therefore when we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight, nor present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think as we lay stone on stone, that the time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and the wrought substance of them, ‘see this our fathers did for us.’”

I remembered the quote from John Ruskin because, from l973-1985, I had the privilege of serving the Ruskin United Methodist Church. I remembered that same quote in one of the writings about the history of that beautiful church. The town of Ruskin, located south of Tampa on the west coast of Florida at Bahia Beach, was named for John Ruskin.

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Everyone who has had any part of writing about, and preserving the history of, Centenary United Methodist Church has made a valuable and significant contribution. I am hesitant to mention names because of the risk of overlooking anyone. However, the late Reverend G. William Bumgarner, who prepared the booklet, Centenary’s Past, and the material prepared by William Pfefferkorn and the late Dr. Richard Gibson, must be acknowledged for updating the material recorded in From Saddlebags to Sanctuary.

The seven chapters of From Saddlebags

to Sanctuary, which Mr. Pfefferkorn and Dr. Gibson updated, tell a beautiful and interesting story as they have recorded the history: (1) “Roots begin with the Mulberry Tree,” (2) “Site of the New Jerusalem Church,” (3) “The First Members, the First Preachers,” ( 4) “Tumultuous Times, (1849-1873), Courthouse Church, New Construction, Civil War and Reconstruction,” (5) “From Winston Station to Centenary: A Church Keeps in Step,” (6) “West End: A Great Church Which Fulfills the Needs of Its Time,” (7) “Two Outstanding Churches Merge on West Fifth Street.”

The names of the Senior Ministers,

the dates they served, and valuable information about their ministry, has also been recorded. Those ministers were: Dr. C.C. Weaver,1931-1933; Dr. G. Ray Jordan, 1933-1940; Dr. W. A. Stanbury, 19401945; Dr. Mark Depp, 1945-1961; Dr. Kenneth Goodson, 1961-1964; Dr. Charles Bowles, 1964-1966; Dr. Ernest Fitzgerald, 1966-1982; Dr. George Robinson, 19821998; Dr. Michael Brown,1998-2008.

Not listed in the booklet are the more recent Senior Ministers: Dr. Peter C. Graves, 2008-2011; Dr. Mark Ralls, July1, 2011 –June 30, 2015; and Dr. Bill Medlin, who serves as Interim Senior Minister for the last twelve weeks of the conference year from April 12 to June 30, 2015.

preparing to go into the ministry. It will be a person who has appeared before the district and conference committees on the ministry and has been approved to become an Elder in the United Methodist Church.

It will be someone who is committed to Christ and is called to serve. It will be an outstanding person who will come to lead the Centenary United Methodist Church.

“The church is of God and shall be preserved to the end of time for the conduct of worship, the due administration of the sacraments, the discipline and edification of believers and the conversion of the world. All of every age and station

stand in need of the means of grace which it alone provides.”—From “The Baptismal Covenant III, The United Methodist Hymnal. (1989) When we joined the church, we pledged to uphold it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. As we go forward to write a new chapter, let us remember the past, but be committed to the future as we follow the will and spirit of Christ.

May God bless this “Old Stone Church” as together we seek to fulfill the high calling of God. •

Centenary has been blessed by the leadership of many outstanding lay people. Some have taught Sunday School. (Norwood Robinson, taught for 55 years.) Others have been committed to the ministry of music. (Jean Steelman sang in the choir for 80 years.) Many others have served in missions, near and far. Hundreds have served on committees: Trustees, Finance, Children and Youth, Adults, Music and the Arts, and Senior Adults. Others have given leadership and service in the United Methodist Women organization and many, many more areas of service.

In July, of this year, Centenary will begin a new chapter is its long and glorious history.

Centenary will be led by a new minister. At the date for submitting this article, we do not know who that person will be. However, we can be assured that person will be someone who has felt the call of God for his or her life. It will be someone who has spent years studying and

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Memorials Centenary Fund In memory of Arline Monday Brown by Mary Alice Love, Circle 8. In memory of Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Niven, Jr. by Mary and Hayden Kepley. In memory of Dorothy “Dot” Eller Thomas Upton by Mrs. Herbert Laine, Agenda Book Club, Frances Vaughn, Ann Rutter, Katherine and William Hoyt, Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn, Sr., Ray Blevins, Mrs. J. Robert Elster, Thomas Gray, Citizens National Bank, Pat and Kathy Payne, Ken and Susan Sommerkamp, Katie Jones, Rebecca and Ed McKee, Mr. and Mrs. John Whitaker, Martha Womble, Robert Curring Family, Mrs. Cleve Parnell, Henry and Jane Stokes, Dr. and Mrs. Ernest P. Buxton, III, Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Booke, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edwards, Richard Stockton, Elaine Caudle, Laura Gresham, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Norfleet, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Hines, Jr., Anne and Edward Armfield, Lawrence and Anne Barbour Schwab, Molly Johnson, Judy and Steve Perry, Mary Martin and Ed Borden, Margaret and Doug Hunt, Jeanie Holmes, Lila Cruikshank, Emmie Birkas, James and Claudia Hawks, Lauren Wolcott.

In memory of Glenn Maurice Pridgen by Rob and Kandra Greene. In memory of Juanita Sacray Weisner by James Sifford. In memory of Martha Davis Lowrance by John Davis, III. In memory of Mary Tacy Allen Mann by the Chapel Class, Chip and Carol Holden, James and Gail Bland, Robert and Emelda Lawing, Anna and Fletch Steele, Bruce and Bernie Clapp, Ray Blevins, Mrs. J. Robert Elster, Sheila, John, and Cort Fox, Ken and Susan Sommerkamp, Bill and Allan Womble, Bill and Nancy Ann Pollok, Allison T. McCall, Charles and Lucille Patton, Mr. and Mrs. O. Roane Cross, Jr., Betsy and Walt Nading, Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn, Sr., Wayne, Cannon, PT and Associates, Inc., Sibyl Flanery, Hatfield, Mountcastle, Deal, VanZandt, and Mann, LLP, Mary Eagan, Dr. and Mrs. Jefferson Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Perry, Jr., Elizabeth and Alfred Adams, The Philocalians, Mrs. Barbara Gunter, Mrs. Lois Felten, Mrs. Betty Martin, Mrs. Sara Underwood, Mrs. Jean Howington, Mrs. Lynne Givens, Mrs. Darlene Hand, Mrs. Jane Hendrick, Winston-Salem State University Foundation, Molly Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John Brady, Barbara and Ben Phillips, Woody and Debbie Fox, Jane and Pen Sandridge, Dale and Susan Stevenson, Lila Cruikshank, Emmie Birkas, Judith Emken Buening. In memory of Nancy Secrest Helmbrecht Cockman by Paul and Susan Armstrong, Tom and Jean Stockton. In memory of Robert Hines Vaughn by the Chapel Class, Mr. and Mrs. John Brady, Ralph and Gayle Atkinson.

In memory of Sarah “Sally” Brooks Pullen

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Kelly by Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lawless, Amy and Scott Herman, Dr. and Mrs. Jack Smith, Edmundson and Burnette LLP, Barbara and Claude Kerley, Jr., Pat and Fletcher Grubbs, Steve and Patsy Ashworth, Thorne Worley, Corty and Bill Freeman, Vernon and Frankie Winters, Mary and Hayden Kepley, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edwards, James Bunn, III, Susan Dalton, Elise and Carl Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Don Symons. In memory of Dan Scott Williamson by the Chapel Class, Richard Stockton. In memory of David Bullard Whelpley by Robert and Sandra Delapp. In memory of James Arnold Fyock by Susan and Hayes Foster. In memory of Alan John Southard by Tom & Nancy Cannon, Megan Kendall. In memory of Betty Howard by James Sifford. In memory of Julian “Jevie” Gibson by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rickard, Mary Copeland, Thorne Worley, Mrs. J. Robert Elster. In memory of Kittie Sharp by James Sifford. In memory of Nancy Carolyn “Cricket” Woosley by Nancy C Smith. In memory of Wendel Hill “Bunky” Stockton

by John Hunt.

H.O.P.E. In memory of Dorothy “Dot” Eller Thomas Upton by Missy and Buck Butler. In memory of Mary Tacy Allen Mann by Missy and Buck Butler. In memory of Sarah “Sally” Brooks Pullen Kelly by Judy and Bill Scurry.

Loaves & Fishes In memory of Dorothy “Dot” Eller Thomas Upton by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kinken, Jr., Jarman and Janie Jenkins.

Respite Care In memory of Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Niven, Jr. by Bettie H. Carroll and Stephen A. Carroll, Barbara Moore, Mr. and Mrs. William Maready. In memory of Julian “Jevie” Gibson by Don and Julia Golding, Deedee Fenwick, Jan Sawyer. In memory of Robert E. “Bob” Warhover by Deedee Fenwick, Jan Sawyer. In memory of Robert Lewis Miller

by Deedee Fenwick, Jan Sawyer.

Sacred Music In memory of H. Kenneth Smith, Sr. by Jeffrey Coltrane, Jr. In memory of Mary Ellen Hill Davis by John Stewart. In memory of Sarah “Sally” Brooks Pullen Kelly by Libby and Bill Noah.

Senior Adult Ministry In memory of Robert Hines Vaughn by Bob and Ann King.

Stephen Ministry In memory of Grace Richardson Early by Oasis Bible Study, Order of the Eastern Star of North Carolina Old Town Chapter #355.

In Memoriam Robert (Bob) Miller February 6, 2015 Robert (Bob) Edward Warhover February 13, 2015 James A. (Jim) Wallace February 15, 2015 Julian (Jevie) Gibson February 17, 2015 Nancy Carolyn (Cricket) Woosley February 22, 2015 Katherine Hardison Boone March 1, 2015 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.

Sympathy Sympathy is extended to Mrs. R. Scott (Bebe) Krewson in the passing of her mother, Beatrice Player Aycock of Farmville NC, January 11, 1928 – February 7, 2015.

Honoraria

Baptisms

Centenary Fund In honor of Betty Fyock by Susan and Hayes Foster. In honor of Virginia Smith by Nancy Hoover. In honor of William Shelton’s 89th Birthday by Ann and Phil Wood.

Love Thy Neighbor In honor of the marriage of Tammy and Eddie Pollock by Ann and Borden Hanes.

Music and the Arts In honor of Jean Burroughs by the Music and the Arts Ministry.

Respite Care In honor of Deedee Fenwick by Billy, Aurelia, Sadie, Bob, and Try Lagle, George and Eleanor Wilson, Kerri W Crater, William and Aurelia Lagle. In honor of Jan Sawyer by George and Eleanor Wilson.

On the Cover

We celebrate the baptism of Haley Ruth Isom, daughter of Scott & Mary Isom, and granddaughter of Roland & Emilie Barnhardt.

We celebrate the baptism of Beau Sutton Rowland, son of Ben & Jenny, sister of Marianne (4), and grandson of Duke & Vicki Ison.

We celebrate the baptism of Caroline Genevieve Henderson, daughter of Will and Katie Henderson.

We celebrate the baptism of Millie Bahnson Patella, daughter of Scott & Bennett, sister of Hunt (6) & Louise (4), granddaughter of Corinna and Ted Mann, & great granddaughter of Mrs. Lee Hinshaw and the Late Lee Hinshaw We celebrate the baptism of Elizabeth Galloway Keit, daughter of Weston & Brooke Keit.

We celebrate the baptism of Walter Scott Petree son of Chip & Tucker, & grandson of Harold & Louise Pollard,

Altar Guild Thank You

The cover image was captured during Vacation Bible School 2014. As I walked through the Sanctuary, this sweet face was looking right at me. Look at those eyes! Our sweet children show us the light of Christ as they learn about the faith.

May we always approach the kingdom with similar child-like faith.

Doug Peninger

The Altar Guild wishes to recognize outgoing members Mollie Britton, Wanda Campbell, Jane Harris, Ann King, Alice Mahoney, Mary Allen Martin, Lynda Morris, Glad Roy, Barbara Smith, Nancy Warren, Frances Wilson and Junior Altar Guild member Ruthie Britton for their many hours preparing communion, delivering flowers, polishing brass and decorating the sanctuary at holidays. We thank them for their dedication and service to Centenary

Archives We need your Centenary documents!

Centenary is building a digital archive of minutes, reports, presentations, etc. so that all of our governance documents will be in one place, and easily-accessed by staff and committee members, alike.

Documents may be in any format, paper and/or electronic. When possible, please note when minutes have been approved by your committee or ministry group.

If you served in Centenary leadership in the last 10 years and have any of the documents mentioned above, please let us know so they may be added to the archive.

For questions, please contact or send documents to Stacy Holley (397- 1359)/ sholley@centenary-ws.org or leave at the reception desk.

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A New Journey --

Making a Joyful Noise

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and the lyre Praise Him with the tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150:3-6 (NIV) 16

By Carol Leinbach

I

t was Christmas at the Biltmore House; my husband, Leon, and I were part of the evening tour. Even with the warm, cozy, candle-lit interior, a choir singing Christmas carols, the gigantic tree in the dining hall and the multitude of decorations, it was the children’s play area- where the Halloween mural is painted – that got my attention.

Here, in this venue, I first experienced the hammered dulcimer and it was here that I decided I wanted to play this instrument. That was seven years ago.

The following May I attended the Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival at College Park Baptist church. There, with my rented instrument, I took a crash introductory course on the hammered dulcimer. At the end of the day I left overwhelmed with the nagging question, “Are you sure you want to do this?” Nevertheless I began a search for my own instrument, which turned out to be an unexpected challenge. After a multitude of calls to various dulcimer retailors around the country, Leon and I trekked to Black Mountain’s “Song of the Wood.” That is where I bought my own hammered dulcimer, the instrument that began a new journey.

Learning the hammered dulcimer, like any other instrument, begins with learning its layout.

My instrument was made by Masterworks of Bennington, Oklahoma, and is a 15/14. This means that there are 14 pairs of

strings that cross a right bridge and 15 pairs of strings that cross a left bridge.

A note is played by striking a pair of strings with a hammer, and the kind of hammer one uses affects the tone of the note played. Unlike the piano, low notes are on the right side of the instrument and higher notes are on the left side of the instrument. The same note can be played in various places and to add to the challenge, all 58 strings need to be tuned each time the instrument is moved, or when it experiences a change in temperature.

Still, the echoes of the melodious tunes from the Biltmore House girded my efforts and I slowly made progress.

I began with a few lessons from Terry Lefner, who is a local hammered dulcimer player. But as our schedules became increasingly more difficult to coordinate, the Harmony Grove Dulcimer Ensemble allowed me to join them. With their support I kept hammering away, gaining the confidence that encouraged more practice.

The Harmony Grove Dulcimer Ensemble is composed of five hammered dulcimer players. We also have a fiddle player who joins us for performances. We are not a professional ensemble; we are a group of ladies, all who began to learn this instrument at the age of

55 or older! We play because we enjoy the instrument, as well as each other’s company and encouragement.

We also play because we enjoy the opportunities we have to share our music with others. We are of the belief that this is just one of many ways we can minister to others. We have played at retirement homes, senior adult luncheons, the Dixie Classic Fair, United Methodist events, Old Salem, a variety of church services, community events and even Centenary’s DAYBreak Respite Care.

Since joining the Harmony Grove Dulcimer Ensemble, I have attended several regional hammered dulcimer festivals. I have found the people I meet at the festivals to be “genuine folks.”

Often sacred tunes, tunes that reflect my – and their – faith are shared in practice sessions. The sessions may also include suggestions for using the instrument to provide ministry and outreach.

I grew up in a home filled with music.

My dad – the minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, and Myers Park Baptist and Park Road Baptist churches in Charlotte - never heard me play. However, I credit him for starting me on this journey. I am sure he would be proud and pleased to know that, as he, I choose to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” •

kmay@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1331

Children’s Ministry

Are You Ready for Summer?

HUNGRY FOR MUSIC CAMP When: Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26

By Rev. Kate May

What: Rising first through sixth graders from all over Winston-Salem will be gathering at Maple Springs UMC for the annual music day camp sponsored by our missional network. During this camp kids have the opportunity to learn how to praise God through music by singing, ringing, moving, and so much more!

How can you help?

• pray that God would work in the life of the children who participate that they might catch a love for God and for music • because this camp serves children from all over Winston Salem we are always in need of scholarships for kids who might not be able to participate otherwise. Could you donate $30 for a child to attend?

• Do you love kids and music? Consider being a shepherd during the week and helping kids move from activity to activity.

When: Tuesday, July 7-Thursday, July 9 What: This older elementary mission week gives our rising 4th through rising 6th graders an opportunity to live out their faith and make a difference in their community. We spend time serving in the morning and have recreation activities in the afternoon (bowling, putt-putt, etc.)

How can you help?

•Pray that God would begin preparing the hearts of the kids who will participate that they might see God at work in the world and how they can make a difference even as children •Would you be willing to be a bus driver for us? If your gift is not necessarily leading children but you would be willing to help transport us around Winston for a day or two please contact Kate May for more information.

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CENTENARY WEEK AT CAMP TEKOA When: Sunday, July 12-Saturday, July 18 What: Camp Tekoa is one of our United Methodist conference camps whose mission is touching hearts, changing lives and sharing the light of Christ. This summer kids from Centenary as well as all over North Carolina will be enjoying the fun of a week at Camp Tekoa and getting to know God through camping ministry. During Centenary week Kate May will be serving as pastor of the week at camp and will offer a friendly face to all of the campers from Centenary.

How can you help?

• Pray that the kids who enjoy camp will come home with a closer relationship with God bolstered by their experience with their peers and some great counselors who pour God’s love into the kids for the week • Everyone loves getting mail at camp. Would you be willing to write a letter or card to our kids who will be spending the week at camp? Contact Kate May to find out more.

• Every kid should have the opportunity to spend a week at camp, perhaps you could donate to our Centenary Camp Tekoa scholarship fund.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Everest!

When: Sunday, July 26-Thursday, July 30 What: A week of fun songs, crafts, games, and more as we learn how to conquer challenges with God’s mighty power! We have something for everyone from age 4 years through rising 6th graders!

How can you help?

• Pray for the kids and volunteers who participate that their hearts would be prepared to encounter God in a mighty way • No matter what your gift or availability there is something you can do at VBS! Be a small group shepherd, a snack helper, a greeter, a crossing guard.No matter who you are, there is a place for you at VBS! Talk to Kate May or one of our VBS team leaders (Erin Bonsall, Amy Lawson, & Megan Martin-Wall) about how you can share your gifts with our kids and their families.

Would you like to know more about these events? Visit the Centenary website or contact Kate May.

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Hands, Feet and

Fellowsh ip

By Christina Skeeters

T

here was much laughter and good conversation when a small group of Centenary members gathered recently to make dinner together. But they would not be dining on the fruits of their labors that evening. Instead, the group would deliver and serve the meal to a most appreciative clientele-guests and volunteers at the overflow homeless shelter, operating during the winter months at Winston-Salem’s downtown churches.

Hands, Feet, and Fellowship is a group of women, all members at Centenary United Methodist Church, who seek opportunities to serve their church and their community, thereby strengthening the bonds with each other.

In late 2013, Centenary members Laura Esleeck and Brenda Gerding were discussing a mutual desire to offer their talents and energy to unmet needs in the community. Both were long time members of UMW Circles, and had

participated in various projects through church over the years, but were interested in taking a slightly different approach to volunteering. “We also were looking for a way to meet more of Centenary’s membership” explained Laura Esleeck, “We wanted additional opportunities for fellowship.”

The two friends approached Rev. Jonathon Brake at Centenary, who gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to the idea. They then decided that each would ask three friends to come to a preliminary meeting, and then each of them would recruit one more. That idea enabled more diversity among the members. Quickly the group formed and made the decision that each month, two members would plan and coordinate a service project paired with an opportunity to get to know each other better. They also determined a strategy for choosing projects—they aim for a mix of activities that benefit their church and their community.

Projects have included performing inventory tracking for Glad Tidings Books and Gifts; making dinner for the Ronald McDonald House guests; working in the Betty and Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden; wrapping toys for Santa’s Helpers outreach; preparing teacher appreciation gift bags for Hall-Woodward Elementary; staffing the Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run; designing and creating holiday table decorations for Arbor Acres; and preparing and serving lunch to the Winston-Salem Street School students and teachers.

However, they are hoping to see “spinoffs” of their model for service and fellowship. While Hands, Feet, and Fellowship is all female, other groups can determine their own makeup and focus. Anyone interested in learning how to start their own group can contact Rev. Sarah Howell at (336) 397-1348 or showell@centenary-ws.org. •

The group is not seeking additional members at this point, says Laura. “It’s hard to find an activity or (charitable) organization that can accommodate more than fifteen volunteers at a time. If the entire group can’t work together in the same place, the fellowship aspect is lost.”

In addition to Laura and Brenda, members include Carol Carmichael, Laura Young, Amy Egleston, Shelley Holden, Geri Milner, Laura Peace, Amy Lawson, Ginger Thomas, Holly Lee, Becky Perkinson, and Debbie Cassels.

Participants: from left: Brenda Gerding, Ginger Thomas, Carol Carmichael, Laura Esleeck, Becky Perkinson, Debbie Cassels, Holly Lee. Photos by Khaki Parks.

Fellowsh ip

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Glad Tidings

jjones@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1338

Glad Tidings has some new baby gifts that are A-DOR-A-BLE! Mainstreet Collection (the same company that delivers the beautiful hand bags) has sent us so sweet Seersucker Day Gowns in blue and pink. We all remember how much we love seersucker and these lovelies can be monogrammed for the perfect gift for those new babies! We also have Seersucker Paci-clips in blue and pink, offering gifts in all price ranges. And for the mothers, we have the trendiest seersucker sun hats with duck brims that tie in the back, also perfect for monogramming. Glad Tidings has it all so come by for your gift giving.

Remember all proceeds over operating costs go back to Centenary for use in its ministries and missions. If you have never been in Glad Tidings, we invite you to come by. Mention you are a first timer and automatically get 10% off your entire first purchase! Good things happen when you shop Glad Tidings!

Volunteers Needed Is this your place?! We need twelve volunteers to offer information to visitors and congregation members at the new information station in the reading room beside Glad Tidings. This ministry only requires one hour of your time once a month on Sunday mornings. What a beautiful way to get to know our congregation and spread the word about all the activities in Centenary. Contact Judy Jones (9180346)/jjones@centenary-ws.org.

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Creation Care

jbrake@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1334

By Frank Hassell The Creation Care Team and Centenary United Methodist Church partnered with Keep Winston Salem Beautiful and, in fact, with communities across the country on Saturday, March 21, 2015, by celebrating the first day of Spring and participating in the Great American Cleanup. This annual event is also part of Creek Week, a week long series of celebrations, programs and contests focused on the importance of our streams, lakes and waterways. The emphasis is on clean water and conservation. These are key concerns for all United Methodists as we think about being good stewards of our natural resources and the current shortage, across the planet, of potable water, especially, but not exclusively, in the Third World.

A half dozen Centenarians, ages 7 to 65 years of age, and one dozen Wake Forest University Graduate Accounting Club members came together on a beautiful Saturday morning, for four hours, to pick up Shaffner Park East, its tennis courts, soccer fields and playground along with the Silas Creek Green-way north toward Robinhood Drive. This group of eager and engaged volunteers gathered up several large garbage bags of trash and recyclables with various other items too large to place in bags; enough to fill a pickup truck. Just think this is an area of only about a half mile by about 150 yards which was similarly picked up 6 months ago.

Items collected included the mundane such as food wrappers, cups and bottles to eyeglasses, various pieces of clothing and shoes, signs of all types, jewelry, electronics and car parts. Afterward we shared pizza and soft drinks. “A good time was had by all.”

This is an activity that we have proudly participated in for several years and stems from Centenary’s Environmental Council, now known as the Creation Care Team, and their initiative to Adopt-a-Stream, another community program administered by KWSB. A similar nationwide event called Clean Sweep happens annually in the fall. We invite all interested Centenarians to join with the Creation Care Team then. •

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tpollock@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1337

Youth Ministry

Silence, Icons & Holy Rest am waiting to hear back… my friends are starting to hear back, but I haven’t yet” “I need a break” And so the mantra continues out of the mouth of these precious teenagers.

They are tired! They are exhausted!

They need a break from all the demands that swirls around them.

By Tammy Pollock

T

he longer I am in ministry, the easier it is to recognize patterns in the lives of our youth. Each year, around this time I hear the same things uttered from our students mouths: “I am so, so, so tired” “I have so much homework” “My parents wanted me to take so many AP classes and I just can’t get it all done” “I am trying out for my school’s _____ team and I just don’t know if I am going to make it” “I’ve applied to all my college choices and

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In her book, The Primal Teen, Barbara Strauch, references a sleep study done at Brown University.

In a controlled lab setting, Carskadon (Mary Carskadon, a sleep researcher at Brown University) found that teenagers happily slept on and on, a bit over nine hours. And even then, they were sleepy in the middle of the day. A teenager’s sleep need, in fact, far exceeds that of adults.”We gave them a ten-hour window for sleep and we still had to throw them out of bed in the morning,” Carskadon says.

They are exhausted because their bodies are crying out for more rest.

Several years ago we began taking a retreat during the winter, beginning of spring… a rest retreat. Our desire was not to add one more thing to our student’s already demanding and crazy schedules, just the opposite; our hope is to steal them away from the demands and chaos of their lives, to pull them out of the downward spiral of sleep deprivation.

Silence…

We gather the youth up on a Friday afternoon and head to the Trinity Center in Salter Path, North Carolina, located right on the sound and a moments walk to the surf of the ocean.

We stop along the way for a leisurely dinner, with no rush to finish, just the invitation to sit, eat, relax and delight in one another. Once we arrive at our cabin we unload the bus and gather on the back porch. Immediately the sound of the waves and salty air wash over us and you can tell that something has shifted within each of us. We share a devotion time and conversation about why retreating away from the world is essential to our bodies, our souls, and the spiritual life. After all, Jesus, Himself, re-treated away often, many times, from the crowds, from His disciples to seek after God and to rest. That first night, we invite our youth into a time of holy silence… to put their phones away, to breathe, to be still. From that moment until after breakfast the next morning they are in a covenant of silence. No talking, none at all. You would think this would be hard for a group of teenagers, and

yet, the invitation is welcomed. For a teenager to be invited into a space to do nothing except “be quiet” and rest is so counter-cultural and unexpected.

They are bombarded with noise from the moment they wake until they fall asleep at night. John Climacus, a Desert Father, wrote in his classic, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, “The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to him in secret and God enlightens him.”

Silence allows us to hear from God in the “sound of sheer silence” (1 Kings 19:12). Some of the deepest sleep they ever have happens this night.

Icons…

After breakfast the next morning we break our covenant silence with a time of reflection. The question we always ask, “What was God like in the silence?”

So many of them are overwhelmed by all the things they heard and noticed about everything around them. The sound of the waves, the sound of the birds chirping, snoring, people moving around, the crunch of the bacon at breakfast, even the smell of the coffee.

Everything comes more alive in the silence, we become more aware. After our discussion, they are free…free to go back to sleep, to stroll the beach, to play four square, to just be.

Mid day we gather again to experience another form of holiness through Icons.

Icons (the Greek Work for “image”) have been a part of worship since the late second century. The first icon that we know of (according to legend) was made by Jesus himself. It seems that King Abgar of Edessa was dying of leprosy in North Africa and sent an emissary, Ananias, to ask Jesus to come and heal him. Ananias was instructed to paint a picture of Jesus if a visit to Edessa was not possible. Jesus declined the visit to Edessa – he was only days away from his Passion, but when he saw Ananias trying to paint his picture through the heavy crowds, Jesus took

pity on him. After washing his face, Jesus dried his face with a square of linen, leaving a near perfect imprint of his image on the cloth. Ananias took the linen back to Edessa and the King Abgar was healed immediately upon seeing it. (Soul Shaper by Tony Jones) There are many stories like this that help us understand iconography. Over the centuries pictures have been drawn & painted, mosaic and carved wood representations of Jesus and Mary still exist today. Icons represent to us “the Word made flesh” so that we may see God in human form. They stand before us on the frontline of faith; they stand and fall on the truth of Christianity itself. Putting yourself in front of an icon, is allowing yourself to be looked upon by ‘holy’ eyes. We invited each of our youth to paint a holy icon. What happened was beautiful as each one, in deep silence, prayer, and determination, painted their holy icon. In the sheer silence of that moment, God was palpable to each of us.

Holy Rest…

More than anything on this rest retreat we want our youth to experience holy rest. Lynn Jericho says it well, “Rest is passive and retreat is active, both are set apart and both sanctify your existence. Rest is your holy time of restoration, of stepping outside your active life into quietness, stillness and serenity. Through holy rest we repair and refuel our bodies and souls. Retreat is a quiet time in a secluded space for a sacred activity.”

the crowds behind, just as Jesus did, to rest, to pray, to listen, and to encounter the holiness of God. It is amazing how much they sleep on this retreat, how deep their sleep is, and how much peace and joy that overflows from them. We know it’s not enough to take them away once a year to a solitary place for rest, and so the invitation is given that they take what they have experienced and learned home and to find moments of silence and solitude, to allow their icons to gaze upon them from somewhere in their room, and to seek time of holy rest regularly. •

In a world that demands so much of our teenagers, our weekend away demands nothing. It invites them to leave

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(USPS 628-480) Published By: Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 Fax: (336) 723-5840 Website: www.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

Periodicals Postage Paid at Winston-Salem, N. C.