2016 january:february final x4

Through Centenary

WINDOWS 3 New Year’s Resolutions 4 Senior Minister: Lattes by the Numbers 6 Prayers of the People 7 The Paschal Candle 8 Marriage Workshop 9 Tony Abbott Lecture Series 10 Overflow Shelter & Soulstice 11 UMW February Luncheon 12 Missions: You Matter 14 Senior Adults

15 Stephen Ministry 16 Adult Ministry 17 Spiritual Toolbox Sermon Series 18 Creation Care: Busy Season 20 Creation Care: Dreams for 2016 22 Memorials & Honoraria 23 New Members 24 Children’s Ministry: Continue Dreaming 26 Youth Ministry: Hopes and Dreams

From the Editor The New Year has arrived, 2016. Okay, for me this is a shocker. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of high school graduation for me. Where in the world did that time go? Back in 1986, I had a lot of hopes and dreams, as I am sure many of us did at that point in our lives. One thing I knew is that I was off to college to study music.

For our January/February issue, we are looking at the hopes and dreams of the many ministries of Centenary, and believe me, there are many. As you read through the articles, I encourage you to take notes or highlight areas that may interest you. There are so many ways to connect and I hope you will find your special place at Centenary.

It’s a new year. Dream big. Hope big.

I’ll see you at Centenary.

Warmest wishes, Doug Peninger Director of Communications

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On the Cover Candles can represent light, hopes and dreams. They can also represent those who have gone before.

The candles on the cover are from All Saints Sunday. Can you imagine the hopes and dreams of those loved ones represented? We carry them with us as we look to a new year and discover the journey ahead.

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

Senior Minister

By the Numbers Follow from the Lattes with Lory Beth

By Rev. Lory Beth Huffman

L

ast fall, I invested a large portion of my time getting to know the congregation and hearing some of your hopes and dreams about Centenary. It was an incredibly rich time meeting in people’s homes, eating delicious food, and having time to talk and listen to many of you! I have been processing the information I collected and will continue to do so with our church leadership throughout this year. I will be working with a team of leaders and staff to now listen for God’s direction for our church and capture God’s vision for who God is calling us to be. You have helped that process tremendously by sharing your thoughts with me.

What I have done is taken the notes that I took from each of your responses and categorized into themes and common responses. Then I used our database to break those responses down by age to see if there were any noticeable patterns. Here is what I heard and learned, by the numbers.

Number of “Lattes” attended 53 Number of people attended 687 Number of pounds Lory Beth gained 6

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Span of months took place 3 The two primary questions I asked folks were to share hopes for the church and joys experienced because of Centenary. So I am going to share with you some of the top responses.

Please note that there are far more insights than I have room to share so these are some main findings.

The top 6 scoring Joys 1) Music 2) Uplifting worship, worship spaces and sermons 3) Service and Mission opportunities 4) Quality of our Children and Youth Ministries 5) Sunday School Classes 6) Great church Staff

1) Music, Preaching and Worship These are very high values for this church as a combination of this trio appeared in the majority of responses around joys. Our budget and resources would support this value. Important to note is that the music at all of our services was lifted up and all of the worship services are valued by different people for different reasons.

Also we have many people that float between the services and are not loyal to just one style or timeslot.

2) Missions/Volunteering /Downtown church

This church is full of people for whom service and volunteering is a source of great joy. It is also filled with people who are longing to plug into service opportunities but haven’t figured out which opportunities fit their availability and how to find out what The top 7 scoring Hopes is out there. Also there is a strong 1) Attract and engage more young hope that Centenary will more fully develop our missional response to the people 2) Strengthen and increase our community around us; that this church would be recognized as a church that is missions ministry making a difference in the community, 3) Aspirations for church growth 4) Strengthen our ministry to children especially around homelessness and poverty. Interesting to note that in and youth 5) Better connect people to ministry this category the highest age groups to dream about doing more for the opportunities 6) Church would develop a clear vision community were our youth and our older adults. And the narrative I heard and identity 7) Be a strong downtown church was that people want us to really wrestle with some of these issues and presence not just throw money at them. How can we help impact positively our Here are a few initial thoughts after community? looking closely at my notes.

3) Church Growth and Young People 4) Connecting and Relationships You shared a great deal of information about hopes and joys of ministry with young people. There is a high value on developing strong ministries for youth and children. Partly from parents of children and youth because this is the number one reason that many of these families are in church – for their kids. And it is a high value by our older populations because they either want their grandchildren to have great experiences, or more commonly, they fear for the future of the church and want to make sure we are reaching out and engaging younger adults. In combination with the score for growing the church, this speaks volumes about where our priorities should be focused.

What does this mean as we look at how to go about growing and better reaching families with children?

Finally, another theme that emerged from what I heard is a strong value for connecting with other people. This appeared either from those of you who are already connected and have very meaningful relationships, which you lifted up as a joy, or by others who long to be more connected so they lifted this up as a hope. It’s not surprising that, being a large membership church, it might be hard for people to connect.

Interestingly enough the age group that scored the highest for hoping to better connect people to ministry was the 35-50 year olds. I wonder if the correlation is that older adults have a little more time and can invest in these relationships while the younger folks want to be connected but don’t have or make the time to invest in those connections. Related to this is the fact

that Sunday School scored high as a joy – but 63% of those responses came from the 65 and older demographic.

Also getting a strong response that I think is related to this topic was hopes for more intergenerational opportunities which fairly evenly were asked for by the 35-50 year olds and the 65+.

There is more to be said and shared which I am already doing with church leadership. I am so grateful for the opportunity to hear where your heart is. I promise to continue to share and use this information to help our church set a course for a strong future that aligns our core values with our strategies for making disciples for Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace, Lory Beth

Be sure to ready Lory Beth’s blog, Faith Meets Life, each week.

Visit www.faithmeetslifecumc.org each week for inspiration, reflection and challenge.

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Centenary’s Chapel is open to everyone for silent prayer and quiet meditation every Monday from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm.

Prayers of the People is open to all, so invite friends and those you may feel interested. Please direct any questions to Stacy Holley (397-1359)sholley@ centenary-ws.org.

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The Paschal Candle

By The Reverend Sarah S. Howell At the 11pm Christmas Eve worship service, we introduced a new liturgical object to our worship space: a Paschal candle. The word “Paschal” comes from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover, and signifies the mystery of salvation, referring to the Passover of the Old Testament and the new Passover remembered in the Lord’s Supper before Christ’s death and resurrection. The light of the Paschal candle represents the light of Christ, our constant presence in the midst of God’s people and a light to all the world. This tall, white candle is traditionally used throughout the Easter season and on other high holy days in the life of the church. Our Paschal candle has on it the cross, always the central symbol on such a candle, with the initials INRI, which stands for the Latin Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum—“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Each Christmas Eve, we remember Jesus’s birth to Mary of Nazareth, born to be King of the Jews and of all God’s people, whose incarnation, life, death, and resurrection are our best promise of salvation now and in the life to come.

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Marriage Preparation Workshop

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

Saturday, March 12, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm $50 per couple, includes assessment, lunch, and supplies

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re you getting married this year? Maybe you haven’t set the date yet? Or maybe you were married within the past couple of years but didn’t have such an opportunity? We put a lot of preparation into our wedding day, but what about preparing for all the wonderful years to follow? You are invited to come and invest in your marriage through completing an online assessment called PREPARE/ENRICH and participating in a one-day workshop. Rev. Jonathan Brake will help you assess areas of strength and potential growth, improve communication skills and conflict management, appreciate personality differences, establish family goals, and more. This workshop will cover much of the material that our clergy use in premarital sessions with you, reducing the number of times you will need to meet with them. For registration or more information go to www.centenary-ws.org/?p=38 or contact Rev. Jonathan L. Brake ( jbrake@centenary-ws.org).

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Tony Abbott Lecture Series

rfrazier@centenary-ws. org 336-397-1336

“The Still, Small Voice of Grace: The Gilead trilogy of Marilynne Robinson” Lecture Series led by Dr. Tony Abbott Tuesdays in March (1, 8, 15, and 22) at 7:00 pm in Memorial Auditorium

Many of our most important critics in the field of literature and religion consider Marilynne Robinson to be the most important contemporary American religious novelist. Her Gilead trilogy—which consists of the three titles Gilead, Home, and Lila---has been lavishly praised. Gilead won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Home was a finalist for the National Book Award, and Lila won the National Book Award. In Dr. Abbott’s first lecture he will present an overview of Robinson’s work including an analysis of her important new book of essays, The Givenness of Things (2015). Dr. Abbott will devote each of the other three lectures to one of the novels. To enjoy these lectures, it is not necessary to have read all three novels, but Dr. Abbott hopes that his lectures will entice listeners to want to read the novels. All three novels and the book of essays will be available for sale in Glad Tidings.

Tony Abbott Dr. Abbott was recently awarded the North Carolina Award in Fine Arts. This award is the highest honor the Governor and the state of North Carolina can bestow on a citizen. It is given by Governor McCrory and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary, Susan Kluttz. There are four areas of award: Fine Arts, Literature, Public Service, and Science.

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Overflow Shelter

By Rev. Sarah Howell

Even if you’re a long-time member of Centenary, chances are you probably didn’t know the white building across from Foothills Brewery was owned by the church.

Now, every night from December 1 through March 31, we are welcoming our neighbors into 633 W. 4th St. to register for the winter overflow shelter.

Volunteers and guests alike are finding their way to a building they’ve likely walked by but never paid much mind to, and there they are finding hope and hospitality.

As a continuation of our city’s yearly overflow shelter, and in partnership with City with Dwellings and dozens of local churches and community groups, we are participating in the offer of welcome to the stranger as Jesus commanded.

Guests check in at our building between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, and volunteers make them feel welcome, offer a hot beverage, and assist with transportation

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when they are taken to the overnight shelter sites.

While some overflow shelters only operate when the temperature dips below a certain level, this one is open every night. This is so our neighbors know during those months they always have a safe place to go. Long-term advocacy work can also be undertaken on their behalf in hopes that they would be housed and move toward selfsufficiency.

Opening the doors at 633 W. 4th St. is just an extension of the hospitality that our youth already offer these neighbors and many others through Love Thy Neighbor. The continued broadening of our outreach, service, and welcome hints at a future where we are even more deeply connected to downtown Winston-Salem, to the vulnerable and forgotten, to people who reveal Christ to us as promised in Matthew 25—“I was hungry and you gave me food, I

was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

My prayer is that as we continue in this new chapter in Centenary’s long history of mission and service, we might be challenged anew to go further and deeper in our response; that we might dream big dreams that align with a vision of a kingdom in which all God’s children are made welcome.

To learn more about the overflow shelter and to volunteer, visit www. citywithdwellings.org or contact Rev. Sarah Howell (336-397-1348) showell@ centenary-ws.org. •

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

Missions

You matter...

By Rev. Sarah Howell

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ast October, a group of 9 Centenary members traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to learn from, and work alongside, our brothers and sisters at Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM). This was our second annual trip to Port-au-Prince over Columbus Day weekend—what a strange feeling it is to be on the island of Hispaniola when Americans mark the day Christopher Columbus “discovered” it!

We plan to continue the 5-day exploratory work team trip each fall and are thrilled to be adding a medical mission trip in February.

Our hope is to continue to deepen our relationship with Haiti Outreach Ministries, an incredible organization that bears witness to God’s love through its churches, schools, and medical clinics.

We have already seen how profound it is to come back to a place year after year. For example, last fall, we saw HOM’s newly opened high school, packed with busy, beaming 7th graders. When we visited the previous year, it was just a few concrete supports on an empty lot.

With any mission trip, there are questions that come up, especially

international ones. People may ask, why go so far away when there is poverty right here in WinstonSalem? Over the years, I have learned to ask other questions— how helpful are we being really?

Are our generous donations unintentionally harming local economies? Is the work we do more about making ourselves feel good than about doing what is really needed?

There is much that can and should be said about all of these questions, but the matter was settled for me in regards to Haiti after a conversation with Nadege Gay, the daughter of Pastor Leon (founder of HOM) and his wife Jackie Dorleans (who runs HOM’s schools). Nadege is a recent graduate of Salem College and returned to Haiti to be the principal of the school at one of HOM’s sites.

One of our team members wondered aloud to Nadege if the Haitian people resented us somehow— white Americans coming in to a third-world country whose poverty makes even the humblest among us look filthy rich. What Nadege told us startled, humbled, and moved me.

Nadege said that the people in Port-au-Prince, even if they have never left Haiti, have at least some sense that Americans live lives of relative comfort.

They know that overall we have greater wealth and a higher standard of living. But instead of resenting us for that, they see us leaving our comfortable lives to come to Haiti and spend time with them, and that tells them that they matter.

I was blown away. Here I was, worried about whether painting someone’s house was really all that helpful, asking myself if there were more or better things for us to do with our time and money. Nadege said, ”No. Your presence here is enough. Just coming to be with us is more than enough.”

So I continue to commit myself to Haiti and pray that Centenary will

do the same— not because we can make a difference, but because the incredible people of Haiti can make their own difference.

We have a role to play in supporting and encouraging that, not because we can rescue Haiti or even do all that much that’s useful, but because we can be a voice sounding out over the long history of a country that has been downtrodden and abused and forgotte bywsaying, “You matter.”

For we know—and the Christians of Haiti know perhaps much better than we do—that everyone matters to God, and as members of the body of Christ, we are all connected and matter to one another.

• Contribute to a scholarship fund for mission trip members (contact Rev. Sarah Howell to learn more)

would be like nothing I’d ever seen before, but my eyes and my brain and my heart were taking in SO much more than I had prepared myself for.

• Pray for Haiti Outreach Ministries and for our mission teams

But, once I settled in, I quickly fell in love with Haiti and its beautiful, loving people.

Looking them in the face is like looking Jesus in the face, if you ask me. Haiti is a place full of more heartache and sadness and joy and hope than any place I could ever imagine. My “I don’t think I can do this again” feelings from the first little part of our trip quickly turned into “When can I come back?” with the simple but very powerful holding of a small hand out in the street.

• Questions? Contact Rev Sarah Howell (336-397-1348)/showell@ centenary-ws.org) •

I felt called to go. And I’m so grateful that I did.

How You Can Get Involved • Go on a mission trip to Haiti: Fall work team: October 6-10, 2016 Winter mission team: February 2017

Called to go...

• Sponsor a student through Haiti Outreach Ministries: http://www. haitioutreachministries.com/student-sponsorship/

Back in June, I scanned the back of the bulletin one week during the 11:00 service.

The trip to Haiti had just been posted, and I leaned towards my mother, tapped my finger on the short paragraph, and mouthed, “I want to go.” She nodded. And in October, I went.

• Donate school supplies and other needed items (keep an eye out for lists of items in the months leading up to a trip)

For the first 24 hours or so, my very emotional, sensitive self didn’t shed a single tear. I had moved past that emotion, I think—I was in shock. I knew that Haiti

~ Rebecca McNeely

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

Senior Adults

A Feeling of Excitement for 2016

By Rev. R. Craig Ford

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e begin 2016 with a feeling of excitement, believing, hoping, and praying for all of us. I wish the very best for each of you and for your families and all who are close and dear. Please know that I am honored and humbled to work with the senior adults and I look forward to the opportunities before us. Yes, of course, I am looking forward to all the possibilities the New Year will bring.

I want to lift up the programs that have been selected for the Senior Adult Luncheons.

In the month of January, we will have the opportunity to hear the new president of the Salem Academy and College, Dr. Lorraine Sterritt, present our program.

Dr. Sterritt was on the staff at Harvard University before coming to WinstonSalem to take up her new position as President of Salem Academy and College.

Many of our church families have been very close to Salem because they, or their children, have attended the academy or college. We are honored to have Dr. Sterritt present the program to the senior adults.

In February, we will be honored to hear Wanda Starke, newscaster with WXII, as the speaker for the Senior Adult Luncheon. We have watched Wanda for the past several years as she presented the news. It is my understanding that Mrs. Starke is considering retirement. It will be

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interesting to hear about her great career at WXII.

happening in the world of tennis, right here in our back yard.

For the month of March we will call on people who will help us to enjoy some Irish Music. As you recall, last year we invited “The Three Tenors” from our Chancel Choir. This year, we will have the honor of hearing a chorus from Salem College sing Irish Music. I am sure the “Irish eyes will be smiling.”

Please note the information about a very special travel opportunity that will be available to the senior adults in May. Gerald and Lynda Taylor are planning a beautiful trip to Washington, DC, during the second week of May. Look for the details that will be coming soon for this opportunity.

For the program in April, we will have the privilege of having one of our very own choir members, Jason McKinney, present a beautiful selection of favorites. I have heard Jason sing Old Man River, Amazing Grace, The Holy City, and others. He has one of the great voices in the country and we will be honored to have him present a musical program of favorite selections.

We have changed our picnic plans 2016, and will be going to the park in Lewisville in May. We made the change because, for the last two years, the heat became a major factor in the month of June. So, going to the park in May should make for a much more enjoyable experience.

We will be honored to have the “Sharps and Flats” from Arbor Acres present a musical program. You might have had the opportunity to hear them and know that it will be an entertaining program.

In June, we will return to the auditorium for the last meeting of spring. We will have a program unlike any that we have had before. “Tennis anyone?” Dr. Harold Pollard, a member of Centenary, serves on the committee that helps organize the professional tennis tournament, part of the U.S. Open series, that has been played at Wake Forest for the last three years.

Billy Oaks, one of our new members, is the tennis professional who organizes the tournament. Many of our members attend the tournament, so, just as senior adults have enjoyed programs about other sports, this will be an opportunity to see what is

Now, as we look ahead to the opportunities for 2016, we should look back and say thanks to all who have been so helpful to The Senior Adults. We should say a word of thanks to clergy leaders who did so much for the senior adults and left us a pattern to follow.

Many outstanding lay persons have been instrumental in the organization and ministry to the senior adults. I am reminded that at every meeting, we have people who are so capable and serve in so many areas: those who have served as officers, committee chairs, and all other “doers.”

Yes, any time we look ahead, we should also look behind and say, “well done.”

Again, I want to say to everyone, thanks for all you do. It is indeed humbling and rewarding to share with all of our senior adults. I hope that everyone knows that they are appreciated and respected. My prayers are with you and us as we begin this new year, 2016. I pray for everyone, a renewed sense of hope. May God be with you now and always.

Now, I am writing on the evening of November, the day following the massive attacks on the French People. If there is one message I could send around the world, it would be to “work for peace and pray for peace.”

May God be close to each of you, Craig Ford

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

Adult Ministry

Adult Ministry Dreams for 2016

By Rev. Jonathan L. Brake

Making Disciples The start of a new year is always a great time to do some evaluation and planning for the future. Here at Centenary we are evaluating how we have helped our members grow in faith and how we might better prepare our congregation for ministry and faithfulness in the future. Adult Ministries is looking forward to a spiritfilled and exciting year. The mission of the United Methodist Church is to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World. In 2016 we will be developing a discipleship process “to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13, Message). This is a subtle, but profound shift in emphasis for adult ministries. The majority of our Sunday School classes, small groups, and other activities have focused more on information than transformation, on education more than disciple-making.

This year we have pulled together a team to create a plan which each church member will be able to use to discover your current spiritual reality and determine what the next steps are for you to grow in faith. Our focus will shift from “knowing more about Christ” to “becoming more like Christ.” We will seek to develop a discipling process that is not one-size-fits-all because that

is not how the Holy Spirit works within us. God may move you in one area of growth and someone else in a different area of growth. Areas of spiritual growth will include: prayer, worship, arts, missions, service, Bible study, discipleship, relationships, stewardship, leadership, and more. As this plan develops, our team will be finding ways to put into place the tools needed by members of the congregation to grow in practicing our faith.

New to Centenary This year will also see new and exciting ways for people to connect with the church and staff. We will hold several opportunities for newcomers and old-timers alike to have pizza with the pastor (or something similar).

This will simply be an informal place to meet our ministerial staff face-toface in a friendly and relational way.

In addition, throughout the year we will offer a new way to learn about Centenary and consider membership.

We call this Starting Point and it is four weekly sessions where you can discover some basics about Methodism and Centenary, take a tour of the church building, get to know others, learn some spiritual practices to help your faith grow, and discover ways to get involved in the life of the church. Our next Starting Point series will be on Sunday afternoons from 4:30-5:30pm on February 21 and 28, March 6 and 13. To register, contact Stacy Holley (sholley@centenary-ws.org).

Small Groups Our small groups ministry will be making strides in maturing as well.

Over the last few years we have offered a wider variety of small groups, expanding from mostly Bible study to learning theology, relationship building, topical studies, and more. This year we will be bringing to our small groups this transition of purpose to move beyond just education to true transformation.

Watch for more on small group opportunities and registration. We are looking for individuals interested in training to be a facilitator or support person in our small groups. If you think you might be interested, please contact me to learn more, contact Rev. Jonathan L. Brake (jbrake@centenaryws.org).

Spiritual Growth Workshops Because we know that everyone is at a different place in our spiritual growth, we plan to offer several one-day workshops in 2016. These workshops will cover such topics as various means of prayer, Bible study, Methodism, marriage preparation and enrichment, spiritual practices, and more. If you aren’t sure where to start, this is a good place. Designed to introduce you to different means of spiritual growth, we hope that these workshops will whet your appetite to go deeper in your own growth to becoming more fully like Christ.

Young Adults

Our Young Adults Ministry is up and running in the new year. Covering a wide age range, from college students to college graduates to young families settling down as their household expands, we are excited to offer this revived ministry. Coming off of an Advent Study Group, young adults are beginning a new Sunday School Class in Room 115 at 10:00am, and planning service projects, social outings, and more. Lauren Polli is the Young Adults

Coordinator. More information can be found on facebook at “Centenary UMC Young Adults” or at www.centenaryws.org/?p=3507.

Food for Thought Every Wednesday at noon, we gather in the auditorium for a great meal, live music, and an inspiring message. This event is open to the community and we invite anyone who works in the area to come join us. No reservation is needed and the cost for all of this is only $8. This winter and spring, the

themes we discuss on Wednesdays will connect with our Sunday morning worship themes – learning spiritual practices and discovering how we connect our faith to the world in which we live. Find out more on our webpage at www.centenary-ws.org/?p=81.

To be added to our weekly email list, send your request to Doug Peninger (dpeninger@centenary-ws.org). •

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

Creation Care

A Busy Season

By Frank Hassell

This past summer and fall the Creation Care Team participated in several community based projects and have plans for more in the new year.

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e wanted to be hands-on in something related to sustainable and local food production and address local food insecurity at a level our small group could support. The opportunity came from the Jim and Betty Holmes Food Bank Garden in late June. We adopted a box, one of 10, made possible in large part by a one-time gift from Centenary. We were guided in our effort by Ellen Kirby, a Centenary member, and part of the leadership team at the garden and we received lots of encouragement from the other Food Bank Garden volunteers. Even though there were setbacks (we had to re-plant the box once because our first planting never sprouted) we were able to succeed in producing something special and gratifying. Here is the evidence.

The Creation Care Team wanted to be involved in a clean water initiative so, on Octobe 10, we took on stream clean-up with participation in the “Big Sweep,” a nationwide clean-up event that we participate in each fall and which is sponsored locally by Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful. It was a dreary and rainy day but we managed to pick up five large garbage bags of detritus from Silas Creek at Shaffner Park and surroundings. We’ll do a

similar project in the spring. So, come get your feet wet, both figuratively and literally.

Lastly, the team wanted to do something to combat global warming so we jumped in for the first time, in recent memory, to take part in the “Community Roots Day.” This is another annual event, held last year onOctober 24. This was a beautification as well as an ecological project. As most everyone knows, trees take in large quantities of carbon dioxide, the number one greenhouse gas, produce sugars from it and release the oxygen we breath as a by-product.

A multi-generational, albeit small, group from Centenary, joined an estimated 500 other volunteers in this year’s project to plant a couple hundred trees along West Clemmonsville Road.

As the saying goes, “many hands make light work.“ All the trees were in the ground in under three hours. •

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

Creation Care

Centenary Dreams of Creation in 2016

By Rev. Jonathan L. Brake

“In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below. Here’s what happened: At first the earth lacked shape and was totally empty, and a dark fog draped over the deep while God’s spirit-wind hovered over the surface of the empty waters. Then there was the voice of God.” [Genesis 1:1-2 in The Voice]

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his year, the Centenary Creation Care Ministry hopes to listen closely to the voice of God as we lead the church and community by the three purposes of our mission statement: to Educate, Raise Awareness, and Be Active in the stewardship of God’s natural world. Each quarter of the year we plan to create ways for the congregation to embrace the broader scope of our faith.

In 2014, we invited NC Interfaith Power & Light (the creation care department of the NC Council of Churches) to conduct an energy walk-through of our entire church building. From this assessment, we learned that we are doing a good job of energy conservation, but learned some additional ways to save kilowatts and dollars. By making just a few adjustments to our HVAC system, the church saved over $10,000 on our 2015 energy budget. Our plan is to reinvest those savings this year to produce even more energy savings in 2016.

During the first quarter of this year, we will screen a documentary called “Chasing Ice” which tells the story of National Geographic photographer James Balog and team

as they set up and develop a timelapse film from several glaciers.

With amazing beauty and brutal effects of nature, The Extreme Ice Survey depicts the speed at which our planet is changing, right before our eyes. In the heart of winter and after the international climate talks in Paris in December, this is the perfect film to see. Appropriate for all ages, come join us in the Auditorium on Sunday, January 24th at 2:00pm. We plan to show other documentaries later in 2016.

We have been working to bring composting to Centenary for a while, laying groundwork and building momentum at the churchwide food events of Worship in the Park and Pentecost Festival. We believe that the kitchen staff will be composting our food waste by Spring! This composting will greatly reduce our impact on the land fill while simultaneously providing rich soil to the Food Bank Garden which supplies fresh food to hungry families in our area.

Spreading cheer through living things is part of our actions, so this past season, poinsettias that graced our church facility but not picked up by those who sponsored them, were donated through Earth Touch to our neighbors living at Crystal Towers.

Not only did these beautiful plants avoid going to the land fill, but they will continue to bless these families for months to come. (see adjoining article for other ways we have made plants into a blessing for others) This year we are moving the Annual Creation Care Dinner to the Fall to take advantage of more local food options and because the spring season is so full of many other Environmental-related activities with which the church will be involved.

If you would like to be involved this year with growing food, planting flowers or trees, helping with projects at church events, cleaning waterways, and more, please go to our webpage at www. centenary-ws.org/?p=2110. We will have a free t-shirt for everyone who participates in one of our activities this year. If you would like to be added to our email updates, contact Rev. Jonathan Brake at jbrake@centenary-ws.org. The Creation Care Ministry Team meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30pm in Room 222.

These meetings are always open to interested persons and we welcome your input as we plan the upcoming events. •

Centenary Creation Care Mission Statement We are driven by the knowledge: • that from the first book of Genesis through the last book of Revelation,

the Bible calls humankind to care for Creation; • that God holds us accountable for the state of the earth and the quality of our stewardship; • that United Methodism teaches that our Covenant with God requires us to be stewards,

protectors, and defenders of all Creation.

Therefore, the Centenary Creation Care Ministry is a part of our church for the following purposes: 1. To educate ourselves, our church, and our community about our

stewardship responsibilities to Creation; 2. To raise awareness in ourselves, our church, and our community about

the ways we can help meet the needs of God’s Creation; 3. To be active in our church, our community, our state, and our nation

individually and in organizations committed to these ideals.

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Memorials

Honoraria

Centenary Fund

Respite Care

Centenary Fund

In memory of Mary June Darden Ward

by Martha Martinat, Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Gideon, Jr., Circle 11, Jule and Nancy Spach, Janet and Lee Martin, Curry and Jennifer Martin, Emma Maddrey Vann, Dewey and Betty Chapple, Bob and Jean Deaton, Ben and Marguerite Tennille, Noel and Margaret Ann Martin, Mary Ann F. Kirkpatrick, Agnes Canzona, Zeb and Pam Barnhardt, Paul and Isabelle Evans, Elizabeth Felts, Algie Crutchfield. In memory of Erling Sigvardt Tronnes by Jeffrey Herman, The Chapel Class, Ray Blevins and daughters, Dennis and Martha McNames. In memory of Carolyn Gilliam Warlick by Leon and Carol Leinbach, Jane and Layton Getsinger, Harry and Nancy Underwood. In memory of Edward Norwood Robinson by Clay Ring, Jr., Harry and Nancy Underwood. In memory of Carlinda “Linda” Watts Meier by The Altar Guild of Centenary United Methodist Church, Harry and Nancy Underwood. In memory of Richard D. Ramsey by Jason and Kristen Zaks. In memory of Betty and James Holmes, Jr. by the Joe Dillon Family.

In memory of Leslie Stewart Hobbs, Sr. by Ralph and Gayle Atkinson. In memory of David Goodrich by Beverly and Tim Isley. In memory of Emmett H “Sonny” Lacy, Jr. by Beverly and Tim Isley. In memory of Jerry Michael White by Beverly and Tim Isley. In memory of Thomas Jeffrey Koontz, Jr. by Ray Blevins.

In memory of Edward Norwood Robinson

by The Chapel Class. In memory of Carlinda “Linda” Watts Meier by Audrey Stier, Phyllis Slawter. In memory of Rebecca Marlene Shinoda by Circle 1. In memory of Mabel and Dock Harris by Ellen Earnest Safrit.

To the glory of God and in honor of Donald Mitchell by Ed and Sue Welch.

Radio Ministry In memory of Mary June Darden Ward by Clay Chandler Sunday School Class.

Children’s Ministry In honor of Dr. Travis Howell by Barbara Fenimore. In honor of Jane Welch by Rob and Elizabeth Welch. To the glory of God and in honor of Jane Welch by Ed and Sue Welch

H.O.P.E. Sacred Music Program In memory of Carolyn Gilliam Warlick by Elizabeth Brantley. In memory of Elizabeth Hunter by Audrey Staruch.

Winston-Salem Street School In memory of Helen Hairston by Circle 1.

In honor of Dr. Mark Ralls by Dr. Christine Myers.

Loaves and Fishes In honor of Dr. Mark Ralls by Dr. Christine Myers.

Music and the Arts In honor of Jean Burroughs by Frankie Winters. In honor of Barbara Fulp by Frankie Winters.

Sacred Music Fund

In memory of Gail Dunning by Kaye Watts.

In memory of David Shepherd by Kaye Watts.

In honor of the marriage of Jan Shepherd and Russ Cockman by Katherine and Donald Memory. In honor of The Chancel Choir by Jan and Russ Cockman. In honor of Lynette Harrell by Jan and Russ Cockman.

In honor of Gayle Atkinson by Jan and Russ Cockman.

Miscellaneous

Senior Adult Ministry

In memory of Sally DeRamus by Judson and Susan DeRamus. In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Judson D. DeRamus, Sr. by Judson and Susan DeRamus. In memory of Margaret Tennille

by Judson and Susan DeRamus. In memory of Lib and Joe Edmondson by Judson and Susan DeRamus. In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Brady Trull by Judson and Susan DeRamus.

In honor of Russ Cockman by Robert and Janice Dockery. In honor of The Handy Helpers by Robert and Janice Dockery. In honor of Jan Shepherd and Russ Cockman on their wedding day by Kaye Watts.

Gail Dunning Memorial Garden

Wiley Back Pack Program In honor of Dr. Mark Ralls by Dr. Christine Myers.

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Baptisms We celebrate the baptism of George Robert Williams, son of David & Kelly Williams, brother of Harrison, & grandson of Pat & Joe Young.

We celebrate the baptism of Elliott Pearl Crompton, daughter of Joe & Sarah Jane, and sister of Hazel (4).

We celebrate the baptism of Katherine Jane Culley, daughter of Chris & Joni, and sister of Emerson (7) & Olivia (3).

Celebrations

Welcome New Members

Joe and Sarah Crompton, Hazel & Elliott

Greg Huffman

Davis and Gabi Ritter (Izzy)

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

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

Children’s Ministry

Continue Dreaming So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will they soon become inevitable.

By Rev. Kate May

Who better to educate us about dreams than Superman? Over the last three years that I have spent in children’s ministry at Centenary a well-meaning friend has consistently reminded me that I don’t have to be Wonder Woman and we don’t have to have everything running on all cylinders immediately. However, if we take Superman’s advice it is important to always continue dreaming so that there can be a constant cycle of dreams moving from impossible, to improbable, to inevitable. With that in mind I asked our children’s council what our next dreams should be. What had they heard from others that resonated as something that might be a next step? What had they always wanted for Centenary that we hadn’t been able to accomplish yet? Here is

-Christopher Reeve

what we dreamed together…

Wouldn’t it be great if everyone who visited Centenary was connected with and greeted so warmly and completely that they lost all desire to keep church shopping? We want to share hospitality so warm and genuine with every person who walks onto the campus of Centenary that they forget they are visiting. For children’s ministry this means that we will continue to work to not only greet families in the children’s building lobby, but we will show them around to the nursery, to Sunday school, and to worship. It means that we will work to connect new member families with involved Centenary families who can be a consistent link to what is going on at Centenary and can help answer

questions as they come up. It means we will have ministry chats with Centenary members to hear their interests and passions and help them to connect with ministries where their gifts can be used to further God’s kingdom while they grow in their discipleship journey.

We invite you to join us as we dream of a Centenary where all feel part of the family from the first moment that we step on campus.

What would it look like to have an intentional ministry to preschool aged children and their families? So much of our ministry is targeted towards children in elementary school. As I talk with families who are participating in our baptism orientation classes they consistently ask how they can meet and get connected with other families. I

am always frustrated by the lack of suggestions I have to offer them. So what if we had a monthly Saturday morning play date that we could invite families with young children to? This would give them an opportunity to fellowship together, to support one another, and to make connections. The big question is where do we offer this? How do we make it accessible?

We dream of space that would make this type of connection for young families possible.

What if we offered a family mission trip where whole families: parents, children, and youth, could be in mission together? We know that a child spends more time with their parents than they do at church so we work to create opportunities for that parent/child relationship to grow as they share their faith together.

Anyone who has been on a mission trip can tell you that they come back with a whole new passion for mission and a new connectedness with God. What would it look like if we gave that opportunity to families? This means that we will bring together those who have a passion for missions and dream what this type of trip would look like. Where would we go? What would we do? When would we go? We hope you will join us in prayer as we imagine what this trip could be.

These are just a few of our dreams in children’s ministry. I pray that you would dream with us so that those things that seem impossible might become only improbable and then inevitable! •

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

Youth Ministry

Hopes and Dreams “The wolf will live with the lamb,and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;the calf and the young lion will feed together,and a little child will lead them. The cow and the bear will graze. Their young will lie down together,and a lion will eat straw like an ox.

A nursing child will play over the snake’s hole;toddlers will reach right over the serpent’s den. They won’t harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain. The earth will surely be filled with the knowledge of the Lord,just as the water covers the sea.” - Isaiah 11:6-9

By Tammy Pollock

T

his last year was filled with many opportunities to watch, learn, and pay attention to what is happening in our world. According to EndMemo.com the top ten major events we watched were:

have seen what brokenness looks like and know that the only way we can not possibly be overcome by the darkness of it all is the confidence that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will bring hope to world. His hope is our hope and only when we have hope can we dream.

1. The Paris attacks 2. Russian plane crash in Sinai I love the passage from Isaiah that 3. TPP trade deal foretells the coming of Jesus and 4. Russia intervening in the Syrian Civil reminds us that the Prince of Peace war will bring us unity and safety. That by 5. Flowing liquid found on Mars the Messiah’s coming, we have a new 6. Mecca Hajj stampede where

knowledge of the love and grace of hundreds were killed God. Falling in love with Jesus allows 7. Volkswagen emissions scandal us to be more in love with God and our 8. Refugee crisis hearts begin to change. The Kingdom 9. Microsoft introduced Windows 10 of Heaven will be revealed as everyone 10. Iran Nuclear Deal was reached is treated with kindness and love, everyone is fed and clothed, there will Not a very hopeful list of major world be peace instead of enmity, people events. Well, perhaps there seems to be uphold one another and bare one hope that there is more to the universe another’s burdens. What a beautiful than just what’s here on earth when we thing! discovered a liquid on Mars!

In 2015 our youth ministry spent a lot of time trying to think through the things we were hearing and experiencing in the headlines. We also continued to live out what we know to be true about Jesus by loving the least, the lost, and the broken-hearted. Every month we shared lunch and medical care with our local downtown neighbors and we took three major mission trips across the United States and internationally. We

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In December, our Love Thy Neighbor was standing room only. We had young and old, black and white, we had those gathered around that had plenty and those that had absolutely nothing. But because of Jesus, because of the Prince of Peace, we sang Christmas songs, had full bellies, we laughed, we shared… that moment was a glimpse into the Kingdom of Heaven. That was what Isaiah was talking about. That is what we hope for.

In February, we will celebrate the 10th Annual Love Thy Neighbor Runway Show and Silent Auction. Ten years! We have glimpsed the Kingdom of Heaven, once a month, in our auditorium, for ten years. We love Love Thy Neighbor, but we dream of a day when Love Thy Neighbor is a thing of the past because all of our people, all of God’s children, want no more. That is what we dream about. Until that time, we continue to hope and pray and make a way for this incredible ministry to continue. We hope you will come support our youth ministry’s passion of reaching the least, the lost, and the broken-hearted. If you can’t join us for the Runway Show on February 20, come share in a Love Thy Neighbor lunch (January 10, February 7, March 6, April 10, May 1). Come, sit across the table and share a meal, play a game of BINGO, hold a baby so a mother can eat her hot meal, help in the medical clinic or pharmacy, come witness a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Love and Grace, Tammy Pollock

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