Through Centenary Windows May/June 2018

OUR CLERGY AND STAFF Reverend Lory Beth Huffman, Senior Minister lhuffman@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1362 Reverend Jonathan L. Brake, Associate Minister jbrake@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1334 Reverend R. Craig Ford, Associate Minister cford@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1353 Dr. Robert E. Frazier, Director of Music and the Arts rfrazier@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1339 Reverend Sarah S. Howell-Miller, Associate Minister showell@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1348 Reverend Kate May, Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1331 Reverend Jeremy Pegram, Assoc. Minister of Evangelism & Engagement jpegram@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1361 Tamara M. Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1337 Mary Ann Wexler, Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1346 Susan Bates, Organist and Music Associate sbates@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1340

OUR PAGES Table of Contents/Clergy and Staff ~~~~~~~~~~~ 2 Pentecost Festival ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 From the Editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4 Summer Worship Schedule ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5 Ministry Spotlight: The Trustees~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6 Page Eight: Change~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8 Peace and Justice Candle~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Vacation Bible School~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Music & the Arts Festival~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jonathan L. Brake: A New Pathway~~~~~~~~~~ Children’s Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Starting Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ New Members ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Youth Ministry: 364 Weeks of Life~~~~~~~~~~~ Sarah Howell-Miller: Hardhats to Haven~~~~~~ Calendar~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Memorials & Honoraria~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Commision on a Way Forward~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lory Beth Huffman: Top 10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Centenary Live Stream~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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OUR COVER

Martha Bassett, Alternative Music Leader mbassett@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1343

The Transfiguration symbolized the imminent end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. The appearance of Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets as they were fulfilled and superseded Jesus.

Moses was the mediator of the old covenant. Notice the tablets with commandments. Jesus was the mediator of the new covenant. Elijah was expected to appear as a forerunner of the Messiah.

Kristy Eaton, Contributions keaton@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1341

The disciples, Peter, John and James, were with him at the Transfiguration and at Gethsemane. At both places they were heavy with sleep.

Stacy Holley, Exec. Assistant to Senior Minister sholley@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1359

You can learn more about the windows of the church by reading Centenary United Methodist Church Symbols: The Story Told in Glass, Stone and Fabric.

John Markle, Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1347 Doug Peninger, Director of Communications dpeninger@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1368 Debbie Pilson, Director of DAYBreak/Respite Care dpilson@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1345 John Rogers, Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1356

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From the Editor We are in a season of transformation.

We have kicked off our capital campaign, “The Transformation on Fifth” and soon, solicitors will be contacting you to discuss your involvement in the exciting transformation of our 1960s and 1930s buildings.

As this transformation begins to take place, you will see classrooms, offices and meeting spaces move to other locations around the campus and at The Haven.

Rest assured, we will provide you with resources to guide you as these changes occur.

Other changes not involving our facilities are those involving clergy changes. Within this issue, you will see final articles from Rev. Jonathan L. Brake, Rev. Sarah Howell-Miller and from Rev. Lory Beth Huffman.

We have learned much, and journeyed far, with these folks.

May God continue to bless

summer months. Our children’s ministry features Vacation Bible School and our youth ministry undertakes two mission trips. Our Music and the Arts ministry welcomes a Festival with guest speakers and conductors.

Be sure to read their article and mark your calendar for the Festival Worship service. You do not want to miss it.

them as they move to the next chapter in their respective ministries.

With summer comes the summer worship schedule.

Be sure to make note of the times and worship styles.

As in previous years, we will be rotating our various style of worship at the 9:00am Celebration service. Our 11:00am worship service remains traditional.

You know, we don’t really slow down much during the

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I hope as the weather warms up, you will keep Centenary close to your heart.

Keep your church in your prayers and continue to Love God and Love Neighbor.

I’ll see you at Centenary. 

Doug Peninger Director of Communications

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| ministry spotlight |

The Trustees T Mary Ann Wexler

mwexler@centenary-ws.org

he primary responsibilities of the Trustees are to oversee the church building, its facilities and the use of the building. In addition, there are other administrative areas they oversee such as the investments of the church and various policies which enable our ministries to function and run as smoothly as possible. The Trustees work with the Executive Director and the Director of Operations to maintain the property so that all of the ministries of the church can be effective. They are entrusted to care for God’s house which in turn provides for the ministries that take place within the walls of Centenary.

One major focus of the Trustees is the upcoming renovations to our church. Improvements to our spaces to better accommodate ministry has been a need for many years. Inviting spaces with easy access is critical to the development of current and new ministries. A church campus that is attractive and offers modern technology goes a long way in being able to offer the best programs and classes to further God’s kingdom and bring more to Jesus Christ. Showing hospitality

by providing welcoming and well maintained buildings and facilities honors God by showing that we are caring for what has been given to us so many years ago.

Another task of Trustees is to understand how the church property and its investments will achieve the goals of the church.

One significant goal of the church was to be debt free. Since 2012 there had been some remaining debt from the beautiful sanctuary renovations. The church had received several gifts to pay down the debt but we were not able to get it paid off as quickly as we had hoped. In 2017, the Trustees created a plan to be debt free within two years. In conjunction with the Finance Committee, the debt has now been completely paid off as of March 2018. Paying off our debt has reduced our interest payments which in turn gives us more dollars for ministry. The Board of Trustees and its ministry is essential to the future of our church. 

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A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

The congregational vote to proceed with the renovations took place on Sunday, April 15. There were four components voted on separately and each one passed by an overwhelming majority of members present: • Approval of preliminary renovation design plans and cost estimates as presented including three floors of the 1960’s building, the fourth floor of the 1930’s building and the installation of a new elevator in the 1930’s building. Estimated cost of $6 million.

• Approval of the funding plan for the project totaling $6 million to be raised through Capital Campaign pledges with no additional debt incurred other than a construction loan for cash flow purposes.

• Approval of I.L. Long as the Construction Company to complete the work of this project.

• Approval of a Building Committee to oversee the project on behalf of the church: Kim Jones, Walker Jones, Mark Sohmer, Trent Jernigan, David Holden and Sue Stephens (alternate).

We hope to conclude the public portion of the campaign by the end of May in the hopes that renovations may begin in the fall of 2018.

To see the latest information regarding this campaign, please visit the church website. www.centenary-ws.org Choose the Capital Campaign tab at the top of the homepage.

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8 | feature |

Page Eight

W

e have all heard the expression, “the only thing constant is change.” How about the saying, “when one door closes a window opens?” One last one, “when you come to a fork in the road, take it.” Surely, from these well-known sayings, we can find some wisdom.

Change really is constant, isn’t it? I love winter. I am one of those people who enjoys the cold air and I love to see a beautiful snowfall. I even enjoy the “browness” of all the leafless trees and vegetation just waiting to burst forth with new life in the spring.

During the months of winter, we have shorter days and more darkness than the spring and summer months.

Doug Peninger

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

Here’s the thing about the four seasons.

Each one is constantly moving toward the next. Winter turns to spring. Spring becomes summer, and so on. Without each season progressing toward the next, we would become stagnate. If we didn’t have the spring blooms, we couldn’t have the fall harvest.

Sometimes in our seasons of change, we come upon a door that closes. Maybe we’ve been hopeful for a new relationship or a new career path. Maybe that house we were hoping to move into got snapped up by another buyer before we could get our bid in.

But that’s not the end of the story, is it?

Maybe God has a plan that we cannot even begin to comprehend. I know, in my life, there have been plenty of times that I didn’t understand an outcome or something did not go according to what I had planned. But, that wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning. My eyes were opened to new possibilities and new ways of thinking about things.

Now, as far as that fork in the road, of course,

take it. This one may be the most difficult of the three. We don’t necessarily know what the sides of the fork may grant us. That’s where faith steps in. That’s where we allow God to carry us. Remember, we aren’t alone in this journey. Remember God has been with us on the journey the entire time.

A lesson I was reminded of was from the movie, The Shack. The lead character, Mack, was questioning God as to why she (God was a she in this movie) would allow such awful and evil things to happen in the world. She replies to Mack, “baby, I’m working for your good. I’m right there the whole time.”

So where am I going with this? It’s simple.

Centenary is about to have change. Three of our ministers will be leaving our family to go to minister and to serve with others. We have loved them. We have laughed with them. We have cried with them. We have shared joy and tremendous pain together.

What has been central to our Centenary family and these ministers is the love of Christ and the joy of discovering what “Loving God and Loving Neighbor” means to them and to us. And, here’s the thing, this journey does not end. It simply goes to the next chapter.

Lory Beth, Jonathan, and Sarah have taught us many things over the years. I’m not going to elaborate on that because they will do so in their farewell articles. Their ministries have touched the lives of not only the Centenary membership, but the lives of our community and beyond. It will be exciting to see where their ministries take them in the coming years.

As Methodists, we know that ministers come and go through the itinerant system.

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Sometimes this can be a difficult reality. But, it is part of who we are. Soon, we will welc0me new ministers as they get to know us and we get to know them.

Beyond the change of ministry team, we also are entering a season of change and transformation of physical campus. Approximately 60% of our campus is about to undergo a tremendous transformation as we prepare to minister into the next years.

One closing thought. Recently, we said goodbye to our friend Dr. George Robinson. At the memorial service, Rev. Roland Barnhardt shared some words from one of Dr. Robinson’s sermons. I close my article with those words. As we say goodbye to friends and welcome new ones, may peace abound. 

I hope you will be in prayer as we enter this new chapter of Centenary. Is it a change? Yes. But, as always, God is leading the way.

Your Influence Outlives You! We can never underestimate the influence we have on others. We can touch people for good the rest of their lives.

Every influence of our life is important. We can never discount the influence we have on other people, regardless of however small. Our influence can make an impact on this world. We have the opportunity to take a stand. What do I stand for? What is our influence doing to others?

Our influence lasts long after we have left this earth.

The only thing we can leave behind is our influence we have made on others. Think of the people that have touched our lives and shaped us as to who we are today. Pray that God will be able to touch another life as we have been touched by that special person.

Are we a stumbling block or a stepping stone for others? Our influence simply outlives us whether we like it or not. It is amazing what God can do through us and for others through our influence.

From the sermon: “Your Influence Outlives You”

by Dr. George P. Robinson May 7, 1995

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LOVING GOD AND LOVING NEIGHBOR

Our refreshed and renovated buildings will allow us to create ministries for the future and allow us to invite people in as never before.

Peace & Justice Candle

By Rev. Sarah S. Howell-Miller and Rev. Duke Ison

O

n Sunday, February 18, we paused to acknowledge the tragedy that happened on Wednesday, February 14—the killing of 17 students and teachers by a gunman at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Rev. Lory Beth Huffman read a brief statement from Bishop Ken Carter; then we heard the names of the dead read aloud.

will live in the 5th Street Narthex and the Chapel—in part because to light one in the wake of tragedy is to visibly recognize God’s presence in chaos. Not every tragedy makes headlines—yet anytime there is

suffering, God’s heart breaks.

Therefore, the candles will be lit even in the absence of “newsworthy” calamity as a prayer for peace— peace of mind, peace in our nation, peace in our world; as a prayer for justice in our communities and in God’s coming kingdom.

The candle reminds us of God’s presence in the chaos and evil around us—but don’t leave it there.

The candle is also a reminder that you and I are representatives of Christ. We pledge at our baptism/ confirmation “to resist evil and injustice in whatever forms they present themselves.” Or as Peterson puts it in The Message, “you and I are the message.” We are God’s candles in a world of darkness. This is the call, as Eleanor Roosevelt once put it: “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

This pause was an important reminder that in this age of information overload, we must be careful not to become numb to the suffering and death of our brothers and sisters, especially when they are children. Our program staff later decided that having a practice in place to mark and mourn such tragedies might be a good way for us to acknowledge evil when it rears its head and make a plea for good to win out. We chose to acquire two Peace & Justice Candles, and we dedicated them on Palm/Passion Sunday for future use.

The Peace and Justice candle speaks to the invitation Archbishop Oscar Romero once issued to followers of Jesus: “We live in a time of struggle between truth and lies; between sincerity, which almost no one believes in still and hypocrisy and intrigue. Let’s not be afraid brothers and sisters; let’s try to be sincere, to love truth; let’s try to model ourselves on Christ Jesus. It is time for us to have a great sense of selection, of discernment.”

So, let the Peace and Justice candle remind us of the presence of God in our darkness and the invitation of God that we are to be messengers of light. Or as the old folk song proclaims, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna to let it shine.” 

We chose these candles—which, when not in use,

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| music and the arts |

Music & the Arts Festival Weekend Centenary Music and the Arts Ministry is excited to invite you to a weekend celebrating Music and the Arts! We are pleased to announce our two distinguished guests for the festival:

Dr. Anton Armstrong

Guest Clinician & Conductor Director of Choral Activities at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN Anton Armstrong, Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, became the fourth conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990 after ten years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he had served on the faculty of Calvin College and led the Calvin College Alumni Choir, the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, and the St. Cecilia Youth Chorale. Dr. Armstrong is a graduate of St. Olaf College and earned advanced degrees at the University of Illinois and Michigan State University. He is considered one of the current Top 3 choral conductors in the world and regularly guest conducts groups all across the globe. Renowned in his field he is a highly sought after clinician for festivals like ours and it’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for these singers to get a chance to work with him and for our congregation and guests to get to see him conduct in person!

Dr. Don Saliers

Guest preacher & liturgist Theologian-in-Residence at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Dr. Don E. Saliers returned to Candler in 2014 as Theologian-in-Residence after retiring in 2007 as the William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Theology and Worship. For many years he directed the Master of Sacred Music program at Emory, and was an organist and choirmaster at Cannon Chapel for 35 years. Before joining the Candler faculty in 1974, Saliers taught at Yale Divinity School, and has taught in summer programs at Notre Dame, Boston College, Vancouver School of Theology, St. John’s University, and Boston University School of Theology. An accomplished musician, theologian and scholar of liturgics, Saliers is the author of 15 books on the relationship between theology and worship practices, as well as more than 150 articles, essays, chapters in books and book reviews. He co-authored A Song to Sing, a Life to Live with his daughter Emily Saliers, a member of the Indigo Girls. Dr. Saliers will be preaching at all 4 services on Sunday morning, May 6, as well as joining us for the two main events outside of our Sunday morning worship.

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Featuring these two incredible guests, we would like to invite you to our two main events for the weekend, outside of Sunday morning worship:

Plenary Session with Dr. Saliers “Stretching Us Between Doxology and Lament” Saturday • May 5 • 2:00pm •Memorial Auditorium Join us for an insightful lecture on the tension between “Joy and Lament” in the church and in society by Dr. Don Saliers. As we move throughout the church year, it is easier for us to focus on the happy and joyous times, but we should not be afraid to embrace times of lament. Lament brings us deeper into our faith journey and gives greater meaning to the power of Christ’s birth and resurrection.

Festival Worship conducted by Dr. Armstrong Sunday • May 6 • 5:00pm • Sanctuary

Come celebrate the church year through liturgy and song at our Festival Worship! Our Festival Chorus of 120+ voices, led by Dr. Anton Armstrong and accompanied by organ, piano and brass quintet, will lead us musically through the liturgical year as Dr. Don Saliers offers powerful homiletic reflections on the significance of each season. This will be a celebration of sacred Song and Spirit you don’t want to miss!

Both events are Free and Open to the public, and we hope you’ll invite your friends and family to come with you and experience the joy and wonder that is a year in the life of our church, through liturgy and song.

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| farewell |

A New Pathway

A

s you heard on Sunday, April 29, I am being reappointed this year to a new church setting. After serving Centenary for seven years, it is time to follow God’s lead into a new field of ministry. I write this letter with a mix of deep sadness that our time together as minister and congregation is ending, but also excited for the potential in ministry here at Centenary and at my new appointment.

I came to Centenary after ten years of being a solo pastor, excited about the possibility of specializing in teaching and spiritual formation. It has been an incredible experience serving with the people of Centenary, seeing our Small Groups ministry and Sunday School Classes grow. Serving in worship and working with the Creation Care Ministry have been highlights of my time here. Most Jonathan L. Brake important to me has been seeing the jbrake@centenary-ws.org spiritual growth steps of so many and 336-397-1334 where God has been moving in your lives. So many of you have invited me into your lives, for which I am eternally grateful. I will always consider it a privilege to have been part of the work of the Holy Spirit among the people of Centenary UMC. These years have been a time of transition for both Centenary and myself. I have served under three senior ministers, prayed and served fervently through difficult staff transitions, and felt the pain of losing our youngest child, Sam. The bonds that have developed between myself and so many of you through these experiences will continue to sustain us for years to come. I want you to know that the support, prayers, and love poured out by the people of Centenary as our family struggled through the death of a child was a blessing I could never have asked for. You have carried us through the valley of the shadow of death

and made it possible for me to continue serving God and this congregation even while my heart was shattered and rebuilt through the grace of God. I will forever be thankful for the cards, comments, and hugs that demonstrated the love of Christ through Centenary.

As many of you know, the Western North Carolina Conference experienced a larger than usual number of clergy retirements last year and again this year. With my background and experience in pastoral ministry, it’s time for me to serve in another setting. To be honest, I’ve missed the practice of preparing a sermon and preaching each Sunday morning, sharing what the Holy Spirit lays upon my heart for the community of faith. I’ve missed the visioning and large-picture considerations of a congregation while serving you in a specialized role. Also, by taking a new appointment this year, our youngest child, Alison, will be able to complete her last three years of school at the same high school.

Come July first, I will no longer be your minister, but I will always be your brother in Christ and friend. As is appropriate for a minister leaving an appointment, I will not be available for weddings, funerals, baptisms, attending church functions, or discussing matters pertaining to Centenary.

I pass that baton on to the new ministers who will serve with you for the next season. Yet, if you see me somewhere, please don’t hesitate to say hi! In our world of social media, clergy are still learning how to make transitions work properly.

We can maintain our friendship through Facebook, but know that I will not respond as a pastor to your posts. I enjoy seeing pictures of children and pets, graduations and life experiences, and I will comment as a friend rather than as a minister.

As United Methodists, we know that our clergy are appointed for just one year

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at a time, and transitions like this remind us that change is difficult, even if it is a constant part of life. I choose to focus on the opportunities that lie ahead and the new possibilities for myself and for Centenary. Over the last couple of years I have worked with a team of church members to create a faith development process for Centenary called “Pathways to Discipleship” which I pray will become your standard means for church members to grow in faith. My successor will be able to bring new energy and passion to implementing this wonderful opportunity and lead you forward in discipleship. I’m

already praying for my successor and for you as you build new relationships with the team of ministers. I appreciate your prayers for my family and the people to whom I am going to serve starting in July.

May God bless you and Centenary through these days of transition and beyond. 

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| children’s ministry |

Why Do We Have to Go Through This?

I Rev. Kate May

kmay@centenary-ws.org

n March we hosted our annual Created by God weekend for 4th5th Graders and their families. As we talk about how our bodies grow and change and the ways God created us to be in relationship with one another we inevitably get this question, “Why do we have to go through this?”

To these kids who are on the cusp of puberty, the changes that their bodies and their emotions are getting ready to go through seem like a nightmare in the making and so they wonder, “Why?” No one really likes change whether it involves your body, your weekly routine, or your sweet baby going to elementary school/middle school/high school/college/etc. Change is inevitable though and as we tell the kids in Created by God, it’s part of God’s plan for us to grow and change, after all, what would the world be like if once we were born we never changed?

council is working on this year. We are developing an intentional milestone ministry where we create ministry events and opportunities around rites of passage that celebrate these special moments and resource families. For instance, we are working on developing our Welcome Baby ministry so that we can celebrate the newest members of our church family. We are taking a look at our Bible Sunday for Kindergarten and 3rd graders to determine how we can do a better job of giving families tools to help their kids use their new Bibles at home.

Change is difficult and scary and disruptive, but more often than not, it is a sign of growth and new opportunities. As we all prepare together for a great new adventure as a church family, may we celebrate it together, as a milestone moment. 

So, if change is a part of life, then how about we celebrate it instead of dreading it or complaining about it? That is exactly what children’s

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Begin your journey to Centenary membership with Starting Point.

August 5, 12, 19, 26 • 4:30PM-5:30PM August 5 • Introductions/What We Believe

• United Methodist Theology Basics • Wesleyan Quadrilateral • Faith and Good Works • Personal Piety vs. Social Holiness • Grace August 12 • What We Do/Spiritual Formation

• Pathways to Discipleship • Sunday School • Small Groups (this session will be 90 minutes)

August 19 • Who We Are as Centenary United Methodist Church

• History of the Church • Sacraments • Tour of the Church

August 26

• Connecting to Ministry • Spiritual Gifts • Organization of Ministry Areas and Leadership Teams • Membership Process: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness

To Register: Contact Stacy Holley (336-397-1359)/sholley@centenary-ws.org Sign up Online at www.centenary-ws.org/sign-up Centenary United Methodist, 646 W. Fifth St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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New Members

Brently & Meredith Boyte

Suzanne Epermanis

Garland Fulp

Edana Lewis

Joni Turner

Wrenn & Rachel Wells (Charlotte)

We welcome you in Christian love...

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| youth ministry |

364 Weeks of Life “The only thing that is constant is change.”

- Heraclitus

“But you are always the same; you will live forever.”

Hebrews 1:12b

T Tammy Pollock

tpollock@centenary-ws.org

here are 936 weeks between a child’s birth and their graduation from high school. Such a daunting number when you think about the amount of time we have with our precious babies. And with each week there is a new transition. Some of those transitions we wish for mightily (when will they walk and talk?) and some we agonize over (getting their drivers license and graduating from high school) because we know that our relationship will shift and we won’t be as needed as we were before. Heraclitus, a Greek Philosopher from Ephesus, reminds us that the only constant in life is change.

We are changing and growing and shifting all the time. Paul encourages us in his second letter to the Corinthians that “we should not loose heart, though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” That is our hope in our Youth Ministry that we will help our youth grow and shift and change in a way that ensures their faith will grow and grow.

The spring and early summer are full of transitions. Our world is beginning to wake up from the cold and hardness of the winter, flowers are in bloom, our Confirmation ministry is in full swing, and our graduating seniors are eagerly waiting to make college decisions. How appropriate it is for us to think about new faith and next chapters during this season and Eastertide. During Confirmation we often talk to our youth about faith being a journey. For many of them since they were born, their parents have carried the weight of their faith formation. Making sure to bring them to church and to help them understand who God and Jesus are. But during Confirmation, they have the chance to “take the baton” of their own faith and begin to run the next part of the race. Through new understanding about who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and what they believe, their lives are

truly transformed. They transition from being immature in their understanding to more mature in their faith that is different in the light of Jesus. They own their faith in different ways as they come before the communion rail to make a public profession of faith and claim their place within our congregation. Throughout their years in our Youth Ministry they continue to grow, serve, and encounter the Holy Spirit in profound ways until they finally arrive at the communion rail again, this time to receive their graduation blessing and blanket from our church. They stand on the precipice of making a different kind of profession of faith as they remind us that we have faithfully given to them all we promised in the Baptismal Covenant and now it is time for them to take all that they have learned from this Body of Christ out into the world.

Both of these moments are tender, holy, exciting, and difficult all at the same time.

Transitions that remind us that each day we are different, each day we are wiser, each moment is a gift, and in all of it, one thing remains the same…God. As our congregation begins to make the transition of modifying, reconstructing, refreshing our church building, one thing remains the same…God. Our Youth Ministry mission is to love youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus. That mission remains the same but is given new life and intention as we enter into renovation. I recently heard this incredible analogy that is very fitting for this moment. A father took his young girls out to a dairy farm to see where milk comes from and to give them a chance to milk a cow for themselves. Very excited, the youngest girl happily took hold of a cow and began to milk it. The farmer and the father loved her enthusiasm at getting to milk a cow and as she continued to hone her new skill, they began talking about what it takes to be a successful dairy

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farmer. The father asked how the farmer had so many cows. The farmer said to the father, “Farmers don’t make cows, cows make cows”. He went on to say, “It is my responsibility to constantly and consistently feed the cows, nurture the cows, keep the cows safe, help them to mature, and they will reproduce themselves!” He said, “If I do this right, the herd will grow and the milk will flow!” That is exactly what we hope for in our youth ministry during the roughly 364 weeks of their life with us; to feed our youth the Word of God, nurture them in love and spiritual

disciplines, give them a safe, accessible, hospitable place to mature in their faith and service to neighbor, and if we do all that right, with God, they will grow and will help reproduce other faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

During the next many months and year our space may look different and our rhythm of ministry may change, but one thing will remain, our desire for our youth to encounter the lifechanging, life-giving, ever present God, and share with all who they encounter, that love. Change is certain and transition must

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happen in order to grow and become better, wiser, more fully able to be all that God created us to be. But our God, who loves us, waits on us, woos us into relationship with Him, remains as He always has. Thanks be to God that we can count on that one guarantee. 

| farewell |

From Hard Hats to Haven

O

n my first day of work at Centenary in September 2012, I donned a hard hat and climbed up the scaffolding in the Sanctuary to get a closer look at the decorative etchings on the ceiling that the in-progress renovations and updated lighting were bringing out in new ways. Nearly six years later, as Centenary prepares for another hard hat phase, I prepare to transition in my own way.

Centenary was my first appointment Rev. Sarah S. Howell-Miller out of seminary. showell@centenary-ws.org This church has seen me through the transition into fulltime ministry and life after school; through ordination papers and finally, in 2017, my acceptance as an ordained elder in full connection; through engagement and marriage and the starting of a new family.

So many of you have encouraged, supported, and loved me in ways for which I will be eternally grateful.

I’ve had opportunities at Centenary that I would have had nowhere else. The creation of our Roots Revival worship service in Advent 2012 was a gift uniquely suited to my interests and passions, and it has been a joy to watch that service develop into a community that values music, spirituality, and

relationships in a setting that is, as I’ve always said, liturgical yet informal, contemplative yet fun.

It gave me a safe space to practice preaching, that’s more than many associates can.

When missions came under the umbrella of my job description, it opened up a new world of ministry for which I’ve always been passionate. It was an honor to sit with a group of Centenary members who had been involved in international missions and to discern what we might do next as a church after a hiatus from such work. Where we landed was in partnership with Haiti Outreach Ministries, with whom we now send teams to Port-au-Prince twice a year. Haiti and the people there will always have a special place in my heart, thanks to the laity who birthed the vision for a long-term, deepening relationship with the global body of Christ in our near neighbor island nation.

Missions also opened me up to this city I’ve come to love. Centenary’s heart for local missions, especially around hunger and the homeless, is huge, and I’m grateful to all the committee members, volunteers, and community partners who have come together in various ways over the years to work for the good of our neighbors. Always following the lead of our incredible youth and their beautiful work with Love Thy Neighbor, we’ve sent teams to Samaritan Ministries, the Food Bank Garden, H.O.P.E., Habitat for Humanity, Forsyth Jail & Prison

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Ministries, and more. Our missions committee has developed a grant application process that allows us to financially support and—perhaps more importantly—get to know local agencies on the front lines of the fight against hunger and homelessness. The introduction of the Advent Offering last year gave Centenary members a new way to directly participate in that aspect of our church’s missional giving.

Perhaps the piece of missions I’m most excited for as I pass the baton is The Haven. When I learned that Trustees wanted to convert that building from essentially leased office space to a missions and ministry center, I was thrilled.

I’m not sure we at Centenary understand just how big of a deal The Haven is in the eyes of other churches and the Winston-Salem community at large. It’s my favorite thing to brag on Centenary about.

Especially being as blessed as we are with great space, it just makes Gospel sense to put it to use incubating and supporting local missions like City with Dwellings and The Shalom Project in addition to our own ministries like Loaves & Fishes, the Backpack Program, and more.

More than any of these particular experiences and learnings, I am grateful for the relationships I have formed with many of you. It has been challenging for me to navigate the role of pastor in such a large setting, but I admire the many ways Centenary makes a big church feel small through Sunday

Sarah’s First Day

school classes, small groups, missions teams, and more. These deeper connections are what give our life of faith true meaning—they open the door for the Holy Spirit to do lasting, transformative work.

I am excited for the next chapter of my ministry, which will look very different but which was only possible because of my time here at Centenary. I will be pursuing an M.A. in Bioethics at Wake Forest University as part of a discernment process around a call to teach and write. I will also be in a part-time extension ministry appointment as the prior at new intentional living community on the campus of Crossnore School and Children’s Home. The Foundry hopes to bring together young adults—a mix of Wake Forest graduate students and

young people aging out of the foster care system—around a shared rule of life. And while Bioethics might sound like a shift for me, the kinds of things this program centers on—questions of medical ethics, social justice, health care policy, end-of-life care, disability and minority rights, public health, global health, and more—are deeply relevant to theology and practice of faith. To engage in work with an intentional community while in this program feels like a perfect fit—a way to ask what ethical issues are raised in our daily lives together and what faithful Christian witness looks like in a changing society.

When I came here, there was great excitement around the renewal of Memorial Auditorium and of the Sanctuary; as I leave, I hope

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excitement will continue to build around plans for needed renovations to our 1960s and 1930s buildings.

I hope, too, that the passion for excellent worship, compassionate service, radical hospitality, and our other core values would continue to shape and form each and all of Centenary’s members and guests after I’m gone. Thank you all for the honor of having served with you these last six years and for being the body of Christ in downtown Winston-Salem. ¢

Be sure to mark your calendars with the events on these pages. For the most current information, be sure to see the Sunday bulletins and the church website.

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May

June

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Memorials

We remember the saints who have gone before....

Capital Campaign

Children’s Ministry

In memory of Jean Weaver Stevens Stockton by Thomas Stockton.

In memory of Dr. Barclay “Clay” Laird Setzer by Dan & Christine Bland.

Centenary Fund

DayBreak/Respite Care

In memory of Barbara Porter Smith by Kitty Felts, Judy Hardy, Martha Martinat, Lou Winship. In memory of Betsy Ivey Sawyer by Betty Alexander, Alexander & Associates, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Booke, Kitty Felts, Gary & Claudia Fleming, Carol & David Killeen, Sally Lacy, Lisa Yarbourgh & Cindy Ellis at Sun Trust Bank, Mary Lyles, Martha Martinat, William & June Rogers, Doug & Cynthia Sessions, Paul & Sara Sinal, Karen & Frank Skilling, Elizabeth Sloan, John Slye, Mary Lewis & Frank Tiller. In memory of Beverly Barrett Isley

by Kay & Bill Baldridge, Shelby Brice, Edie & Bruce Campbell, Circle 5, Mrs. John T. Kelly, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Lawrence, Tom & Megan Lawson, Marjorie Mauzy, Sherry Salyer, Colleen Strickland Phillips and Sara Strickland, John & Ann Wells. In memory of Brian Keith Blue by James Sifford. In memory of Corine Waits Shealy by Harry & Nancy Fitzgerald. In memory of Derrick Lee Davis by Al Stubbs & family. In memory of Dr. Harold Calloway Pollard lll by Harry & Nancy Fitzgerald, Gary & Claudia Fleming, Jim Gibbs, Jay & Becky Perkinson, Sallie Phillips, Al Stubbs & family. In memory of Dr. Robert “Bob” Benson by DeNorma Gunter. In memory of Jack Franklin Canady

by Mr. & Mrs. Richard Starbuck. In memory of Jean Weaver Stevens Stockton by Sara McWhorter. In memory of Joseph “Joe” Freeman Jones by Janie & Jarman Jenkins, Martha Martinat, Mr. & Mrs. Sam C. Ogburn Sr. & Elizabeth Ogburn, Sally Reed. In memory of Leigh Sullivan Fultz by Kathy & Mickey Boles, Sharon & Ron Shealy. In memory of Wade Alexander Morris by Jean Beam, Paul & Judy Jordan. In memory of William Andrew “Andy” Copenhaver by Dixie Wells & Patrick Auld. In memory of Mary Angelica Stimson Sheppard by Circle 4.

In memory of Henry Anderson Taylor

by Mrs. William Caldwell, Peggy & John Curlee, Deedee Fenwick, Sam & Johnsie Long, Jack & Margaret Rogers, Elizabeth Rubio, Carl & Patricia White. In memory of Reverend Jerry Wayne Moore by Carl & Patricia White.

Loaves and Fishes In memory of Betsy Ivey Sawyer by Marie Hathcock. In memory of Dr. Harold Calloway Pollard lll by Richard & Julia Doud.

Music & the Arts In memory of Beverly Barrett Isley by Lenna, Bob & Eddie Severs, Sandee & Michael Lawless. In memory of Richard “Dick” Vance Fulp by Bob & Diane Porter.

Sacred Music In memory of Barbara Porter Smith by Jim & Vivian Hixon.

In Memoriam Beverly Barrett Isley February 3, 2018 Joseph Freeman Jones February 7, 2018 Jack Franklin Canady February 12, 2018 Nancy Jane Marlow Bunch February 13, 2018 Leigh Sullivan Fultz February 15, 2018 Mary Frances Bost Wester March 5, 2018 Mae Johnson Ross March 10, 2018 George Parks Robinson March 12, 2018 Mary Faye Reavis Farrell March 20, 2018 Walter Eugene Johnston III March 28, 2018 Sara Marie Pate Chambers April 1, 2018 Clark Wilbur Hunt April 1, 2018 Patsy Brinson Burwell April 2, 2018 Martha Bond Hilburn April 14, 2018 Carolyn Beam Branton April 15, 2018

Chapel Class

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.

In memory of Robert O. “Bob” Dockery by Robert & Joanne Fenderchuck.

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Honoraria

We celebrate the kingdom of God among us...

Centenary Fund In honor of Bill Gramley by Linda Farrar.

DayBreak/Respite Care In honor of Jere Dailey by Buddy & Jeanette Bend. In honor of Deedee Fenwick by Laura & Robert Dillard.

General Fund In honor of Sara Spencer, Roland Barnhardt, Renny Collins, Ray Ebert, Mary Lib & Jim Harper, Louise & Phil Kinken, Libit Glenn, George Robinson, Gail & Ralph Atkinson, Dianne & Jim Iseman, Connie Ritter, Carolyn & Ray Branton, Barbara Earnest, Anne & Walter Henley, Alice Bumgarner, Ginger Baldwin by anonymous.

Love Thy Neighbor In honor of Dr. Eddie Pollock by Parker & Linda Umstead. In honor of Joanna Holden

by Hayes & Susan Foster and family. In honor of Mary Slade White by Thomas Wilson.

Sacred Music Fund In honor of George Robinson by Ann Lore.

Senior Adult Ministry In honor of Reverend Craig Ford by Frances Mundy.

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By Steve Reader, Laity Chair

I

n the very near future, the United Methodist Church will be making some decisions regarding a topic that has caused a lot of division in our denomination – the issue of human sexuality.

United Methodists and Christians in general have been wrestling with their understanding of whether gay men and women should be accepted in the church. The positions have ranged from: - Exclude them - Ignore them - Love the sinner, hate the sin - Accept that we are all sinners -Accept that same sex love is not a sin We recognize that there continue to be many different heartfelt positions held by United Methodists. These are rooted in each person’s understanding of the Bible, of the love of Jesus Christ and of the interpreting of God’s words into the social situations we find ourselves in each day.

Since 1972, the United Methodist Church’s official position has been that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings. Over the years since that language was made part of the Book of Discipline, we have modified the position several times but have stuck with the original language.

At each General Conference, every four years, the issue of homosexuality has been raised in one way or another. In 2016, the General Conference came to the conclusion that we could not continue to debate the issue without reaching resolution. The General Conference asked the Council of Bishops to help guide the church on this issue. The Council of Bishops created a group called the Commission on a Way Forward. That group of 32 United Methodists from the United States (21), Europe (2), the Philippines (2) and countries in Africa (7) were appointed to bring a recommendation to the Council of Bishops to be voted on in a Special Session of the General Conference in February, 2019. The Commission on a Way Forward is made up of 8 bishops, 11 elders, 2 deacons, and 11 lay members who have met together beginning in January, 2017, to create their recommendation.

The Commission was created to assist the bishops “to lead the church forward amid the present impasse related to human sexuality and resulting questions about the unity of the church.”

The Commission started their work by setting a mission, vision and scope for the group

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Mission Exploring the potential future(s) of our denomination in light of General Conference and subsequent annual, jurisdictional, and central conference actions Vision Maximize the presence of a United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible, that allows for as much contextual differentiation as possible, and that balances an approach to different theological understandings of human sexuality with a desire for as much unity as possible Scope Be open to new ways of embodying unity that moves us beyond where we are in the present impasse and cycle of action and reaction around ministry and human sexuality… Give consideration to greater freedom and flexibility to a future United Methodist Church that will redefine our present connectionality.

As I write this, the Commission is focused on two sketches of models for the UMC going forward.

Summary of the sketches of the models:

ONE CHURCH MODEL

Why is this important?

What happens next?

• The One Church Model gives churches the room they need to maximize the presence of United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible. The One Church Model provides a generous unity that gives conferences, churches, and pastors the flexibility to uniquely reach their missional context in relation to human sexuality without changing the connectional nature of The United Methodist Church.

Once a final recommendation is made by the Commission to the Council of Bishops, the Bishops will decide what proposals they will bring to the Special Session of General Conference that will meet in February, 2019. At that General Conference, the delegates will take up this single issue of human sexuality and, hopefully, vote on a “way forward”.

By the time you read this, the Council of Bishops will have received the final report of the Commission on a Way Forward. We will be holding meetings at Centenary later this year to allow for reaction and discussion of the final report in preparation for the February General Conference.

We will also have opportunities to be together in prayer for the church (both the church universal and the United Methodist Church). You’ll hear more about this as we move into late summer and fall. ¢

MULTI-BRANCH: ONE CHURCH MODEL • This model is grounded in a unified core that includes shared doctrine and services and one Council of Bishops, while also creating different branches that have clearly defined values such as accountability, contextualization and justice. The five U.S. jurisdictions would be replaced by three connectional conferences, each covering the whole country, based on theology and perspective on LGBTQ ministry (i.e. progressive, contextual, traditional branches).

Annual conferences would decide which connectional conference to affiliate with; only local churches who choose a branch other than the one chosen by their annual conference would vote to join another conference.

What could the outcome be and how will it impact Centenary?

At this time, it’s too soon to say what the Council of Bishops will present to the General Conference and what the General Conference will do with the proposal. It’s possible that the General Conference will simply vote on the recommendation presented to them. However, it’s more likely that there will be much debate, proposed amendments and possibly completely new proposals offered by delegates or groups of delegates. We may even end up in the same place where we started with no changes being made.

I hope that no matter the decision by the General Conference, Centenary will continue its tradition of being welcoming, open to people of different opinions and accepting that we are all children of God.

Below are links to some resources available from the Commission and from the Council of Bishops. http://www.umc.org/wayforward http://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/council-of-bishops/ documents/COWF_Handbook_2017_REVISED3.pdf http://revtomberlin.com/talking-about-lgbtq-inclusion-in-the-umc/#sthash. hGfXh5EN.dpbs

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| senior minister |

TOP 10 I

don’t really know how to say goodbye under these circumstances. It’s bittersweet. And I know people have a variety of feelings about my departure. So I figured I would leave those things unsaid here. Instead, I want to reflect on a few of my favorite things here at Centenary. I will warn you ahead of time– it’s quirky and random.

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The Basement – the fact that the bowels of this church look like the movie set for the 1972 movie Poseidon’s Adventure have always intrigued me and that it is the safest place I know to go should Armageddon in fact begin!

Rev. Lory Beth Huffman lhuffman@centenary-ws.org 336-397-1362

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These are just two of the areas in the basement.

Donald and Gary at our lobby desk who make you feel both safe and cared for at the same time.

So grateful for their faithful service to this church and our people.

The super-sized Moravian Star that hangs in the sanctuary during Advent/Christmas

The Flower Ministry- the fact that ladies every week stay after church and break down the beautiful flower arrangements into individual arrangements so the love can be shared with so many more is a beautiful way of loving neighbor.

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Leadership Planning Retreat – what a powerful opportunity to have all of Centenary’s leadership together sharing ideas and getting to know one another-that is precious time together.

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The fact that at the auditorium services (especially Rejoice), the congregation is so much more intimate and reactionary- people actually laugh at all of the funny places in my sermons.

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The staff – it has been fun working with this team.

These people work so very hard for you, the congregation – please treat them well.

The Haven- and everything it stands for. The fact that Centenary decided to take a chance on providing missional space to do some messy missional work is an amazing step for this church. I know, it’s hard but really important Kingdom work is taking place in that building.

Don’t shy away from it but help be leaders in this community, modeling how we care for all of our citizens and how Jesus would have been right there in the middle of it.

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Our Vision Statement- Striving to be a vibrant Christian community, loving God and loving neighbor downtown and throughout the region. This is a call from God to guide this church into its future.

May you live as fully into God’s hopes for you as you will allow. Because I know God can and will do anything. Sometimes we are the biggest limiting factor.

I wish you the very best. Prayers that seeds that have been planted will continue to grow and the Holy Spirit will find ways to move in powerful and mysterious ways in your midst. Centenary will always hold a special place in my heart and I am sure that I will be a better person because of my time here. I am grateful that our paths have crossed.

Grace and Peace,

Lory Beth MARCH/APRIL 2018 | 31 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST

LOVING GOD AND LOVING NEIGHBOR

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The way the color dances on the walls in the Sanctuary when the sun shines through the stained glass.

(USPS 628-480)

Periodicals Postage Paid at Winston-Salem, NC

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.centenary-ws.org 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

Traveling this summer? Maybe you are taking a few weeks off to refresh and renew. We invite you to worship with Centenary on your computer, smart TV, smartphone, tablet, or whatever electronic device that has access to the Internet.

Our Live Stream worship will be there for you . Be sure to sign in so we may be in connection with you. Check us out each Sunday at 11:00am.

www.centenary-ws.org/live-stream