Through Centenary Windows: May/June 2026

To learn more about all of the ministries at Centenary, visit our website (www. centenary-ws.org) or scan our QR code.

Cover and Background Images from our 2026 Easter Morning worship serices.

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visit our

PAGES worship discipleship transformation

From the Editor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 Pentencost Celebration~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 Pentecost Infographic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5 Rev. Willis Greene: Celebrate Anew ����������������6 Party Time Sermon Series for May ����������������8 Vacation Bible School~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~9 Sue Drinkard: Women's Retreat Reflection ���������10 Baptisms & New Members~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~12 Children's Music Camp~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~13 Healing Hands & Peer Connectors~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~14 Men's Ministry & June Blood Drive ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~15 Jonathan Emmons: A Tradition Continues �����������16 Rev. Oliver Helsabeck: Presence~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~18 March & April Crucifers & Torchbearers ������������20 Jonah Sermon Series for June ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~21 Refresh & Stay Connected~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~22 Creek Clean Up Day & Senior Adult Lunch ����������23 Rev. Kate May: Balloons Belong in Church ���������24 Summer in the Psalms Sermon Series ��������������26 Summer Events~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~27 Tammy Pollock: Beloved & Delighted In �����������28 Summer Stock & Stephen Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~30 2026/2027 Clergy Appointments~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~31

PUBLISHED BY Centenary United Methodist Church PO Box 658 Winston-Salem, NC 27102-0658 Church Office: (336) 724-6311 Website: www.centenary-ws.org A Stephen Ministry Congregation

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FROM THE EDITOR

of opportunity—to grow, to serve, and to celebrate what God is doing in and through our community.

And just like that…Easter

has come and gone. The beauty of spring is unfolding around us, and with it comes a season filled with life, movement, and meaningful moments together. While the decorations of Christmas and Easter have been carefully packed away for another year, the spirit of what we celebrated continues to live and grow among us here at Centenary.

In fact, this is far from a quiet season.

As one chapter of ministry comes to a close, another begins to bloom. We move from the rhythms of program planning into the energy of camps, mission trips, and the shared journey of summer worship and fellowship. It is a season full

Spring always brings some of the most tender and joyful moments in the life of our church. We gather for Graduation Sunday, where tears and blessings are shared in the sacred exchange between seniors and their families. We celebrate Confirmation Sunday, as our young people stand and claim their faith as their own, stepping fully into the life of the church. We honor mothers and fathers, giving thanks for those who nurture and guide us. And we rejoice in Pentecost— the birth of the Church—when the Spirit moved in power and continues to move among us still. Truly, there is so much to celebrate.

As you spend time with this May/June issue of Through Centenary Windows, my hope is simple: that you will find yourself drawn into these moments with us.

Take a moment to open your calendar— whether on paper or on your phone—and make space to be present. These are not just events; they are invitations to belong, to connect, and to experience God’s grace in community.

In this issue, we reflect on the meaning and wonder of Pentecost—be sure to explore the infographic that brings this story to life. We also begin three meaningful sermon series: Party Time, Jonah, and Summer in the Psalms. Along the way, we offer gratitude as we say goodbye to a beloved ministry team member, and we extend a warm welcome to new faces joining us in ministry. You’ll also hear from each ministry area about how they are celebrating this vibrant season.

No matter where you find yourself in life right now, you are invited. Come and be a part of what God is doing here. Join in. Be present. Celebrate.

Because God is good—all the time. And all the time—God is good.

I look forward to seeing you at Centenary.

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Information Source: UMC.org

C EL EB R AT E

SEEING CENTENARY

REV. LARA "WILLIS" GREENE wgreene@centenary-ws.org

Nearly a year has passed since boxes were

ANEW

unpacked and a new chapter began in the Senior Minister’s office—a year marked by many firsts. Over these months, I have had the privilege of stepping into the rhythm of Centenary’s life for the first time: worship seasons unfolding, traditions observed, and sacred moments shared.

With each passing week, I have come to see this church with fresh eyes—and that perspective has been a sacred gift.

Along the way, I have been moved by the depth of love for Jesus Christ that lives within Centenary, and by the steady commitment to reflect that love in Winston-Salem and beyond. There is a sincerity here—a devotion that is not simply spoken but lived.

May is a season of celebrations in the life of the church. We gather to celebrate Confirmation, as young people affirm for themselves the promises made at their baptism. We honor our graduates, marking both accomplishment and new beginnings.

And we celebrate Pentecost, remembering the gift of the Spirit and the birth of the Church. These are meaningful, visible moments—holy markers in our shared life.

And yet, some of the moments that have lingered with me most are not the headline celebrations, but the quieter, Spirit-filled occasions woven throughout the year.

I recall the Sunday in January when we celebrated both an infant baptism and the presentation of Bibles to our Confirmation class—a powerful

reminder that the promises made at the baptismal font are nurtured and lived out over time. On another Sunday, I remember carrying Brooks Breeden down the aisle for my first baptismal parade, introducing him to his church family and sensing the weight and beauty of that moment. I recall, with gratitude, one of the first Sundays in the new year when we reaffirmed our baptisms. And after you touched the water, Oliver and I placed shells in your hands, reminding you, personally and tenderly, that you are claimed by God. I think of standing among our youth at the August Back to School Bash, watching laughter and connection take root. And then there is my weekly Sunday ritual of passing quietly through the Community Room on the way to a cup of coffee and catching a glimpse of Children’s Sunday school—watching children being taught the stories of our faith. And I think of walking past the Sacristy after worship and catching a glimpse of volunteers gently breaking down altar arrangements into bouquets to be delivered to our members at home.

These are just a few moments when I have seen the love of Jesus lived out—there are far too many to name but they are present everywhere in quiet acts of service. One moment after another—simple, faithful, often unnoticed—and yet together they form something sacred. In moments like these, I have found myself thinking, “This is holy.”

essential to who we are. Celebration is not confined to a season or a set of events. Centenary is full of reasons to celebrate every single day. You are a congregation that treasures its past, serves with compassion in the present, and looks to the future with a deep desire to be faithful. There is something stirring here—an energy, a sense of purpose—a sign of God at work among us.

Pentecost reminds us of this each year—that the Spirit is not simply something we remember, but something we experience. Like wind that cannot be contained and breath that gives life, the same Spirit that moved among the early disciples is still moving here: in acts of service, in words of encouragement, in moments of worship, and in the quiet, steady faith of this community.

So, I offer a simple invitation. In this season of celebration, take a moment to notice. Notice where grace is quietly at work. Notice the people who give of themselves in service to others.

Consider who you might thank and what you might name. Often, the most meaningful celebrations are the ones we might otherwise overlook.

As I give thanks for this first year among you, I do so with deep gratitude—for who you are, and for what God is doing in and through this church. It is a joy to serve alongside you. And I look forward, with hope and expectation, to all that is yet to come.

What I have come to see more clearly is that this church is filled with quiet celebrations—moments of faithfulness that rarely draw attention yet are

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Geography of the Soul SUE DRINKARD Guest Writer

In April, participants in the Centenary Women’s

Retreat journeyed to the scenic setting of Lake Junaluska and into the rich spiritual terrain of the book of Psalms. Each offered a glimpse of God’s presence – both in the natural world and within our own lives.

Our theme, “Geography of the Soul,” drew from Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann’s insight that the Psalms provide a meaningful way to engage in honest, heartfelt conversation with God about what matters most.

Brueggemann grouped the Psalms into three movements that reflect the landscape of faith: • Orientation (Settled Land): periods of stability marked by gratitude, order and trust in God’s goodness • Disorientation (Wilderness): seasons of loss, struggle, and honest lament before God • New Orientation (Promised Land): moments when unexpected joy breaks through, leading into renewed relationship with God Any meaningful journey needs wise and steady leadership – pastors who understand that the path itself is as important as the destination. Rev. Lara “Willis” Greene and Rev. Amy Coles guided the journey from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150 like seasoned pilgrims. The central question becomes: How do we get from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150? It’s the same question we ask at the start of any journey – how do we get there?

These gifted pastors offered rich insight along the path.

Among the highlights: • Most Scripture speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us.

• Orientation is a place of stability, where our foundational truths hold firm and gratitude and confidence abound • Disorientation comes when life takes an unexpected turn, and the challenge is finding the way back to stable ground • New Orientation is where healing begins and transformation takes root • And through it all, we are invited to make a joyful noise and sing, “Hallelujah!”

At the heart of the retreat were the women whose time and talent added depth, purpose and beauty to the program. From the handpicked hymns, altarscape displays, piano and handbell accompaniments and games to the committee who provided programs and original prayers, we were supported beyond appreciation. We wrote a Psalm of Lament and remembered our baptism. Lee Chappell Monroe’s art leadership made us each feel worthy.

Throughout our life, the landscape will change, but in our Christian walk, the landmark never does. It’s the journey to the cross that makes the final destination worth the trip. Whether the terrain is flat, whether it is steep; with our knees bent and our mouths singing Hallelujah, let us say… it is well with my soul…

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Key Takeaways from the Retreat • “How small the stable parts of life really are” • “The wilderness begins when silence ends” • “Say it out loud – name it before God, who is the final reference for all life” • “Grace comes before we believe or fully understand” • “Lament is an expression of faith, not the absence of it” • “Suffering is not explained by sin”’

• “In the wilderness, God remains accessible – and be called into account, as seen at the cross” • “Lament is an act of hope – trusting in a Savior who makes all things new” • “I can go on because Christ is here, NOW” • “Remember who we are in the waters of our baptism” • “Joy runs deeper than happiness”

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BAPTISMS & NEW MEMBERS We celebrate baptisms and new members by welcoming you in Christian love as you grow your faith every day.

Nate & Addy Culp Ellis and Sloane

Blake & Michelle Renegar Bowman and Hardy

John & Adele Tucker Olivia and Austin

Mike & Katherine Willett

...we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

MEMBERSHIP AT CENTENARY

We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you.

Please contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck (336-724-6311 ext. 1357/ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org) for more information about the membership process or to schedule a time to meet.

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A TR ADITION CO N T I N U E S Centenary Welcomes Tate Addis, as new Organist & Associate Conductor

JONATHAN EMMONS jemmons@centenary-ws.org

For nearly a century, vibrant worship has been at the heart of Centenary’s identity and witness to the community, and during these storied years, Centenary’s pipe organ has inspired worshippers, lifted congregational song, and accompanied our formidable Centenary Choir.

Remarkably, only seven musicians have held the appointment of Organist in the last 95 years. In this light, Centenary stands at an exciting threshold, on the verge of a rare musical phenomenon.

After nearly four years of service, Centenary's Organist, Joshua Sobel, departs this month and joins the staff

at St. John's Abbey Organ Builders in Collegeville, Minnesota. We are deeply grateful to Joshua for his tenure and contributions to our worship life, and we wish him and his wife, Keely, and their newborn twins, Anthony and Kieran, well on this new adventure. Reflecting on his time at Centenary, Joshua remarked: “When I first arrived at Centenary, I was immediately struck by the warmth and kindness of the congregation. I profoundly appreciate the ways in which I was encouraged to be the best musician I could be each Sunday.” He continued, “Centenary will always have a special place in my heart, and I look forward to following the exciting developments ahead.” Joshua's final

Joshua Sobel

Sunday is May 3, and you are invited to a reception in his honor that day, immediately following 11AM worship, on the lawn.

Following a national search, Music & Arts is delighted to welcome Tate Addis as our new Organist & Associate Conductor. Tate comes to us after a nearly eleven-year appointment as Associate Director of Music and Organist at First Baptist Church, Asheville. While there, he served as Assistant Director and Accompanist for the Asheville Symphony Chorus and was Artist-in-Residence at St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville, a position he will continue to hold. Tate has previously

Tate Addis

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held positions at New York City’s Brick Presbyterian Church, Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, and the Yale Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven. He holds degrees from Wichita State University, the University of Missouri – Kansas City, Yale University, and Oberlin Conservatory. Tate joins the staff on Monday, May 4, and his first Sunday in worship will be May 10. We welcome Tate along with his wife, Rev. Laura Addis, and their daughter, Maggie.

While Tate’s training and prior positions are impressive in their own rite, it is his warmth, humor, and heart for ministry that have already endeared him to our Centenary Choir and to the church staff. Of his appointment to Centenary, Tate remarked: I am delighted to be joining the staff of Centenary United Methodist Church in May as Organist and

Associate Conductor. Even before I met many of you, I was aware of Centenary’s remarkable history and its enduring commitment to excellence in music, worship, and the arts. Long a standard-bearer in the United Methodist Church, Centenary has built a remarkable legacy, and it is an honor to become part of it. I am genuinely excited not only for the music we will make as a church, but also for the partnerships we will share in ministry, and I am grateful for the opportunity to begin this work with you.

musician with a heart brimming for God’s people gathered in worship.

Join me as we welcome Tate Addis, an esteemed organist, a joyful collaborator, an already-beloved partner in ministry.

Jonathan Emmons Director of Music & Arts

Tate’s hiring comes at a critical time in the life of Centenary, both as we explore the future of our current pipe organ and look toward various centennial events. No doubt, Tate comes to Centenary as a celebrated and accomplished organist. But more than that, Tate will join the Music & Arts staff as a consummate church

HAVE YOU MISSED A RECENT SERMON? Below are links to the most recent sermons at Centenary.

You can always watch via our YouTube page or the Sermon Archives page on the Website.

March 1

March 8

March 15

"Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise"

"Woman, Behold, Your Son! Behold, Your Mother!"

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

March 22

March 29

April 5

"I Thirst"

April 12

"Easter Encounters: Thomas"

"It Is Finished"

"The Next Word"

April 19

April 26

"Easter Encounters: Emmaus Disciples

"Close the Gate"

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PRESENCE REV. OLIVER HELSABECK ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org

Romans 12:15 says,

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Congregational care is living into this sharing. Sharing struggles and ensuring that people know they are not alone with what they are going through. And sharing joys through the celebrations of life.

Celebrations in congregational care are essential to the life of a healthy faith community.

While much attention is rightly given to moments of crisis, illness, and grief, celebration is equally sacred work.

Celebration affirms life, strengthens relationships, and reflects the fullness of the gospel – as we holistically hold together both sorrow and joy, both Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

At its heart, congregational care is about presence. When a church shows up not only in hardship but also in moments of joy, congregational care at Centenary communicates that every part of a person’s story matters.

Celebrations may be formal, like baptisms, weddings, anniversaries, and milestone birthdays. Or they can be simple and personal, like recognizing a job achievement or celebrating the birth of a child. Each moment becomes

an opportunity to say, “You are seen, valued, and loved,” which is vital for congregational care.

Celebration can be seen in all of our congregational care ministries at Centenary. We celebrate the 400-plus handmade holding crosses Healing Hands ministry made for

Ash Wednesday to bless Lenten journeys and to communicate prayers and hope. We celebrate the joy and encouragement flower arrangements created from the Sunday worship altar flowers bring to homebased members through our flower team ministry.

We celebrate the opportunity for respite and renewal that our Refresh ministry provides on Wednesdays at noon in the middle of busy weeks.

We celebrate the gifts of listening ears and compassionate hearts from Stephen Ministers for care receivers, and we celebrate the hope and relief

that Shining Light on Mental Health’s ministries bring to those who need to know they are not alone and that somebody cares. We celebrate the camaraderie and joy our Senior Adult Ministry offers through intentional programming and shared fellowship.

Through all these ministries, and so many more, the church embodies a connected community where lives are intertwined and stories are held together.

This spirit of celebration extends beyond the walls of the church into outreach and mission. At Centenary, the Men’s Ministry embodies this in their intentional outreach. Their work with New Story Church’s night shelter and the women’s winter shelter at St. Timothy becomes more than service, it becomes a shared act of dignity and compassion, where relationships are built and small moments of joy are created through presence and care.

Providing lunches for the WinstonSalem Street School is another expression of this celebratory care. It is not simply about meeting a need, but about affirming the worth and

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potential of each student. A shared meal can become a moment of encouragement, a reminder that someone cares about their journey and is invested in their future.

Similarly, involvement with Samaritan Ministries reflects a commitment to walking alongside those experiencing hardship, while still recognizing and celebrating their humanity. Through conversation, shared meals, or acts of kindness, these moments create space for dignity and connection.

The Men’s Ministry’s work with children in Piedmont Circle fosters joy, mentorship, and stability, offering young people a sense of belonging and hope.

Outreach within Forsyth County Jail and Prison Ministries brings celebration into spaces where it is rarely expected, reminding individuals that they are not forgotten and that their lives still hold value and possibility.

Even gatherings like Theology on Tap reflect the importance of celebration in community life. By creating space for conversation, laughter, and reflection in a relaxed setting, these events nurture relationships and make faith accessible in everyday contexts. Likewise, the Men’s Ministry’s monthly Thursday morning meetings that include guest speakers and fellowship provide opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate shared life experiences.

In all these expressions and ministries, celebration is not separate from care. It is a vital part of it. It transforms service into relationships and outreach into mutual connections. It reminds both those who serve and those who are served that joy can be found even in challenging circumstances.

deeper truth: that God is present in every aspect of life. They invite the community to rejoice together, to notice the good, and to give thanks for the ways God is at work in and through one another. In a world often marked by isolation and busyness, these shared moments of joy, whether in worship, fellowship, or outreach, become powerful witnesses to a faith that is alive, relational, and deeply rooted in love.

If you would like to learn more about Centenary’s Men’s Ministry, or about ways you could get involved with Congregational Care ministries, please contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck at ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org or 336-724-6311, ext. 1357.

Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,

Ultimately, celebrations in congregational care point to a

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Thank You!!!

To all of our Crucifers and Torchbearers who helped to lead us in worship during March and April, thank you!

If you would like to learn more about this important role, please contact Rev. Kate May.

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BALLOONS BELONG IN CHURCH REV. KATE MAY kmay@centenary-ws.org

One of the many things I love about children’s ministry is that we celebrate everything.

Losing teeth, tying shoes, new pets in addition to all of the holidays, and so many things that we sometimes don’t even anticipate. As I write this we are preparing to celebrate International Art Day. More intentionally we also organize children’s ministry around milestones that we celebrate with the children and their entire families: Welcome Baby, Baptism, Bible Sunday (Kindergarten and Third Grade), Promotion Sunday, Backpack Blessing, Worship Readiness, Bible Celebration, Bible Bonanza, Created by God and even a Promotion Pool Party that we partner with youth ministry to offer to our kids who are moving from fifth grade to sixth grade and from children’s ministry into youth ministry.

All of this to say we celebrate A LOT in children’s ministry and as I reflected on the idea of celebrations for this article it feels like as our kids grow our celebrations change and perhaps become fewer and farther between.

As we grow celebrations seem to become more about accomplishments:

sports victories, school achievements, graduations and even our holiday celebrations change. Think about what Christmas looks like when you celebrate with a child versus a teenager or young adult.

Please don’t misunderstand, I understand that we all grow and change and mature and that is part of how God created us, but I wonder what it would look like if we celebrated more. There is a poem by Ann Weems that I absolutely love titled, “Balloons Belong in Church.”

This poem is primarily a litany of the things that the author celebrates, everything from touching a kitten’s fur to the perfect love of God and so many things in between.

• Our 4 backpack schools served and the countless children who are more successful at school because their bellies are a little more full • Our amazing team of 21 folks who make Sunday School happen for our 3 years olds through fifth graders • When a child brings me their artwork and says, “This is for you.”

• Hands I get to hold What do you celebrate? If you feel like you need more celebrations come spend some time with us in Children’s Ministry!

So inspired by Ann Weems here are some things I celebrate: • When the new Vacation Bible School curriculum gets delivered • Children’s questions about anything and everything • Baptisms: did you know we’ve had 9 baptisms so far this school year and we have 5 more scheduled between now and the end of summer?!

• 750 eggs stuffed for the egg hunt

LEARN MORE

ABOUT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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Beloved and Delighted In

TAMMY POLLOCK tpollock@centenary-ws.org

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart;” Ecclesiastes 3

I don’t know about you, but I find myself still

basking in the glow of our Easter Sunday morning here at Centenary!

An overwhelming, inexpressible joy filled our Sanctuary as we watched people pour into the pews to celebrate the rising of our Savior and ultimate revelation of God’s unconditional love for each of us.

In my memory I don’t know that I have ever witnessed our Sanctuary that full, but I CAN remember

the palpable sense of our God on the move. It is one of those holy experiences I have come to look for, hope for, and even anticipate.

As we step into Eastertide and into all things spring and summer, I am so excited for what this season holds. Not only are the trees coming alive with blossoms, the flowers bursting through the ground, the baby birds learning to fly, but there is also something being awakened in our hearts. That is the beauty of this

season of spring and summer.

In our youth ministry we are watching beautiful things coming alive! We are in the fullness of our Confirmation ministry. Watching our sweet Confirmands ask all the questions, seeking understanding of who God is, and what we (in faith) are asked to be about as followers of Jesus. We are watching their hearts be ‘strangely warmed’ and their hope awakened to responding to this newfound knowledge of our

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2025 Graduating Seniors God who loves them unconditionally and without surrender. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at their Confirmation on May 17th at our 11:00 am worship service as they respond to Jesus by professing Him as their Lord and Savior and becoming members of our church.

On May 10th at the 11:00 am worship service, we will invite our graduating seniors to come with their parents to the altar rail to receive their graduation blanket and a blessing from their church family. This tradition of ‘wrapping’ them in a blanket to remind them of the great love they have been ‘wrapped’ in since they were born, has become such a holy moment. And that wherever they wander in the world, they will carry that blanket of love all around them. These church babies are ours and always will be. This is a marking moment, not just for the seniors and their families, but for the entire Centenary family. This sacred moment reminds us that we belong together always, no matter where we are and will be welcomed home every time and all the time.

On July 12th at the 11:00 am worship service our senior high missionaries will come forward to receive a commissioning, blessing, and charge to go out into the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. These faithful teenagers will travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico for eight days to serve as

the hands and feet of God in whatever ways our brothers and sisters of Puerto Rico need us too. While these teenagers may be the ones ‘on the ground’ it is all of us that go with them. Whether in hope, or financial means, or in prayer.

They represent our church family out in the world but we all go with them in spirit.

Friends, all these moments and so many more, are exactly what I mean when I say I have come to look for, hope for, and even anticipate the palpable sense of God on the move. Our sanctuary, filled with our beautiful church family, becomes a catalyst for an awakening to our God’s loving and powerful Spirit to be unleashed on us all. And what a beautiful thing it is to celebrate!

UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS IN OUR YOUTH MINISTRY May 10 • Graduation Recognition May 17 • Confirmation Sunday May 31 • Summer Kick-Off and Freshman Promotion Party  July 12 • Commissioning and Blessing of our Senior High Mission Team August 14 • Sixth Grade Promotion Pool Party August 16 • Fall Sunday School Open House and Fall Kick-Off

LEARN MORE

ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.

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Our annual Summer Stock for Loaves & Fishes returns for June, July & August. You may pick up your bag at the 4½ Street entrance and the 5th Street Narthex.

You can also scan our QR code to be directly linked to our Amazon shopping cart. Items will be shipped directly to the church.

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2026/2027 Clergy Appointments We give thanks that Rev. Lara “Willis” Green will enter her second year as our Senior Minister. Rev. Kate May will begin her fifteenth year of faithful service as our Associate Minister for Children, and Rev. Oliver Helsabeck will enter his third year as our Associate Minister for Congregational Care. We are deeply grateful for their continued leadership and ministry among us.

OUR CLERGY AND DIRECTORS Reverend Lara "Willis" Greene Senior Minister wgreene@centenary-ws.org Mary Ann Wexler Executive Director mwexler@centenary-ws.org Jonathan Emmons Director of Music Ministries jemmons@centenary-ws.org Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org John Markle Director of Operations jmarkle@centenary-ws.org Reverend Kate May Associate Minister with Children kmay@centenary-ws.org Doug Peninger Director of Communication dpeninger@centenary-ws.org Tammy Pollock Director of Youth Ministries tpollock@centenary-ws.org John Rogers Director of Information Technology jrogers@centenary-ws.org

It is also with joy to share that we will welcome Rev. Dianne Lawhorn as our new Director of Outreach and Adult Formation.

Dianne brings with her twenty-five years of devoted pastoral ministry. In recent years, she has served congregations including Maggie Valley UMC, Davidson UMC, and Mt. Tabor UMC, and has been engaged in meaningful work with The Lydia Group.

Her ministry extends beyond the local church into the wider community. She has co-led The Big Silence Retreat since 2013, served as a mentor for Women Thriving in Ministry, and offered leadership as a board member of Kataluma Retreat Ministry. She has also served on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry and been actively involved with the Central Carolinas Emmaus Community. Dianne is a graduate of Wingate University, Asbury Theological Seminary, and the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.

You may see a complete list of all staff from our website by scanning the QR Code.

For a complete list of our Lay Leadership, please scan the QR Code.

We look forward with great anticipation to welcoming Dianne into the life of Centenary in early July.

As we give thanks for the ministry we have shared over the past year, we also look ahead with hope and expectation. God continues to lead us forward, and together we will press on in our calling to serve, to love, and to participate in the transformation of our community and the world.

THROUGH CENTENARY WINDOWS MAY/JUNE 2026 | 31 | CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

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646 West Fifth Street • Wintson-Salem, NC 27101 www.centenary-ws.org 336-724-6311