To learn more about and all of the ministries at Centenary, visit our website ( www.centenary-ws.org ) or scan our QR code.
Image from the 2025 Impromptu Christmas Pageant. Join us this year on Sunday, December 21 at 10am in the Sanctuary as we imagine how the scene at the manger might have looked.
It's been a minute. After a long pause publishing our magazine, we are back and I am thrilled to reintroduce to you "Through Centenary Windows."
Our magazine is now a completely digital product. Within it you will discover links and QR codes which will lead to additional information, websites, resources, videos, etc., all in an effort to provide you with as much information as possible.
In the graphic below, I want to point out a couple important tools, circled in yellow. First, at the bottom of the graphic in the center, is a horizontal slider bar. This will allow you to enlarge or decrease the image on the screen.
Second, on the lower right of the screen, there is a tray with a downpointing arrow. This will allow you to download the magazine to your device and print the entire magazine or specific pages as you desire.
Another feature, similar to our online email blasts, is that whenever you see text that is bold and in red, it indicates a link to other websites, emails or resources. Also, many of our graphics
are linked to similar items.
I encourage you to click on everything and get to know how this magazine works. There's a lot in here and I don't want you to miss anything,
For this issue, we begin by hearing from our new Senior Minister, Rev. Willis Greene, as she introduces us to her family. Then we travel through the various ministry areas of our church as we begin the fall season with many opportunuties to participate, learn, grow, worhsip and be in commmunity together. Be sure to check out the Music and Arts seasonal booklet. It's an all-new product for 2025-2026.
I hope you will be as excited about this reboot as the ministry team and I are. Thank you for taking this next faithful step with us as week seek out new and excting ways to share the story of Christ and His grace, as well as the story of Centenary with you and our community.
I’ll see you at Centenary.
Doug Peninger Director of Communication
wgreene@centenary-ws.org
morning, after processing down the aisle to the glorious sounds of the opening hymn, I stood in the chancel and joined my voice with the congregation in reciting the Affirmation of Faith*.
story—a story that bears witness to the love of God in this church, in WinstonSalem, and throughout the world.
We have much to celebrate at Centenary. Within these pages, you will discover countless reasons to praise God and give thanks. Here you will find powerful
We believe in God … who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh … who works in us and others by the Spirit. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others … to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
“…to
celebrate God’s presence!”
*A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The words leapt off the page as I heard the congregation of Centenary United Methodist Church boldly declare our calling: to Celebrate—to celebrate God’s presence made known through the life and ministry of this remarkable church.
Celebrating God’s presence is woven into the very DNA of Centenary. Since the 1830s, we have been known as a joyful, jubilant people. Centenary began as The Mulberry Tree Society, gathering under a mulberry tree located on what is now the Arbor Acres campus. Historical records describe their worship services as “spirited and emotional.” There, beneath the shade of that mulberry tree, our spiritual ancestors were celebrating the goodness of God!
The mulberry remains a powerful symbol, reminding us that we are part of a vibrant
examples of how we are living out our sacred call
to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others… to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
It is a joy and a privilege to join you in celebrating the ministries of Centenary. May the stories shared in this edition bear witness to the love of God made real in and through this great church.
Celebrating with you,
Willis
MARY ANN WEXLER mwexler@centenary-ws.org
church, there are gifts that shine from the pulpit, voices that soar in the choir loft, and hands that serve in the community. But behind every moment of visible ministry, there is another vital kind of service—faithful stewardship and administration. These often-unseen roles are essential to the health, sustainability, and mission of the church.
Stewardship is more than a seasonal campaign or a financial appeal—it is a spiritual discipline and a year-round commitment. At its core, stewardship is about honoring God with all that we have and managing the resources entrusted to us for the growth of the kingdom. This includes not only money, but our time, talent and witness. When stewardship is strong, churches are able to dream bigger, serve more, and reach further.
Administration, too, is a sacred calling. Church administrators, operational managers, committee teams, and volunteers quietly carry out the day-to-day operations that
keep ministry running smoothly. Whether it's preparing budgets, paying bills, managing calendars, maintaining buildings, or navigating policies, administrative work enables the church to be both faithful and functional.
These ministries of organization and oversight can be compared to the bones and bloodstream of the body of Christ. Without them, the body cannot stand, move, or thrive. Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12 that every part of the body is necessary, and no role is too small or insignificant. In fact, Paul reminds us that “those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”
I celebrate our staff that steward their budgets and every dollar with integrity. We give thanks for the front desk volunteers who field every phone call with kindness and keep track of the thousand moving parts of daily church life. We honor the committees who wrestle with spreadsheets, personnel decisions, and facilities maintenance—all so that the church can focus on its mission
of making disciples and serving the world.
Stewardship and administration may not always receive applause, but they are acts of devotion. They are offerings of excellence. They are ministries that reflect the character of God—orderly, generous, faithful, and wise.
As we take time to celebrate these essential roles in the life of our congregation, let us also renew our commitment to support them. Let us encourage those who serve in these areas and pray for their wisdom and strength. Let us be good stewards ourselves, giving generously and trusting that God will multiply what we offer. And let us never forget that behind every Sunday service, mission trip, baptism, or community event is a team of stewards and administrators working faithfully behind the scenes.
To all who serve in stewardship and administration: your work matters. Your calling is holy. And your faithfulness makes ministry possible.
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.
August 10
"The Stream Diverted Still Makes It to the Sea"
Acts 16:6-10
August 17
"Faith Enough"
Mark 10:46-52
August 24
"A Daughter of Abraham" Luke 13:10-17
August 31
"In the Midst of a Storm" Mark 4:35-41
September 7
"Prayers You'll Want to Pray" The Wesley Covenant Prayer" Mark 12:28-34
September 14
"Prayers You'll Want to Pray: The Prayer of St. Francis"
Mark 10:17-22
September 21
"Prayers You'll Want to Pray: The Serenity Prayer" John 14:27
September 28
"Prayers You'll Want to Pray: The Lord's Prayer" Matthew 6:5-15
October 5
"At the Table: The Great Banquet" Luke 14:12-24
October 12
"At the Table; With Sinners" Luke 5:27-39
October 19
"At the Table: With a Charcoal Fire" John 21:9-19
October 26
"At the Table: Emmaus" Luke 24:13-35
On Sunday, November 3, Centenary will celebrate All Saints Sunday when we will remember the Saints who have gone before us.*
Betty (Elizabeth) West Alexander
Robert
James
Lawrence
Omnia
James
Barbara
Mary
Manford
Edna
Margaret
May the fire of their devotion light our way.
Each week, please register for dinner by midnight on Tuesday.
WEDNESDAYS • NOVEMBER 5, 12 & 19
Dinner at 5:15PM • Programming at 6:00PM
Chrismons, or Christ Monograms, are symbols of Jesus used to decorate our trees at Centenary throughout Advent and Christmas. Join us at Nourish in November and learn how to make these beautiful ornaments as well as the meaning behind them. This is a great time for fellowship as well as an opportunity to create something beautiful to connect yourself and others with God. If you can follow directions, you can make a Chrismon!
NOVEMBER 5
Sirloin Tips
Rice
Broccoli Casserole
Chicken nuggets
French fries
Salad Bar
Sugar Cookies
$10 (ages 13 and older)
$7 (ages 4-12)
Free for those 3 years and younger
NOVEMBER 12
Lemon Chicken
Scalloped Potatoes
Chicken Nuggets
French Fries
Salad Bar
Brownies
NOVEMBER 19
Turkey & Dressing
Mashed Potatoes
Chicken Nuggets
French Fries
Salad Bar
Chocolate Cookies
LEARN MORE ABOUT NOURISH BY VISITING THE CHURCH WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.
This fall, as part of Nourish, one of our offerings will be a facilitated small group discussion based on the themes of the book "The Sum of Us" by Heather McGhee which argues that our society would benefit from a more inclusive approach to how we do life together. The author will be a featured speaker at the Bookmarks Festival in September. Get a copy today wherever you purchase books.
We celebrate baptisms and new members by welcoming you in Christian love as you grow your faith every day.
...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.
We are eager to share Centenary’s story with you. If you are interested in learning about church membership, please contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck (336-724-6311 ext. 1357/ohelsabeck@centenary-ws.org) to schedule a time to meet.
by Mary Ann Wexler
At the heart of our church’s mission is a deep commitment to serve those in need with compassion and dignity. In the early days, our food and financial assistance program was called the “Centenary Social Services Program”. In 2002, when our member Marianne Bach became involved, the name was changed to Loaves & Fishes in alignment with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand in Matthew 14. Our Loaves and Fishes ministry embodies that miracle through two vital outreach efforts: the Food Pantry and Financial Assistance program.
Each week, our Food Pantry opens its doors to individuals and families in need, offering more than just groceries. We provide fresh produce, canned goods, staples, and a warm welcome in an effort to help feed our community. Volunteers greet every guest with kindness, helping them shop for what they need in a respectful, choice-based setting. The
pantry is not just a place to receive food; it's a place of hope, hospitality, and healing.
In addition to providing nourishment, Loaves and Fishes offers limited financial assistance for rent and utilities. We understand that a temporary crisis shouldn’t lead to long-term hardship. Through careful stewardship and compassionate listening, we help individuals bridge the gap and regain stability.
None of this would be possible without the faithful support of our congregation. Donations of food, funds, and volunteer time make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. Through Loaves and Fishes, we strive to live out Jesus’ call to care for the least of these…offering not just charity, but connection. In every bag of groceries and every bill paid, we’re sharing God’s love in practical and powerful ways.
• Consume less overall. Do more with what you already have.
• Reduce your plastic use by choosing items packaged in glass, metal, or paper. Buy soap in bars, laundry detergent in powder or sheets, toothpaste and mouthwash in tablets, kitchen oils in glass bottles, etc.
• Try consignment/thrift/resale stores before buying new.
• Repurpose empty containers to store small items.
• Winston-Salem accepts clean paper and cardboard (no greasy pizza boxes), and empty and rinsed glass, metal, and plastic (excluding plastic bags) in their recycling carts. No sorting needed, and do not bag the items.
*Recycling should always be considered last in the “three R’s.” Only a small portion of items recycled are actually turned into new items because of the limited capacity of our recycling infrastructure. Attempt to reuse before recycling.
REV. KATE MAY kmay@centenary-ws.org
Every time you cross my mind I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.
—Philippians 1:3-4 (The Message)
When I see a sign announcing “Take an extra 30% off clearance prices” it is like a beacon to my soul and I can’t help but be drawn to it, it doesn’t even matter what the items are that are on sale! For that reason, I feel like I am pretty good at stretching a dollar as far as I possibly can. This is one of my ministry superpowers. I can make our annual children’s ministry budget of $50,404 (which includes the salaries for our nursery workers) go a pretty long way. But here’s the thing about children’s ministry. We rely on volunteers to make ministry happen in a completely different way than almost any other ministry area. Imagine what would happen if we invited the children to go to children’s worship on Sunday morning during the 11 am service, they gathered together at the front of the sanctuary and then we simply said, “OK, see you in a bit,” and sent them on their way with no grown up helpers. Or if perhaps for Vacation Bible School, grown ups simply dropped their children off in Memorial Auditorium, we left them some balls, some coloring sheets, and some craft supplies and said, “Your grown ups will be back at noon,” and then walked away. I don’t know about you, but simply imagining these scenarios makes me hyperventilate!
In children’s ministry at Centenary, we strive to instill in every child that God loves you and so do I. A video isn’t going to teach them that, the most amazing playground on the planet isn’t going to
teach them that, the most fabulous crafts and games aren’t going to teach them that. Only human beings can show them what God’s love really looks like. For all of these reasons, the most valuable resource in children’s ministry are the amazing humans that follow Jesus’ example and have an incarnational ministry with our kids. They show up and do all the things with great love and that is priceless.
So, I want to celebrate all the amazing humans that make Children’s Ministry at Centenary a success. Take a look at the numbers we have correlated that represent the people who share their time, energy and talents with the children and families of Centenary in one year.
As impressive as these numbers are, there is an asterisk that I don’t want to go unnoticed. These are the folks that make children’s ministry successful right now, with what we are currently doing and with our current population of children. I love to imagine what we could do with more people saying, “I want to help children know that God loves them and so do I!” If these numbers don’t currently represent you, I hope you’ll consider joining us. No matter who you are or what your gifts and capacity are, we can find a way that you can make a difference in the lives of the children of Centenary! Want to know more? Reach out, I’d love to chat with you!
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.
Every year as Centenary engages in our Angel Tree ministry, we celebrate the overwhelming generosity of our congregation. This year we will again partner with El Aposento Alto, Marvin United Methodist Church, the Winston Salem Street School, and Crossnore Communities for Children to make Christmas a little brighter for hundreds of children in our community! Check out our link below to see a re-cap of last year’s goodness and join us in continuing to grow the impact of God’s love in the lives of children and families in our community who could use a reminder that God loves them and so do we! You can participate by adopting an angel from one of our trees (Sanctuary Narthex, 4 ½ Street Reception Narthex, 5th Street East Building entrance), sponsoring an angel and having one of our shoppers shop for gifts, serving as a shopper, wrapping gifts at our wrapping party (December 7 • 3:00PM), or helping to deliver gifts. Want to help or have questions? Reach out to Anna Thomas (athomas@centenary-ws.org).
ADOPT ANGELS • OCTOBER 29-DECEMBER 5
GIFTS DUE BACK • DECEMBER 12
WATCH VIDEO LINK
Confirmation, by definition, is faith formation. Forming one’s faith is an ongoing journey throughout life…however, our hope is that through this Confirmation process, you will be given the opportunity, tools, support, and inspiration you will need to build your faith on a firm foundation (Matthew 7:24-25). We, as Christians, are called to live a life that is different than that of the world, built on the foundation of what we know about God, and who He created us to be. What better way to prepare our young people to live out their faith in this world than to help them realize that our faith is tangible?!
Our Confirmation classes will begin on January 7, 2026. Each class will begin with dinner at 6:00 pm, followed by class at 6:30PM. We will spend each week engaging in discussion, prayer, journaling, and considering how our faith is lived out in our everyday lives. Every Confirmand is asked to pick a Shepherd who will journey through the process with them, meet outside of class once a week to further our discussions, grow in relationship with each other, and pray together. There are two retreats and a couple of field trips as well! The hope is that through these experiences, you will come to encounter the living, loving Jesus Christ and will be transformed by that relationship.
Registration can be found in Realm. Please contact Tammy Pollock with any questions you may have.
NOVEMBER 16 ~ 5:30 PM
Centenary UMC Youth Ministry Cooper Scurry Facial Plastic Surgery Genesis of WinstonSalem H2O Orthodontic Specialists
Entry fee waived for students, courtesy of Donations & Our amazing sponsors:
Mt. Tabor High School Track 342 Petree Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106 Mount Tabor Cross Country
Drs. Shehan, Smith, & Russell Buffkin/ Baker Liv for Sweets
State Farm- Kristen Martin Tammy & Eddie Polllock The Norman Family Tori BoysenBerkshire Hathaway Home Services
Sothby’s
Holden & Mickey, Inc
United Women in Faith is a sisterhood acting in faith to tackle the hard work of the world without hesitation. Driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood, we work to improve the lives of women, children, and youth. Every day, we show up. We take action. We get it done. And we invite you to join us.
United Women in Faith seeks to connect and nurture women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, creative fellowship, and education so that they can inspire, influence and impact local and global
CIRCLE 1*
communities. At Centenary we offer groups known as Circles, which meet on various days and times for educational meetings, book study, service projects and longterm fellowship and support. These small groups allow women to connect with other women in our church and community. We invite you to learn more and join us in service and fellowship.
We are a powerful, fearless force driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood. With a focus on women, children, and youth, we act for justice and transform communities.
UWF as an organization, and the individual circles, support many
organizations through financial support and volunteer hours. Some of the many groups we have supported so far in 2025 are: Betty & Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden, Centenary groups such as Love Thy Neighbor and Loaves & Fishes, Crossnore, LEAD Girls, YoungLife, Winston-Salem Street School, Open Arms and World Relief. UWF does not receive financial support from Centenary.
If you are looking to join a circle or to learn more, please contac t Mary Ann Wexler or Holly Gilliam.
Second Monday of the month at 10:15AM
CIRCLE 3*
Second Tuesday of the month at 10:00AM
CIRCLE 5*
Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM
CIRCLE 6
Second Monday of the month at 11:45AM No Mtgs. Months of UWF General Meeting
CIRCLE 8
Meeting Days and Times Vary by Month
CIRCLE 9*
Second Monday of the month at 1:30PM
CIRCLE 10
Second Tuesday of the month at 6:30PM
CIRCLE 13*
Second Monday of the month at 6:00PM
CIRCLE 15
Meets quarterly at 11:30AM on the first Thursday
* No Meetings in June, July and August
The Centenary ornament is available for purchase at price of $40 each. If you would like one for yourself or to give as a gift, please contact Susan Grubbs.
we get to begin the waiting for and celebration of Jesus’ birth, but more than anything this event is a celebration of our church family. Families have the opportunity to sign up for crafts from our menu of options that their kids would like to create and then with the help of an amazing team of volunteers they get to simply show up and spend time with their kids creating not just crafts but memories while being helped by youth, youth parents, and older generations. This year’s event will be Sunday, November 23 with families able to come and go from 3:30-5:30 pm. Registration for Craft Night opens November 4 and closes November 17. There are limited numbers of each craft and they fill up quickly so make sure to register early. Have questions or need assistance with registration? Contact Anna Thomas.
TAMMY POLLOCK tpollock@centenary-ws.org
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16
each Tuesday night, between October and February, the lights and sounds coming from the basketball court at Fulton YMCA reflect the Kingdom of Heaven being revealed right here on earth. That may sound strange and unexpected, but the joy, the squeak of sneakers, the laughter, whistle blowing, cheers, and echoes of the ball bouncing against the newly restored gym floor, give way to people coming together all because of grace. Grace due to the unexpected gathering of high school boys from five different churches (Ardmore Baptist, First Presbyterian, St. Paul’s, Greek Orthodox, and Centenary) and the basketball team from the Winston Salem Street School. Grace because it is something that
Many years ago, I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Sylvia Shelton. Sylvia was one of those incredible people that immediately emanated friendship and kindness the moment she walked through the door. Sylvia came to talk to me about the Winston Salem Street School. If you aren’t familiar with the Street School, it is a private alternative high school serving the at-risk youth of the Greater Winston Salem area of North Carolina (located just on the other side of our 5th Street parking lot). It is designed to meet the needs of students who struggled in traditional schools due to academic or behavioral obstacles, many of whom were expelled or dropped out. The WSSS was created to target these students and offer them the chance to earn a diploma
North Carolina. But what I like to say about the Street School is that it is one of the most beautiful expressions of God’s grace I have ever seen. The staff, administrators, and volunteers are the most incredible people who live out their faith in God by pouring love and wisdom into the students relentlessly. And the students, well, are just as amazing! Sylvia was a fierce proponent of the WSSS and was responsible for raising financial means and resources to support the school’s operation. Little did I know that one brief conversation would propel us forward into a relationship that would blossom and grow in ways none of us could imagine.
Fast forward to 2022, we have all come out of the pandemic and are trying to find our way back to some semblance of normalcy. I
Foster, the Executive Director at WSSS. He shared that they had started a basketball team for the students at the Street School, and they were looking for teams to play. Pre-pandemic, our church, along with countless others in our community, was part of Hoops4Him (a church wide basketball league). Hoops4Him became a casualty of COVID. However, the memories and desire to play ‘church ball’ never stopped. Our youth loved those games, the lessons, the joy, the competition, and the relationships forged on the court. So, when Mike reached out, it was a super easy ‘yes’ that we would put together a team to help create the Twin City Conference.
Since that conversation we have played countless games but even more than the games, we’ve forged relationships with the students, staff, volunteers at WSSS and the other churches. Relationships that have invited us to seek each other out beyond the court. Our friendship with WSSS has allowed us to opportunity to expand our love for ALL “youth on behalf of Jesus in hopes of loving them to Jesus.” Kevin, youth ministry volunteers, and I serve lunch once a month at WSSS, and students from WSSS have spent time here in our Youth Ministry space. It has indeed become a chance to offer grace, but also to receive grace in abundance. I am reminded that our God, who
knows and loves us so very much, is always at work in ways we cannot understand. But we always know when we see it. Watching these senior high boys (from different churches, schools, and backgrounds) gather in a circle to pray together before each game, play hard on the court, and return back to the center to pray and give thanks to God again, is one of the most incredible reflections of love. For just a moment, Heaven touches earth, and grace is revealed. Come and see for yourself this season.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY AT CENTENARY BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OR SCANNING THE QR CODE.
For a complete list of our Lay Leadership, please scan the QR Code. Click
Reverend 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
You may see a complete list of all staff from our website by scanning the QR Code.
SUNDAYS
11AM • SANCTUARY & LIVE STREAM
9AM • MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM
LEARN MORE ABOUT WORSHIP AT CENTENARY BY CAPTURING OUR QR CODE.
