Centenary United Methodist Church 411 East Grace Street Richmond Virginia 23219

Rev. Matthew D. Bates, Senior Pastor

THE CONNECTION

2014

200 years in the heart of the city with the city at heart”

CARITAS From April 5 to April 12, our Centenary family will host 35 women in need of shelter and meals. The Outreach Committee has been making plans and knows that everyone will greet our guests with hospitality and generosity. This year we will have coordinators to oversee the tasks required to make our guests comfortable. Please contact any coordinators whom you wish to help. Sign-up sheets will be posted on bulletin boards in the hallway downstairs.

Main Coordinator: Nancy Cook Dinners: David Pippin & Lorna Leake Goodie bags: Suzanne Ray Laundry: Nancy Cook Lunches: Jan Nelson Placemats: Ann Davis Supplies: Luke Wolfe Showers: Neal Shingleton Set up & breakdown: TBA Magazines, cards, checkers: TBA Overnights: TBA

We still need coordinators. If interested, please contact Nancy Cook at

(644-0240 or by email: cook_t8rhill@comcast.net)

The Bishop's Convocation on Prayer will be held on March 29 from 9:30 am to 4:00

pm at Trinity United Methodist Church (903 Forest Avenue, Richmond). Tom Albin, Dean of the Upper Room Ministries, will be the plenary speaker for this event. Small group learning opportunities will be offered in the areas of prayer and Wesleyan spiritual disciplines. Information about the convocation may be found on the Virginia Conference web site at www.vaumc.org.

Unbinding Your Heart

A lot of us are scared by the word “evangelism.” We think of stern warnings to repent, high pressure “canned” presentations, or people who knock on our door to give us literature and never leave. We probably have good reasons to be afraid of “evangelism.” But the truth that we often fail to see through our aura of fear is that at its heart, evangelism is, as Martha Grace Reese puts it, “anything you do to help another person move closer to a relationship with God or into Christian community.” We are hoping that a significant number among us will participate in this study, Unbinding the Heart, for five Sundays during Lent beginning March 9. Our evangelism committee is making all the arrangements. A light lunch will be provided. Leaders of small groups are being recruited from three pilot groups that have positively received this study. This approach arose in response to a study called the Mainline Evangelism Project. Most of us mainline Protestants have probably grown weary with hearing about the significant decline of our denomination and other mainline Protestant denominations. This study recorded the membership decline in the seven mainline denominations from 1960-2000 from 26 million to 21 million. Not surprisingly, the study revealed that only 1/10 of 1% of 30,000 mainline churches studied were doing a significant job reaching unchurched people, defined as an average of five adult baptisms a year. But some churches are discovering that evangelism is simply a matter of cultivating a lively, authentic faith among members of a congregation and helping us all to find simple, inviting ways to share our faith with other people. The Unbinding the Heart study will help you remember what is most important to you about your faith. It will help you deepen your own relationship with God. It will help you learn about how other people in your group have come to faith, and it will help us all see that we indeed have good news to share with others who just might be open to hearing our own story at the right moment. I happen to think that Centenary is already pretty good at evangelism. We like people! All kinds of people! We know how to make them feel welcome, and we are reaching people already—even younger adults! Downtown is coming alive again. We have good news to share—good news of God’s all inclusive love, good news of the ways God’s world can and is becoming more just, good news of God’s acceptance, healing, and life! I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us for this study. We can be part of a movement in our congregation where faith is rekindled, and God’s love is shared in ways that make our city more like the city God wants it to be. Peace,

Matt

LAST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

March 2, 2014

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21

Matthew 17:1-9

ASH WEDNESDAY

March 5, 2014

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Psalm 51:1-17

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

1st SUNDAY IN LENT

March 9, 2014

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Psalm 32

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

2nd SUNDAY IN LENT

March 16, 2014

Genesis 12:1-4a

Psalm 121

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

3rd SUNDAY IN LENT

March 23, 2014

Exodus 17:1-7

Psalm 95

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

4th SUNDAY IN LENT

March 30, 2014

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41

The scripture readings are provided so that you may read and reflect

upon them during the days prior to each worship service.

Miracle Imanchinello - joined February 16, 2014 Michael A. Sizemore - joined February 16, 2014

A Note of Thanks…I am recuperating well, so in between my walking and blowing into a

contraption, I thank you for your prayers, calls, cards, etc. Centenary people always step up when they are needed, and you have certainly done that with me. Much Love,

Betty Brown

The report on the Christmas Eve collection for UMFS (United Methodist Family Services) was received after we went to press last month, the total was $3519. It is exciting for us to be part of such an efficient, well run program reaching out to help so many youngsters with emotional, physical or mental problems. Thanks to all of you for your contributions.

A $10,000 grant from Dominion Foundations Stewardship Grants Committee made it possible for volunteers to build 25 new raised-beds garden plots on the Richmond campus. The idea behind these new gardens is to teach students sustainable farming methods and nutrition while working to combat areas where there isn’t easy access to fresh produce. A new cottage has been opened to serve teens on the autism spectrum. The cottage accommodates six adolescents. The youth in the program attend Charterhouse School on the UMFS campus. If you are interested in being a member of the UMFS Auxiliary, please email pmarrsw@hotmail.com for details. It is a blessing to be more involved with enrichment activities for the youngsters at UMFS. Shalom Farms is getting ready for its season by starting seedlings to be transferred to the garden when the ground is ready. As you can imagine, this is a time consuming task and many hands are needed. Help is needed on the following days: March 10, 17, 31 and April 7 and 14. If anyone is able to lend a hand, please contact Pat Shipley at plsrevdoc@aol.com for details. Sunday, March 30, is One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday. One Great Hour of Sharing gifts help our denomination offer refuge and relief to some of the world’s most vulnerable people during times of distress. The monies given at this time fund the administrative costs of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Because of these gifts UMCOR can direct 100% of donations for disaster response to those calls for assistance. Please keep this mind when this special Sunday arrives.

Rev. Dr. Gilbert Caldwell to Speak

The Virginia Chapters of the Methodist Federation of Social Action and the Black Methodists for Church Renewal along with others welcome Rev. Dr. Gilbert Caldwell, founding member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) and co-founder of United Methodists of Color (UMOC) for a fully inclusive church as the keynote speaker for Following Jesus: Overcoming Discrimination, Conversations on the Intersections of Heterosexism, Racism and Religion at Duncan Memorial UMC, 201 Henry Street, Ashland. There will be a panel discussion: Experiencing, Responding to and Coping with Discrimination: Personal Stories from African American, Gay, Lesbian and Allied Perspectives; and a session with Joe Szakos, Executive Director, Virginia Organizing: Moving Forward - Strategies, Actions and Resources for the Journey. Cost is $35, students $15, lunch included. Advanced registration only is due by April 5. Register online https://www.123signup.com/register?id=dbzgv or with Pat Shipley, VA MFSA Treasurer, 3031 Grayland Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221-3525, plsrevdoc@aol.com.

A memorial donation has been received in memory of Ward J. Campbell from Janet Hutchinson. Memorial gifts have also been received in memory of Alexander Weatherly Thrower from Jo Etta and Larry Chewning, the Department of Mathematics at Francis Marion University, Nancy Cook and Rives Priddy, Lisa and John Reid, and Kathy Savage.

SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT

Every Sunday

8:40 AM Informal Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Traditional Worship 12:15 PM Handbell Choir Practice

Every Monday

Every Tuesday

12:00 PM Men’s Group at Aunt Sarah’s

12:00 PM - AA 7:00 PM Bowling at Shrader Lanes

Every Wednesday

12:00 PM Staff Meeting

7:00 PM Chancel Choir Practice

Every Thursday

Every Friday

10:30 AM Walk-In & Bless My Sole Ministries

12:00 PM - AA

1

2 5:00 pm

MARDI GRAS

3

4

5 7:30 pm

Ash Wednesday Service

6

7

8

9 12:15 pm

Lunch and Unbinding Your

Heart

10 6:30/7:00 pm Committee Meetings

8:00 pm

Administrative Council

11

12

13

14

15

16 12:15 pm

Lunch and Unbinding Your

Heart

17

18 12:00 pm

UMW Circle Meeting

19

20

21 22

23 12:15 pm

Lunch and Unbinding Your

Heart

24

25

26

27

28

29

30 12:15 pm

Lunch and Unbinding Your

Heart

31

DON’T FORGET TO

CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS

ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH!

WE SPRING FORWARD

AN HOUR!

March 1 Polly Chamberlain Ann Davis March 2 Stanley Childress March 4 Jane Crick Chasse March 5 Christopher Weaver March 7 Alpe Breadon Madison Lee Carrie McNeil John Vetrovec March 8 Amy Bates George Vetrovec March 10 Logan Lewis March 11 Ginny Davis Lucille Hunt Jim Wickham March 13 Lil Cersley March 17 Nicole Brager Phil Crick Conna Davis

March 20 Julie Lee March 21 Stephanie Petty March 22 Courtney Levasseur March 23 Bill Brown Judy Holland Anna Simpson March 24 Rose Szentendrei March 25 George “Bo” Little, III Mara Smith March 26 Judah Murphy Barbara Pierson March 28 Jean Wright Sarah Wright March 30 Pam Baskervill Audrey Kane March 31 Chas Craig

WORSHIP HELPERS

ACOLYTES 02 Christina Kidd 09 Taylor Lee 16 Isabel Junker 23 Katie Shingleton 30 Christina Kidd ALTAR GUILD 02 Mary Sue Sanderlin 05 (Ash Wednesday) Mary Sue Sanderlin 09 Florence Clay Bishop 16 Serena Durst 23 Lucille Hunt & Sylvia Whaley 30 Florence Clay Bishop BANNER BEARERS 02 Agatha Kidd 09 Vic Grand 16 Chris Junker 23 Ryland Bailey, Jr. 30 Agatha Kidd COMMUNION STEWARDS 02 Barbara Pierson Suzanne Ray GREETERS 02 Connie Bennington & Susan Thomas 09 Leah & Bob Hundley 16 Kim & Lee Chen 23 Agatha & Christina Kidd 30 Mary Anne & Rex Dazey HALL MONITORS 02 Steve Gregory R.B. Bennington 09 David Pippin Neil Shingleton 16 Luke Wolfe TBA 23 Jim Wickham Charley Webber 30 Alex Hundley Phil Crick

LAY READERS 02 Billie Davis 05(Ash Wednesday) John Mingus 09 Dan Corcoran 16 Jim Hill 23 Karen Junker 30 Mirian Wickham NURSERY 02 Mary E. Vetrovec 09 Jennine Kinzer 16 Lorna Leake 23 Mary Sue Sanderlin 30 Carolyn Dinwiddie TELLERS 03 Roy Cooke Lila Irby 10 Ryland Bailey, Jr. Susan Thomas 17 Suzanne Ray Susan Thomas 24 Barrett Brown Barbara Pierson 31 Barrett Brown Barbara Pierson USHERS Luke Wolfe, Captain Florence Clay Bishop James Durst Serena Durst Stephen Lee COORDINATORS Lay Readers: Phyllis Stump (330-2544) Greeters, Hall Monitors and Ushers: Sylvia Whaley & Clint Jones (795-5492) Tellers: Suzanne Ray (262-4854)

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Worship………………………………………..8:40 a.m.

Sunday School………………………………..10:00 a.m.

Worship …………………………………...…11:00 a.m.

STAFF

Senior Minister………………...….….Matthew D. Bates

Minister to Senior Adults…….…..Cheryl Owen-Watson

Director of Music/Organist…………...Stanley M. Baker

Director of Membership Development…...….Ann Davis

Administrative Assistant………...………Reeves Danter

Senior Accountant……………...…….…….John Lampe

Facilities Manager…………...…………..Al Richardson

Sexton…………………………...……………Saran Yin

Choir Section Leaders …………………Brittany Brooks

……………………………...………………Alden Bean

……………………………………...…….Todd Minnich

………………………………..…….………...Sam Cook

Early Service Musician………….………Lee Covington

Nursery Worker……………….…....…Melissa Martinez

Nursery Worker………………………...Shannon Hocutt

411 East Grace Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone: 648-8319

www.centumc.org

Matt – mbates3@verizon.net

Cheryl - owenwatson@comcast.net

Ann - cent.davis@verizon.net

Reeves – cent.umc@verizon.net

Stan – dirmusic@verizon.net

John - finsecretary3@verizon.net

Centenary United Methodist

Church is a Reconciling

Congregation, extending

hospitality and encouraging

full participation of all,

regardless of age, race,

national origin, gender,

gender identity, sexual

orientation, marital status,

educational or economic

background and physical or

mental ability.

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

411 EAST GRACE STREET

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED