What's Happening This Week

This Week at Centenary

November 16 - November 23

SUNDAY 11/16

8:00am Prayer Ministry-Parlor

8:30am Worship-Chapel

9:00am Xperience-Sanctuary

10:00am Sunday School

10:00am High School Small Group-Parlor

11:00am Worship-Sanctuary

3:00pm Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room

5:00pm CENTyouth Meeting-Youth Rm & Parlor

Monday 11/17

8:00am Men's Covenant Grp-Rm 200

8:45am Women’s Covenant Group-Rm 204

9:15am Covenant Group-Rm 206

10:00am GriefShare-Rm 210

6:30pm Cub Scouts Pack 13, Rm 206, 210-212, Old Basement

7:00pm Messiah Rehearsal-Sanctuary

TUESDAY 11/18

1:30pm A Child is Born-Rm 206

1:30pm Creation Care-Resource Ctr

2:00pm Instrumental Ensembles-Chapel

5:30pm Handbell Rehearsal-Sanctuary

6:00pm Girl Scouts Troop 1007-Rm 211 & 212

7:00pm Scouts America Troop 31, Old Basement

WEDNESDAY 11/19

4:00pm Middle School Hangout-CENTyouth Rm

5:30pm FEAST-Fellowship Hall

6:00pm Children's Choir-Chapel

6:30pm Court of Honor Eagle Scouts-Sanctuary

7:00pm Boy Scouts Troop 13-Old Basement

THURSDAY 11/20

5:30pm Girl Scouts-Rm 204 & Old Basement

6:00pm Girl Scouts Troop 194-Room 210

FRIDAY 11/21

SATURDAY 11/22

10:00am Children's Choir-Sanctuary

SUNDAY 11/23

8:00am Prayer Ministry-Parlor

8:30am Worship-Chapel

9:00am Xperience-Sanctuary

10:00am Sunday School

10:00am High School Small Group-Parlor

11:00am Worship-Sanctuary

3:00pm Choir Rehearsal-Choir Room

5:00pm CENTyouth Meeting-Youth Rm & Parlor

CHURCH SECURITY POLICY

In recent years, Centenary has installed magnetic locks on all our metal exterior doors. These locks can be programmed to unlock on a set schedule. In addition, certain people are given electronic key fobs that enable them to enter the building (but not unlock the doors). We upgraded our perimeter security in light of violent attacks against churches and preschools around the country.

On Tuesday, October 21, the Administrative Board approved a recommendation from the Safety and Security Team to implement a “Locked Church” policy effective Monday, October 27.

For Sunday worship, funerals, weddings, and other special services, the wooden doors at the entrances to the Sanctuary and Chapel will be unlocked 20 minutes before the service begins, then locked back 10 minutes after services start. Ushers may be on duty to open doors from the inside should people arrive earlier or later. AT ALL OTHER TIMES, the doors will remain locked. The main entrance to the Education Building and the two handicapped entrances will also be unlocked during those same windows of time, but they will automatically relock on schedule.

During the week, the Education Building main entrance will be unlocked for preschool pick-up from 11:45-12:15. AT ALL OTHER times, the doors will remain locked, and anyone who wants to enter the building will need to ring the bell and be allowed in from the office.

What about inclement weather? Can people enter via one of the side doors (Scout Room, Kitchen, Playground)? ONLY if they have a fob, or someone inside lets them in. Those doors will NOT be unlocked.

What about choir, youth group, committees, and scouts? The leaders of all approved groups have been given key fobs. Each group will have to monitor the door to allow others in.

DOORS MAY NOT BE PROPPED OPEN. Groups sometimes use a brick or piece of wood to prop open a door rather than watch it to control access. This defeats the purpose of having a security system and makes everyone in the building vulnerable.

We realize a Locked Church policy will sometimes be inconvenient, but it only takes one violent intruder to destroy the sanctity and security of our church. Our responsibility to provide a haven for all our people takes priority over convenience. Thank you for your cooperation and for your prayers for our safety.

Here is an example of what $25-30 will buy.

Oaks Road Food Drive

Typically, we hold a book drive each November for Oaks Road Academy, our Congregations for Children (C4C) partner school.

This year, however, we believe we can help families at Oaks Road in a different way. Many families are struggling financially right now, and with SNAP and WIC funding under threat due to the ongoing government shutdown, things could get even more difficult.

Working with a community partner, Food Lion, we can provide meal boxes to Oaks Road families in need. The contents for one meal box cost approximately $30.00. Over the next several weeks, it is our goal to raise funds to provide as many meal boxes as possible to families in need at Oaks Road Academy. You can give online or by check, designating "ORA Food Drive" on the memo line.

If you have already purchased books in anticipation of a book drive, we will still receive those and make sure they get to Oaks Road students. But if not, please consider helping us ensure our neighbors have enough to eat!

Pray for those in Hurricane Melissa’s path. Donate now to support UMCOR’s relief efforts in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

https://umcmission.org/disaster-responses/hurricane-melissa

We have a lot of openings for Altar Flowers. Give us a call 252-637-4181 if you would like to honor someone on their special day!

Our next open Sundays are all of November.

Discipleship Ministries

Everyone has a place in music here at Centenary! For questions about our music ministry, contact Director of Music Ministries Paul Saik at paulsaik@centenarychurch.com or

252-637-4181 ext. 105

Children & Youth

Support Bear Town Youth Ministries!

There are always several ways you can help with Bear Town Youth! We couldn't do what we do with our youth without the dozens of people who offer their support by giving their time, talent, and treasure. Won't you be one of them?

Provide Snacks or a Meal:

One of the best ways you can help is to provide snacks for our Wednesday Middle School Hangout or a meal for our Sunday night youth meetings. If you are interested, sign up below:

Middle School Hangout Snacks: SIGN UP

Sunday Night Youth Dinner: SIGN UP

Volunteer Your Time:

There are a variety of ways you can get involved by volunteering with our youth:

Sunday Night Youth Meetings: In order to comply with our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, which exists to protect children and vulnerable adults, we are required to have at least two adults present with youth at all times, which means on Sunday nights, we need volunteers when we split into our high school and middle school small groups!

Youth Sunday School: We offer two small groups that meet during the Sunday School hour from 10:00 to 10:45 on Sundays during the fall, winter, and spring. These groups are split by age. We are looking to add additional adults who are willing to lead or co-lead these small groups!

Service Projects: Our goal is to participate in at least one service-oriented event each month, and these events often require additional volunteers to make them happen!

If you are interested in volunteering in one of these areas, please contact Pastor Tyler.

Support the Youth Designated Fund:

Our Youth Designated Fund provides funding for special events and other activities beyond the amount we have budgeted each year for youth ministry. You can give online using this link:

YOUTH FUND

Check Out Our Newsletter:

BEARTOWN YOUTH HAPPENINGS

2026 Confirmation Class

In the United Methodist Church, confirmation is when a baptized Christian confirms their intention to be a member of the body of Christ and publicly professes their faith in Jesus Christ. To prepare for this profession of faith, we will offer confirmation classes in 2026. These classes will cover core Christian beliefs, the Bible, church history, and United Methodist distinctives. If you are interested in your youth participating in confirmation, please complete the following interest form:

LINK

October Creation Care

When the garden starts to fade in fall, don’t be too quick to cut everything back.

Leaving seed heads standing through the winter brings hidden benefits to your garden:

Winter Beauty – Seed heads add natural texture and interest when most plants have faded.

Shelter for Wildlife- Leaving the stems and canes of perennial plants helps ensure the survival of native bees and other beneficial insects by providing nesting sites. Leave at least 8 inches of stem 15-18 inches is preferable.

Soil Enrichment- As the seed heads break down they return organic matter to the soil.

Food for Wintering Birds- Birds depend on the seeds of perennial plants for winter food.

Coneflowers, sedums, anise hyssop, ornamental grasses (provide food and nesting material), zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, goldenrod and black eyed Susan are just a few of the plants that can provide that seed.

Slots open for September Volunteers: Click Here to Sign Up

Fall Schedule

Thursday, Nov 6 - Invite your friends to a special documentary screening of "A Place of Belonging: How Respite for All Communities Transform the Dementia Journey." This a powerful and hopeful story of respite communities like Come Again and features our neighbor in Chapel Hill, R Place. Event is from 6 pm - 8 pm at Orringer Auditorium. Help us fill the house! Event flyer and RSVP info to come.

Community Supporter Shoutouts: Thank you for making our first Come Again summer special!

Thompson Flags and Flagpoles - donated 4th of July handheld flags
Harris Teeter at Carolina Colours - supplied flowers
Ghent Sandwich Shop - displayed Come Again custom bud vases and flowers
Mitchell Hardware - sourced 30 trashcans for our drumming circle
Bill's Pet Shop - provided pet food for Come Again to bag for Meals on Wheels
Moore's Olde Tyme BBQ - helped provide lunch
Shop Class - custom cut wood plank for collaborative art

Email or call Lindsay Roberts with questions or if you have ideas for how you want to get involved (lindsayroberts@newbernrespite.org | 919.428.0618).

Trinity UMC

2311 Elizabeth Ave

New Bern, NC 28562

Volunteer start time is 9:20 am

New Bern Community Respite Care was created in 2024 by and for the community in response to the need for more education, friendship and tools to support families living with dementia. Its first big endeavor is the intentional social club, Come Again, where people living with early to middle stages of dementia share the day with a community of volunteers in a judgement-free environment, creating a safe space for socialization and mental stimulation. It's a new way of honoring our loved ones living with dementia while providing care partners some time to themselves.

Connect with us on Facebook

Centenary is a Stephen Ministry congregation.

If you're going through a tough time and find it difficult to cope with it alone, Centenary has a solution for you. As a Stephen Ministry congregation, we offer one-on-one, confidential support from our highly trained and compassionate Stephen Ministers. Whether you're dealing with a personal or family crisis, grief, illness, or any other challenge, our Stephen Ministers are here to help.

To learn more about this caring ministry and how it could benefit you, please reach out to Jan Hood, Sherry Parker, or Judy Tymes.

We are here to support you through difficult times.

Stephen Ministers are at the altar following each service for confidential discussion or questions.

If you would like to have communion delivered to you at home by a Stephen Minister on first Sundays, please contact the church office at (252)637-4181.

GriefShare Summer Meetings

Mondays 10am–12pm in Rm 210

GriefShare Fall Meetings begin September 8, 2025

Mondays 10am–12pm in Rm 210

GriefShare Fall session will run for 13 weeks.

GriefShare is a support group for people who have lost a loved one: spouse, family member, relative or friend. It is open not only to Centenary United Methodist Church members, but our entire community as well. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Participants can join us at any time. If you know of someone who is hurting, please invite them. For more information, please visit griefshare.org.

Contact Marion Bunn 252-670-2590 for more information.

For the in-person group: griefshare.org/groups/172353

Missions

There are many opportunities to get involved at Centenary! If you want to help us make a difference, please Click to see our Mission Brochure

Dear Friends from Centenary UMC

You have done it again! By providing resources and prayers you have empowered a Zoe group of youth and children to overcome tremendous challenges of poverty and create a new future for themselves.

Your partnership enabled the young heads of household to establish businesses and become food secure. You helped ensure that the children had adequate housing, access to medical care, returned to school, and had opportunities to experience God's love. This group held their graduation ceremony in July marking their completion of Zoe’s three-year empowerment program and their readiness to continue creating a brighter future for their families and their community.

Grad Letter and Photos - Click to see a letter of appreciation from the group to you as well as graduation pictures.

Thanks again for supporting the children of Zoe.

With warmest regards,

Laura Nemecek

Chief Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Grad Letter and Photos - Click to see a letter of appreciation from the group to you as well as graduation pictures.

Support Ongoing

Flood Recovery

If you would like to help in the recovery efforts following severe flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal, please click on NC Storm Fund. 100% of your gift provides essential relief and hope to those affected in the NC Conference.

Thank you for generously giving your time and gifts to help communities in times of need.

FEMA Hurricane Preparedness

https://www.ready.gov/kit