Browse through the events that are available in which you can participate! You can also download our App: Realm Connect from the Apple App Store or Google Play. If you need assistance setting up your app, contact Mary Ann Wexler.
Church-Wide Opportunities
Adult Formation
2025 Journey Through Luke & Acts
Our year-long journey continues through the books of Luke and Acts, featuring sermons, Bible studies, a weekly reading plan, study guides, and other opportunities to engage with these transformative scriptures.
Women's Retreat 2026 Save the Date
April 17-19, 2026 • Lake Junaluska
Mark your calendar now for a weekend of renewal, connection, and spiritual growth in the Blue Ridge Mountains. More details coming soon—but for now, plan to join us and save the date!
Children's Ministry
Save These Summer Dates
Camp Tekoa: July 6-12; rising 4th – 6th graders
Children’s Music and Arts Camp: July 14-17; 2 year olds – rising 5th graders
Watch for registration information in the new year!
Older Elementary Mission Week
July 22-24, 9 am - 3 pm
Rising 4th-6th graders are invited to join us for 3 days of a service project in the morning followed by a fellowship activity after lunch! The cost is $45 per participant which includes a t-shirt, daily fellowship activities, snacks, and supplies.
Camp Mail
Do you have a child attending camp this summer? We would love to send them some mail while they are away! If you can let us know when they’ll be at camp and what their address is, we will pop some love into the mailbox and send it their way! Please send information to Anna Thomas.
Family Summer Celebration
Sunday • July 20 • 4 - 5 pm
Save the date for this amazing afternoon for the whole family! We will have a foam party, slip and slide, playground and popsicles. You won't want to miss this.
Backpack Blessing
Sunday • August 10 • 5:30 - 7 pm
Join us for this fun event for the whole family! Pizza dinner is provided. You'll also get the chance to meet your new Sunday school small group leaders and we will spend time blessing you and your backpack. Please register so we can have a headcount!
Congregational Care
CareNotes
CareNotes are concise booklets that provide uplifting guidance to those who are hurting. They address topics that include grief, aging, healthcare, mental wellness, family care, spiritual support, and more. Our collection of CareNotes is located on the 3rd floor near the Resource Room.
Flower Ministry
Each week after Sunday worship, the Altar Guild takes the beautiful altar flowers from Centenary’s Sanctuary and creates several small arrangements that are shared with church members and friends who may be homebased, those who may be recovering from surgery, or who just may need a sign of love and care from our congregation. We are in need of someone to help coordinate this congregational care ministry. Volunteers who have a couple hours a week to deliver flowers are also needed. Associate Minister for Congregational Care, Rev. Oliver Helsabeck, will provide the list of persons to receive flowers each week. If you feel a calling to lead this ministry or to help deliver flowers, please contact Oliver.
Centenary Cares
Centenary Cares, a ministry of Shining Light on Mental Health, is a simple way that care and encouragement are extended from Centenary UMC. If someone you know is struggling or has a loved one struggling with mental health, submit the person’s name to Rev. Oliver Helsabeck, Associate Minister for Congregational Care, (336.724.6311 ext. 1357). A member of Shining Light will confidentially deliver a Centenary Cares bag to the recipient. More information can be found here.
Healing Hands
First Mondays • 10 am - Noon
Calling all knitters and crocheters! Join Healing Hands for a time of fellowship, instruction, and service as members create prayer shawls, lap throws, and other handmade items to provide a tangible blessing for people experiencing loss, crisis, or other need for prayerful care. Items are prayed over and blessed to be given away to others in time of need. No experience is necessary. Contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck or Dianne Moore for more information. Look for a Healing Hands opportunity during Nourish on Wednesday evenings starting in January! No experience is required.
Refresh Prayer Service
Join the Refresh Prayer Ministry for a mid-week service of reflection, music, and prayer. Each Wednesday from Noon-12:15 pm there will be a time for quiet reflection with music, and then the service will begin at 12:15 pm and finish by 12:45 pm. Parking will be available in the Fifth Street parking lot, and you may enter from the Fifth Street entrance to the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Rev. Oliver Helsabeck or Becky Tate.
Peer Connector
If someone in your family is experiencing a crisis of mental health, it’s important to know you are not alone. Shining Light on Mental Health is launching the Peer Connector Ministry, which establishes a confidential connection between you and someone who has experienced a similar situation. Peer Connectors serve as supportive friends and listening ears, and they can provide prayerful, emotional support and can help to direct you to additional support or resources, as needed. Send a confidential message to Rev. Oliver Helsabeck and he will connect you with a Peer Connector.
Justice & Reconciliation
Men's Ministry
Missions
Loaves & Fishes Summer Stock
Loaves & Fishes is once again collecting items for Summer Stock! Anytime this summer, you can take a brown paper bag located in the Narthex or at the 4 ½ Street entrance to fill with needed items. This year we are collecting the following foods: canned chicken, canned tuna, canned beef stew, Spam, and Vienna sausages. Please make sure the canned items are regular sized cans. You can drop your donations off at the 4 ½ Street entrance or in the Narthex to the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, contact Mary Ann Wexler.
Betty & Jim Holmes Food Bank Garden Needs Volunteers
This is a great outdoor mission opportunity for families, individuals and groups. The garden is located at Crossnore Communities for Children, 1001 Reynolda Road, and is open on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. If you are able to help one time or several times, contact us through our website at or call 336-306-0690.
Music & Arts
Subscribe to Sightings & Soundings
Check out Centenary’s monthly Music & Arts magazine! Find the latest edition on the Music & Arts page, subscribe by clicking here, or pick up a printed copy from the Music Suite.
Volunteer for Children's Music & Art Camp
July 14-17, 2025
We’re decking the halls early for Children’s Music & Arts Camp 2025: Christmas in July — and we need YOU to help make it merry & bright! We are looking for volunteers of all ages to serve as counselors, crossing guards, room/activity assistants and snack providers! Whether you wish to help for a day or the whole week, you will make this the holly jolliest camp ever! Please contact Virginia Sheffield, Music Ministry Assistant, to sign up today!
Register for Children's Creative Art Experience 2025/2026
We invite all children ages 2 through 5th grade, new or returning, to join us this fall when CAE resumes on August 27! CAE’s multi-faceted model engages children with various levels of musical and artistic interests, all while cultivating more regular, more varied worship leadership opportunities for Centenary’s youngest! Email Music Ministries Assistant Virginia Sheffield with any questions.
Senior Adult Ministry
The Music Man
Thursday • July 31
Join us for a trip to Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre in Wytheville, VA to enjoy lunch and a performance of The Music Man. The cost is $60 per person, which includes transportation, lunch, and the show. The Centenary bus departs at 10 am and returns by 6 pm. Register by June 27 at noon by emailing or calling or stopping by the church during office hours. Payment with credit card, cash or check is required at registration.
United Women in Faith
Centenary Ornament
The Centenary ornament is still available. It would make a great gift to honor a baptism, confirmation and/or wedding that takes place in our beautiful Sanctuary. If you would like to reserve one, please contact Susan Grubbs. All proceeds go towards the mission projects of the UWF.
Youth Ministry
Waffle Wednesdays
Wednesdays • 5 pm - 6 pm • Youth Commons
We’re mixing things up this summer! Join us mid-week for a summer-long documentary series as we follow along with Morgan Freeman in his production “The Story of God.” Bring your appetite for thought-provoking exploration about God, and of course, an appetite for a waffle-bar spread and other breakfast-for-dinner foods!
What's Faith Got to Do With It?
Youth Sunday School Hour • June 1 - August 10 • Youth Commons
Ever wondered what you might do when you grow up? All of us begin dreaming what we might be when we are little and continue to figure that out throughout our lives. Join us, once again, this summer as we host various members of our church and community to hear from them what they do, how they got there, and how their faith is lived out in their daily