September 11, 2026

Welcome Lana van Essen

Part-time Director of Operations

Hi, I'm Lana. (It rhymes with llama, not banana.) I have an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and a DMin in Leadership from Pacific School of Religion, which is a long way of saying I have spent years asking why organizations do things the way they do. I live here in Richmond with my wife of almost 15 years, Kim, and our two kids. Most mornings you'll find me at the gym. Most evenings there's a guitar in my lap. What I love about this work is that moment when the numbers stop scaring somebody. That's usually when a leader can breathe again and get back to the thing they were called to do.

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Join us this Sunday!

Greeters Team

Training Meeting this Sunday!

A new Greeters Team is launching at Centenary! Let's be honest — it can be a bit daunting to know where to go if you've never been here before. We'd love to create a warm, welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Consider being a friendly face and guide for folks as they arrive for worship on Sundays. This isn't an every-week commitment — we'll build a rotation, so even one Sunday

a month makes a difference!

A training day is set for September 13, following Coffee and Cookies. Interested? Email Emily at srpastor@centumc.org.

Membership Inquiry Class

Is Centenary starting to feel like home to you? Join us for a Membership Inquiry Class on September 20, after worship — a chance for us to get to know you, and for you to learn more about Centenary and the United Methodist Church. We'll then celebrate Membership Sunday on October 11 during worship. Questions? Reach out to Emily at srpastor@centumc.org.

We are Back!

Wednesdays at 10:00am on Zoom

Join Pastor Emily for a lively, open conversation around scripture — digging into the passages we'll hear in worship in the weeks ahead. Come wrestle, question, and discover together as we explore what God is doing in the world (and in us!). Want the Zoom link? Email Laura at admin@centumc.org to be added to the list.

Pride Builds — Update

October 24 and November 7

The two upcoming Pride Builds are filling up! There are only 3 spots left for the build on October 24. The build on November 7 has 8 spots left. Sign up today by emailing: serving@centumc.org

New Back Door Operating Procedure

The door is now fully automatic.

The back handicap access door that goes out towards the back alley/parking lot currently needs a bit of tender loving care, so there are new procedures in place to enter and exit

through that door.

ENTER ON FOR SUNDAY MORNINGS

Please push the handicap button. The door will open and close automatically.

ENTER DURING THE WEEK

Please use the doorbell. Someone will respond and activate the door opening for you.

EXIT AT ANYTIME

A motion sensor has been installed on the door, so as you get close to the door, it will automatically open for you. It will also close on it's own. Or use the handicap button. That button is always active.

The most important thing to remember is:

DO NOT PULL OR PUSH ON THE DOOR OR DOOR HANDLES!

Just let the door do all the work!

Old habits are hard to break! Reminder signs are on the both sides of the doors.

This procedure is only necessary on the back door

- the door with the ramp to Grace Street operates is its usual manner.

Friday Walk In Lunch Outreach

Our Friday Walk In lunch program has been feeding the hungry for over 45 years. On September 4 we served 107 guests as volunteers from Centenary prepared, served, and cleaned up. 

Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

Online Giving Made Easy

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