CENTRAL TIME

The weekly e-newsletter of

Central United Methodist Church


A PLACE FOR ALL - A PLACE FOR YOU



September 4, 2024



Visit Our Website


COMING UP


Sunday, September 8

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Reverend Cam Treece


Lectionary:

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125 or Psalm 124 (UMH 846)

James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17; Mark 7:24-37


Epworth Children's Home


Click here for more information on Epworth Children's Home

On Sunday, September 8, we will invest in the lives of the children who call Epworth home through our generous financial gifts. God has entrusted these children to us during their time at Epworth, and it is our call and responsibility to ensure they receive all the tools and care necessary to lives of self-respect, responsibility, and productivity.


We invite you to consider the investment made each year into the lives of God's children. I challenge our church to exceed the average of $6.00 per member giving goal set by Epworth. Special offerings like this one are the number one-way Epworth receives support. Let us all give generously today and provide for these children and their futures. Let the children at Epworth know that there are people all over our state who care for them!


Thank you!

… from the Choirmaster’s desk


I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Chancel Choir for their faithfulness this summer. No one would have suspected that our only rehearsal time during the summer months was Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 10:30. That’s how good this choir is!


Labor Day is often thought of as the unofficial end of summer. It also marks the return of Wednesday night rehearsals for the Chancel Choir. Beginning this Wednesday, September 4th we will rehearse each Wednesday night from 7:30 until 9:00. If you would like to join the Chancel Choir, please contact the director, Keith Jones, at keith.jones,@converse.edu.

September Birthdays

2 Betsy Bragg, Monnie Cannon

5 Chase Harper, Emily Rawlinson

6 Sarah Harrelson, Jack Lawrence, Molly Wilkes

7 Jack Williams

9 John Harrelson

10 Sheri Johnson, Kevin Parris

16 Joy Spencer

17 Robby Crocker

19 Helen S. Fitch

25 Myra Morrison

26 Sue Lowe

LOOKING AHEAD

Handbell News
Central’s handbell choir, the Central Carillon, will begin rehearsals again on this evening. As in the past, we will rehearse each Wednesday at 6:20 pm in the choir room. Ringers from last year are encouraged to be there, and all prospective members are welcome as well. Our group is proud to include folks from high school age plus adults of all ages! We play in church once a month and also have special events in December and May. Questions? Call Al Jeter at 864-585-7308 or email Al at a1jeter@charter.net.

Hello Central,


You are doing a great job with recycling plastic. The last round up included about 20 gallons of plastic that will not go into the landfill! (See 1st picture.) Our landfill will be full in 5 years. By law, we are not allowed to create another in Spartanburg County. Who will be willing to take our trash and at what cost to their environment and our County and City governments? 


There are still some items we can’t use… labels, receipts, stiff, shiny plastic, dirty zip lock bags, Fruit2 O bags, and meat bags. (See 2nd picture.)


Keep up the good work.


Janet Wilson

Upper Room Sunday School Class


You are invited to join the Upper Room Sunday school class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM on Zoom. 



2024

Upper Room Sunday School Recording for September 1, 2024

Password 9.1.24


September - Adam Hamilton's book -

8 Jim Spencer - Why Do the Innocent Suffer?

15 TBA

22 Phillip Stone

29 The Rev 'd Arthur Holt

Our Family Night Suppers will begin this evening, at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

Menu:

Hamburger Steak with mushroom gravy, Green Beans, Baked potato with all the trimmings, Salad, Dessert, Tea & Coffee


Cost: Adults $10 Children $3

Sacred Traditions

And

Rituals




Sunday Evening,

September 8

6:00 PM


The Native Americans and

Creation Spirituality


In September, we will consider Creation Spirituality and its meaning for S.T.A.R. - a group of worshippers with roots in this theology. The reflection on September 8 is on Native American Spirituality as practiced by Black Elk, a shaman whose thoughts and work have shaped our worship group subtly but profoundly. Former Minister of Ritual, The Rev' d Sue Perrin will return on September 22 to share her thoughts about Creation Spirituality and its significance.


This Sunday, we invite you to embark on a journey of exploration into the profound life and teachings of Black Elk, whose wisdom offers surprising insights that resonate deeply within our Creation Spirituality communities like S.T.A.R., especially in these challenging times. Join us as Dr. Andy Crosland reflects on the themes of mysticism and the ecumenical spirit that Black Elk embodies, illuminating how these concepts can inspire our spiritual growth and foster a sense of community engagement. As we gather, we encourage you to contemplate the relevance of Black Elk’s message in the context of your own spiritual journey and our collective path as a church community, fostering inclusiveness and understanding. We warmly invite you to join us for this enriching service, as we remain committed to nurturing discipleship and creating a welcoming environment for all who seek to deepen their faith and connection with one another.



Please join the circle in September!


- Central's Fellowship Hall -


Palmetto Moravian Fellowship

The next worship service with the Moravians is scheduled for Sunday, October 6, at 9:00 AM in the Cannon Memorial Chapel

Weekly Bible Study on Tuesdays


The Evening Bible Class will resume at 5:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall, on Tuesday, September 10. The class were studying Luke when we suspended classes for the summer. Next Tuesday will be a review and summary of the first 9 chapters of that gospel. All are welcome. Please get in touch with Andy Crosland if you have any questions.


Membership News



If you have any news to share of a birth or death in your family in the Central Time e-newsletter, please email Gina Hamer, Central's Administrative Assistant or call the church office at (864) 582-7263. Thank you!

Memorials


To Ida Quackenbush by Sarah Miller


Mildred Ragan by Calvin & Leigh Ann Bridges, Sarah Miller, Dwight Patterson, Whiteoak Estates, Janet Wilson


Upstate Friends Meetings


All worship services will be held at 3pm on Sundays and the Zoom connection will be: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7045994999?

pwd=L3VidXZHNFZxVUNJSjhxaOdtUDlidzO9


They meet in person on the first Sunday of each month in Central's Fellowship Hall.

Next in-person meeting: October 6th.

A social break follows the service with snacks.

____________________________


Church Announcements for

Central Time or Sunday bulletin

If you have an announcement that you would like to appear in the Central Time, Sunday bulletins, on social media, or on the church's website, please submit that information to: info@centralumcspartanburg.org before noon on Mondays. Thank you!

Ways to Give to Central


We continue to be deeply grateful for continued support of the mission and ministry of Central Church. There are a few ways to continue to make offerings extremely easy.


  1. The US mail always works. We are at 233 North Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.
  2. Contact Tammy Eaves to set up a recurring gift through an automatic bank draft.
  3. On the homepage on the church's website there is a "Give" link. Once you set up that app any additional gifts are as easy as one or two clicks.


Central United Methodist Church

Website


 

Wofford Lifelong Learning

Email us at:

lifelonglearning@wofford.edu


Director, Lifelong Learning at Wofford

864-274-2917

Website: Lifelong Learning at Wofford

Fall Term: September 9-November 1

click link below:


Fall 2024


Save the date for Charge Conference '24. It is set for Sunday, September 29th at 2:00 PM in the Upper Room.


Note: To complete the "Columbarium Survey" please click the image above.



In an effort to properly plan, the Columbarium Committee requests all Central members to please respond to a survey (above) of your interest in the columbarium.


The feedback you provide will greatly help the Columbarium Committee make the best possible decision on expansion. Members of the Columbarium Committee will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to email or call the members listed below:



Committee Chair - Jim Hasty at:

hastybquick@gmail.com (864) 216-1526

Member - John Simmons at jsimmons3@me.com (864) 266-7164

Member - Jim Spencer at jimspen@gmail.com (864) 541-1441

Member - Betsy Bragg at thebraggs01@att.net (864) 384-8711


Thank you for your consideration and participation.


Sincerely,


Jim Hasty, Chair


Central Columbarium Committee


Worship Attendance

September 1 in-person - 101; on-line -311plays

GIFTS

 In & Out as of 7/31/24

   YTD Received   $321,056.51

   YTD Expenses  $294,938.40

   YTD Over/Under $26,118.11

 

Meet our Clergy and Staff


Get In Touch



Central Office Hours:

Monday through Friday

9:00 AM-2:00 PM






Mission Statement:

"Our purpose is making and nurturing

disciples of Jesus Christ."



LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

Central (864) 582-7263




Central's Preschool has an amazing website!


Altar Flowers

Please reserve a date with Memorial Secretary, Kathy Worley at (864) 978-0294.


Spartanburg's First Church

organized January 25, 1837

187 years!

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