Welcome






Centenary United Methodist Church
is a place where people can meet Jesus, engage in life-giving community, and where everyone is welcome. We believe in creating a space where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their gifts and use them for God's glory. Join us for our Sunday services,  Bible study classes, United Women in Faith  meetings, youth  gatherings and mission work.

Centenary United Methodist Church 
Welcomes Our Guests!


Pastor Linda Rozar 


"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:13




September Calendar

Handbells: Sundays @ 8:45 am
Choir: Wednesdays @ 5:00 pm



Tuesday Morning Bible Study
September 16th
10:00 am
"The Chosen - Last Supper"

Choir Practice
Wednesday, September 17th
5:00 pm

UWIF Monthly Meeting
Thursday, September 18th
11:00 am

Holston Conference UWIF Annual Conference
Saturday, September 20th
Wesley UMC in Johnson City
3:00 pm

CCC @ Center on Aging
Sunday, September 21st
Autumn Celebration
2:30 pm

A Week of Well Wishes
Sunday, September 21st - Sunday, September 27th
A week of reflection & connection
Hurricane Helene Anniversary

3rd Sunday Mission Giving
to benefit Jubilee Project
Sneedville, TN
September 21st

VBS - "Road Trip"
Sunday, September 21st
12:00 pm - 2:00
Care Crew @ 2:30 pm @ Center for Aging

Autumn Begins
September 22nd

A Day with the Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
Monday, September 22nd
Mafair UMC, Kingsport

District Conference
Sunday, September 28th
First Broad Street, Kingsport
3:00 pm




Photo Credit: First UMC

A Concert to Benefit
 Appalachia Service Project 

First UMC Sanctuary - Johnson City
Sunday, September 28th @ 4:00 pm
A Special Offering Will Be Taken
             





United Women in Faith

September
Meetings

Thursday, September 18th
11:00 am
Fellowship Hall







Saturday, September 20th
3:00 pm
Wesley
UMC


Photo Credit: PLS
UWIF Unit Officers

Appalachian District


A Day with the Bishop, Rev. Debra Wallace-Padgett, will be held at:

Mafair UMC in Kingsport
Monday, September 22nd
Clergy arrive at 5:00 pm
6:00 pm
Charge Conference will be held at individual churches within the district, a break from the norm after many years. DS Rev. Scott Spence will be attending:

Centenary UMC
Thursday, October 2nd
6:00 pm

VBS: Autumn Style
All Kids Welcome!
Contact Jessica or Cynthia for more info.

September 21st

Photo Credit: Ronile Pixabay

CarePortal in Unicoi County

Register through the link below to actively participate in this newly launched mission
to help our county neighbors. "Help" ranges from financial donations directed
to the family's needs  to specific items that have been requested to prayer for
 the family involved.  Immediate needs are already being met!

Matthew 22: 39- ..."Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Register here for care portal
Photo Credit: digitlchicPixabay

Old Testament
Disciple Series Sermons

Two sermons left in the Old Testament-based sermons offered by Pastor Linda.  September 14th is entitled "Wisdom" and September 21st is "Hope". Relevant readings can be found by scrolling down to the light green Educational section on this home page.

Steeple Image: Ben Booher

Towering with Tradition:
Steeple Preservation

Raising Funds to Restore Our Iconic Steeple

A fundraising campaign launched on Sunday, July 6 with a challenge by
Pastor Linda Rozar to take a pie in the face for financial contributions to
  restore the Centenary steeple. The steeple has been damaged by water
intrusion over the years and requires the summer 2025 repairs.

 Prayerful consideration of a financial gift to the Steeple Preservation Fund
is greatly appreciated. We intend to have the iconic steeple of  Centenary
United Methodist Church tower over the Erwin community
for a second century of Christian service.
Steeple Preservation Fund - Give Here

"The Chosen"
Season 5: Last Supper

This fall's Tuesday Morning Bible Study will be
Season 5 of The Chosen: Last Supper.
Class will meet on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am.
September 16th & September 23rd



Fall Festival: Coming at You!

Planning in Progress - Please Participate

 October 18th from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Indoor Vendors
Bouncy House
Maid-Rite Sandwiches & Frog Eye Salad
Pastor Pie in the Face
More to Come!
Type your new text here.

Media


Wednesday Morning Devotions

Reverend Linda Rozar

Devotions and Sermons can also be found on our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/CentenaryofErwinTN
Browse 2024 Advent Readings - Devotions - Scripture
Access 2025 Lent Readings

Online Media Access Via Facebook

Facebook: CentenaryUMCofErwin,TN

Like us on Facebook!


Wednesday Morning Devotions 
can be accessed through Centenary's Facebook page @ 9:00 am
https://www.facebook.com/CentenaryUMCofErwin,TN

Pairs & Spares Sunday School Class 
can be accessed through Lois Shults-Davis' Facebook page at 10:00 am
https://www.facebook.com/lois.shultsdavis/

Sunday Morning Worship Services 
 can be accessed through Centenary's Facebook page LIVE at 10:55 am.
https://www.facebook.com/CentenaryofErwin,TN

 Opportunities to Connect

Here it is - all in one place. Mark your calendar now!
Or whip out your smart phone or tablet & get these dates entered.

"Come in From the Storm"

September 21st - September 27th
Join community members for a week of remembrance and reconnection with others as we pause and reflect on the events of Autumn 2024.
Sponsored by Unicoi County Long Term Recovery Group
Daily Events - Link Below
SSWeekofRemembranceLTRG.png
Photo credit: MatthewBoeckelPix

Pew Captains Month!

September is the month to invite your friends, family, neighbors and community members to attend Sunday worship at Centenary. The idea is to pack the pews - the winning pew by total number of worshippers will be announced on Sunday, October 5th.

District Superintendent Visit

Appalachian District Superintendent Rev. Scott Spence Preaching on Sunday, November 16th @ 10:55 am
Thanksgiving meal in the Fellowship Hall @ noon

Christian Education Opportunities


Season 5: The Chosen - Last Supper
Film & Discussion  

Led by Pastor Linda Rozar
Tuesday Mornings
Beginning September 16th
10:00 am
October Schedule to be posted soon

Seasons 1 - 4 are available at online streaming platforms.


Linking Laity for Empowerment
Speaker: Rev. Kim Goddard

Passionate Spiritual Disciples & Covenant Groups
Practical Guidance - Best Practices - Q&A
Recommended for small group leaders, Sunday school teachers,
ministry team members, and anyone hungry to grow as a disciple

Thursday, September 25th @ 7:00 pm
Zoom
Register Here

The Old Testament Disciple Sermon Series
Learn at Your Own Pace

Old Testament Readings & Reflections
Week 1 - Creation
Week 4 - Deliverance
Week 7 - Leadership
Week 10 - Consequences
Week 2 - Sin
Week 5 - Order
Week 8 - Security
Week 11 - Wisdom 
Week 3 - Covenant
Week 6 - Atonement
Week 9 - Warning
Week 12 - Hope 



Attend a Sunday School Class

After a 15 minute gathering time, Pairs & Spares Sunday School class begins at 10:00 am and will generally go LIVE on Facebook/Lois Shults-Davis just a few minutes after that. Lois Davis is our very knowledgeable instructor and leads this class in lively discussion. We are always happy to meet new class visitors and share the joy and spirit of this class.
https://www.facebook.com/lois.shultsdavis/

The Golden Girls meet in a classroom off the entrance hall near the administration area. These ladies range in age and interests; participate in a weekly United Methodist curriculum; and are actively involved in the United Women in Faith unit.

The Garland Library Adult Discussion folks are a diverse group of our more senior members, though any age is welcome to participate. Lots of knowledge and years of experience to draw upon in these discussions.

Youth members and their friends are guided under the steady hands of Jessica and Alvin Casey in a cheery classroom at the end of the entrance hall. All ages welcome and appropriately supervised. Assisting in Youth classes are Cynthia Sparks and Lee Hughes.
Class stalwarts (and funny) - Rita & Marvin
Pairs & Spares can be counted on to fully participate in fun church-wide activities. Jack & Penny are displaying their head covers for Crazy Socks & Hat Day.
Class Instructor is Lois Shults-Davis
Knowledgeable - Experienced - Faithful

The "Unsung Heroes" of Worship

These talented folks continually communicate the joy of worship through music. Led by Robin Lafever, choir members diligently prepare their upcoming presentations mid-week and lead our musical worship on most Sunday mornings. In addition to weekly services, they also give the congregation meaningful programs at Christmas and Easter, and often participate in community musical presentations.

Adding talented new members is a joyful option - please contact Robin or a member of the administrative staff if you have an interest in joining the choir or handbells group.

Robin would LOVE to see aspiring choir members!

2025 Choir Members

Kathy J; Bob L; Penny J and Jennifer F.
Music Director: Robin Lafever
Accompanist: Erin S. Farley
Photo credit: Kathy Alford

A Word From Pastor Linda Rozar
September 2025

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Philippians 4:13

This is a bit different from your Pastor to the Newsletter this month and
the dates are not in any specific order..

Please read the scripture above before starting on my article.

Charge Conferences this year will be at individual churches so the District Superintendent can get to know us better! This is a REALLY big deal and
has not happened like this for many years. It takes a huge amount of time
and travel to do the Conferences this way, but this is just another example
of his genuine, spirit-filled, leadership to our District. I just learned last
night that our Charge Conference has been scheduled for Thursday,
October 2nd at 6:00 pm. I do hope that ALL will attend and let Reverend
Spence know your hopes and dreams for our church, the District, and our Conference and what you would like to see changed to make us better!

There is a Vision Meeting this Wednesday., September 3rd at 4:00 pm.
We welcome all of your input and ideas. The main focus for September
and October will be planning the Steeple Fundraising Fall Festival on
October 18th from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. So please come help us do the best
we can to raise funds for the steeple repair.

Of course, Apple Festival is Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th.
The Youth will be working very hard with our adult volunteers parking
cars. The United Women in Faith will hold their famous Bake Sale.
Please continue to support them and share your incredible Centenary Joy!

Youth will be at the Center on Aging, September 21st at 2:30 pm. Please
join them to celebrate the Autumn Season with the residents!

District Conference will be Sunday, September 28th, 3:00 pm at First
Broad Street, Kingsport, TN.

Does it sound like a lot? Please read the scripture above two more times!!

September is Pew Captains month! If you did not volunteer to be a Pew
Captain on Sunday, August 31st and your row does not have one, please
do so this week and INVITE folks to be apart of Sunday Morning Worship!
The winner will be announced Sunday, October 5th!

September 22nd is A Day with the Bishop, 6:00 pm at Mafair UMC, in
Kingsport.

VBS is September 7th and 21st from noon - 3:00 pm. Join the Youth
for a ‘Road Trip’ and share a meal with us. The Youth will be sharing
their ‘Road Trip’ experiences with us during worship on World
Communion Sunday, October 5th!



About Pastor Linda

Bachelor's Degree - Union University with a focus in Religion

Pastor Linda began serving as a licensed local pastor with the
United Methodist Church in 2002. Having met all educational
 and service requirements as well as completing all
credentialing requirements, she became an Associate
Member of the Holston Conference in 2021 and has faithfully
served in Hamblen, Greene, Unicoi and Washington counties
in upper east Tennessee.





 From Your Pastor . . . continued

Priviledge Yesaya from Zimbabwe will be preaching on October 12th while I am
on vacation. Priviledge is a Master of Divinity student at Emmanuel Christian
Seminary, he is an ordained minister with significant pastoral experience, and
a PhD in Theology. He is currently serving at Unicoi Christian Church as well as
at Unicoi County Care & Share under a bivocational Ministry Fellowship with
@ecsatmilligan and @fccerwin as partners. He has begun a mission ministry to
build wells for community water in Zimbabwe where his family still resides.

Does it sound like a lot? Please read the scripture above three more times!!

What is your pastor doing during September?
· Finishing the Narrative Budget that is not just numbers but hopefully stories of
 where Centenary UMC is reaching the world for Christ!
· Setting up the portable camera for worship and other events to stream from our
 website while still linked to Facebook and YouTube!
· Charge Conference paperwork!
· Calling for vendors for the Steeple Fundraising Fall Festival and creating a flyer
 for the event.
· Representing Centenary at each of the Week of Well Wishes-Come in from the
 Storm events   September 21st - September 28th.
· Beginning Season 5 of "The Chosen" on Tuesdays ….See Calendar    

THESE ARE NOT JUST MORE THINGS TO DO AT THE CHURCH. EACH ONE IS
A TIME  WE GET TO SHARE THE GOSPEL AND BE THE LOVE OF GOD TO THOSE
AROUND US FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US!!


Blessings, Pastor Linda

Erwin Disaster Relief Fund

Established by Centenary United Methodist Church
Remains Active in Donations & Distribution

A significant part of our beautiful small town was severely damaged by the flood waters of Hurricane Helene in late September 2024. Recovery and rebuilding are ongoing. The resources of this area are straining under the demand of those directly affected by the floodwaters and storm damage, and by those who are giving of their time and skill to help our community recover.
 
Centenary United Methodist Church, serving the Erwin community for over 100 years, is well-positioned to offer spiritual care as well as meet the practical needs of those coping with the aftermath of this devastating storm. Additionally, Centenary is supported by the connectional relationship of the larger church and we have the ability to access relief resources through the United Methodist Church. Within days of the disaster, UMCOR delivered flood buckets for cleaning and hygiene kits for personal care; additional shipments have arrived in the weeks following the flooding.
 
Financial contributions to assist our community will be thoughtfully deployed by Pastor Linda Rozar of Centenary UMC as she is best positioned to determine how your donation will be of maximum benefit. Additionally, grant funding is hoped for in order
to expand the reach of your financial donations.
 
You can access our online giving page through this website, if you choose to donate online. If you prefer to write a check, please notate Erwin Disaster Relief Fund and mail to:
Centenary UMC
203 North Elm Avenue
Erwin, TN 37650

To all who have given and to those who continue to support our long-term efforts to help our local community - thank you for your generous support. May God bless you always. 
Link to Giving Page
Nolichucky River Flooding 2024
Photo Credit: Tricia Staton
Learn More

Tremendous Damage on Erwin's South Side



Relief Fund Expenditures

The first disbursement of funds was provided to the distribution centers and Care & Share to enable flood victims to do laundry.
The second disbursement was to meet specific needs of first responders in town to assist victims.
An additional disbursement was recently made to three Unicoi County families greatly affected by the floods.

Pastor Linda continues to apply for matching fund grants to extend the benefit of donated funds and a new committee has been
formed to assist in grant writing and as a group, to consider the needs of the local community by community members.



" ... so thankful for your generosity!"

Pixabay

A Summer Update on Disaster Relief Funds

July 5, 2025

To All of Our Disaster Fund Contributors,

I am writing as I had promised to keep everyone updated about how your blessed
contributions were being used to help with disaster needs in our community.

Thus far, you have helped with rebuilding three homes directly and many others indirectly. You have helped provide space, accommodations, and services for mission teams staying with us as they rebuild with others. There have been household items purchased for some that lost them; cars repaired that were damaged; help with house payments to keep them current so they could qualify for a rebuild (while they pay rent also for a place to stay until rebuild is complete); help with electricity, gas, water, etc. as numerous folks lost their employment at the destroyed factories; and debris removal to list just a portion.

We are so pleased to now have an active Unicoi County Long-Term Recovery Group to coordinate and serve those that have filed claims! And believe it or not, they are still discovering more needs each week with folks that tried to make it on their own.

Centenary UMC is here for ALL and we will continue to minister to and assist as we can until everyone has been restored to pre-hurricane condition or better. Your continued donations are sought prayerfully!

We are so thankful for your generosity! May your giving be blessed and your lives for doing so!

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Linda

Centenary Gratitude and Breakthrough Prayer 
Written by and for the people of Centenary United Methodist Church


Gracious God,

We give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Your will in Christ
Jesus! We give thanks to You, for You are good and Your
steadfast love endures forever!

We know that You are with us, and as we rest in Your Unfailing
Love, and Your Gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, we

continue to seek breakthrough for Your Kingdom where we are.
We pray together for a fresh anointing by the Pentecostal power
of the Holy Spirit:

Continue to awaken us;
To revive us;
To lead us according to Your Will;
To open our hearts;
To open our minds;
To open our judgment free doors wherever with
compassion to all.

Continue to help us reach those who feel unseen or unloved
with hospitality and acceptance.

With Your Perfect Love that removes all our fears,
Keep us unified as the Body in peace and joy,
Extending Your Love through our hearts always for Your Glory.

For it is in Your Joy that we find our strength, and in Christ
that we live, and move, and have our being. Therefore, let us
strive to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of
gratitude.

In Our Savior’s precious and holy name.

Amen.

Photo Credit: Kathy Alford
Centenary United Methodist Church
Erwin, Tennessee

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When We  Gather

Sunday Mornings

Sunday School
9:45 am

Worship Service
10:55 am

Tuesday Morning
"The Chosen - Last Supper"
10:00 am

 Bible Study 

Wednesday Morning Online Devotion
9:00 am

Preparing to Help Erwin's Homeless Community
Centenary Projects Underway

Sleeping Mats

These projects are still active! Pastor Linda will continue to cut and crochet bags. Additional "bag cut days" will be scheduled. If you can help, please let her know. And actually, some needs are being met by serving the flood community as we currently have an abundance of resources to distribute to those in need.

United Women in Faith (UWIF) will continue to collect plastic grocery bags which will be transformed into sleeping mats for our homeless neighbors.

The Unit asks that you accumulate a plentiful supply of clean plastic grocery bags. When convenient, please bring your bag supply to CUMC and leave it in the designated room at the church. No deadline at this time.

The collected bags will be split into three pieces, according to the available pattern. Those willing and able - men, women, and youth - will crochet the bag pieces into plastic sleeping mats. If you don't know how to crochet, Pastor Linda is willing to teach you OR the Unicoi County Public Library offers occasional crocheting classes.

Photo credit: Mike Dubose

Ministering to the Homeless

M&Ms Project
Our Youth are asking for your support as they raise funds to cover the expense of
preparing Comfort Bags for the homeless which will contain a variety of much needed personal care items, small food items, necessary small clothing articles and other items useful for living without a home.
 
To participate, please obtain a plastic container of M&M's candy from the Missions table or provide your own. Eat/share/gift the candy inside and retain the tube. Fill the candy tube with quarters or coins/cash of your choice. The size shown in the photo will hold $13.00 in quarters.
Return the filled candy container to Jessica C.

Two large boxes of prepared Comfort Bags were blessed during worship and are ready for distribution. This project is an on-going one for the Youth Group, so satisfy your craving for some M&Ms! Thank you for your support! This is a win-win for everyone!
Photo credit: Janine Haas
You can find the M &M containers on the missions table.
Please take one, enjoy and return to the Youth Group with your
financial gift toward their winter mission project.


Who doesn't like M&Ms?!