Centenary UMC

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

"Be still and know that I am God"
Psalm 46: 10

June Calendar

June 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd
Mission Team Arrivals - Cookies to Centenary House

Monday, June 9
Centenary Care Crew at Senior Center/Bingo

June 15
Church-wide Mission Focus
UWIF Sunday with Speaker Ben Booher

Monday, June 23
Centenary Care Crew at Senior Center/Bingo

Friday, June 27
Friday Night Dinner by Donation

Summer @ Centenary

July
Patriotic Service
Dinner by Donation - Community Fundraiser

August
Dinner by Donation - Community Fundraiser
Garden Education Opportunity
After Worship Fellowship Meal - UWIF Fundraiser

September
Vacation Bible School/Wednesdays
Outdoor Worship EOM
Helene Remembrance

Photo Credit: Pixabay Lockie

Mission Team Welcome

We'd like to provide the visiting mission teams staying at
Centenary House with fresh cookies upon their arrival.
Volunteer sign-up by the library!

Cookie Schedule
June 2nd June 9th
June 16th June 23rd

Community Fundraisers
Planned for Steeple Repairs

More information coming soon!

Centenary House Mission Teams

IOCC - Home Rebuilding Team
International Orthodox Christian Charities

Arrival: Monday, May 26

This large mission team arrives on Memorial Day with specialized skills in home rebuilding. Many will be staying and eating at Centenary House. For additional information on IOCC and its Home Rebuild projects, click the link below.

Learn More About IOCC

IOCC Volunteer Opportunities

International Orthodox Christian Charities

Current Status: In-house

This disaster response mission team has been working in the Erwin/Unicoi areas for months now and have become a familiar sight in the Centenary parking lot. They have attended worship services and spent a day working with congregation members in spring cleaning the Centenary grounds.

Learn More About IOCC

CarePortal is Active

WATCH HERE for your opportunity to fulfill an immediate need for a local child in crisis. Sometimes our response is the only thing standing between keeping a child in-home or being placed in foster care.

Volunteers Appreciated @ Centenary Community Garden

Metal Art: Lynn Rozar

Volunteer in garden

5-gallon buckets needed for additional planting!

Strike up a conversation with our unofficial garden guy - Harry L. -
about how you can contribute.

Centenary Care Crew Awarded Grant

The Centenary Care Crew, a group of mission-oriented students from our Youth Group, have been awarded a $5000 grant from the Holston Foundation with the intent to enrich the lives of older county residents, as well as other planned engagements to serve that community of residents.
A big thanks to Youth advisors Jessica & Alvin C., Cynthia S., and UWIF members Jennifer F. and Kathy J. for preparing a successful grant application.

Learn More About Holston Foundation

Your Family & Friends Are Always Welcome!

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: CentenaryUnitedMethodistChurchErwinTN

Like us on Facebook!

Wednesday Morning Devotions
can be accessed through Centenary's Facebook page @ 9:00 am
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563896864019

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/CentenaryofErwinTN

Christian Education Opportunities

Trauma Informed Church Training
June 19 @ Centenary UMC
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Hosted by: Care & Share and UCMA
Conducted by: Uplift Appalachia
EventBrite Link to Cut & Paste:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trauma-informed-church-training-tickets-1392583026319?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Learn How to Best Serve Our Neighbors Affected by Trauma

Linking Laity for Empowerment

Zoom opportunities will be posted when they become available.

FRESH IDEAS - BUILD COMMUNITY - GROW IN FAITH - FUN & INFORMATIVE

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.

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 hand bells 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 Sharp

Photo credit: Kathy Alford

A Word From Pastor Linda Rozar
June 2025

From Your Pastor...

“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible” St. Francis of Assisi

Matthew 19:26 in the Bible states, "But Jesus looked at them and
said, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'".

God is showing us His glory by doing what we think is impossible every
day. I spoke last Sunday about going from seeing the destruction from Helene to seeing the NEW that God is doing around us. Practicing what I preach this week has reduced my stress levels and opened my eyes to a lot!

I am so proud to be a part of this congregation and all you do! Lives are being changed, healed, restored and made whole. That is what Jesus asks of us and what he modeled for us - reaching out to the least, the last, the lost, and the lonely. The Kingdom of God grows around us and the Light of Christ illumines The Way!

‘With God all things are possible.”

Blessings, Pastor Linda

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.

Conference Committees & Assignments

Christian Unity/Interreligious Ministry Area
Small Membership Congregation Team
Mentor: Candidacy

Photo Credit: Kathy Alford

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 grateful for your generosity!"

Pixabay

Good Day, Dear Friends,

We are writing to first say ‘Thank You’ for your gift to those affected by Hurricane Helene. We are all so grateful for your generosity and compassion!

Some of the funds have been used to meet the immediate needs in the community and those connected to our congregation as well as community members’ home rebuilds with the Appalachian Service Project. We are also applying for matching grant funding to expand your donations to meet even more needs.

Unicoi County is unique in that, while not as many homes were lost as in surrounding counties and states, the hospital and industrial park were lost. There are between
250-300 people that have lost employment. Some will be able to return to work at some point, others have lost their jobs in our town forever.

We anticipate a great need for help with heat, electricity, water, rent and
the extra expense of the gas now needed to find jobs in other places. While most
mortgage companies are offering a grace period for those impacted by the
disaster, the current estimate for restoration is six years, and thus we expect
great needs for an extended period.

So again, we thank you and are so grateful for your generosity! May God
bless you abundantly!

In Christ’s Love,
Centenary United Methodist Church
203 N. Elm Ave.
Erwin, TN 37650
423-743-4342
cumcet@yahoo.com
centenaryumc.us
Centenary UMC of Erwin, TN - Facebook

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

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?!

Get In Touch

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When We Gather

Sunday Mornings

Sunday School
9:45 am

Worship Service
10:55 am

Bible Study

Wednesday Morning Online Devotion
9:00 am

Wednesday Evening Bible Study
6:00 pm

Thursday Morning Bible Study
10: 00 am