Blog

Remembering Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams

Published: 18 July 2023
Written by Rev. Dr. David O. Weatherly
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Categories: Blog

What a difference a year makes…

This is a phrase we often hear when we reflect on something that happened 365 days ago. It might represent thoughts and feelings of evaluation, consternation, lamentation, and celebration.

Today, I am setting aside some time for meditation…on all of these things, because they each apply in some way to the loss we have felt over the past year.

It was one year ago today that our sister Autura got up to go about her day, not knowing it would be her last. I don’t know what specific things she did throughout the day before she drove her car that afternoon into the last place she thought she’d lose her life…her own driveway…but I can probably guess most of what she had accomplished.

Autura lived every day to the fullest. It was guaranteed that on any given day she would…

laugh with someone,

offer compassion to someone,

pray with and for someone,

be brought to tears listening to someone,

encourage someone,

and challenge someone.

Maybe you were one or more of those someone’s?

Autura was a Jesus-follower. I am grateful she was in the category of the Methodist variety of such disciples.

As I start my second year as your interim Superintendent in the Metro District, I am meditating on how Autura’s legacy lives on in my life and in our district.

I am meditating on…

what she left behind for me to do,

what she left for me to pick up and carry on,

what she is telling me to speak up and speak out about,

who she is telling me to sit down with and really listen to,

what does she want me to challenge that inspires the change for Christ that is needed in the world,

who needs me to laugh with them,

and who needs to be reminded that no matter how lost they may feel, how downtrodden they are, how unsure they are that anyone cares or notices them – that they, and we, remain…

I shall meditate on these things, and much more, reflecting on the gifts I received from God in being a brother, a friend, and a colleague of the one-of-a-kind Autura Eason-Williams.

Rest in Peace, dear sister.

You fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith.

Let us all keep running with perseverance the race that Christ has set before us…for His sake, and Autura’s.

Your Interim Metro District Superintendent,
Rev. Dr. David O. Weatherly

Autura Eason-Williams Day of Lament and Action

Published: 4 July 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

The Autura Eason-Williams Day of Lament and Action (AEWDLA) was conceived by the Late Rev. Roger Hopson and the Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton as a time to honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams, who was removed from us by gun violence on July 18, 2022, by offering a time of lament for other similar losses in black communities and providing opportunity for people to engage in discussion and formulate solutions for gun violence awareness, reduction, and repair.

Join us on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 4:00pm

• Centenary UMC, 584 E. McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN, 38106

• Clark Memorial UMC, 1014—14th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208

In Memphis

Impact testimony and informative interaction with

Mr. Ian Randolph, Political Affairs Chair of the Memphis NAACP

• Rev. Roz Nichols, President of Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH)

• Mr. Terrance Ryans, Director of Mission and Shelter, St. Matthews UMC, Trainer for Triumph Over Trauma • Organizing for art project at Centenary UMC

Visit the TWK BMCR website to register and find more information.

Register Now!

2023 Annual Health Fair & Back-to-School Drive

Published: 20 May 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

This year’s Health Fair & Back-to-School Drive will be held on July 29, 2023. As you know, every year during our Annual Health Fair our youth gear up their engines for our Annual Back-to-School Drive. In the past, we were able to supply over 400 Pre-K-12 students, and this year we are anticipating more! We need your help! Although we are currently accepting donations of basic school supplies, we prefer monetary donations to purchase needed school supplies.

Please download the school supply card and use the list to fill a bag with school supplies. We will place the supplies in backpacks and hand them out to families during the 2023 Health Fair.

Please bathe the bag of supplies in prayer once it has been filled. Pray that the student that receives it will have a successful school year.

Centenary-2023-School-Supply-CardDownload

Call the church office at 901-774-7604 for more information.

Register Now

TWK and Centenary Mass Choir Rehearsals

Published: 15 May 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

The TWK Mass Choir is gathering for worship services at the Annual Conference June 19th-June 21st.

Opportunities to sing:

Monday, June 19th Opening Worship at 10 am (call time 9:15 am) and Tuesday, June 20th Ordination Service at 7 pm (call time 6:15 pm)

Centenary Rehearsals – Tuesdays 6-7 pm

  • Tuesday, May 30th
  • Tuesday, June 6th
  • Tuesday, June 13th

Regional Rehearsals

All are free to attend any of the upcoming rehearsals based on accessibility and timing:

  • Middle TN Sunday, June 4th 5:30 pm Gordon Memorial UMC, 2334 Herman Street, Nashville, TN 37208
  • KY/NW TN Saturday, June 10th, 11 am Christ UMC, 1322 W Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
  • West TN – Sunday, June 11th, 5:30 pm Bartlett UMC, 5676 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134

Combined Rehearsal

Sunday, June 18th, 6 pm. Renasant Convention Center Grand Ballroom, 255 N. Main Downtown Memphis, TN 38103

Worship Services

Opening Worship

Monday, June 19th 10 am

9:15 am call time for singers 

Attire: come as you are comfortable; keep in mind it may be cold in the ballroom

Opening Worship Sheet Music

Opening Worship YouTube Playlist

Service of Licensing, Commissioning, and Ordination

Tuesday, June 20th 7 pm

6:15 pm call time for singers

 Attire: Soprano/Alto: all Black; Tenor/Baritone/Bass: White shirt, preferably with a collar and black bottom; ties are optional

Ordination Service Sheet Music

Ordination Service YouTube Playlist

Feel free to share this information with others that may be interested in joining us. We will make a joyful noise as we gather for Annual Conference!

Please call Cynthia Haley with any questions or concerns.

All are welcome!

Register Now for Our Summer Enrichment Program

Published: 14 April 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

It’s time to register for our in-person summer enrichment program for rising 1st through 6th graders. The program runs from June 5th through July 27th.

Register Now

Providing Water for Project Transformation
We are asking each member to donate a case of water for our Summer Project Transformation Program. We will not be using water fountains due to safety precautions but would like to ensure clean and safe drinking water to the youth participating in the program this summer.

Contact us for more information.

Spring Festival

Published: 25 March 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

Join us Saturday, April 8 at 12:00 pm for our annual Spring festival! We will have food, games and an egg hunt! Please register to make sure we are ready for you! Call the church office if you would like to volunteer at 901-774-7604.

Women’s Month 2023

Published: 9 March 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

March, “The month of our founding as the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society in 1869 is the same month we introduce our new name for our new time: United Women in Faith!”   March is the perfect time for us to honor our history by stepping boldly into our future. Join us in celebrating Women’s Month 2023!

Women’s History in the Methodist Movement 

March is Women’s History Month, and the Methodist Church has a rich history of women’s leadership. Borrow these books to learn about this history and teach it to others. We also have some DVDs on general women’s history to add to your watch list.     

Women’s Month 2023

Join us Sunday, March 26 at 10:30 am. for our Women’s Day Service.

Our Guest Speaker is Dr. Karren Todd.

Women's Month 2023

Dr. Karren Todd

Dr. Karren D. Todd is a dynamic speaker, powerful motivator, author and certified professional coach. After serving 15 years in full-time ministry, with eight years as Senior Associate Pastor, Karren shifted to serving God as the Executive Director of POWER Ministries, Inc and CEO of Empowerment Coaching and Consulting. Karren thrives at the intersection of spiritual and personal development which enables her to support clients in ministry and the marketplace.

Dr. Karren’s impact in the community is widespread. She has served on the Board of Directors for Leadership Memphis, the Memphis Urban League Guild and as a Clergy Coach for the Clergy Coaching Network. She is currently an Executive Committee member for the Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis and is a member of the Professional Consultation Committee for CPE at Methodist Lebonheur Healthcare. Dr. Karren hosts a weekly radio show called SOAR with Coach Karren on 88.5 and is an active member of the Junior League of Memphis and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Karren is also a published author with two of her books landing on Amazon and Kindle’s Best-Selling lists. She has received many honors including Tri State Defender’s Women of Excellence, Female Pastor of the Year and the Dress for Success Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.

Dr. Karren recently completed a Chaplain Residency with Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare and is currently serving as the Director of the House of Black Church Studies at Memphis Theological Seminary.

Karren holds a Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling.

Rev. Roger A. Hopson Seminary Scholarship

Published: 15 February 2023
Written by Centenary Communications
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Categories: Blog

Scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing a Master of Divinity at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries and schools of theology in the United States. With the Rev. Roger A. Hopson Seminary Scholarship, GBHEM is opening pathways for students of all backgrounds to earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders for the church and the world.

Learn more