The Family Life Center was host to CUMC Harvest Festival 2010. We had a wonderful time. Thank you so much to Ann Collins and CUMC Youth for The Wages of Sin room. It's amazing how 8 teenagers can turn black garbage bags, spider webbing, room props and their imagination into the highlight of the night. Special thank you to the parents of Pack 215 and 288 for your AWESOME support.

Wednesday Prayer Gathering

"Our Father...Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The First Wednesday Prayer Gatherings have resumed and will begin tonight at 6:00 pm in the church fellowship hall.

Family Night Out - September 29, 2010

Family Night Out is an opportunity for the Central church family to come together to fellowship with one another over a good meal. Please make plans now to join us for Family Night Out on September 29 at 6:00 pm.

Free Ballet Training

City Dance will offer FREE Ballet training for children ages 7 - 10.

Classes are held after school and are provided FREE of charge.

Participants are chosen by audition.

Auditions

Saturday, September 11, 2010

(prior dance experience is not required for the CityDance program).

Mississippi Arts Center

201 East Pascagoula Street

Jackson, Mississippi 39201

Registration Times:

9:30 AM - 7 year old students

10:00 AM - 8 year old students

10:30 AM - 9 and 10 year old students

(Please do not arrive before your designated registration time.)

WEAR shorts, t-shirts and socks

BRING a completed application form for each student.

Applications can be obtained by contacting the IBC office at 601.355.9853.

Reach for the Stars - End of Session II Program

Here's a video of some of the program from the end of session II.

http://cumcflc.blogspot.com

Reach for the Stars 2010 - Session II

Today was the last day of Session II of the Reach for the Stars Summer Enrichment Program. We had a blast. The program moved me to tears. If you're not a part of a mentoring group, get involved in our upcoming M@C (Mobilization at Central) program. These young people are so amazing and they just might surprise you!

Big thanks to the Pastor, Officers and members of Central United Methodist Church for your support during both sessions of the Summer Enrichment Program. I also would like to thank the following people:
Ann Collins, Program Director
Terry Varnado, Kitchen Coordinator
Brenda Harris-Washington & Christian Lattimore - 6th grade teachers
Demetreas Donald & Jasmine Stiff - 7th grade teachers
Tene Dixon & Bennye Henderson - 8th grade teachers
Renauldo Milsap & Johniel McIntosh - High School teachers
Cheryl Collins, Program Assistant
Kim Robinson, Program Assistant
Mattie Stevens, Adult Supervisor
Kizzye Newell, Kitchen Assistant
LaTerence Varnado, Kitchen Assistant
Rose Smith, Kitchen Volunteer
Oliver Jefferson, Recreation Coordinator
Collins Funeral Home for the loan of some of your employees (Effie Collins, Ralph Collins)
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
LaMorne's Dance Studio
West Jackson CDC
The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi
and D.I.V.A.A.S. and L.E.A.D. of Anderson UMC who have assisted with Session II.

Agape Fellowship July 2010

On Wednesday, July 21, the Family Life Center hosted the Agape Fellowship gathering. The participants from the Summer Enrichment Program performed what they have learned during the recreation time from Session I and the MADD (Music, Art, Dance and Drama) camps of Session II.

If you attended, you were blessed by how these students have developed their minds and talents all in an effort to praise God. I hope you enjoy the video.
http://cumcflc.blogspot.com

Upcoming Events

Agape Gathering

The Family Life Center will host the Agape gathering on Wednesday, July 21, 6 pm in the Family Life Center. We will also celebrate the July birthdays at this time.

The Summer Enrichment Program participants have been working hard to WOW you with what they've learned in the classroom and MADD (music, art, dance and drama) camps. Please let us know if you will attend by calling the Family Life Center at 601.355.7858.

Happy 4th of July

http://cumcflc.blogspot.com/

Reach for the Stars 2010 - Session I

On Thursday, July 1, we closed out Session I of the Summer Enrichment Program. A multitude of thanks go out to the following for your committment, dedication and support:

Ann Collins, Program Director
Terry Varnado, Kitchen Coordinator
Vicki Gamble, Kindergarten teacher
Patricia Taylor, 1st Grade teacher
Keisha Davis, 2nd Grade teacher
Demetreas Donald, 3rd Grade teacher
Renauldo Millsap, 4th Grade teacher
Glenda McElroy, 5th Grade teacher
LaTonya Graham, 6th Grade teacher
Jarett Benson, Office Staff
Cheryl Collins, Program Assistant
Kim Robinson, Program Assistant
Mattie Stevens, Adult Supervisor
Christian Lattimore, Adult Supervisor
Kizzye Newell, Kitchen Assistant
LaTerence Varnado, Kitchen Assistant
Cynthia Brumfield, Kitchen Volunteer
Oliver Jefferson, Recreation Coordinator
Collins Funeral Home for the loan of some of your employees (Michael Hayes, Effie Collins, Ralph Collins)
All of the junior counselors and volunteers who have assisted with Session I.

Now let's get ready for Session II!

Summer Reading Workshops

The Richard Wright Library, located at 515 W. McDowell Road will be offering several workshops this summer.

English II Exam Writing Workshops:

• Saturday, June 26, 2010 10 am - 12 pm 10th, 11th & 12th grade

Summer Reading and Storyboard Workshops:

• Saturday, July 10, 2010 10 am - 12 pm K, 1st and 2nd grades
• Saturday, July 17, 2010 10 am - 12 pm 3rd grade
• Saturday, July 24, 2010 10 am - 12 pm 4th grade

Kindergarten: Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Goodnight Moon, First Grade: Olivia and Sheep Out to Eat, Second Grade: Harold and the Purple Crayon and Something Beautiful, Third Grade: Through Grandpa's Eyes and Uncle Jed's Barbershop, Fourth Grade: Charlotte's Web and Talk About a Family.

Summer Book Club for Students and Parents/Guardians

• Thursday, June 17, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 8th grade
• Thursday, June 24, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 8th grade
• Thursday, July 1, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 8th grade
• Thursday, July 8, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 9th grade
• Thursday, July 15, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 9th grade
• Thursday, July 22, 2010 6 pm - 7:30 pm 9th grade

Eighth grade: Gifted Hands, Ninth grade: To Kill a Mocking Bird

Students are expected to read the book (s) before attending the workshop. Please bring a copy of the book with you. Parents must attend Summer Reading and Book Club workshops with students.

Summer Enrichment Program

The first session of the Summer Enrichment Program will soon be ending. We have had a wonderful time with the students who are enrolled. Registration is still going on for Session II which will begin on July 5 for rising 7th - 12th graders. Classroom assistants are still needed. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Michelle Henry at 601.355.7858.

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Psalm 118:23

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Worship service was truly a blessing today. Rev. Cook preached on the subject The Value of a Loving Father. The Angels of Praise and M.I.M.E.s performed in honor of the fathers of Central United Methodist Church. Three new members completed new members class and were awarded their certificate of membership.

Happy Father's Day

In honor of all fathers, Central United Methodist Church hosted a Father's Day Cookout which was free and open to the public. A very special thank you to AJ's Security Bars and Doors for being our grillmaster, A Greener Farish for the prizes, Attorney Melvin Priester for being our celebrity judge and the Farish Street community for supporting our efforts.

Praise Party 2010

Clap my hands,
stomp my feet.
I'm an instrument
so let God play me!

Vacation Bible School

Central United Methodist Church held Vacation Bible School June 14 - 18. The theme was Prasie Party, Worshipping God with Head, Heart, Hands, Feet and Soul.

CUMC Youth in Action

Some of Central's youth will be participating in Galloway United Methodist Church's MissionFest June 7 - 9, 2010. I was asked if I had any pictures of the youth doing different activities this year. I decided to put together a video showing their activities.



Take a moment and encourage the children and youth of our church. There are plenty of other places that they could be and yet they have chosen to be active members of Central United Methodist Church. Please let them know just how much you appreciate them bearing the cross and keeping the flame going.



As Family Life Center Director, I have been fortunate enough to see the youth as they prepare to represent Central United Methodist Church at various functions throughout the city. I am very proud of them and hope that my pride comes through in this video.



Michelle

Jackson Public Schools

Recently the Jackson Public Schools hosted a Moms Conference at Galloway Elementary School. The work of mothers could easily be summed up in the ditty that was performed at the beginning of the event.

http://www.jackson.k12.ms.us/media/mom_song_stream.wmv

Easter Activities at Central UMC

March 28, 2010

8:30 AM

Palm Sunday Celebration

11:00 AM

Annual Women's Day

March 29 - 31, 2010

Holy Week Services

12:00 NOON Daily

St. Luke UM Church

7:00 PM nightly

Farish Street District Churches

April 2, 2010 6:00 PM

Good Friday Service

April 3, 2010 10:00 AM

Easter Egg Hunt

Ages 12 and under

April 4, 2010

(no 8:30 AM service)

9:30 AM

Children/Youth Program

11:00 AM

Easter Sunday Service

Black History Celebration

Central United Methodist Church celebrated Black History month this year on Sunday, February 21 and Sunday, February 28.



Sunday, February 21

The Green Elementary Choir blessed our congregation with Negro Spirituals and traditional African-American hymns. The choir, who is known as the Mellow Tones, celebrated ten (10) years of sharing with the Central church family. Our own Marilyn Clark is the principal of Green Elementary School.



Sunday, February 28, 8:30 am

Lest We Forget: Black Poets and Composers was the theme of the early morning service. There were speakers from the congregation as well as guest poets who brought beautiful original poems and poems by famous African-Americans. The Morning Glory singers provided beautiful music from spirituals to contemporary composers.



Sunday, February 28, 11:00 am

The Heroes of the Community celebration began with the honoring of Mr. Luther B. Buckley and Rev. Henry C. Clay. The congregation was dressed in traditional African attire and shared a soul food dinner after service. The liturgical dance ministry presented its newest expansion, the MIME (Males in Musical Expression) ministry. The group of young men made an outstanding first impression on the congregation of Central.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month and like most organizations in America, Central is planning several activities to celebrate this time of year. On Sunday, February 21 at 11:00 am, the youth of Central will present a play about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. As our special guests, the members of Green Elementary choir will perform. On Sunday, February 28 at the 8:30 service, the Morning Glory Singers will present Lest We Forget - Words of Black Poets and Composers. The 11:00 service will have a Heroes of the Community Celebration in which members of the congregation are asked to attend service dressed in traditional African attire. Lunch will be served immediately after the 11:00 am service.

What a wonderful time to invite family members and friends to share in this wonderful celebration!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

On Monday, January 18, 2010, Central United Methodist Church and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church joined together in A Day On, Not A Day Off, a celebration of the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day was filled with activity. We began with a Prayer Breakfast with Rev. Cook giving the message. His topic was There's No Shortcut to the Promised Land. New Hope provided a delicious breakfast which prepared us for Phase II, the cleanup. Five separate groups set out about the Farish Street District picking up trash and passing out recycle bins. Members of the community had planned a march and rally at the State Capitol in protest to the possible merging of Mississippi's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. What a beautiful experience to see the multi-generational crowd marching for the same cause. I have put together a video of the photos that were taken from that day. Let us always remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King in our daily actions, not just on the holiday celebrating his birth.

Souper Bowl I

In an effort to eradicate hunger and promote education in the Farish Street district, the Outreach Committee of Central United Methodist Church, through the office of the Family Life Center will host Souper Bowl I on Saturday, February 6. We will serve soup to homeless and indigent residents of the district as well as persons who enter our Family Life Center beginning at 3 PM. We have invited youth from across the city to join us in this service project.

There will also be a Souper Bowl Dance beginning at 6 PM in the Family Life Center. We are asking for two school supply items as admission. The items will be donated to Brown Elementary School. Concessions will be available.

Join us for this worthwhile event!

YAM Dinner Meeting

The Young Adult Ministry of Central United Methodist Church invite you to share food, fun and fellowship with us on Saturday, January 23, 5:30 pm at Hamil's Restaurant Hwy 51 in Madison. Please find a babysitter and bring CASH. The entire bill will be split among all diners.

For a list of menu items and directions, please visit http://hamils.com.

Parents Night Out

Join us for Parents Night Out on Friday, January 22 at 6:00 pm in the Family Life Center. Parents Night Out is an opportunity for children to have fun in a safe environment while parents have the opportunity to focus on their relationship.

Summer Enrichment Program 2010

Happy New Year to all. We are in preparation for the Summer Enrichment Program 2010. Please keep your eyes and ears open for information regarding the dates and registration.