Mother's Day Remembrance

DEADLINE - May 1st

The Anna Circle will be placing red and white carnations in the Chancel urns on Mother’s Day, May 11th.  We invite you to remember and/or honor your mother, grandmother, mothers of your grandchildren, special aunt, or any woman who has provided nurturing in your life’s journey.  

A donation of $10 for each name remembered or honored will be used in support of local missions. 

A list of names will be provided online and with the bulletin on Mother’s Day. 

Please provide the following information and mail to: Central UMC, 27 Church St. Asheville, NC 28801.  Attn: Anna Circle. 

Please provide: (1) Name of person remembered or honored (2) Mark in memory or in honor. (3) Name of contributor and phone number.    



All checks should be made out to “CUMC-Anna Circle”, marked for “Mother’s Day” in memo line.   

ALL donations must be received by May 1^st.  

For questions, please contact Mary Ann Wansong, wansongma@charter.net. Thank you for your support of local missions. 

Dorm Room Sponsors Needed

(sign-up THIS Sunday, April 27th)

Join Central's Congregations 4 Children (C4C) by sponsoring one of 25 Asheville High School (AHS) graduates that need extra support transitioning to college. Selected by AHS' guidance counselor based on need, many are the first in their family to attend college, each deserving student needs our support to have the necessities for their dorm room.

Shop in May and drop off at Asheville High in mid-June. Sign-up with Kim Sink in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday April 27th, or email kimsink@yahoo.com.

Allies for Equity Book Group

Sunday, April 27 & May 11 @ 11:15am

Join us in the Parlor for a meaningful discussion on Maya Angelou’s anthology Even the Stars Look Lonesome.

Known for her powerful storytelling, Angelou explores key moments in modern American history through essays and short stories filled with her signature narrative style and vivid imagery.

This book is an inspiration for writers and a compelling read for anyone interested in the perspective of a keen observer of the civil rights era.

All are welcome! The book is available at most local libraries. Come and be part of these engaging discussions. For questions or to sign up, contact Peter Barrett. 

Children's Spring Musical

Sunday, April 27 @ 11:15am

Join us for the Children's Spring Musical! It will be a special presentation of "The Lost Boy". The cost is free and all are welcome! A small reception will follow. Contact Linda Haggard for more information.

🎨Meet the Artist

Monday, April 28 @ 7:00pm in Church Street Gallery and Parlor

We invite you to experience a powerful and deeply moving new photography exhibit in the Church Street Gallery, featuring the work of Asheville artist Stephan Ihde.

This exhibit, running from Easter (April 20) through June 30, is Stephan’s first gallery showing—and it is unlike anything we've hosted before.

Stephan is not only a photographer, but a father navigating unspeakable loss. His work is born from that journey. With breathtaking honesty, he writes:

“Every shutter click is a scream. Every frame is a protest. Every shot has enough energy to sunder a star. … This is resurrection. THIS is revolution.”

We hope you’ll take time to walk the gallery and let these images speak to your spirit.

 Meet the Artist

Join us for a special opportunity to meet Stephan and hear more about his story:

Monday, April 28 at 7:00 PM

Church Street Gallery & Parlor

Come and bring a friend. This exhibit is a testament to how beauty can rise from ashes—and a moving companion to our Easter season.

UWF Maureen Carr Memorial Scholarship

United Women in Faith is now accepting applications for the Maureen Carr Memorial UWF Scholarship. Two awards of $1000 each will be given to high school seniors and/or college students who are active at Central UMC. 

Applications are available on the church website or by emailing Alexandra Holland alexandra@wncnature.com. 

The application should be completed and returned by May 1, 2025.

Hard 2 Recycle Fair

Saturday, May 3rd @ 10am-2pm at AC Reynolds High School

Asheville Greenworks will have a Hard2Recycle event at AC Reynolds High School on Saturday, May 3, 10am-2pm. Visit ashevillegreenworks.org for a list of accepted items. (E.g. electronics, batteries, computers, food grade Styrofoam.)

These events are held four times a year by Asheville Greenworks.

If you are interested and have more questions, please contact Karen Crutchfield.

Reconciling Ministry Group Upcoming Meeting

Sunday, May 4th @ 11:45am

Reconciling Ministry Group (LGBTQA+ & friends) will meet Sunday, May 4th at 11:45am in the Discernment classroom near the Fellowship Hall.

We are preparing for June at our UMC Annual Conference to raise funds to support Central's scholarship project for Moheto, Kenya high school girls.

Hood Huggers Tour

Saturday, May 17th @ 10am-Noon (gather at 9:30am, location TBD)

Church & Society Committee in collaboration with the Allies for Equity invite you to join us for a two-hour guided driving van tour, led by local activist, artist, sculptor and Reparations Commission member DeWayne Barton, founder of Hood Huggers Int'l.

Requested donation of $30/person.

There will be some stipends available for those in need.

Youth 12 and older are encouraged to attend. Family members and friends are welcome!

Space is limited to ten participants - first paid, first reserved!

Checks may be made payable to "Church & Society Committee" with "Hood Huggers" in the memo line.

Checks may be left in the Central UMC office (in an envelope please) or hand delivered to Jim or Sarah White.

Creation Care Activities

Week of May 4-10

Please join us for some of our upcoming activities:

May 4

• Creation Care Committee Mission Moment (during worship)
• Table to Table interactive program on food scraps/composting

May 6

• Phyllis Stiles (Bee City USA) will speak at Eve Circle, CUMC Parlor 10am

May 10

• CUMC Pollinator Garden workday, Saturday morning (also numerous plant sales in Asheville/Buncombe County)

Eco-tip from Creation Care

Choose native plants for your yard. The local insects will benefit because plants and insects evolved together in God’s creation. Native species also require less water and attention from you, the gardener.

United Women in Faith Upcoming Meetings

Ruth Circle Meets - 5/6 @ 9am

The Ruth Circle meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9:00 am.

For more information contact Kim Everette.

Eve Circle Meets - 5/6 @ 10am

The Eve Circle meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am in the CUMC Parlor.

For more information contact Donna Anderson or Sharon LeDuc.

Anna Circle Meets - 5/7 @ 10am

Anna Circle's next meeting will be a program by Tina Owen, leader of the project "Wine to Water," headquartered in Boone, NC, which works to provide safe drinking water. If this sounds of interest to you, we would love to have you join us in the parlor at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 7th. If you have any questions please contact Carol Rychly at rychly2@gmail.com.

Deborah Circle Meets - 5/13 @ 10am

Deborah Circle will gather on May 13th at the home of a member at 10am for brunch and fellowship.

We will celebrate our mother's or mother figure's influence on our faith journeys we have been reflecting on. All are welcome. We will meet again in September. For more information please contact Susan Snell at ssnell123@bellsouth.net.

Need a morning to catch up on errands or just enjoy a little break? Drop the kids off at church for a fun-filled morning while you take some time for yourself!



Ages: Newborn – 5th grade (6th grade & up are welcome to volunteer!)

This special morning will be extra exciting as CUMC’s Creation Care team leads the kids in planting a pollinator garden! It’s a great opportunity to dig in the dirt, learn about nature, and help care for God’s creation.

💚 Donations of $10 per person are welcomed to support the pollinator garden project.

📩 RSVP with Pastors Ann and Caroline, or click https://bit.ly/PMO-May2025!

We’d love to see your little ones there! 🌱🐝🌸