Happy Friday, friends!


We hope you will join us this Sunday for church at Central UMC. Check out this sermon preview from Pastor Mary to see what's in store for this Sunday (6/28/26 at 10AM).


We hope to see you there!


You can access this Sunday's bulletin here.




Sunday Parking Reminder 🚗

As you arrive for worship on Sunday, please help us make the best use of our parking spaces by parking in the designated areas.


If you're unsure where to park, please refer to the parking information here: Central UMC Parking.


Thank you for helping us keep parking safe, organized, and welcoming for everyone!

 


Check out our latest ministry updates!

 

Volunteer With Habitat for Humanity!


Join your Central UMC friends for a morning volunteering with Habitat for Humanity! The job site will be confirmed the week before. Jobs can vary and will be assigned that day. No experience or tools needed, but you may want sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle, gloves, and/or your own tools. Meet at 8:30 for instructions; work until noon; then join us afterward for lunch if you can! 


Use the QR Code to register. Questions? Email Robin Smith at drrtsmith@gmail.com.

Are you in need of a Prayer Shawl?



Prayer Shawls are available in the room behind the Reception Desk for ANYONE to take to someone in need of comfort. Just be sure to the “sign out” list for tracking purposes! Thank you for YOUR care!

A Way Home Offering


During communion service, you are invited to leave an offering on the altar rail.


This offering, called “A Way Home,” will go toward bus tickets and bus passes to help those in need and currently living on the streets to get to and from work or to reunite with family members outside Asheville.


We invite you to give as you feel led to this offering of empowerment and reconciliation.

AVL Stonewall Fest 2026


The Asheville Stonewall Fest has invited Central UMC’s participation!

Pastor Mary Brown received an invitation for Central UMC to participate in this festival, and she asked if our RM Group would be interested in representing Central there. It was short notice and a surprise, but our RMG went all in to be a faith-based presence at this public event celebrating the lives and contributions of LGBTQ+ people. With our RMG “Can do” spirit, we quickly organized to be a Christian/United Methodist Church witness living its mission at this event. Small bottles of water banded with Central UMC “Everyone without Exception” and our church location will be offered to festival guests.


We hope you and others will share in this free community event in support of LGBTQ+ people (and you can drop by Central’s space there to chat) on Saturday, June 27, 2:00-8:00 pm at the Asheville Yards, 75 Coxe Avenue, downtown Asheville (the former site of Rabbit Rabbit). Expect music, performers, artists, vendors, food, and non-profit organizations. Visit the website for weekend details:  https://avlstonewallfest.org/



The Background of Stonewall Celebrations

It was June 1969, in New York City’s Village neighborhood, that a riot broke out between police and Stonewall Inn patrons, a well-known social gathering place for LGBTQ+ people. Tired of the frequent harassment by police, a spontaneous revolt erupted. It ignited LGBTQ+ public activities that became a national movement and the world-wide celebration of freedom, inclusion, and social justice advocacy, known today.

The local expression of that historic June event is expressed locally in the return of Asheville’s Stonewall Fest this year.


To contact RMG: Email Mary Z. Longknight (facilitator) at mzlongstreth@gmail.com.

We Are Hiring!


We are in need of a Nursery Supervisor, Nursery Staff and Nursery Substitutes.


If this is something you might be interested in doing, please contact Maggie Christy at mchristy@centralumc.org. 

Visit St. James AME Church with Central's Church & Society


This summer Central's Church & Society Committee would like to offer you the opportunity to visit St. James AME Church in a small group with others from our congregation (http://www.stjames-asheville.org/). 


You may remember St. James' pastor, Reverand Bynum, who brought the message to Central at the Easter Sunrise service this year.  Many of us also enjoyed connecting with members of the St. James congregation at the brunch that followed the service. Dr. Bynum is a proponent of cross-congregation connection, and St. James has a very welcoming approach to their services. Each group will be facilitated by a member of Church & Society. 


If you are interested in joining a group, please visit this link for the more information and to sign up:  https://onrealm.org/centralumc/Registrations.

 

People want to be prayed for and Central takes this need seriously.


Every Thursday, our Circle of Prayer gathers to pray for people whose names have been provided from our congregation and others.


Cards go out, referrals to other care ministries are made. If you feel prayerful support is what you need, please let Pastor Lisa know either On Line -Prayer Request Prompt or filling out a pew Prayer Request Card.


If you feel called to pray for others, please consider joining this group either in-Person or via Zoom!

Get Involved with

Family Life Council


Interested in supporting our youth and the Family Life Council? Here's how to get involved/become a ministry partner:


Please email Maggie Christy to learn how you can get involved and support the Family Life Council.

 

Central Creation Care: Eco-Tip


Taking care of God’s creation is a social justice issue. When you reduce harm to the Earth, everyone enjoys cleaner air or water. When you conserve energy, there is more energy for others. When you buy natural fiber clothing instead of fabric made from fossil fuels, your landfill can serve more people for longer.

Reconciling Ministry Group Meeting

Sunday, July 5th @ 11:15am Room 219


The Reconciling Ministry Group meets Sunday, July 5th, 11:15 Room 219; LGBTQ+ friendly group with mission projects.

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E-newsletter #656