My beloved Central United Methodist Church Community,

This week, candidates from across Georgia gathered at the State Capitol to qualify for elected office. Standing in the rotunda just before 9 a.m., I watched two lines form. One to my right and one to my left. Each line represents candidates of different political parties. I’m not sure where independent or non‑partisan candidates were asked to stand, but I could clearly see the contrast between the two lines. One reflected the rich diversity of God’s people; the other reflected a sea of relative sameness drowning in privilege. In both lines, I recognized faces—people I’ve seen on television, people I went to college with, and people who have worshiped at Central United Methodist Church.

Among them was Congresswoman Nikema Williams, surrounded by her family and supporters. After qualifying for reelection, she asked Rev. Dr. Vance Ross and me to pray with her. And there, in the center of the rotunda—literally between the two-party lines—I was reminded of the painting that hangs in my office of God’s children walking on dry ground, the waters walled up on the right and on the left. That image spoke again: Our allegiance is not to a party, left or right. Our allegiance is to the will of God.

REMEMBER TO MOVE YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD 1 HOUR ON

 SATURDAY EVENING!

Lenten Bible Study

Were You There?

by Luke A. Powery

Wednesdays

February 25th - April 1st

12:00 noon (Each Session 1 hour long)

Click on the links below to hear the recording of the devotional class, "Were You There"

February 25th Class Link

https://zoom.us/rec/share/ArJvOQJBF2jMwWj5hf5VeidY80ADmVbHn_zZwgSLicuzexODSxz_-PzU8Qf8pwIe.vIxhWE1JPsKvGAj9

Passcode: +CJqs7L=

March 4th Class Link

https://zoom.us/rec/share/uys3ViQGi-rnVv5kSpkuUOb8AErpcg20xpchTYa6vRTo-gLyPcHf4DSK7jSYMU9v.6XoPutMaCivAKh_z

Passcode: 5@6Q0iK&

The Playlist for Classes 1 & 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBpx-OCFHKY&list=PLCKGX4GdPOWpjVkbVjYw9lk8P0TCnNak7

Wednesday Night Bible Study

7:15 pm on Zoom

Meditations of the Heart

Howard Thurman

Wednesdays 7:15 pm

Join Us on Zoom

Click Here For Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 856 0227 6788

Passcode: 954438



Greetings, partners and friends of the SPLC!

As we work to continue building relationships with our future neighbors and community partners, the SPLC ( Southern Poverty Law Center) is partnering with the legendary K&K Soul Food for a “Chat & Chew” event.

English Avenue and Vine City residents are invited to stop by K&K Soul Food anytime between 4-6pm on Thursday (3/5) for an informal chat with a group of SPLC staff members. As a thank you for the time and conversation, visitors will receive a free dinner plate from the restaurant. RSVP here. Plates will be first come, first served until we run out (meaning your RSVP helps us estimate attendance but does not guarantee a plate). 

Please share with English Avenue / Vine City residents in your network. We are specifically interested in connecting with community members who are not already familiar with the SPLC.

MENTIMETER

Central UMC United Methodist Men will start off a series of presentations this year titled: "2026 B.I.B.L.E. Session ( Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth).

These sessions will focus on issues and concerns that are critical for everyone, but that are usually not addressed effectively by most families.

The 2026 B.I.B.L.E. Sessions will offer guidance on several issues and concerns for our families, including (but not limited to) Life care and Death care situations such as: Estate administration / management; Wills, Trusts, Insurance, Funerals, Palliative and Hospice care, Aging, Recreation, etc.

This 2026 B.I.B.L.E. Series purposes to offer insights on these topics on a monthly schedule using both in-person and ZOOM meeting access points (possibly beginning in April).

We ask you to prayerfully and carefully consider this survey, and support this effort in whatever ways are meet and right to you. Please scan the QR code to take the survey.

Vacation Bible School – Volunteers Needed!

Central UMC’s GROW 1 Children’s Ministry and GROW 2 Youth Ministry invites you to be part of Vacation Bible School, June 1–5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme, “Just Like Me—Digging In & Growing Up!”, will help our children grow strong in faith and rooted in God’s love.

We are seeking teachers, arts and crafts leaders, music helpers, room monitors, greeters, and volunteers for set-up and clean-up. Whether you can serve all week or just one day, your willingness to serve will make a lasting impact.

To volunteer or learn more, please contact 

Rev. Gloria Parker (Gloria.Parker@Centralumcatl.org) or Cassidi Dozier (Cassidi.dozier@Centralumcatl.org). Help us plant seeds of faith that will grow for years to come!

.

COLORECTAL CANCER MONTH



NUTRITION MONTH

To submit your recipes or restaurant suggestions, email them to

health.welfare@centralumcatl.org

or scan the QR code above

or Click Here to submit your restaurants or recipes suggestions

Thank you, Central family, for your unwavering support of Central's Food Pantry! Your generous financial contributions and the countless cases of food you have provided have made a significant difference in the lives of those we serve in our community. However, we now face a critical challenge as the Atlanta Food Bank undergoes reorganization, impacting our ability to secure essential food supplies. With our next distribution approaching, we are at risk of running low on food, and your help is more crucial than ever! Together, we can rise to this challenge, demonstrating our collective strength and commitment to those in need.

We invite our members to lend a helping hand by purchasing food items that will be distributed to those in need within our community. Together, we can ensure that no one goes hungry and that our pantry remains a light of hope and support. Below, you will find the guidelines for donating food to our pantry. Let's turn this challenge into an opportunity to make a difference!



The Food Pantry accepts non-perishables food item only . We prefer cases of food products. Food products should be in cans, plastic and paper containers. NO GLASS CONTAINER PLEASE!

The following products are always in demand:

Canned Meats/Soups

chicken, beef, pork, salmon, sardines, tuna, Vienna sausage, etc.

Canned Vegetables

blackeye peas, corn, lima beans, green beans, etc.

Canned Fruit/ Dried Fruit

mixed fruits, peaches, apricots, etc.

Hot Cereals - Grits/ Oatmeal/ No Cold Cereal

Rice, Instant Potatoes

Raisins, Peanut Butter

Crackers/Cookies, Chips, Juice/Sodas - All kinds

Nuts

peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, etc.

FROZEN REFRIGERATED FOOD ITEMS REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE FOOD PANTRY COORDINATOR.

Bring your donations to the church office in the Ministry Building. If you have questions, please contact Malvin Trawick, Food Pantry Coordinator.

PASTORAL CARE REQUEST FORM

Let the pastors of Central UMC know you would like a Pastoral Care Visit.

If you are hospitalized, planning surgery, in a nursing care facility, homebound, experiencing a recent death in your family, or would like just to speak to a pastor, please click on the button below, complete the form and one of our pastors will be in contact with you!

Please contact the church office (404) 524-4263 to add or remove a member's name to our prayer list.

HOSPITAL OR NURSING CARE FACILITY

Mr. Craig Garrison, Mrs. Alice Israel, Mrs. Doris Dearo, Mrs. Jean Wilson Yancey

HOMEBOUND

Mr. James Banks, Ms. Barbara Barham, Mrs. Schereline Billingslea, Mrs. Jean McPherson, Ms. Dianne Terrell, Mr. Kenneth Yancey

CENTRAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

"A Christ-Centered, Radically Inclusive, Intergenerational Congregation that uses its Spiritual Gifts to meet the needs of our Unique Surrounding Community"

Rev. Dr. Brian A. Tillman, Senior Pastor

Rev. Gloria Parker, Associate Pastor