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Happy Friday Central UMC!
Join us this Sunday for worship at Central UMC! Check out this sermon preview from Pastor Mary as she gives us a glimpse into this Sunday's worship. We have been exploring the importance of community in our church, focusing on the membership vows of prayers, presence, and this week specifically on gifts. We hope to see you this Sunday at 10am. All are Welcome!
| | A Letter from Pastor Mary | | |
At worship on Sunday, November 9 we'll invite you to participate in the ministries of Central UMC with your gifts. This pledge card is a most important tool that can shift your financial contribution
into an act of participation.
We often balk at the idea of completing a pledge card. We're reluctant to commit, especially when it comes to our finances! It might help to reflect on the financial commitments you currently make to cell phone providers, streaming services, gyms, and shopping subscriptions - in addition to essentials like utilities and mortgage/rent. If we can commit to those things, can we also commit to God through an offering?
When you make an ongoing financial commitment to something, you create a relationship. That's a big benefit of a pledge card! It's also a way to make God a priority in a most important area of your
life: your finances.
Please give this prayerful consideration and make an extra effort to join us in worship on November 9. And above all, know that I am deeply grateful for your giving, no matter what! You help the ministries of Central UMC happen.
Much love,
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Instructions for registering your pledge online.
Registering your pledge online is simple!
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2. If you’ve used Realm before, you’ll be logged in automatically. If you have trouble logging in, contact Jan Griffin at JGriffin@CentralUMC.org.
3.Enter your pledge amount.
4.Choose the frequency of your pledge.
5.Select your start and end dates. The default is 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2026, but you may adjust these if needed.
6.Click Save Pledge.
And that’s it—you’re done! It’s that easy.
| | Check out our latest ministry updates! | | |
Peace Lights for Maureen Carr Memorial UWF Scholarship
This Advent and Christmas season, United Women in Faith will be placing a Peace Tree in the Memorial Garden in front of the Fellowship Hall. We invite you to participate by remembering or honoring a loved one. For each $5 donation, a light will be placed on the Peace Tree. Net proceeds will go toward the Maureen Carr Memorial UWF Scholarship Fund. UWF will award two scholarships to Central’s high school seniors or college students in the spring.
Members of UWF will be collecting submissions outside the sanctuary the first three Sundays in November. You may also find a submission form on the church website under “UWF.” Please submit your donation to the church office by Sunday, November 16.
A list of all those who are being remembered or honored will be handed out at the worship service on December 7.
For further information, please contact Alexandra Holland alexandra@wncnature.com.
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First Fridays Family Fellowship
Friday, November 7 @ 5:00 PM
Join us for First Fridays Family Fellowship, a monthly gathering for families to relax, connect, and enjoy time together.
This month we’ll meet at Whistle Hop Brewery in Fairview at 5:00 PM. It’s a family-friendly spot that features a great play area for kids. Come for fun, food, and fellowship!
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Sharing God's Love Behind Bars - Kairos and BCC Prison Ministry Christmas Outreach
Central’s Kairos Ministry is partnering with BCC Prison Ministry to share Christmas joy with inmates and staff at Craggy Correctional Center.
You can help by donating boxed cookies, candy, nuts, gum, or 16-ounce bottled drinks—all store-bought and unopened. (Please, no homemade goods, fruit, cosmetics, or money.)
A donation box is in the Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Stewart Humphrey at jshumphrey1@hotmail.com.
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UWF Upcoming Meetings
Deborah Circle | TUES., NOV. 11 | 10:00 AM
Deborah Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month in a member's home. All are welcome! This month we'll honor veterans in our families and celebrate the freedoms they've helped secure.
We also give thanks for our participation in the World Thank Offering and Moheto Chicken Project. Join us again on Dec. 9 for Christmas fellowship and on Dec. 17 for the annual United Women in Faith Christmas Brunch.
Martha Circle Dinner| TUES., NOV. 19 | 6:00 PM
Martha Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month in Central's Library or at a member's home. We'll welcome Maggie Christy, Central's Director of Children and Youth ministries as our guest. We'll also discuss upcoming plans for our December Appetizer and Dessert Fiesta, January's New Year Soup Supper, service projects for ABCCM and the C4C Angel Tree, and much more. We welcome old friends and new members anytime. Please reach out to Kathy Leftwich at kathleencleftwich@gmail.com with any questions! See you soon!
Unnamed Women's Circle Dinner| TUES., NOV. 19 | 6:00 PM
The Unnamed Women’s Circle will gather for dinner and conversation on Tuesday, November 19. All are welcome to join this time of fellowship and connection. The group plans to meet at a local Asheville restaurant (details to be shared soon). Come enjoy good company, laughter, and meaningful conversation with women of Central! If you are interested, please contact Sarah Caraway at sarahstrickland92@gmail.com.
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Three Church Concert & Service, Habitat Fundraiser TONIGHT!
Friday, November 7th, 7:00PM
Join us for a special evening of music, worship, and community partnership as First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Central United Methodist Church come together for a joint concert and worship service benefiting Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
This collaborative event celebrates the shared mission of faith communities working side by side to build homes, hope, and stability for our neighbors. Enjoy inspiring choral and instrumental music from each congregation, a message of unity, and an opportunity to give toward Habitat’s life-changing work right here in Western North Carolina.
Come be part of something that builds more than houses—it builds community. ❤️
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friendsGIVING Silent Auction & Sponsorships:
Join us for special evening of connection and generosity at Central UMC’s friendsGIVING on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:00 PM. We’ll gather at the Highland Brewing Co. event center to enjoy music, hearty appetizers, and inspiring stories from some of the mission partners that we support. Come ready to bid on some exciting silent auction items!
This will be a meaningful opportunity to make new friends and give to causes that matter.
Suggested donation is $25. Register at centralumc.org/EVENTS or scan the QR Code.
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Usher & Greeter Safety Training
Sunday, November 16 @ 11:15am
If you serve as an usher or greeter – or would like to serve! – please plan to attend a safety training immediately following worship in the chapel on Sunday Nov. 11. Ross Robinson will lead us in reviewing our emergency protocols. This is important to do annually and especially helpful before our busy Christmas season. Thank you!
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Are you ready for a weekend to relax, recharge, and reignite?
Do you need some time for spiritual renewal?
Join us at Lake Junaluska for a Journey to Joy: Blessed Not Stressed, a time set apart for worship, laughter, learning and deep spiritual connection.
This retreat, led by Leigh W. Young, will offer space to rest, grow, and rediscover the joy that God promises us. Together, we’ll share in community, encourage one another, and leave refreshed for the journey ahead. For more information, visit LakeJunaluska.com/joy. Come ready to be blessed—not stressed. See you at the Lake!
Click Here for more information or go to LakeJunaluska.com/joy.
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Family Life Meetup for Asheville Christmas Parade
Saturday, November 22 @ 10:30am
Join your Central Family Life friends and families for the Asheville Christmas Parade! We’ll gather at Central UMC at 10:30 a.m., where you can conveniently park at the church, and then walk together to the corner of Patton Avenue and Church Street to enjoy the parade. Bundle up, bring your holiday cheer, and come make merry memories with our church family as we celebrate the start of the Christmas season together!
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Angel Tree Gift Collection
Central’s Congregations for Children (C4C) committee is once again organizing our annual Angel Tree Gift Collection for children living in foster care through Black Mountain Children’s Home (BMCH).
This year marks our 7th annual collection, and we extend a heartfelt thank you in advance to everyone who participates. Thanks to your generosity, we help provide a joyful and memorable Christmas for 25 local foster children each year. The children and their foster families are always deeply grateful for your kindness.
Gifts will be delivered to BMCH early in December. You can sign up to select a child and participate in the Angel Tree on Sundays throughout November in the Fellowship Hall, or contact Jill Dudley at C4C@centralumc.org for more information.
Your generosity makes this beautiful tradition possible year after year—thank you for helping share the magic of Christmas!
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Central Creation Care Eco-Tip:
Stay informed about COP30, taking place November 10–21 in Belém, Brazil. COP stands for the “Conference of the Parties,” the annual United Nations gathering where 198 countries work together on solutions to reduce the environmental harm caused by climate change. Developing nations often contribute the least to global pollution, yet suffer the greatest impacts. As people of faith, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: “…just as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me.” When we seek climate justice—especially for the most vulnerable—we are living out Christ’s call to care.
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ABCCM Needs Your Food Donations
SNAP benefits expire on November 1. ABCCM needs your food donations. What you leave in the big wooden tub each Sunday is picked up and delivered to ABCCM on Monday. Everything is welcome. If you want to donate fresh things bring them to Crisis at 24 Cumberland.
Another option: Buncombe County is asking for food to help feed our neighbors until SNAP is restored. They are asking that items be dropped off at the Public Libraries in Buncombe County. The food that is collected will go to MANNA. If you buy canned goods be sure they have a pop top on them. Not everyone has a can opener.
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Help Us Light Up Christmas at Central
Do you have a working pre-lit Christmas tree you’re no longer using? Central is hoping to frugally replace a couple of our current trees that are no longer functioning, and we would love to give your gently-used tree a new home! Ideal size: trees 6 feet or taller are especially helpful for our larger spaces.
If you’re planning to donate a tree or have an extra one tucked away, please reach out to Hayes Brown at hbrown@centralumc.org. Your gift will help brighten our spaces as we celebrate the season together.
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