We hope you will join us this Sunday to celebrate Palm Sunday at Central UMC! Check out the sermon preview from Pastor Mary to learn more.

We hope to see you there!

Join Us in Sending Michelle Off with Love

Central UMC Family,

Michelle Hausler, who has served as our Director of Communications since 2024, will be leaving her position effective April 6th.

We share this news with mixed feelings - sad to see Michelle go, but very happy for her as she has found what she describes as her "dream job" as the Assistant Director of STEM Success at Western Carolina University! In this role, Michelle will support first-generation college students in STEM majors as they find their footing at WCU and work toward completing their degrees.

Help us send her off with lots of love with a financial gift! Go to www.centralumc.org/give any time before March 29th – scroll to select "Love Offering Michelle" from the drop-down

menu.

Thanks for all you've done, Michelle - and best wishes in your new adventure!

Check out our latest ministry updates!

Flowers for the Cross

Easter, Sunday, April 5th

One of Central’s most beloved Easter traditions is decorating the cross with fresh flowers! Whether you're attending the Sunrise Service, Worship, or both—be sure to take part.

Bring fresh blooms from your yard or a local florist (but maybe skip your neighbor’s yard) and help transform the cross into a beautiful symbol of resurrection and new life.

Let’s celebrate Easter together in full color!

Sundays in Lent

March 8th (3rd Sunday of Lent): Social Principles: Economic Community
March 15th (4th Sunday of Lent): Social Principles: Social Community
March 22nd (5th Sunday of Lent): Social Principles: Political Community with special guest preacher Rev. Jennifer Copeland

Holy Week Worship

Palm Sunday, March 29th: Meet us on the Church Street lawn at 9:30 for the Donkey Walk, then bring your palm branches into the Sanctuary for 10am worship
Maundy Thursday, April 2nd at 6pm: A somber service to commemorate the last supper and Jesus’ “new commandment” to his disciples
Good Friday, April 3rd at 6pm: This service of “Tenebrae” allows us to keep watch through Jesus’ crucifixion through music, readings, and the gradual extinguishing of candles

Easter Sunday: April 5th

7am, Easter Sunrise: He is risen! Meet on the Church Street lawn in front of the Sanctuary steps and celebrate as the sun rises.
7:30am, Easter Brunch: Gather in the Fellowship Hall to continue the celebration with sweet and savory treats
8:45/9:00am: Join in a Sunday School class to learn more about resurrection
10am: Easter Sunday worship in the Sanctuary with Communion

Sundays in April

April 12th: The Easter celebration continues as we begin a series on 1 Peter, a letter of encouragement and instruction to all Christians
April 19th: 1 Peter 1:17-23 and the joy of being rescued
April 26th: Youth and Confirmation Sunday! Come support our amazing young people and stay after worship for the Children’s Spring Musical

HELP WANTED!

Our church runs on willing hearts and helping hands. Whether you can give one Sunday or one season, there’s a place for you to serve—and you won’t do it alone.

We’re currently looking for volunteer members for our wedding committee, altar guild helpers, and communion preparation.

If you’re interested or just want to learn more, please reach out to Eleanor Campbell Calloway (eleanor.campbell@ymail.com) for information about the Wedding Committee, or Corey Powell (cpowell@centralumc.org) for info regarding the Altar Guild and Communion prep.

We’d love to have you join us!

Creation Care: Ecotip

Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

Ways to participate in Creation Care this week: avoid Styrofoam (takes over 500 years to disintegrate); avoid single-use plastics (they are small and wash into water supplies); drive fewer miles (fossil fuels emit CO2); eat foods that do less harm to our world (plant sources over meat). These, and many other ways, can help us live abundantly without harming anyone or anything in God’s creation.

Social Principles Class Series

Sundays thru March 29 | 11:15 AM

The United Methodist Church Social Principles give us a framework to discuss difficult societal issues and listen for how God might call us to action. We look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through these sessions.

Join us Sundays after worship.

Class Schedule:

· MAR 8: The Social Community, Part 1 – Peter Barrett and Assistant

· MAR 15: The Social Community, Part 2 – Peter Barrett and Assistant

· MAR 22: The Political Community – Rev. Dr. Mary Brown

· MAR 29: Our Social Creed: Putting Faith into Action – Rev. Dr. Mary Brown

Have questions contact Dianna Pierce at dianna.w.pierce@gmail.com, Sharon LeDuc at skleduc@prodigy.net, or Peter Barrett peterbarrett@comcast.net.

Recovery Care Resources Ministry

RCR is a unique care ministry designed for those returning home from a hospital or rehab stay or recovering from a medical event but do not have easy access to support from family, friends or neighbors. RCR offers assistance in connecting with appropriate community resources.

Contact Pastor Lisa for more details especially if this situation applies to you or someone you know.

Point of Interest!

Point of Interest! Central’s RCR ministry relies on social workers in our congregation who have volunteered their expertise in assessing a person’s needs and connecting them to the resources available.

Since March is National Social Worker Month, we give a “shout out” to all our volunteer social workers within our congregation especially for those who made the RCR become a reality in 2023.

ABCCM Donations!🧻🧺🐾

Thank you to everyone who brought us toilet paper and cat food for ABCCM. You are the best.

New list comes from the clothing closet. Please leave your donation in the wooden tub in Fellowship Hall.

Donations are picked up every Sunday and delivered to ABCCM Crisis downtown.

If you have a good, used backpack they are always needed. Our friends that live on the street really use them. It is very common for the backpacks to be filled with all the belongings the person has.

Athletic shoes for men. Boots for men. Many pairs are needed. There is a particular shortage with size 10. But all are welcome.

Men’s jeans. We need all sizes. But the ones that are most needed are waist sizes 32, 34, and 36. Inseams of 32,34,36.

Men’s t-shirts all sizes. Long-sleeved is most needed but short-sleeved shirts would be welcomed. The ones that are used the most are sizes L, XL and 2XL. Please nothing with an alcohol or tobacco logo.

United Women in Faith Meetings

UWF Mission Giving

A Call to Prayer and Self-Denial: United Women in

Faith invites you to participate in this year’s Call to Prayer and Self-Denial offering. One-half of the offering supports programs in the U.S. and one-half supports international programs; all aligned with this year’s theme: “The Future is Now: Invest in Our Children.”

Funds will support vulnerable children through National Mission Institutions, including five in North Carolina that provide education, after-school programs, mental health support, and more.

To learn more, contact a circle leader or Kathy Leftwich at

kathleencleftwich@gmail.com.

The Hubbub with Equal Plates Project

Saturday, March 21, 2026, 7-11pm

You’re invited! Join Equal Plates Project and other food hubs at The Hubbub on Saturday, March 21 at Highland Brewing for WNC Food Coalition’s inaugural

benefit supporting small farms and the food hubs that buy, sell, and distribute fresh, local, charitable food across Western North Carolina.

Proceeds support local organizations addressing food access. Purchase your tickets here!

Nature Hike

Saturday, April 11th | 2:00 PM

Join Alexandra Holland and the Creation Care committee in a nature hike on April 11. We'll enjoy God's creation and signs of new life as the season of spring unfolds. Please contact Alexandra at alexandra@wncnature.com to reserve a spot. Gathering site will be shared with participants.

A Conversation on Transsexuality from Lived Experience

Sunday, April 12th | 3:30 PM in room 219

Central UMC's Reconciling Ministries and Church and Society groups invite you to a conversation with Rev. Dr. Phillippa Faye Phanuef, a transsexual clergyperson in the UMC. Phillippa is an ordained elder in the New York Annual Conference, currently serving North Chili UMC in Rochester, NY. During a visit to the area she generously offered this time to share from her own experience, answer questions, and even apply the Wesley Quadrilateral to transsexuality.

Shop for a Cause - Eve Circle

Sunday, April 19th & 26th, 2026 | After worship

On April 19 and 26, the Eve Circle will sell handcrafted paper bead jewelry made by women in Uganda after worship, just outside the Parlor. Proceeds support the Zoe Program for orphan empowerment and scholarships for girls in Moheto, Kenya. Cash or check accepted. Shop, find something beautiful, and help change a life.