Lighting the Way Forward - Volunteers Needed

Our Building Committee is beginning a much-needed lighting refresh project this fall, and we’d love your help to make it happen!

Starting around November 3, volunteers will work in 4-hour daytime shifts alongside two electricians to remove old fluorescent bulbs, clean fixtures and lens covers, and move furniture to give access to lighting fixtures. The electricians will handle the rewiring and installation of new, energy-efficient bulbs. The work will continue for several months. (The Sanctuary will be a separate project.)

This project is an important step toward better energy stewardship. By replacing our old 38-watt fluorescent bulbs with 12-watt LED lighting, we’ll achieve an estimated 82% savings in lighting costs—potentially up to $40,000 a year for full- time use of the building.

We’ve budgeted $10,000 for this project, but with volunteer help, we can complete the work within that budget and maximize our savings for years to come.

If you’re available during the day and would like to lend a hand, please contact Tom Gibbs at tgibbs47@gmail.com or Jeff Seymore at jeffseymore140@gmail.com.

Together, we can brighten our church—both literally and financially!

The Black Cultural Heritage Trail

The Black Cultural Heritage Trail honors and preserves the rich heritage of Asheville's Black community. https://bcht.exploreasheville.com/  

Sites and stories range from well-known landmarks visible in the community today to the unsung heroes and underrecognized achievements and contributions by the Black community in the past. The Black Cultural Heritage Trail survived Helene and Allies for Equity would love for you to join us in the experience!



There are 3 sections of trail opportunities. All sections are ¼ mile long and take approximately 10 minutes to walk. We have found that the Downtown Trail does require uphill travel upon return. The total time commitment for each trail group gathering should be around an hour and a half. To sign up go to CentralUMC.org/Events.



• 10/25 - The Southside Trail: facilitator Sara Sterling, Saturday, October 25th, 10 am, meet at Vortex Donuts, 32 Banks Ave.

Fall Festival 2025!

Sunday, October 26 | 3PM - 6PM

Haw Creek Autumn is in the air, and that means it’s time for our Annual Fall Festival! Once again, we’re gathering at Haw Creek Commons for an afternoon filled with seasonal fun for all ages. Families, friends, and neighbors are invited to join us for games, activities, delicious food, and plenty of laughter.

Costumes are welcome—so feel free to bring your best fall or Halloween spirit to the celebration! This event is completely free and open to everyone in the community. 

UWF Upcoming Meetings

Eve Circle will meet on Tues. Nov. 4 at 10:00 a.m. in the parlor at Central. The program will be an update report by Gaston Warner, CEO of Zoe. His presentation will begin at 10:45 following the business meeting. Contact skleduc@prodigy.net if you are interested or have questions. All are welcome!

Ruth Circle | TUES., NOV. 4 | 10:00 AM

Please join United Women in Faith's Ruth Circle friends in the library at Central UMC! Our guest speaker will be Maggie Christy, Director of Children and Youth Discipleship at Central UMC.

In November we will collect bottles of gravy and KRAFT Mac and Cheese for the ABCCM Thanksgiving Food Boxes.

Other food items are also welcomed. We believe love in action can change the world! For more information about Ruth Circle or our meetings, please contact Kim Everette.

Three Church Concert & Service, Habitat Fundraiser

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. ❤️

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.

Filling Emma Elementary's Clothes Closet

Congregations 4 Children (C4C) invites your help in stocking Emma Elementary’s Clothes Closet with essential items for students in need. While our annual drive usually collects coats, Emma Elementary is fully supplied this year. So instead of coats, we’re focusing on stocking their Clothes Closet with other essentials that students need most.

What’s needed:

-NEW Shoes: Sizes 5/6, 7/8, 12, 13, and 1 & 2.

-NEW Pants: Sweatpants or stretchy pants (no jeans). Sizes 5/6, 7/8, 10/12, 14/16.

-NEW Shirts: Boys’ and girls’ sizes Small, Medium, and Large.

-NEW Lunch Boxes: Zippered all the way around, any color.

When to donate: Donations are welcome now through October 31, 2025.

Where to donate: Collection bins for the Emma Clothes Closet are located in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you for helping meet the needs of children in our community!

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!

Central Creation Care Eco-Tip:

Consider the environmental impact of packaging when choosing which candies to distribute for Hallowe’en.