Happy Friday, friends!

Join us this Sunday as we gather for worship and Holy Communion. Pastor Lisa is bringing a message that challenges us to consider what it truly means to take up our cross and follow Christ. Check out the sermon preview to learn more.

After worship, everyone is invited to your monthly Table to Table Fellowship Meal in the Fellowship Hall. There's a place for you at the table - we'd love to see you there!

We'll see you for church this Sunday,

online or in person, at 10AM!

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!

Stories from Central

Download a copy of the August/September 2026 Stories from Central here.

Check out our latest ministry updates!

Reconciling Ministry Group Meeting

Sunday, August 2 @ 11:45am in Room 219

The Reconciling Ministries Group will meet on Sunday, August 2, at 11:45 a.m. in Room 219. Everyone is invited. Reconciling Ministries is a Central group that meets monthly, and which advocates for LGBTQ+ in the United Methodist Church.

Immigrant Justice Zoom Workshop Sessions

Monday, August 3 @ 10 am OR 7pm

The Blue Ridge District of the United Methodist Church is embarking on a year-long project to promote Immigrant Justice. The first step is to educate ourselves about immigration issues, so our District is sponsoring three workshops.

The first workshop will be viewable twice on Monday, August 3, 2026, with the renowned author, advocate, and seminary academic dean Dr. Alexia Salvatierra on the topic of "Immigration & Our Christian Faith.

Consider participating at either the 10:00 a.m. version or at 7:00 p.m. using the Zoom link below at the Blue Ridge District website: https://www.wnccumc.org/newsdetail/19913487, or you may join us here at Central in the Chapel to view it at those times.

Please enter the south side sanctuary door where Central folks will be waiting to greet you.

Email Pastor Mary Here

Meet the Author:

Our Own David Ourisman!

Sunday, August 30th @ 11:15am in the Fellowship Hall

In addition to being a part of our Central UMC family, Rev. Dr. David Ourisman is also an ordained United Methodist minister, teacher and author, who served 17 years in the pastorate and now enjoys being a guest speaker and teacher.

With a graduate degree in Preaching and the New Testament, he published his first book in 2000 and has taught in both theological seminaries and secular settings.

Pastor Mary referenced David's newest book, "One Life, Four Stories: Invitations to Faith & Wonder" in her July 12th sermon! Come hear more about it from David himself after worship on Sunday, August 30th. Malaprops will be on hand with copies to purchase!

Central Methodist Theology Pub Group. What’s it all about?

Theology pub is a gathering to kick around theological topics and share life experiences. We’re always looking for new folks to join in. We meet weekly at The Village Pub: 100 Fairview Rd in Asheville on Mondays at 5:45, generally ending around 7:15.

Everyone without exception is welcome and there is absolutely no need to have a deep Biblical knowledge or any Biblical knowledge at all. Typical topics include grace, mercy, good/evil, discipleship, the Beatitudes, church and society, etc., with the goal being to grow as followers of Christ.

Each week brings a new topic and list of open ended questions to discuss. No lectures, no outside reading or prep -- just come and share your thoughts, drink a beer (if you wish) and enjoy some pub food. We’d love to have you!

Working Wheels

Donate your car. Change a life. Working Wheels accepts donated vehicles to help local working families access reliable transportation.

Learn more or donate your vehicle at workingwheelswnc.org.

Central Creation Care: Eco-Tip

Katherine Hayhoe’s book Saving Us gives practical and possible solutions to the harm of climate change.

She is a Christian environmentalist on the faculty at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Her videos and blogs can give us hope for a better future despite climate change.

Try Out a Small Group This Fall!

Try out a Small Group! Join us for an 8-week exploration of the basic building block of the Methodist movement: John Wesley’s “class meeting.” Over the course of this experience we’ll gradually shift weight from a study to a small group experience, giving participants and understanding and a taste for why these weekly meetings are so important to our spiritual growth.

We’ll end with an opportunity for those interested to form new small groups that continue meeting. We will meet after worship (11:15am) in Room 219 from 9/13 to 11/15, skipping first Sundays of each month (for the Table2Table meal).

Participants will need a copy of Kevin Watson’s book, The Class Meeting. It can be purchased from Amazon or picked up from our church office for a $20 suggested donation.

Registration is required: https://bit.ly/2026fallstudygroup

E-newsletter #660