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!

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. ❤️

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.

• 10/11 - The River Area Trail: facilitators Heather Cree and Riley Peltz, Saturday, October 11th, 10am, meet at The Grind, 346 Depot St.
• 10/18 - The Downtown Trail: facilitators Peter Barrett, Jim White, and Sarah White, Saturday, October 18th, 10 am, meet at Green Sage Café, 5 Broadway St.
• 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. 

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.

United Women in Faith Meetings

Deborah Circle Meeting | TUE, OCT 14| 10:00 AM: 

Deborah Circle will gather at the home of a member on Tuesday, October 14, at 10AM. Following the program book of United Women in Faith, we will discover where our food originates from and how we can share it with those in need locally.

We will offer gratitude for God’s blessings by contributing to World Thank Offering to improve the lives of women, children and youth. All are welcome. Please direct questions to Susan Snell. 

Martha Circle Meeting | TUE, OCT 14| 6:30 PM: 

Are you looking for a group to connect with this fall? If so, consider joining Central's United Women in Faith Martha Circle. We're a group of women, some working, some retired, who share our faith and friendship together. We meet the second Tuesday of each month. We will meet in Central's Library, for a time of fellowship and a program. Questions? Contact Kathy Leftwich. We'd love to have you join us!

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!

Central Creation Care Eco-Tip:

The dying/dead plants in your home garden provide a home for many insects over the winter. Hollow stems will shelter bees, wasps, moths and some butterflies. Leaf litter protects beetles, fireflies, some butterflies and moths, bee queens, and wooly bear caterpillars. Delay your garden clean-up until the spring.