♻️ Eco Tip: Plant Proteins 🌎

Plant proteins are nutrient-rich sources like legumes (beans, lentils, peas, soy), nuts, seeds, whole grains (quinoa, oats), and vegetables (broccoli, spinach), offering fiber and essential nutrients alongside protein, with soy products (tofu, tempeh) and quinoa being complete proteins.

These plant proteins are easier on our environment, requiring less land to grow.

United Women in Faith Meetings

Deborah Circle | TUE, FEB 10 | 10:00 AM

Deborah Circle meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM in a member’s home. All are welcome.

At our January 13 meeting, we will introduce the new United Women in Faith program book, Mapping Our Way Forward in Times of Change and Uncertainty. We will explore how to stay grounded and find balance in God’s Word through our history, especially as we prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19.

Our February 10 meeting will continue the story, with a particular focus on the history of home missioners and deaconesses, as we have members of our circle who have served in these roles.

For questions, please contact Susan Snell at ssnell123@bellsouth.net.

Children's Ministry Winter Care Bags Mission Project

Our children are leading a meaningful mission project to care for our neighbors who may be unhoused or in need this winter. They will be assembling Winter Care Bags filled with practical, comforting items. Families will then take these bags home to share with people they encounter in their daily lives—offering warmth, dignity, and care when it’s needed most.

How You Can Help:

We are collecting donations of the following items:

• Foldable blankets
• Gloves
• Scarves
• Beanies
• Hand warmers
• Instant coffee
• Granola bars
• Small packs of dried fruit
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Small packs of tissues
• Travel-size lotion

Collection Dates: Through February 7

Drop-Off Location: Collection bins outside the Chapel

We have so much, and winter can be especially difficult for those who do not. Thank you for helping our children put faith into action by filling these care bags with love and generosity.

Administrative Board Meeting

Sunday, February 15

There will be an Administrative Board Meeting in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, February 15. All members of the church are welcome to attend.

🌿Creation Care Opportunity: Swannanoa River Interfaith Stream Bank Restoration Livestaking with Creation Care Alliance 🌿

People of faith who have a passion for caring for creation are invited to gather for an Interfaith Stream Bank Restoration event with MountainTrue, helping restore the Swannanoa River following the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Volunteers will participate in live staking, a stream bank restoration method that uses native tree cuttings to revegetate the riparian buffer. This work includes planting trees, shrubs, and grasses along the riverbank—an important practice for protecting stream health, preventing erosion, and supporting long-term resilience.

In addition to hands-on restoration, participants will reflect together on spiritual reasons for creation care, learning ways people of faith honor God through environmental awareness and tree planting (including connections to Tu BiShvat in the Jewish tradition). The gathering will also invite reflection on resilience and what trees teach us about surviving—and thriving—together during challenging times.

📅 Monday, February 16, 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 John B. Lewis Soccer Fields

98 Azalea Rd E, Asheville, NC 28805

Additional details—including what to expect and how to prepare—are available at the link below. Registration is required to participate.

👉 Sign up & learn more:

https://secure.everyaction.com/d5PbgmD77E-BtwUcZCF4jA2

All are welcome. Thank you for being part of caring for creation and our shared watershed. 🌎💚

♻️Hard2Recycle♻️

Saturday, February 21 | 10AM-2PM

Asheville GreenWorks will host its next Hard2Recycle event on at Enka High School. This is a great opportunity to responsibly recycle hard-to-recycle items such as Styrofoam, shredded paper, and small electronics. A second Hard2Recycle event is also scheduled for May 9 at A.C. Reynolds High School. 

For a full list of accepted items and details, visit ashevillegreenworks.org/hard2recycle.

IgniteUS Youth Spring Retreat

March 20 - 22, 2026 | YMCA Camp Hanes

⏰ Last day to register: FEBRUARY 8!

IgniteUS (formerly known as Kaleidoscope) is a weekend-long spiritual retreat for youth in grades 6–12, planned by youth, for youth and hosted by the Conference Council on Youth Ministries. This powerful weekend features creative, youth-led worship, inspiring music, meaningful small groups, and plenty of fun and recreational activities.

IgniteUS is designed to ignite young people’s faith and passion for serving in their local churches—empowering youth to lead, worship, and grow together in community.

📍 Location: YMCA Camp Hanes

🕒 When: Friday, March 20 (3:00 PM) – Sunday, March 22 (4:00 PM), 2026

💲 Cost: $155 (scholarships are easily available—please don’t let cost be a barrier!)

👉 Register TODAY: 

CentralUMC.org/EVENTS

📧 Questions? Contact Maggie at mchristy@CentralUMC.org.