|
Come find hope with us, this Sunday at Central!
Check out a sermon preview from Pastor Mary and friends, below.
We hope to see you you this Sunday,
online or in-person at 10am.
| |
Honoring Alan Gibson
Central Family, you should have received a letter announcing the retirement of our church administrator, Alan Gibson.
For thirty years he has worked diligently and faithfully behind the scenes to make sure Central’s operations run smoothly. True to Alan’s nature, he does not want a big send-off. If you would like, you may send a note to him at the church.
For those of you who would like to thank Alan with a tangible gift, we will be collecting a love offering for him.
Please mark your check with “Love Offering” in the memo line, or if you’re donating online, please choose the “Love Offering” option from the pull-down menu on the “Give” page.
|
|
Check out our latest ministry updates! | |
Downtown Welcome Table
WEDNESDAYS, 10AM - 1PM
Our sister congregation, Haywood St., hosts Downtown Welcome Table, serving lunch family style. Meals begin at designated seating times every half hour. When you arrive on campus, stop by the reservation booth to choose which meal time works best for you. Come share a meal with people you might not otherwise know. You might find a new friend!
| |
|
Haywood St. Worship
WEDNESDAYS, 12:30PM
ALL are welcome to worship in the Haywood St. Sanctuary. Come for lunch and stay for worship.
| |
Haw Creek Community Meal
WEDNESDAYS, 6PM
You're invited! Join Haw Creek Commons & Central Haw Creek every Wednesday night at 6pm for a free community meal at 315 Old Haw Creek Rd, 28806.
We’ll provide a main protein and one side—if you’re able, bring a potluck side to share! All are welcome, and we can't wait to share a meal and connect with you.
| |
|
First UMC, Moheto Trip Update from Mary Z. & Marcia Longknight | |
|
We’re excited to share a message from Mary Z. and Marcia Longknight, who recently traveled to visit First UMC, Moheto in Kenya. Here’s an update from their trip:
We arrived after a smooth and safe flight and were greeted with a wonderful welcome. Our host home provided a soft transition, delicious meals, and a much-needed day of rest and sleep—all such blessings! We’ll share more updates and photos by email, but here’s a quick note to start. Thank you for your care and prayers!
Stay tuned for more stories and photos from their incredible journey!
| |
Math Buddies (C4C) Training
Thursday, December 19th, 8:30am at Haw Creek Elementary
Haw Creek Elementary is looking for Math Buddies to support K-3 students with counting and number recognition through fun activities and games. Last year the teachers provided us with dice games, activities with manipulatives, card games, and books to use in the small groups (you don't have to be able to do calculus to help these young students!)
We would love for you to join us for our 2nd year of building connections with young learners! Flexible volunteer times are available between 1:00–2:30 pm, Mon–Thur. Training will be held at Haw Creek Elementary (10 Bethesda Rd., 28805).
To participate or learn more, please email Elizabeth Freeman.
| |
|
Congregational Care Ministries
Holidays stir up family memories. These can be warm and cozy times OR stressful and painful. Stephen Ministers understand in a nonjudgemental way and are available to listen, empathize, and encourage you in a confidential manner. Let us be there for you!
Contact Pastor Lisa or fill out a referral on line: centralumc.org/congregational-care/stephenministry
| |
| |
|
|
Our pastors are available to support you if you are homebound, facing surgery, and or other medical treatments. Please let our Pastors know so that phone calls, visits, and Communion can be arranged. You are not alone!
| |
C4C Winter Coat Drive UPDATE:
Veterans Group Bring Hope to Emma Elementary
| |
|
This year’s C4C Winter Coat Drive began as usual. C4C and the GIFTS (Growing in Faith Through Service) class partnered for the second year in leading the Coat Drive. Student names from Emma Elementary School were placed on a SignUpGenius prepared for the coat drive. It was time for the congregation to “adopt” a student to sponsor with a coat, hat and gloves. But Mother Nature had other ideas. Hurricane Helene, although not invited, came to the mountains and left the area with no way to communicate, dangerous travel, no power, and no water (mot to mention the devastation).
As communication improved and the word spread about the needs of the people in our town, an “angel” came to the rescue. This “angel” was a group of veterans from Colorado, Restoring Honor Veteran Support and Advocacy Group. They wanted to do something to help the children affected by the hurricane. Working through Rev. Ann Owens, Children & Family Ministries at CUMC, they chose to sponsor the Winter Coat Drive, and paid for and ordered 56 sets of coats, hat and gloves going to the students at Emma Elementary. These coats were delivered to the school on November 12th, just in time for cold weather.
We were graced with a beautiful expression of love and blessing in the midst of chaos. We cannot express how grateful and overwhelmed we are at this outpouring of love and concern. Many many thanks to the Restoring Honor Veteran Support and Advocacy Group.
https://restoringhonorcom.wpcomstaging.com/
| |
|
Hard 2 Recycle Event
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 10:00AM-2:00PM
♻️ Asheville Green Works is hosting its Hard 2 Recycle event this Saturday at TC Roberson High School (South) at 16 Miami Circle, Arden 28704.
Visit ashevillegreenworks.org for information about acceptable items, as well as ongoing countywide recycling. Central’s Creation Care committee urges everyone to recycle responsibly and often, for the sake of God’s creation.
| |
|
Children's Christmas Musical
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 11:15AM
Join us in the Sanctuary after worship for a heartwarming performance as our children share the story of Christmas through music and song. Stick around after the performance for refreshments and special gifts for all children in attendance!
Don’t miss this joyful celebration of the season!
| |
|
Allies for Equity Book Club
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 11:15AM in CUMC Parlor
Our second meeting to discuss The Color of Water by James McBride (Chapters 11-19) will be on Sunday, December 15 from 11:15 to 12:15 in the CUMC Parlor. Please bring your own coffee/water. A small lunch will be provided.
Everyone is invited to participate! Hope to see you there!
| |
|
College Christmas Gathering
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 6PM
All students and friends home for the holidays are invited to dinner in downtown Asheville. High school juniors and seniors are welcome too!
RSVP with Pastor Caroline, or at tinyurl.com/CollegeXmas2025
| |
|
Darkest Night: A Blue Christmas Prayer Service
TUEDAY, DECEMBER 19, 6PM
Join us for a meaningful evening dedicated to honoring the memory of those we have lost.
While the holiday season is often filled with joy, it can also highlight the absence of loved ones—whether it’s an empty chair at the table or a missing stocking on the mantle. If you’re grieving and finding it difficult to navigate this time of year, this service is for you.
Featuring Music by Jane Kramer
Come as you are and find comfort in community, prayer, and beautiful music.
| |
|
Family Life Christmas Caroling
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 11:15AM
| |
|
All youth and children’s families are invited to share the Spirit of Christmas through song! We’ll gather at 11:15 AM in the Fellowship Hall before heading to Brooks-Howell Retirement Home, where we’ll spread holiday cheer by singing carols in their dining room at 12:00 PM, led by Ms. Linda.
Afterwards, we’ll celebrate with pizza and a 1:00 PM showing of Mufasa: The Lion King in 3D at Asheville Pizza & Brewing on Merrimon Avenue.
It’s a joyful day of music, food, and fun for all ages—come join us! ❤️✨
| |
B.E.A.R. Closet Manger Gifts
DECEMBER 24, 29 & JANUARY 5TH
Each year, from Christmas Eve to Epiphany Sunday, we collect Manger gifts for the "Abernethy UMC Baby Equipment And Resources (B.E.A.R.) Closet." This year, they are asking for new children’s socks (infant to youth size 6) & children’s underwear (2T, 3T, 4T, 5, 6).
On Christmas Eve we will collect those under the Christmas trees in the Sanctuary during the 3 pm worship, and before or after during 5:30 and 11 pm. We will also collect items under the Christmas Trees before/after worship on Dec. 29 & Jan. 5. Reach out to Pastor Ann with questions.
| |
|
|
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we arrived at our annual stewardship season with our stewardship campaign entitled: Now More Than Ever. We had planned to spend four weeks in October educating and encouraging the congregation in giving as a spiritual discipline and arrived at an important question: could we talk about money after something like Helene?
Quickly we reached the consensus: How could we not talk about giving this year? It's more important now than ever. Learn more about giving and Now More Than Ever, here:
| |
|
We are Central, a community for Christ at the center of the city. We are called to love everyone without exception, and we can do that by supporting our #AshevilleStrong home in a variety of ways.
Community organizers have compiled fantastic resources for mutual and direct aid found at the links below.
| | | | |
