The Central Link Newsletter - 2/22/26

Lent invites us to slow our pace and pay attention to our hearts. It’s a season of reflection, prayer, and drawing closer to Christ as we prepare for Easter. We invite you to share this journey with us.

Lenten Sundays at Central: February 22 – March 22.

9:00am Modern Worship in Central Hall and 11:00am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

Inhale faith, exhale fear, and know that you are loved by God, and You Belong at Central! You are welcome here.

Please plan to join us for some fellowship at the UWF churchwide luncheon on Sunday, February 22 from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. in the Family Life Center. We will gather our church family for fellowship and will raise money for missions that serve women, children, and teens. Fun and fellowship always happens when we gather around the table.

The cost will be $10, and tickets can be purchased at the door.

Menu includes soup, sandwich, dessert, and drink.

Please RSVP by clicking the link below, but don't hesitate to come if you forget to RSVP!

If you would like to order a lily or make a donation to the Worship/Altar Guild Fund this Easter in honor or memory of loved ones, please complete an online order or a paper order form (available in Central Hall and the Narthex on Sunday).

If you prefer to mail a check, please contact the office at 704-289-3186, so we know to expect it.

Lilies are $15 each.

Orders are due by Tuesday, March 3.

Central's Festival Choir is preparing for Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and Easter!

Ready to take a step of faith? If singing is one of your gifts, this is truly a meaningful way to be a part of worship during this season! Singing together helps us bring to life the richly beautiful story of these services!! This will be a moving spiritual experience for all involved!

The Festival Choir is open to anyone who enjoys singing. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 6:45–7:45 PM and begin this week!

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:10)
If you’re interested, we’d love to have you!

February's Shareback is the Community Shelter of Union County.  

The shelter has 6 categories of items it needs, including a monthly list of high need items. Items needed include -  

Seasonal Items: warm weather clothing

Shelter/Client Items: twin sized bedding, backpacks for adults, over the counter medicines, bath towels, reusable water bottles.

Pantry Items: instant potatoes, Hamburger Helper, canned meats, peanut butter, pasta, dried beans, oatmeal and grit packets.

Soup Kitchen Items: trash bags, pop tarts, packets of instant grits, eggs, produce, breakfast meats, pancake mix, regular and dry milk, bottles of condiments, coffee

Hygiene Items: multiethnic shampoos, conditioners, and other hair care products, soap, feminine hygiene products, oral care.

Home Again Items:  cleaning supplies, shower curtains, linens, pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils

Please join UWF and the Stephen Ministers on Friday March 6 from 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. for World Day of Prayer. You are invited to explore the labyrinth in the Pathfinders Classroom before and after the 12:15 P.M. service in the Chapel. Light refreshments will be served in Hospitality.

Schedule:
11:30 A.M. - 12:15 P.M.: labyrinth walk and quiet prayer in the Chapel

12:15 P.M. - 12:45 P.M.: World Day of Prayer service in the Chapel

12:45 P.M. - 1:30 P.M.: labyrinth walk and quiet prayer in the Chapel

Mark your calendars for a Bingo Party for Adults with Special Needs, sponsored by CUMC's Sonshine Class.  This event will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. in the Family Life Center.  Please contact the office with any questions!

Please see the link below for Lay Servant training offerings from the Metro District on March 28 and 29.  The last day for online registration is March 15.

Please see the link below for details and registration information for the 2026 WNCC Peace Conference.

Show Your Support to Central – Purchase Your T-Shirt Today! We are selling our remaining inventory. You can order online or in person during a worship service. If you have questions, please speak to Erica Kirby.

Get your hands on a high-quality Comfort Colors Central UMC t-shirt. Shirts are available in two vibrant colors: Grape and Red! All shirts also feature Central’s new vision statement on the back.

Don’t miss out! Order yours today and represent Central in style!

We welcome those who are called to provide leadership of a music ministry team and serve with a church whose calling is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Do you have the Central App? Are your notifications on? Are you logged in? We're going to help you get started!

To turn notifications on:
Open your Central App
Click the person icon at the top right
Scroll to App Settings
Click on Notifications
Ensure that General is toggled on and lights up green
You are good to go! Now you won't miss any communication from the church!

To Log In:
Tap the person icon at the top right
Tap Login or Sign Up
Tap Create an Account (in gray above the email box, on the right)
Enter your first and last name, email, and create a password
The app should remember your password so you won’t need to log in every time

If you choose not to create an account or skip the password, you may miss out on important features like event registration and personalized updates.