The Central Link Newsletter - 11/15/26

Looking for unique Christmas gifts? Central Women’s Craft & Gift Show is almost here!
Join us this Saturday, November 14, from 9 AM to 2 PM for a wonderful selection of handmade crafts, thoughtful gifts, and holiday finds. Come shop, support local crafters, and get a head start on your Christmas shopping!

As a congregation, we know firsthand just how precious the gift of life is. We've seen the power of prayer, the strength of community, and the difference that compassionate care can make during life's most difficult moments.

We also know that sometimes, the gift of life comes through the generosity of someone willing to give blood.

On Sunday, November 15, from 9:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M., Central will host a Mobile Blood Drive in the Family Life Center parking lot.

Donated blood can be lifesaving for someone facing surgery, illness, or an emergency. Giving blood is a simple but powerful way to love and care for our neighbors.
We hope you'll consider donating. Your gift could be the answer to another family's prayers.

Join Central’s Birthday Club on Thursday, November 19, at 11:30 a.m. at Logan’s Roadhouse!
We’ll be celebrating both November and December birthdays with good food, laughter, and wonderful fellowship. Come enjoy a special time together as we celebrate one another!

Calling all young singers! Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to join Central’s Celebration Singers! Rehearsals begin Sunday, November 15, from 2:30–3:00 P.M. in the Choir Room and continue each Sunday. Children in 2nd–5th grade are also invited to stay for Jr. Youth afterward. Come make a joyful noise with us!

Love to sing but not ready to commit to choir all year? Join Central’s Festival Choir just for Advent and Christmas! Share your voice as we prepare for this beautiful season of worship and celebration. No musical experience necessary!
Rehearsals:

• Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m.
• Sundays, 9:30–9:55 a.m.

Interested? Contact Nathan Jones or simply show up at rehearsal. We would love to have you sing with us this Christmas season!

Many hands make light work! Join us on Saturday, November 28, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. as we prepare Central’s sanctuary and spaces for the beautiful seasons of Advent and Christmas.

This year’s Hanging of the Greens will be held in loving memory of Vance Wiggins, who played such an important role in this cherished Central tradition for many years. We are grateful for his faithful service and the joy he brought to preparing our church for Christmas.
Your help is truly needed and deeply appreciated as we continue this special tradition in his memory.

Please click the link below to sign up to help so we know to expect you!

The season of Advent begins Sunday, November 29! We invite you to join us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ through worship, music, and meaningful moments together.

Join us Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in Central’s Sanctuary throughout Advent as we celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love of this holy season.

We look forward to sharing this special time of worship with you and your family!

Join us for one of Central’s cherished Advent traditions, the Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, on Sunday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Through nine Scripture readings and beautiful carols, we will journey through the story of God's promise and the coming of Christ. Come experience the hope, peace, and joy of the Christmas season through Scripture and music as we prepare our hearts for the birth of our Savior.

Our November Shareback is Loaves and Fishes of Union County.

Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based community food pantry program that exists to support local families in crisis.  Funds and food come to Loaves and Fishes of Union County, Inc. from local individuals, local congregations, civic and church groups, businesses, independent drives, and local schools.

They are in need of shelf-stable grocery items, such as canned meats, canned fish, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, dry pasta, pasta sauce, boxed instant potatoes, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, boxed baking mixes, dried beans, and rice.

Additionally, they will accept personal care items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, baby food, and baby diapers.

We are in need of Communion Stewards for our worship services on December 6. Stewards assist with the distribution of communion during the first Sunday service of the month.

You can sign up in a variety of ways: in person during Sunday service, by speaking to Erica Kirby, calling the office at 704-289-2186, or clicking one of the links below:

In observance of Thanksgiving, Central’s church office will be closed Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27. We wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, joy, and time with loved ones!

While volunteers are staffing the church office, we will be open during the following hours:

Monday through Thursday- 8:30 A.M.- 1:00 P.M.

Thank you to everyone who made a financial commitment to Central during Consecration Sunday! Now is a great time to set up or review your online giving account through Subsplash.
Getting started is easy!

1. Visit Central's online giving page: https://centralumcmonroe.org/give
2. Create a giving account or sign in to your existing account.
3. Set up or update your recurring gift to reflect the commitment you made on your pledge card.

If your giving commitment has changed from last year, this is a great opportunity to adjust your recurring donation.

Your faithful generosity helps support the ministries and mission of Central United Methodist Church. Thank you for all the ways you make a difference!

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.