The Central Link Newsletter - 2/8/26

When the year comes to an end, our UWF distributes the funds we have earned over the year.  With the help and support of our church family, we were able to send $3400.00 from the unit and $1780.00 from individual circles. This money was distributed to Chalk It Up to Love and The Chuckwagon, both administered by Central UMC, as well as the following groups in Union County: H.E.L.P. Pregnancy, Crisis Assistance, The Christmas Bureau, Turning Point, Council On Aging, and Operation Reach Out, as well as two international missions - Project Agape, an Armenian mission administered by the North Carolina Conferences of the UMC, and Agape Village of Zambia, Africa.

Some quick background about our organization - just as the United Methodist Church is a connectional group, so the UWF is an international and connectional organization which supports mission projects both within the United States and around the world. Our emphasis is on missions benefiting women, children and youth. The figures quoted are over and above the regular mission giving of our group. Since many of you are familiar with local mission projects, I would like to acquaint you with one of our international projects, Agape Village.

Like many mission projects, we were first treated to a program at one of our monthly meetings. This program was presented to the New Beginnings Circle by Farron Duncan, a board member of Agape Village Foundation. He told us of the dream he and a missionary couple, Mickey and Jackie Bailey, who visited Agape Village regularly shared. That dream was to build a well in this community so the surrounding peoples would have access to clean drinking water. This dream ignited a fire in several of our women from the New Beginning Circle who spearheaded this project. With the help of many in this church, we were able to raise the $10,000.00 needed to make the dream a reality. The well was built and soon a church grew at the site; a school and orphanage are integral parts of this community. We continue to support this project over 17 years later. We get regular updates from Agape Village and one from our group is able to visit most years.

- Cheri Barker
Central UWF Unit President 

Please join us this Sunday, February 8 at our Modern and Traditional worship services for "United Women in Faith Sunday."

Come worship with us and learn more about how our chapter's missional work "inspires, influences and impacts local and global communities" and learn how you can play a part in this organization.

Help us “Tackle Hunger” and “Change the Game” with Souper Bowl of Caring,  benefiting the Community Shelter of Union County.

Bring your extra change to both services this Sunday, February 8th (UWF Sunday) to help Central Kids “Change the Game!”

Please join us for a 90th birthday fellowship luncheon for Rose Ann Mull, sponsored by family and friends on Sunday, February 8 from 12 - 2 P.M. in the Hospitality Room.

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

Soul Food Bible Study's regular meeting on Thursday, February 12 has been cancelled.

Soul Food will begin a new study, Seven Words Christ Spoke From the Cross, on Thursday, February 19.

This special Lenten study will meet for six weeks on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. in the Hospitality Room.  Join us - all are welcome!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred journey toward the cross, the passion of Christ, and ultimately the hope of Easter.

In the imposition of ashes, we remember that we are dust, and to dust we shall return, yet we are deeply loved by God.
 
Join us Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 PM in the Chapel for a service of prayer and reflection as we begin this season of repentance, grace, and renewal together.

This month's Birthday Club will be at 11:30 A.M. on February 19, 2026 at Brookdale Union Park, 1316 Patterson Street, Monroe.
 
Glenda Moon, Mary McClure & Carolyn Kindley will be our guests! Box Lunches will be purchased from McAlister’s Deli.

There will be 3 choices. You need to let Linda Deese know by February 16 which one you choose. Her number is 704-219-7199. You can call (leave a voicemail if needed) or text.

1. King Club Sandwich - Twice the ingredients of McAlister's Club on country white. Roasted turkey, Black Forest ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, Swiss, spring mix, tomato, mayo and McAlister's Honey Mustard. $ 16.00

2. Memphian Sub- Roasted turkey, Black Forest ham and Black Angus roast beef, provolone, spring mix, tomato, mayo and spicy brown mustard on baguette. $16.00

3. McAlister’s Chef Salad - Diced Turkey and ham, bacon, cheddar-jack, tomato, croutons and cucumber on mixed greens. Dressing choices -Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, or
Honey Mustard. $14.00

You will pay Linda the day of the lunch (check or correct change please). The price includes tax.

Beverages provided – Water, Sweet or Unsweet tea. Or BYOB.

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.

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

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.

From February 10-12, Dr. Bill will attend the WNCC Board of Ordained Ministry.

On February 17, he will attend the Uwharrie District Committee on Ordained Ministry.

You are invited to participate in this Union County Government survey -  

Union County is developing its 2026-2030 Five-Year Consolidation Plan. Union County residents may take a survey to share your input on the Consolidated Plan.

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.