Central United Methodist Church Weekly Newsletter

Published: Thu, 01/15/26

Updated: Thu, 01/15/26

NEWS AND EVENTS

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

Our mission at Central is to Ignite and Empower our community to experience and share the love of Christ. As part of that calling, we would like to invite you to join us for Love Your Neighbor Weekend, an important community conversation focused on the health and dignity of our unhoused neighbors in Northwest Arkansas.

On Saturday, February 7, we are hosting a panel discussion that brings together local leaders, medical professionals, and ministry partners who are deeply engaged in justice-centered outreach and collaborative solutions. Together, we will explore how churches, nonprofits, and community partners can work more effectively to support our unhoused neighbors and move toward long-term community healing.

Our panelists include:

Rev. Michael Gienger, Central UMC Galveston – leader in justice-centered ministry
Minister Monique Jones, City Council / Squire Jehagen Outreach – advocate for local community action
Solomon Burchfield, New Beginnings NWA – advancing bridge housing solutions
Dr. Michael Bolding, Washington Regional / A Place to Heal – pioneer in healthcare justice

Event Details
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 6 W. Dickson Street, Building C
When: Saturday, February 7 at 2:30pm
Cost: Free and open to the public

This event is sponsored by the Central United Methodist Men and is open to clergy, lay leaders, mission teams, and anyone who cares about faithful, compassionate responses to housing and health challenges in our region.

We hope you’ll consider attending, sharing this invitation with your congregation or network, and joining us as we seek to love our neighbors.

PARADE FLOAT WORKSHOP

Laissez les bons temps rouler! Tonight the City of Fayetteville Mardi Gras Committee will host a float-building workshop in Building C, rooms 3–5. This workshop will provide helpful information for the upcoming February 14th Mardi Gras Parade and the June 26th Pride Parade. Come join the fun and kick off the new year with us! If you are interested in helping with Central’s Mardi Gras Parade float, please contact Julie. To donate supplies for the Central float, please click here.

CHARGE CONFERENCE

A charge conference will take place at the beginning of the church council meeting on Tuesday, February 3, at 6:30pm in Building B, Room 310.This called charge conference is being held to finalize church council positions and address other Garland-related items, including approval to list the parsonage property for sale. All are welcome to attend.

CENTRAL ON GARLAND NEWS

Dear Friends,

Central on Garland is hopping throughout the week! Our We Are Nourished Food Pantry serves neighbors every Wednesday, and much of the rest of the week is spent preparing for that moment—making this a wonderful opportunity to plug in, partner, and serve our community together.

Right now, we have a few specific volunteer needs:

Set-Up Crew | Wednesdays, 1:00–3:00 PM
This amazing team stages food choices and organizes the pantry space so our neighbors are welcomed with dignity and care.

Pantry Second Shift | Wednesdays, 5:15–7:30 PM
Volunteers help restock shelves as neighbors shop, offer hospitality and conversation while folks wait, and assist with clean-up after hours.

There are also other ways to support the pantry:

Pick up food donations from Walmart on weekdays

Donate financially by visiting centralumcfay.com, selecting Give, choosing the

Garland Operational Budget, and noting Pantry in the memo

If you’d like to volunteer in these focus areas or explore other ways to help, please contact our office at info@centralumcfay.com.Together, we are making a real difference in our neighbors’ lives.

We recently shared a beautiful gathering with church friends from across several communities of faith, coming together to pray over and celebrate the many years of Sunday Suppers at the corner of Garland Ave & W. Sycamore St.

We are deeply grateful for every church and volunteer who has helped feed our community, and we’re excited to continue gathering at the table every Sunday at 3:30 PM.

Participating Churches include:

First United Presbyterian Church & Mount Comfort Presbyterian Church

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Youth)

Central UMC on Garland

Sequoyah UMC

Good Shepherd Lutheran

First Christian Church

If you know of another church or group that would like to plug in, please let us know so we can get connected. While not all of our friends were able to join us this time, we look forward to catching up with them at our next gathering.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Chase

MISSIONS & MINISTRY

NEW BEGINNINGS BIBLE STUDY

The New Beginnings bible study will commence Wednesday, January 21 @ 6 - 7:15pm in Building C rooms 3-5. This semester's book will be: I’m Waiting, God by Barb Roose. This study offers encouragement and biblical insight for those seasons when waiting feels especially hard. For more information or to register, please contact Jacque Nagel and order book here. We hope you’ll join us!

LEADERSHIP VISIONING MEETING

All Central UMC 2026 committee members are invited to join us for a special Leadership Visioning Meeting with our pastors and leadership team on Sunday, January 25 @12:30pm in the Building D second floor worship center (lunch will be provided). This gathering will include all committees named in the United Methodist Book of Discipline— Church Council, Trustees, Finance, Staff-Parish Relations, Lay Leadership/Nominations, Hospitality, Congregational Care, and Mission Committees. Our purpose is to gather to celebrate the mission and vision of Central UMC and share goals for 2026 and beyond. Click Here To Register.

NEXT GEN MINISTRIES

ACCYM VERITAS 2026

The deadline to register your student for Veritas 2026 is February 6! This amazing retreat takes place February 27– March 1 and gives our 6th–12th graders the opportunity to spend a weekend in Fort Smith worshiping and connecting with students from other UMC churches throughout the state.

This year, students can choose between two tracks:

Small Groups Track

Breakouts Track

Click here to register! If you have any questions, contact Zack!

NEXT GEN RETURN DATES

The Spring Semester has begun and Next Gen Events start back up this January:

Sunday Night Youth begins January 11 5-7 pm in Building D

Club K6 begins January 21 6-730 pm in Building D

Youth Hang Time begins January 21 4-730 pm in Building D

Bring and friend and come worship with us!

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

In Need of Prayer:

Joni Carroll, Anna Ericson, Joe Fox, Collin Pilkinton, Dawn Rhudy, Aly Sampson

Our Christian Sympathies to:

Barrett Johnson and family in the recent passing of his mother, Doris of Fort Smith, AR.

Share a Prayer Request

CENTRAL PODCAST

IT'S NOT COMPLICATED

In the first recorded episode of It’s Not Complicated in 2026, we dive into the true meaning of stewardship and why it still matters today. Anchored in Acts 20:32, we explore how everything we have is entrusted to us by God and shaped by His grace. We also unpack the historical foundation of the 10% tithe, tracing its biblical roots and purpose beyond obligation. This conversation reframes stewardship as a response to faith, not pressure, and reminds us that God is the ultimate provider.

New Podcast Topics: Share Your Ideas!

As we look to the future of It’s Not Complicated, we want to hear from you! What topics or series would you like to hear more about? Email us and let us know!

PO Box 1106
Fayetteville AR 72702
US

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