Central United Methodist Church Monthly News

Published: Thu, 03/19/26

Updated: Thu, 03/19/26

UPCOMING EVENTS

SOUP AND SERMON

Each week during Lent, we'll gather as a community for Soup and Sermon, connect with neighbors, and hear inspiring homilies from our local pastors. We are thrilled to partner with Central UMC - Dickson, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, First Christian Church, Sequoyah UMC, and First United Presbyterian Church to make this journey meaningful and welcoming for everyone. On Tuesday, March 24, Soup and Sermon will be held at Sequoyah UMC from

12 - 12:30pm and Rev. Jennie Williams is preaching! Lunch immediately following the service. We hope to see you there!

EASTER FLOWERS

As we prepare our hearts and our sanctuary for the joy of Easter, you are invited to help adorn our worship spaces with flowers in celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Flowers may be ordered for $20 through March 25. Place your order here and you must email Kailee Housley to include the name of the loved one with whom the flowers are dedicated. You are welcome to take your Easter flowers home after the Easter services on Sunday, April 5.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES

Holy Week and Easter are quickly approaching, and we invite you to join usas we journey through this sacred season. Together, we will reflect, worship, and celebrate the good news of Jesus Christ and the hope found in His resurrection.

Maundy Thursday
April 2 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary

On Maundy Thursday, we remember the night Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples and gave them a new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This command calls us beyond words into a life marked by humility, grace, and sacrificial love. Join us as we reflect on this powerful moment in the life of Christ and consider what it means to embody His love in our world today.

GOOD FRIDAY
April 3 at 6:00 pm in Building C

On Good Friday, we gather for a Tenebrae service, a solemn time of reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Through scripture readings, quiet worship, and the gradual dimming of light, we remember the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the weight of the cross. We invite you to sit in the stillness of the moment, to grieve, to reflect, and to prepare our hearts for the hope that is to come.

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 5

Come worship with us as we celebrate the joy and victory of Christ’s resurrection at our Easter services here at Central. Together, we proclaim the good news: He is risen!

7:00 am Sunrise Service outside the Sanctuary on the Dickson Street Lawn

9:00 am Contemporary Service in Building C
9:00 am Classic Service in the Sanctuary

10:00 am Egg Hunt in Building D

11:00 am Classic Service in the Sanctuary

We encourage you to bring a flower to place on our living cross during our communion services, as a beautiful symbol of new life and resurrection hope.

CENTRAL ON GARLAND NEWS

Exciting events and milestones are happening from March through August 2026 at Central on Garland. During this season of preparation, service, and community building, we invite you to mark your calendars as events and engagement opportunities are published and join us as we grow together and prepare for the launch of the Garland Campus.

Highlights for the coming months include:

Pot Luck Dinner on Saturday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall on the Garland Street Campus. Bring a dish and bring your friends and family. Contact Julie Thibodaux for more information and click here for potluck sign up. We look forward to connecting with each of you!
Service Days are underway as we prepare the Garland space together. Be sure to complete the Doodle to help us plan upcoming workdays. More to come! Service Days Sign Up
Core Central Sunday is coming up in April, when we begin with worship on Dickson Street and then transition to the Garland Campus for a church-wide service day.
Hospitality Team Development begins in April. If you have a heart for welcoming others and helping create a warm, inviting space, this is a great place to serve. (More information coming soon via e-news.)
On May 31 at 5:00 p.m., we will participate in the Leverett Community Crawl, a collaborative neighborhood event with Central on Garland, The Vine and Branch, St. James, City Park, and Sicarú Coffee. (More information coming soon via e-news.)
June 12 is our tentative date for a One-Day VBS—a fun day of learning, play, and community. (More information coming soon via e-news.)
Beginning in June, we will enter a Soft Launch Worship Series throughout June, July, and August as we prepare for the next phase of ministry at Garland. (More information coming soon via e-news.)

There are many meaningful opportunities ahead!

Along with the events rolling out, there are always additional ways to connect through ministries such as the Food Pantry and United Women in Faith. For more information about these connectional opportunities, please contact the church office at info@centralumcfay.com. If you are interested in volunteering to help at our Wednesday food pantry, please contact Joy Williams. Please contact Lou Buchanan to sign up for Sunday Supper.

Other ways to help our Central on Garland Missions:

Donate financially by visiting centralumcfay.com, selecting Give, choosing the Garland Operational Budget, and noting Pantry or Sunday Supper in the memo

Together, we are making a real difference in our neighbors’ lives!

Thank you for your willingness to serve!

MISSIONS & MINISTRY

VINE AND BRANCH CHURCH EVENT

Vine and Branch Church has invited Central to participate in their Love Your Neighbor event on Sunday, March 22. This afternoon gathering celebrates our neighbors and offers opportunities to share a meal, enjoy music, and support our community.

Free Community Dinner: 4:30–6:00 p.m. at The Perch, 716 W. Sycamore St.

Dinner is provided in partnership with Second Helping NWA. The event will also include live music and “Spare Change,” a pop-up thrift boutique where you can bring what you can and take what you need. We are also collecting donations for the Central Garland Food Pantry. Suggested items include: non-perishable foods, peanut butter, canned goods, women’s hygiene products, adult diapers, paper towels, and toilet paper. Everyone is welcome!

NEXT GEN MINISTRIES

VBS 2026: We are On The Case!

Mark your calendars! VBS will take place June 8–11 from 9:00–11:30am each day. Your rising K–6th grader is invited to grab their detective hat and join us for a fun, 4-day adventure as we dig into some of Jesus’ parables and uncover the mysteries of how to grow our faith!

The registration cost is $50, which includes all activity supplies, snacks, and a VBS T-shirt. (T-shirts are guaranteed for those who register by April 15). If you have any questions, please contact Kari Horton. Register your kid here! Sign up to volunteer here!

EGG HUNT APRIL 5

Mark your calendars for Next Gen's annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 5, at 10:00 a.m. in Building D. Drop off bins for eggs and filler donations are located in the SMB, Building C, and in the Narthex. Reach out to Kari Horton for more information.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

In Need of Prayer:

Claire Brown, Anna Ericson, Mark Fausett, Tom and Rebecca Henderson, Jennifer King, Janet Smythe, Kristy Spruell, Zach Taylor, Rob Turberville

Our Christian Sympathy to:

Will Roth, Tammie Roth, and family in the death of their beloved dad and husband, Danny of Harrison, AR. Danny and Tammie regularly attended Central when they visited Fayetteville.

The Underwood family in the recent death of Laura Underwood's father, William H. Rogers, who passed away peacefully the morning of March 17th.

Stewart Ericson, Morgan Calloway and family in the passing of their brother in law and husband, Collin Calloway.

The family of June Myers in her recent passing.

Stephen and Carolyn Shanks and family in the death of their beloved mother.

Our hearts and prayers are with each of you!

Share a Prayer Request

CENTRAL SPRING CATALOG

Check out our 2026 Spring Catalog on ways to get plugged in at Central!

CENTRAL PODCAST

IT'S NOT COMPLICATED

We’re kicking off a new series on It’s Not Complicated called Sunday School Deep Dive, where we take a closer look at passages many of us heard growing up but may not fully understand. In this episode, we explore Original Sin through Romans 5:12–21 and what Paul means when he says sin entered the world through one man. We talk about the connection between Adam and Jesus and how Paul contrasts sin with the overwhelming power of grace. Join us as we break it down.

What Podcast topics would you like us to cover?

Let us know: I have a Podcast idea!