PRIDE PARADE 

NWA's Annual Pride Parade takes place on June 27 at 6:00 p.m. on Dickson Street. Bring a chair and join us on Central's lawn outside the sanctuary as we gather in to support and celebrate our friends marching in the parade. Sign up to help serve at our hospitality table to pass out water and direct people to restrooms during the event. Volunteers should arrive by 5:00 p.m. To volunteer, sign-up here.

CHRISMON TEAM

Come help Central prepare beautiful Chrismons for our Christmas trees this holiday season! We are gathering together to craft Chrismons using styrofoam, balsam wood, and beads as we create meaningful ornaments celebrating the symbols of Christ for our trees around the Central campus. All materials are provided by the Chrismon committee and donations can be made to the church under the “Chrismon Fund.” No experience is needed and every willing heart and helping hand is appreciated! Join us every Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in room 306 in Building B, with an additional evening group meeting every other Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We would love for you to be part of this wonderful time of fellowship, creativity, and preparation for the Christmas season. All are welcome! For more information email Kara Willis.

CENTRAL ON GARLAND 

Central Church Family,

As we move through a full and meaningful summer—wrapping up VBS and Annual Conference, and now welcoming Ozark Mission Project as students and teams arrive this week—we continue to see God at work throughout our community.

We are moving full steam ahead toward the launch of our first Central on Garland worship service on September 20 at 11:00 a.m. If you have been looking for a place to plug in and serve, this is a wonderful opportunity.

This service will offer an intimate worship setting—smaller in size, but with the same excellence in worship that we value as a church. It will feature our contemporary band from the 9:00 a.m. worship hour in a slightly unplugged format, designed to create a more reflective space for worship, Scripture, teaching, communion, and community.

We are also creating space for all ages through our prayer ground experience, where everyone is welcome to participate and engage in prayer in meaningful and accessible ways.

If you have not yet done so, please complete the Worship Hospitality Team survey here for Central on Garland as we prepare to welcome friends, families, and neighbors into this new worship expression. There are several opportunities to serve where you can share your gifts, graces, and heart for hospitality.

We have a tentative coordinators meeting scheduled, and once that group gathers, we will begin scheduling team meetings. These gatherings will take place on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the Wesley Chapel in Building B during July and August, (dates TBD) by each coordinator. Be sure to sign up and watch for team emails with additional information.

Please continue to hold this new worship space and our community in prayer as we seek to live into the love of Christ together.

Have a great week!

Pastor Chase

Get Connected to Volunteer at Garland: 
Wednesday Food Pantry- Contact Joy Williams

Sunday Supper- Contact Lou Buchanan

United Women in Faith- Contact Nannette Bhaumik

Support the Mission:

Central on Garland continues to experience encouraging trends and strong support through ongoing generosity and stewardship. Donate financially by visiting centralumcfay.com, selecting Give, and choosing the Garland Operational Budget. 

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH 

COBBLESTONE FARMS 

We are excited to share that Central member and mission partner lead,  Robert Curtis, has recently joined the Board of Directors for Cobblestone Farms.

Cobblestone Farms continues its mission of cultivating a community free of hunger through sustainable agriculture, providing fresh produce to hunger-relief organizations throughout Northwest Arkansas. In 2025, the farm produced more than 35,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, providing over 224,000 servings of nutritious food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

As the organization continues to grow through expanded production, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, Robert will help support its long-term vision and impact. We are grateful for his ongoing commitment to both Central and the important work being done through Cobblestone Farms. Reach out to Robert for ways to get involved. 

U OF A WESLEY 

FRESHMAN WELCOME BAGS

The U of A Wesley is preparing to welcome incoming Razorbacks this fall by providing Freshman Welcome Bags to students moving into the dorms. These bags are a simple but meaningful way to help students feel at home as they begin a new chapter at the University of Arkansas. You can support this ministry by purchasing items from the Amazon Wish List, with all items shipping directly to The Wesley for distribution to incoming freshmen. If you know an incoming freshman attending the University of Arkansas, we would also love to connect with them before they arrive on campus. Contact [email protected] with their information. Every item, prayer, and connection helps us extend hospitality and care to students as they begin their college journey.

NEXT GEN MINISTRIES

Meet Our New Children's Ministry Lead!

We are excited to welcome Lacy Hampton as the new Children's Ministry Lead at Central United Methodist Church! Join us on Sunday, July 12 at 12:15 p.m. in the Student Ministries Building D Worship Center for a special opportunity to meet Lacy, hear about her passion for children's ministry, and welcome her into the Central family. We are grateful for the gifts, energy, and leadership Lacy brings to our church and look forward to the ways God will work through her ministry with our children and families. We hope you'll take a few moments to stop by, introduce yourself, and help us give her a warm Central welcome! We can't wait to see all that God has in store for our Children's Ministry in this new season.

CENTRAL PODCAST

In the newest episode of It's Not Complicated, Rev. Virginia sits down with special guest Rev. Lindsey Russell, Deacon at Central. Lindsey shares what it means to serve as a Deacon, discusses the differences between Deacons and Elders, and tells the story of her own journey into ministry.

Watch this episode here.

Or listen wherever you get your podcasts!

What Podcast topics would you like us to cover? 

Let us know: I have a Podcast idea!