When you experience the death of a loved one, our church Bereavement Team is there to serve you. We desire to help and support you as you make careful decisions regarding meals and visitation.

Sharing a family meal is very comforting during a time of grief. We offer a luncheon for up to 25 people that is prepared and delivered to your home; or, if the situation necessitates, the meal can be served at the church.
The church is also available for the family to receive friends. When a large number is expected, the Fellowship Hall may be used. The visitation may be scheduled either before or after the worship service. If desired, we offer a reception following the service where you can greet your guests personally. We provide finger foods and beverages served in a lovely setting of formal tables.

The church welcomes memorials as a way for friends and family to remember loved ones. These gifts are blessings to the church and can be designated to the ministry of your choice. The church office can guide you in selecting which ministry you wish to designate.

The Prayer Garden is a peaceful area maintained throughout the year for anyone needing a quiet spot for meditation, reflection or prayer. It is adjacent to the entrance to our church office on Marion Street.

Our Columbarium is located in this garden area. It serves as a place for the inurnment of church members and their families.

The Memorial Wall is available for those who would like to remember family and church members who are buried elsewhere.

Anyone who is interested in the Columbarium or Memorial Wall may obtain information from our church office.

Methodist Counseling and Consultation Services Mission

• We take a holistic approach to personal and family problems.
• We are available to help with the emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions of life’s challenges.
• We are committed to providing a safe place, a listening ear, a caring presence, genuine respect, quality service, and positive regard.
• We are dedicated to the healing of heart, mind, and soul.

Counseling and Consultation

As professionals, we offer counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families and groups (depending on individual counselor training and experience), as well as education and consultation services. We are men and women of faith committed to honoring each person’s spiritual path and life process. We are licensed, certified therapists and counselors, including ordained clergy, trained to integrate the resources of faith and the behavioral sciences in a compassionate, holistic counseling environment.

You may meet with Central’s On-sight-Counselor,
Stacey Watkins-Griffith, D.Min.,

at Central Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.

Central UMC Stephen Ministry Room

704-375-5354, Ext 409

Central United Methodist offers many music programs!

The purpose of the Pastoral Care Team is to assist the pastor in providing quality care to Central’s members through visits, phone calls, cards or the sharing of prayer shawls.

Jesus calls us to care for our church family and to be his hands and feet in Matthew 25:38-40.
We seek to minister to:

• widows & widowers
• the elderly and homebound
• those who are grieving,
• members in crisis situations or experiencing life changing issues
• post-hospital discharge
• primary caregivers
• separations & divorces
• job loss
• empty nesters
• new mothers
• military families

This ministry began in September, 2006 as a means of reaching out to those who are hurting or grieving, those who are facing serious surgeries, those who are experiencing major life changes or end of life issues, and men & women in the military. The ministry has also expanded to include new brides, as well as infants, youth or adults who receive the sacrament of baptism.

Because this is a spiritual practice, before beginning the knitting or crochet process, the Shawl Maker’s Prayer is offered to dedicate the work of the hands and to offer up a prayer for the unknown recipient. Participants are also encouraged to work on their project as part of their daily devotional time.

Central is a praying church. Prayer is a vital part of everything we do. Prayer requests are accepted during Sunday services and other times by contacting the church office. The Prayer Team meets in the Prayer Room on Mondays at 11am.

The Prayer Team and the church staff are honored to lift up prayer requests daily for as long as needed. Prayer requests, except those marked “private”, are then shared with our Prayer Partners.

All prayer requests are kept confidential within our prayer circle. No prayer requests are considered too small or too large. Our God is able!

Prayer Chain Ministry
This ministry is one of the quickest ways to communicate prayer requests to others in the church. The church secretary emails requests (with the exception of private requests) to a designated person in each Sunday School class. This person forwards the request to other class members. If someone does not have email, a phone call is made. There are times when a person wants to keep the request private. At that time, only the staff and Prayer Team are notified. All requests are kept confidential.

During the school year beginning in late August through mid May, the church family is invited to participate in a weekly Wednesday night supper. Oasis cooks prepare a kid friendly meal appropriate for all ages. Weekly participants serve and clean up.

Each supper is followed by choir rehearsals for children and adults, various small study groups, or a time of fellowship and sharing.

Oasis takes on a different form during the summer months. Monthly covered dish dinners and games are shared in a small group setting.