Central United Methodist Knoxville, Tennessee
Central Activities
The "senior" group at Central, the Central Lights, was organized in 1992. It provides a monthly social time for anyone who claims to be a "senior," and members of other churches are welcome. The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 10:30 a.m., with a devotion, recognitions, a brief business meeting, and an entertaining and/or informative program. A luncheon prepared by the church hostess is served at noon. Central Lights members usually take two or three day trips by bus per year, often to a play or musical show; the trips include a meal. In the future, Central Lights may join with similar groups from other churches for joint activities.
Contact Central Lights e-mail: centrallights@knoxcentralumc.org
United Methodist Women
Central has an active chapter of United Methodist Women (UMW)
. UMW is the successor to the historical Methodist
missionary societies . The Central UMW hold an annual
flea market, prayer breakfast, carnation sales, and other fund-raising activities to support their
mission activities, which include Wesley House, Partners for Children, Central’s Food
Pantry, World Missions, National Missions, and the United Methodist Committee on
Relief .
UMW is organized into four circles that meet monthly. There is also a General Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month (except June, July, and August) at the church, which includes dinner and a program afterward, starting at 7 p.m. The meeting times for the four circles are as follows:
- Elizabeth Circle meets second Tuesday night, 7 p.m., in homes
- Rebekah Circle meets second Tuesday, 10:15 a.m., in CUMC Chapel
- Mary Circle meets on Monday following General Meeting, 6:30 p.m., in homes or restaurants
- Priscilla Circle meets third Tuesday, 7 p.m., at church
Women do not have to be a member of the United Methodist Church to become a member of UMW. UMW welcomes women of all ages who are interested in mission and Christian fellowship to come and be a part of our program here at Central.
Contact UMW e-mail: umw@knoxcentralumc.org
Purpose: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women
whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ;
to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through
participation in the global ministries of the church.
Consignment Sale
Central UMC had three sales in 2009 and will have four consignment sales in 2010 – two children’s clothing and toy consignment sales and two adult clothing and home consignment sales. Consignment sales are different from church rummage sales and flea markets in that consignors pay a fee to participate in the sale, price and prepare their own items, bring their items to the church to sell, work a short shift during the sale, and, in turn, receive a large percentage of their total sales. The church keeps the participation fee and a smaller percentage of the total sales; this money is used to fund various programs and mission projects within the church.
Anyone can participate; you don’t have to be a member of the church. Guidelines for participating in the sales can be found in our adult and home consignor information page and children’s consignor information page.
Click Here for more information.
Central Methodist Men’s Club
The Men’s Club is open to all interested men. The group meets on the third Saturday
of each month for breakfast, fellowship, and a short meeting. The meeting is currently held at
The Lunch House restaurant. The Men’s Club assists with projects at the church and in the community,
such as repainting the parking lot and coordinating the Beta House nature project.
They also traditionally help provide treats for the children at the Christmas party and donate to
other church projects.
United Methodist Youth Fellowship
The youth group at Central is made up of youth from 6th to 12th grade. During the school year we try to meet weekly on Sunday evenings for snack suppers and activities. Throughout the year we have special events like Resurrection, summer mission trip, Youth Sunday, and lock-ins. We serve the church by hosting meals, serving as acolytes and crucifers, and teaching the nursery class. Special projects that are currently on going include remodeling the youth room and creating a Faith Tree for Children’s Hospital’s Fantasy of Trees. For more information please contact Jay Lifford at YouthLeaders@knoxcentralumc.org
Pantry
Central UMC houses one of Knoxville’s emergency food pantries.
The pantry is stocked and staffed by donations of food, time, and money from
Central’s congregation.
The pantry is open from 9:00 to 12:00 each Tuesday and Thursday morning as long as food is available.
A limited number of hygiene items are available as needed. Written referrals are preferred.
Congregational meals
CUMC members enjoy eating together. Congregational meals are held
throughout the year. Usually the meals are focused on a special
occasion, such as the Christmas pageant, Pentecost, Teacher
Appreciation Sunday, etc. and sponsored by a committee or group in the
church. Some meals serve as fundraisers for youth projects and other
causes. Meals sometimes are covered by a small charge or by donations.
There is also an annual church picnic, usually in late summer or early
fall.
