The Grief Support Group will be a group where people who are experiencing loss and grief can gather to support one another and have discussions as we read through the book, “Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief,” written by Joanne Cacciatore, PhD. This group will meet at 6 pm on Wednesdays, beginning 4/2/25 and finishing on 5/7/25. All who are processing grief, no matter how long ago, are welcome to be part of this group, even if they have participated in a previous grief group. Please contact Sarah Drews at (231) 946-5191 (ext. 233) or via email at sarah@tccentralchurch.org with any questions.

Click here to register for this class

🌱 Support Our Youth Group – Plant a Tree (or Four!) This April 🌱

Sapling Sale Fundraiser | All Month Long

All through April, our amazing Youth Group will be selling saplings to raise funds for their upcoming mission trip. Each Sunday after the 9 AM & 11 AM services, you’ll find youth stationed around the church ready to take your order—and they’re also reaching out to friends and family during the week to spread the word.

We’re offering four different types of beautiful saplings. We aim to sell at least 200 plants, but hitting 100 of each kind would be incredible! 🌳💚 This fundraiser is through the Arbor Day Foundation.

Proceeds directly support the youth group’s mission efforts. Even more importantly, your purchase helps us ensure this trip is possible for everyone involved. 🌍✝️

👉 Order yours all month long
👉 Help us reach our goal and get these trees planted
👉 Let’s grow something amazing together

Order forms and photos of the saplings are available now—grab yours after service or from your favorite youth fundraiser! 🌿

Want to order digitally? Show your support by purchasing a sapling online here.

Questions? Contact the church office, Tara DeGroot, Erica Kozlowski , or connect with any youth group participant!

Here’s some of the saplings available:

Sapling Sale Form for Youth Group Members

We are trying something new this year with Disciple 1.  Alline Beutler and Darcy Dewling will be leading the 12 -week Fast Track Old Testament study in 2 6-week segments. If all goes to plan, we will then offer the New Testament Class in the Fall of 2025.

Chapters 1-6: Thursdays, October 10 – November 14, 2024 at 6pm

Chapters 7-13: Thursdays, April 10 – May 15, 2025 at 6pm

Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75-90 minutes.

Click here to register for this class 

Rummage Sale at Central — Hidden Treasures Await!

Join us for a two-day rummage sale hosted by the United Women of Faith at Central United Methodist Church! You’ll find clothing, home goods, books, kitchenware, and more — all at unbeatable prices. It’s the perfect chance to shop sustainably, discover some treasures, and support a great cause! All proceeds benefit the mission and projects of United Women of Faith.

📅 Friday, May 2 | 9 AM – 4 PM
📅 Saturday, May 3 | 9 AM – 1 PM
📍 Central United Methodist Church (3rd Floor) – Downtown Traverse City

Click here to RSVP and invite folks on Facebook!

 Volunteer sign-up sheets are now posted on the Women of Faith bulletin board. We’re looking for 6–7 volunteers per shift to help with setup, sales, and clean-up.

 Donations will be accepted starting Sunday, April 27, after the 9 AM and 11 AM services.
Karen Gleason will also be at the church to receive donations on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (April 28–30) from Noon to 4 PM.

Please note: We are unable to accept electronics or furniture.

Come early for the best finds — and bring a friend or two!

 📧 Questions? Contact Karen Gleason at gardengirl16871@gmail.com or call the church office with any questions!

Sunday Morning Pilgrimage has just started a new book that is an easy entry point for those looking for connection beyond the pew. It is a very informal, welcoming group between the two main services and offers the Zoom option. Focusing on intentional listening, this small group uses reflective quiet time to find greater awareness of God’s presence in our lives. We do not try to “fix” as we support each other.

Contact Kathy Mead: meadka09@gmail.com.

To register for this group

All are welcome to join the discussion to apply their United Methodist beliefs to current faith issues and world events. A host of facilitators welcome and encourage healthy and open discussions facilitated by a team of individuals from Central family.

Please contact Staton Lorenz  at ntpockets51@gmail.com for more details.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Sunday Morning Pilgrimage: 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM 

Join Kathy Mead for genuine connection with others. Their desire is to be an encouragement to you and present a path to grow closer to God and to our community.

Fall 2024 Discussion: 

Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God by Cynthia Bourgeault

Kathy Mead has attended Central for 12 years and has been leading the Sunday Morning Pilgrimage group since its inception.  She’s a retired educator and taught history at Traverse City West High School. For more information contact Kathy Mead at: meadka09@gmail.com. This class will be offered in a hybrid format to include both in-person and Zoom participants.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW

Join us to gather supplies for care kits for natural disaster survivors in Northern Michigan and participate in other service projects for Serve Saturday Spring 2025. Shopping list attached below ⬇️

Here is the link to the Shelby sign-up form for Serve Saturday:

  https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/73aff9fa-9c83-4c81-9889-1b9eabc7df8e

Pick up the Hygiene and Student Kit shopping lists beginning Sunday, April 27, in the gathering space and return them full to the Lounge the week of May 12th or to the church’s back door on the morning of Serve Saturday, May 17th. (No registration needed) Please review the full shopping list attached below.

Summary of Projects:

Join a Group at the Church:

UMCOR Kit Sorting. A small team of volunteers is needed to check the Kits delivered the week prior to and the day of Serve Saturday, before they are sent to UMCOR. (4 people)

Join a Group at a location:

Reining Liberty Ranch Property Cleaning and Animal Interactions – Reining Liberty Ranch offers community-based programs that serve Veterans, their families, and other disabled/at-risk individuals within the Grand Traverse Community through horse-human therapy programing. Family friendly. From 9 am to noon. Clean-up projects and animal interactions. (20 volunteers)

Northport Methodist Indian Mission Church Spring Clean Up – 8 am travel, 9 am work start with lunch provided at noon. Support the annual spring clean up of the campground and cemetery. Please bring work gloves, and wear closed toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. (unlimited volunteers)

Our Neighbors Garden Prep of New Garden Rows and Planting – Our Neighbors Garden provides fresh grown vegetables to Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan for distribution to local food banks. Family friendly. From 9 am to noon. (4 volunteers)

Or, on your own time:

Pick up Hygiene and Student Kit shopping lists beginning Sunday, April 27, in the gathering space and return it full to the Lounge the week of May 12th or to the church’s back door on the morning of Serve Saturday, May 17th. (No registration needed)

UMCOR Hygiene Kits. Fill a Bag with all the items on the shopping list. Provide basic necessities to those who are most vulnerable during times of crisis. Hygiene Kits are distributed during disasters, whether socio-economic or as the result of a natural occurrence. These kits have been requested to resupply stock after providing hygiene items to Northern Michigan residents hit by this winter’s ice storm.

UMCOR Student Kits. Fill a grocery bag with all the items needed on the shopping list. Providing basic school supplies to children who are disadvantaged. These kits will be distributed by UMCOR to children in need before for the next school year.

Prayer Walk in Your Neighborhood – Take a walk around the block, or just down the street on Saturday morning. Be intentional with your time, as you pray over each home. Consider praying for health, comfort, peace, and other things that come over you as you consider each special home in your sphere of care. (unlimited volunteers)

Pray for Our Community – A guide book will be provided for those who wish to stay in the comfort of their home, or find a local coffee shop in which to pray over our community. Guidebooks will be available in the Gathering Space beginning April 27th. (unlimited volunteers)

Caregivers Support Group: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm third Monday
in Room 301 | In person or via Zoom.

Come be in the community and find support in being a caregiver for your loved ones.  Contact Nan: nan.horstman@gmail.com.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Fellowship Hall | Central United Methodist Church

Before our final Music Midweek of the season, join us for a special All-Church Meal hosted by Central’s Reconciling Ministry.

We’re serving up Breakfast for Dinner—a warm and welcoming community meal designed to gather people across generations and backgrounds around one table. All are welcome to come and connect before the performance.

🥞 Free-will offering appreciated
🌱 Gluten-free options available
✨ All are welcome—no RSVP needed

Stick around after the meal for a moving Music Midweek performance with Grammy-winner Andrew Dost at 6:00 PM in the Sanctuary!