Summer Book Study for this summer will begin on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17th, we will NOT meet during Cherry Festival (July 8th), then continue until August 19th.  We will be discussing our thoughts on J. Philip Newell’s book, The Rebirthing of God.  There will be two options to discuss the same chapter each Wednesday we meet and you can mix or match when you attend as your summer schedule allows!  The Morning Session is at 10:00 am under the pavilion at the Botanic Garden.  After you park, go up the stairway to the left of the information/Gift Shop.

Our Evening Session is at 7:00 pm usually under the pavilion at the far east end of the parking lot of the Boardman Nature Center on Cass Road just north of the TCAPS Bus Garage by the railroad crossing.  Note that we do not pay to rent the pavilion space and sometimes need to move to nearby picnic tables if someone has paid to rent the space.  Please note that reading the book is optional, but encouraged, that houseguests/well-behaved dogs and grandchildren are welcome, that even occasional drop-ins are always welcome.  We are summer Traverse City friends and we know that our summers are unpredictable and too short!!

Contact Kathy Mead, meadka09@gmail.com to be placed on the email list.

All are welcome to this unique and casual outdoor worship experience on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay from 9 am to 10 am on Sundays starting May 24, 2026 thru Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and dress for the weather. We will hold worship outdoors unless there is heavy rain, thunder, or lightning.

Well-behaved and leashed pets are welcome to attend.

NOTE FOR THE 2026 SEASON: If weather prohibits outdoor worship, 9 AM worship will be held in the Traverse Bay UMC sanctuary at 1200 Ramsdell St. Cass Street in West Bay – Traverse City – near Tom’s West Bay. The church will make an announcement in lieu of any location changes due to weather. Additionally, our traditional service at 11 am will take place at Traverse Bay UMC every Sunday during the summer of 2026.

As the new school year begins and we welcome you back for fall programming, please join us on Welcome Back Sunday during our 9 AM Church in the Park service and our 11 AM worship service at the Traverse Bay UMC building with a special Children’s Blessing of the Backpacks. All are welcome. Our youth are encouraged to bring their backpacks to be blessed for their journey.

Welcome back! We have missed you over the summer, and can’t wait to start celebrating right away! Who knows what we will do at our Back to School Celebration?

Can’t wait to see you all there!

Click here to register your kiddo(s) now.

Once a month on the 3rd Friday: Parent’s Night Out: Drop the kids off for three hours and enjoy some time together with friends, your spouse, or even just yourself. 5:15pm-8:15pm

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. For more inforamtion, please contact: Sue Hornby (suhornby@yahoo.com(opens in new tab)) and Sharon Hill (sharondiamondhill@gmail.com(opens in new tab)).

All are invited to casual conversation with one of Central’s pastors.  This is a great time to get to know our pastors a bit more, ask questions about the church and meet new people!  No registration required.

Grief support group will be taking place in the church library on the following Thursdays, 10/8/26, 10/15/26, 10/22/26, 10/29/26, 11/5/26, and 11/12/26. The group will be meeting from 1 pm until 2:15 pm. We will read and discuss the book “A Hole in the World” Written by Amanda Held Opelt. This group is for anyone who is walking through grief, whether it be recent or long-term grief. It is a supportive atmosphere where all are welcome and people who have previously attended grief group are welcome to attend for a second time.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please reach out to Sarah Drews via email at sarah@tccentralumc.org or call (231)946-5191 ext. 233.