Compass Class – This class, founded in 1965 by a group of young married couples, has evolved into the current mix of both married and single folks ranging primarily in age from 45-65. Class members share the teaching duties. A socially active group, the Compass Class is also active in outreach/mission programs such as Power, Food Pantry, the Rack Shack and Santa Claus Camp. The Compass Class meets on the east side of the main building on the balcony level.

FaHoLo Class – This class was formed in 1946 by a group of young adult and college-age members. The name was taken from the first two letters of the words faith, hope and love. An extremely involved group, ranging in age from 70 and up, the class offers social outings, such as retreats, theater trips and parties. Very committed to church and community projects, the group is small but mighty to God’s work. The class is located in the room directly behind the balcony seating area on the west side of the main building.

4Cers Class – The official name for this class is the Central Christian Couples Class. The teachers rotate week to week, and the topics span the broad spectrum of the Bible. With an average attendance of 20+, this 60 median age group offers the chance to participate in a group small enough for individual relationships, but large enough to be able to carry off those larger projects. This class meets on the east side of the main building on the balcony level.

Library Class - The Library Class is one of our newer classes and is filled with a very diverse group of individuals in their ages. This class was started around 6 years ago and meets in the Library near the Finke Hall entrance. This class is led by Patti Easley on most Sundays, but other members help out when called upon. This is a very friendly discussion based class that covers a variety of topics throughout the year.

Togadore Class – This class, of women, gets its name from the Indian word meaning “together.” Organized in the early 1930′s by a group of high school girls, it is Central’s oldest continuous class. It has a strong outreach ministry and is located on the main level just outside the sanctuary next to the elevator.

Trinity Class – This is the young adult Sunday School class that currently meets in the Trinity Room which is in the basement across from the Garden Room. The Trinity Class is comprised of 20 and 30 year olds who are seeking to know God better, and better serve Him in their lives. We are currently studying the fruits of the spirit during the Sunday School hour, but are always open to the suggested topics of our group. We are always happy and excited to welcome new members to our group, if you would like more information about our class please Mike Warneke through the church office at any time.

U.S. Class (United in Service) – This class has an enrollment of 59 and a regular attendance of around 30 members. This class of 70 and over, is the largest at Central. Teachers are different each Sunday, each selecting his or her own topic. Much of the teaching in this class is done by the retired pastors who count themselves members of the U.S. Class. The U.S. Class meets on the West side of the balcony level in the main building. If you are interested, contact John Robertson through the church office during the morning hours.

Adults and youth are invited to become professing members of Central United Methodist Church. Membership involves confessing one’s faith in God, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, baptism (if not previously baptized), and vows to support the Church by one’s prayers, presence, gift, service and witness. All this is based not on our own merit, but on our accepting God’s grace and the covenant God offers. Confirmation classes are held every other year to give youth (7th grade and up) the opportunity to study our faith and consider making this commitment. Membership orientation classes are offered by the pastor for adults interested in exploring the meaning of membership and learning about the Christian faith, the Methodist heritage and the life of Central Church. The pastor will also gladly meet with persons individually who wants to discuss faith and consider joining the church. Call the church office to let the pastor know of your interest.

The Fair Trade Fair

This ministry is coordinated by the Missions Team
The “Fair Trade Fair” is an opportunity that the mission committee is currently working on for this coming winter. It is our hope and our goal to work with vendors and craftsmen from around the world in impoverished communities to help them in their plight through our very own “Fair Trade Fair.”The fair will be held on Sunday, November the 8th and will be accompanied by a fried chicken luncheon furnished by the UM Women. There will be crafts from widows living in Kampala, Uganda, crafts from Red Bird Mission, items from Tess’ International Handicraft Shop, Patchwork Central items, and a chance to help provide a beautiful Christmas for our friends in Cali, Colombia.

Real World Meals

This ministry is coordinated by Mike Warneke
The Central UMC Mission Team hosts Real World Meals three times a year. These meals are geared toward education of our members and their friends on poverty issues around the world. This is a unique hands on experience that allows those participating the unique opportunity to sit at someone else’s dinner table for a change, and grow in their concern for the world’s poor.

The United Methodist Youth Home

The Central contact for this ministry is Kim White.
The United Methodist Youth Home’s mission is to assist at-risk youth and their families in becoming independent, productive members of society.

The United Methodist Youth Home is a faith-based non-profit organization that provides residential and outreach services to at risk youth between the ages of 10 and 21, including pregnant teens and teen mothers. We also provide independent living skills training to current and discharged residents. Click here to find out more about The United Methodist Youth Home.

Cali, Columbia Missions

Eunice Caicedo is a person with a true heart for serving others. She initiated programs at “Remnant of God,” a Cumberland Presbyterian Mission in one of the poorest parts of Cali, Columbia, that include teaching women and children to read, write, and sew. Due to overcrowding in public schools and very poor living conditions in these barrios, these are opportunities that the women and children would not otherwise receive. She also ensures the children are provided with hot lunches, other basic necessities, and most importantly, love and hope.

Eunice has now begun a new school in Cali, “Paths of Life, Love and Peace,” and hopes to reach out to more families in great need. Eunice and her ministries are a current focus of our Sunday School offerings.

To find out more information on how you can get more involved, or if you have any questions you can contact Melissa Counts or Marilyn Conder.

Sweet Sleep Inc.

The local contact for this ministry is Mike Warneke

This past July, Mike Warneke, the Director of Outreach Ministries, traveled to Kampala, Uganda with a team from Sweet Sleep to build beds at two orphanages. The mission of Sweet Sleep is to provide a bed for every head, and there founder Jen Gash has a huge heart for the orphans of the world. Click here to find out more about Sweet Sleep.

Mission Center Opportunities located in the back of the Sanctuary

Ozanam Family Shelter to benefit the homeless of Evansville

This ministry is coordinated by Kay Conder.
This shelter is available and serves as a temporary shelter trying to help individuals get back on their feet. Singles are able to stay up to 30 days and families including children can stay up to 45 days.

Temporary shelter may be needed due to a lack of funds for rent, when utilities are shut down, or due to lack of or insufficient funds from employment opportunities.

Suggested needs are: Tooth paste, tooth brushes, deodorant, floss, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream, safety razors, Kleenex, feminine products, dish towels, wash clothes, disposable drinking cups and other miscellaneous personal products. Click here to find out more about the Ozanam Family Shelter.

Aluminum Tab Program to benefit Ronald McDonald House and Riley Hospital

This ministry is coordinated by Hilda Higgs.
Proceeds from recycled aluminum tabs help support the Ronald McDonald House of Indianapolis, “a home away from home,” for families who must travel to Riley Hospital for their child’s medical treatment. What a blessing for so many families!

The price of aluminum changes on a regular basis and depends on supply and demand. On average, the Ronald McDonald House receives .30 to .50 per pound of aluminum tabs. Americans discard an enormous amount of aluminum each day, so try and do your little part to help make a difference.

There are cartons available at the mission center for you to take home and collect your tabs. Please set your carton in a visible place in your kitchen as a reminder to collect tabs and keep the families that benefit from this ministry in your prayers. When your carton is full, simply empty it here at the church and fill it again. Click here to find out more about the Ronald McDonald House in Indy.

Used Cell Phone Program to benefit United Methodist Mountain Mission

This ministry is coordinated by Mary Ellen Hasenmyer.
Do you have a cell phone you no longer use? Donate your old cell phones to the U M Mountain Mission to help support their ministry in Jackson, Kentucky.  Through the “Cell Fund Program”, the U M Mountain Mission receives monetary support for every cell phone that is brought in and sent into their ministry by our local coordinator.

In addition to the “Cell Fund Program”, items that have been in the Rack Shack for an extended period of time are boxed up and also sent to this mission to be used in their Opportunity Stores. The mission currently supports and provides employment opportunities to over 70 families. Click here to find out more about the United Methodist Mountain Mission.

Used Stamp Ministry to Benefit Churches Around the World

This ministry is coordinated by Imogene Lutz.
Every year thousands of stamps arrive in the stamp room at The Village Church at Shell Point Village in Ft. Myers, Florida. Volunteers, mostly residents at Shell Point, sort stamps into categories, others carefully soak and remove the stamps. Stamps are them packaged and then go to wholesalers where they are sold and distributed to collectors.

By processing and selling used stamps to stamp dealers around the world, the stamp ministry has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the publication of Sunday School curriculum overseas.

You can help out by saving used stamps, especially commemorative and foreign stamps and bringing them into the church. Stamps should be carefully cut from their envelopes leaving at least a quarter inch around each stamp. Click here to find out more about the Used Stamp Ministry.

Old Eye Glasses and Hearing Aids to Benefit the Lions Club and their Services

This ministry is coordinated by Mollie Affolter
The opportunity to “pass on” old eye glasses has been a project of the Lions Club International for about 80 years, and they have also recently begun to collect hearing aids as well. The donated eye glasses are re-ground and re-paired for those in need around the globe.

The World Health Organization estimates that the eyesight of ¼ of the world’s population can be improved through the use of corrective lenses. Individual Lions Clubs in the U.S., Canada and several other countries collect prescription and sunglasses for distribution to the needy in developing nations. Thank you for helping those in need, in a very real and tangible way. Click here to find out more about the work of the Lions Club.

Campbell Soup Labels and General Mills Box Tops to Benefit Red Bird Mission

This ministry is coordinated by Jane Schmitt.
The Red Bird Mission, in Beverly, KY is an Institution of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church within the Red Bird Missionary Conference. Red Bird Mission, guided by Jesus Christ, empowers individuals and advocates justice by providing spiritual, educational, health, and community outreach ministries.  The mission works in 3 counties in Kentucky where, according to the 2000 Census, 30% of families live below the poverty line.

The Red Bird Mission School uses the General Mills Box Tops for Education and the Campbell Labels for Education to purchase new office equipment, athletic equipment, educational resources and other needs within the function of the school programs. Please bring in your Campbell soup labels and General Mills Box Tops to help continue to the ministry of the Red Bird Mission. Click here to find out more about the Red Bird Mission.