Central United Methodist Church

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  • Being Gay is a Gift from God Campaign
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  • Our Partners & Allies
  • Pride Video – Free Poster

Our Ministries

Music. Central’s talented music team brings the best of traditional and contemporary Christian music to our worship service. Our “praise band” currently includes four singers: Music Director Lynn Braun, who is our pianist; our drummer; and two additional vocalists. (At times our band has included guitar, bass, and keyboard too.)

Central’s children sing for us on special occasions. The kids and youth also participate in the annual Christmas pageant (musical play), a joint production with Collingwood Presbyterian.

If you would like to be part of our music team, contact Lynn at braunl@sbcglobal.net or 419.290.9839.

Outreach. We have a special concern for those who have been hurt because of their sexual orientation. People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered (and their families) have often felt unwelcome in other churches, or afraid to be themselves in daily life. At Central, we offer a safe and caring community.

We believe that being gay is a gift from God. Whether you are gay or straight, this is part of who God created you to be – not something to be ashamed of or “tolerated.”

We are a founding member of the Reconciling Ministries Network (see RMN web site).  As a “reconciling congregation” (a United Methodist church that fully welcomes all), we:

• Participated in Toledo’s first Gay Pride event [link to video]
• Partner with other churches and gay rights organizations to speak out against bullying and to work for equal rights and acceptance.
• Attend regional and national events to urge changes in laws and church policies.
• Reach out to families and individuals in need of support.

If you or someone you know would like to talk with us, please contact:

Nancy at the office – 419.241.7729, office@centraltoledo.org

Denise Litterer-Braun – 419.283.5382

Meshelle Lesner – 419.283.7573

Lynn Litterer-Braun – 419.290.9839, braunl@sbcglobal.net

Service. Central members participate in a variety of missions to help others, including:

• Family Promise: Central helps host homeless families who come to live at the church for a week as part of the “interfaith hospitality network.” See Family Promise web site.
• Flower Hospital Guild: supports patient comfort at Flower Hospital in Sylvania.
• FOCUS Homeless Services: as a charter (founding) church, Central supports FOCUS’ mission to work intensively with homeless families.  See FOCUS web site.
• Friendly Center Service Guild: supports the community center in Toledo’s old north end. The Friendly Center is an oasis for kids and families in a neighborhood struggling with poverty. (A United Methodist Women’s Division project.)  See Friendly Center web site.
• Interfaith Blood Drive: Central joins people from 40 other houses of worship to save lives at this large annual “Erase the Hate” event. It is followed by a  Celebration of Life service.  See Interfaith Blood Drive web site.
• Mission work trips and projects: Central participates in work projects locally and in other communities, helping people in need. We are very talented with hammers, wrenches, and paintbrushes!
• Toledo Area Ministries: Central participates in TAM projects like Feed the 5000 and Feed Your Neighbor.  See TAM web site.
• United Methodist Women: meeting jointly with the women from two other churches, this group supports national and global missions.  See United Methodist Women web site.

Also see our Links page.

House Repair Work Day