Membership Spotlight – First United Methodist Church
Chamber members gathered December 14th for Chamber Connections hosted by First United Methodist Church in their Youth Center. The comfortable, appealing space accommodates 40-50 middle and high school students for youth group on Wednesday evenings as they gather for lessons, fellowship, and fun. Kid Zone, also hosted on Wednesday evenings, is for kids in pre-K through 5th grade. They do lessons, crafts, and storytime. One can see from the fun space and the activities how much FUMC values reaching out to youth and involving them.
Lead pastor Emily Spearman Cannon shared FUMC’s new mission statement: “McPherson First United Methodist Church is a place where we experience God’s grace, live like Jesus, and participate in God’s grace with our neighbors.”
The church identifies as a “servant” church, Cannon said. “Mission is a key piece of our United Methodist heritage. We believe Jesus had a lot to say about not just what we believe, but how we live and how we function in relationships with other people, and especially with how we are in relationship with those who are on the margins – those who do not have power, those who are crying out for justice. So that’s a big piece of what we do.”
Deacon Jeanne Koontz said that one of the many ways they serve is through their diaper and food cupboard ministry. “So people who are in need of diapers or in need of food or an emergency resource can come and pick up those resources from us,” she said. They also work with other partners in the community and have faithful members who donate to fund the outreach ministry to help with emergency rent assistance, utilities, and transportation.
The church has worship services on Sunday morning – one at 8:30, which has more traditional music and liturgy, and the other at 10:15, which has a more casual vibe and a praise team. If you can’t attend in person, there is an option to watch the church service live online through their website Please note that during the next couple weeks, there will be only one service at 10 o’clock due to the holidays plus a couple evening services on Christmas Eve.
Learn more about McPherson First United Methodist Church on their website and Facebook page. Be sure to check out photos from Chamber Connections.
