MINISTRIES AND MISSIONS
Below you will find descriptions of various ministries and missions that are part of our Go.Do. efforts here at 1st Church.
You will also find ways to contact individuals within those ministries or if you need to contact more than one you can use our Ministry Contact Form.
Celebrate Recovery
This group is an internationally organized Christ-centered 12 Step ministry. The ministry is hospitality based and recognizes that people (and families) are dealing with many difficult issues including addiction, grief, loss, and hopelessness.
Celebrate Recovery understands that recovery is a journey where the desire is to move forward together and support each other along the way.
Each Wednesday night in Asbury Hall, Celebrate Recovery begins with a simple meal at 5:30, followed by Worship at 6:30 and share groups at 7:40 pm.
Childcare is provided.
Volunteer opportunities:
Contact:
Gordo Watson (General volunteers) Amelia Geis-Scott (kitchen help)
More information about this ministry can be found at www.CRMaryvilleTN.com .
Community Food Connection
of Blount County
Located at 311 Whitecrest Drive in Maryville, the mission of this organization (supported by 1st UMC and many of its members) was initialized when the Blount County Ecumenical Action Council saw the need for a food pantry in the area.
The Community Food Connection began operations in May 1991, serving approximately 20 families a week. We now serve over 500 families each week, and have a shared ministry with Meals on Wheels. The Food Connection helps Blount County residents and never charges for their service.
Clients to come into the store and select a certain number of items from our stock. On other days, clients are given a bag of staples and any other fresh items on hand, eggs, meat, bread etc. Overall, the Food Connection moves in the direction of client choice.
100% of the work and the Food Connection relies on support from local churches, civic groups, business partners and school students from Blount County.
The Food Connection is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00am to 2:00 pm.
Friday is by appointment only.
Saturday's hours are 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Volunteer opportunities:
Contact:
Linda Kerr Wells
865-995-2271
Website: http://cfcblount.org/
Family Promise
Several times throughout the year, 1st UMC serves as a host facility for the Blount County Family Promise program. This multi-layered program helps homeless families get back on their feet. Each host week, volunteers are needed in a variety of ways.
Contact:
Mavis Ziegler
1st Kids Ministries
1st Youth Ministry
1st Youth serves youth in 6th - 12th grades. We provide opportunities for fellowship, education, mission work, and support for students and their families.
Contact:
Chris Jacobs - Director of 1st Student Ministries
865-982-1273
Good Neighbors of Blount County
Good Neighbors is a faith based non-profit ministry serving our community by helping our neighbors work through a temporary crisis involving a rental or utility payment situation. Neighbors meet one on one with a coach to develop a plan to avoid disconnection of service or eviction. Resources are shared to help neighbors find ways to stretch their budgets and also connection to appropriate agencies that may assist with their individual issues.
Volunteer opportunities:
Contact:
website: www.goodneighborsbc.org
865-681-5420
Habitat for Humanity
The people of 1st United Methodist Church have built more than 20 homes as part of the Habitat for Humanity program. In addition, several members have spent countless hours working on other Habitat building projects. Currently 1st UMC is participating in a faith build project, partnering with several other area churches and organizations.
Contact:
Doug Jenkins
865-384-8009
Latvian Mission Team
The small Baltic nation of Latvia has now had more than 25-years of freedom since the Soviet occupation which forced the closure of the Methodist Churches there. The United Methodist Church has reopened some of these churches. 1st UMC has a partnership with Kuldiga UMC in Latvia. In this partnership we support the church through prayer, encouragement, building trust and building personal relationships. 1st UMC Maryville also supports the church by providing financial assistance.
The Latvian Mission team takes a trip to Latvia every two years with the summer of 2018 being the next opportunity for traveling with the team. We usually conduct a Bible Study for adults and children at Kuldiga. There is also manual labor to the facility for whatever their current needs are. The team may also travel to Wesley Camp to support them in whatever project is current on the camp list.
You can support Kuldiga UMC through your prayers and by giving to the Latvian Fund or considering going to Latvia on a future trip.
Contact:
Ron & Carol Werker
865-414-8912
Welcome Table
This mission of 1st United Methodist Church provides meals for the community every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm as a "to go" meal service. Full dine-in service resumes in August. New Hope Presbyterian Church offers Welcome Table meals on Tuesday evenings.
More information about Welcome Table available by clicking here.
Volunteer needs:
Contact:
Justin Small
Adult Sunday School
With more than a dozen classes to choose from, the Sunday School program at 1st UMC covers a lot of ground. In addition to attending classes, you can also volunteer to become a Sunday School teacher, facilitator or class leader.
Learn more about the classes offered on Sunday morning at:
http://1stchurch.org/grow-with-1st/sunday-school
Contact:
Rev. Nathan Irwin
865-982-1273 ext. 715
Bible Studies
Throughout the year, there are multiple opportunities to enrich your faith journey through small group and Bible studies. Watch the website, the Church Bell and social media channels for details as new studies are added.
Contact:
Rev. Sarah Slack
865-982-1273 ext. 709
Men's Thursday Morning Bible Study
The Men's Bible Study is a group of men who meet on Thursday mornings to study and discuss select books of the Bible or Christian studies. The format frequently uses video based studies and a leader-directed discussion (not lecture based). During the "school year" we meet at the church in room 254 from 6:00am to 7:30am.
During the summer we meet at the Panera Bread at Louisville Crossing from 6:30am to 7:30am for a time of fellowship and prayer.
The group has been meeting for approximately five years and generally has 12-15 men participating in the studies with room for more.
Contact:
Owen Ragland
865-556-6338
Shut-in Visitation Ministry
Help members who are no longer able to attend church, stay connected.
Volunteers commit to a monthly visit with a church member who is homebound or living in a nursing home.
Contact:
Rev. Jonathan Jonas
(865) 982-1273 ext. 330
