1st church
in the news
From time to time, media outlets put the spotlight on 1st UMC and folks here who are working to make the community better. Check out the places 1st United Methodist Church is in the news.
*Be aware, some publications limit the number of free stories you can read.
family promise shelter (wate)
In May 2025, the Family Promise Shelter located at 1st UMC @ Sycamore Tree was ready to begin housing families at its static shelter.
the gift of life
What do you do when God calls you to donate an organ to a person you don't know very well? If you're Teresa Morton you follow that call and save a life. WVLT-8 News brings you this story of faith and sacrifice.
what friends are for
1st UMC Member, Doug Jenkins has been working with Habitat for Humanity for many years. On his 70th birthday, friends from near and far came together to celebrate this milestone and Doug's work over the years.
PASTOR REACTS
TO EXITING UM CHURCHES
In the Spring of 2023, several United Methodist Churches in Blount County started making plans to exit the denomination. The Maryville Daily Times provided an update on the process and reaction to it, including comments from 1st UMC Senior Pastor, Jonathan Jonas.
kramer honored
Back in 2017, Roy Kramer shared some stories during our Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner about his time working with SEC Athletics. Kramer who is now in his early nineties has received a special honor from the College Football Hall of Fame. Read more at the link above.
REPORT FROM AC
A dozen people from 1st UMC representing Clergy and Laity attended the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Holston Conference. This was the first in-person conference post-COVID and it was held at Lake Junaluska, NC.
new leader at Fp blount
Family Promise of Blount County is one of the many organizations 1st Church supports. In July 2022, a new person stepped up to lead Family Promise as the previous director took a position with the national Family Promise Organization. On July 14, 2022 the Daily introduced us to April Smith.
up to the challenge
On September 30, 2021, Guideposts online featured 1st UMC's Celebrate Recovery Minister in an article about his time serving as the
Appalachian Trail Chaplain
NOT ALONE
In February 2021, 1st UMC'er (and current pastor at Lincoln Park UMC in Knoxville) had one of his devotionals printed in the Upper Room Daily Devotional Magazine along with a blog post on the Upper Room Website.
prayers for our country
In May 2020 as the church was shutdown due to the pandemic, the world was shocked by news regarding the death of George Floyd. Rev. Catherine Nance (Senior Pastor at the time) offered up a response asking for prayers for Our Country.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
1st UMC member Owen Ragland spent much of his life serving his country in the U.S. Air Force. Knoxville's CityView magazine profiled Ragland showing how he has always led by example.
mission of recovery
1st UMC's Celebrate Recovery ministry along with other area United Methodist churches responded to the opioid epidemic by raising $100,000 to fund mission grants in impacted communities.
selfless work recognized
During his life, 1st UMC member, Bill Mueller spent many years selflessly working to help others through Habitat for Humanity. Not long before his death in 2019, The Maryville Daily Times profiled his work.
MORE NEWS
1st UMC member is honored for 35 years of leading youth in Scouting
Read more about Dean Moss and his work with Scouts over the year and his recent honor.
Welcome Table Celebrates 10-years at New Providence
Read more about the beginnings and successes of The Welcome Table, a ministry that began a decade ago at one church, eventually becoming a big part of ministry at 1st UMC.
Sudanese refugee, a familiar face at 1st UMC,
receives the keys to her Habitat Home
Read more about the dedication of the home of Nyadeng Kuot in 2018.
Local Television station comes out for the All-Church Tailgate at 1st UMC
Click here to watch WBIR 10 News coverage of our 2nd annual All-Church Tailgate event.
Celebrate Recovery speaker talks about why "Change is possible"
Read more in the Maryville Daily Times about the struggles Jeff Stultz encountered and how he went from being a hopeless dope addict to a dopeless hope addict.
1st UMC family marks 5 generations working at the family business
Read more about the latest member of the West family working at West Chevrolet.
1st UMC'er spends time volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club
Read more about Marty Miller and how she and other volunteers are making a difference in children's lives.
The gift of life: Maryville Woman becomes living donor for 1st UMC's Director of Music
Church member Teresa Morton and Director of Music, Terry Wilson will forever have a special bond after Teresa donates a kidney to Terry. Read their story in this Daily Times article.
UT expert brings South Sudan solutions to 1st UMC
Read more in the Daily Times, about this important discussion that was part
of the church's Conversation Matters series.
Girl Scouts earn Gold Awards for community projects
Three young women are given a special award for their achievements in Girl Scouts.
Click here for the Daily Times story.
Family Promise celebrates the grand opening of its new Day Center
Click here for the Daily Times story.
District Superintendent looks to Senate for energy leadership
Click here for the Daily Times story.
Young voices from all over Maryville come together at 1st UMC
The 28th Spring Sing in the Smokies brought together children in grades three through eight for a big concert in the Sanctuary of 1st UMC. Throughout the day, they could be heard getting ready for the big event.
More on this special day in the Daily Times.
Habitat for Humanity dedicates a home in Alcoa
1st UMC and churches across the Maryville District pitched in to help build a home on W. Howe Street in Alcoa. Read more about the dedication in the
Couple Remembers an Old Family Drug Store
Marvin & Jimmie Eaves (members at 1st UMC) talk about their time owning
Martin's Drug Store on Washington Street in this Daily Times article.
Gala Raises Money for City Schools
During an event to support Maryville Schools, 1st UMC Members Jerry and Francis Hodge received the Foundation Partnership Award. Other members, Julie Elder and Doug Jenkins were also featured in this Daily Times article.
Rebuilding Homes, Rebuilding Lives
1st United Methodist Church is part of the Holston Conference which
is teaming up with Appalachia Service Project to rebuild homes in Sevier County.
Three cores of Civility 101
Opinion piece in the Daily Times from 1st UMC member Timothy Lomperis
Church is a Community
Clayton Hensley, the Director of Communications at 1st, recently got a chance to interview one of the founders of the Christian group Rend Collective. The band led worship at this year's Resurrection 2017 event for youth. Click below to read what advice band member Gareth Gilkeson has for youth.
Interview with Rend Collective
Holston.org
2017 Appalachian Trail Chaplain brings message to Celebrate Recovery
Matt Hall (Now an associate Pastor at 1st UMC) is a recovering addict who served as the 2017 Appalachian Trail Chaplain. He said his journey to recovery has been one of adventure and one that is helping him pursue his dream of hiking the AT.
The woods are calling: Holston Conference chooses next AT Chaplain
Maryville Daily Times
Family Promise Director receives Athena Leadership Award
Several times a year, 1st UMC hosts homeless families that are part of the Blount County Family Promise program. Recently the director of the program received an award for her work helping others.
Maryville Daily Times
