Ministries
connect, grow, and Serve.
First United Methodist Church offers a variety of ministry opportunities. Please explore our website or contact the church office at 217-356-9078 for more information. Also, check back to this page often as we are currently updating our list of ministry opportunities.
ARK MINISTRY (NURSERY)
ARK (Accepting Responsibility for Kids) provides parents with steady, reliable care for their children during worship services, Sunday School, and meetings. Child care is available for infants through five-year-olds in Room 222 from 9:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, contact Meredith Garreau at 217-356-9078 or meredith@champaignfumc.org.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY
Join us for Family Fun Sunday! On the last Sunday of each month, we celebrate our children in worship as they set the altar and lead us in songs and worship. Afterwards, we provide a service project for all ages that emphasizes loving others.
For preschool aged children, we have Faith at Home kits! These kits explore Bible stories using The Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and accompanying crafts, snacks, science experiments, and more!
Join us for Angel Choir for music and to learn about God. There are fun songs and activities to help our students grow in their knowledge and understanding.
We also provide fun opportunities for children to connect with others, such as our annual Trunk-or-Treat event and the Santa Breakfast.
YOUTH MINISTRY (6TH-12TH GRADES)
Our mission is to be a safe, inviting place where adolescents meet, grow, and live in Christ while addressing their needs so they may enter adulthood as Christian disciples, ready to introduce others to Christ’s healing. Ways that we live out our mission include: Youth Group, High School Bible Study, Confirmation, & Youth Music.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is usually held each summer for children ages preschool through those entering sixth grade. The time and format vary. Children from other churches, the neighborhood, or anywhere are welcome. For more information contact Meredith Garreau at 217-356-9078 or meredith@champaignfumc.org.
MINDS IN MOTION
The Minds in Motion program is offered through the Wellspring Health and Wellness Ministries. This program uses research-based interventions designed for mature adults to improve or maintain: Memory and mental functioning
Physical abilities and functioning, including balance and leg strength
Positive mental outlook (decrease or allay depression & loneliness)
The Minds in Motion program may provide benefits for the following people:
Mature adults who want to maintain mental and physical fitness in a fun, safe, and relaxing environment
Any adult diagnosed with early memory loss
Weekly activities include the following:
“Brain fitness” activities such as mental exercises, games, and memory enhancement
Exercises such as Taiji, dance, and strength and endurance training
Creative activities such as art, writing, photography, gardening, and storytelling
Social activities and community events
Relaxation therapies
Other therapies as appropriate and available.
If you are interested in learning more about Minds in Motion or are interested in participating, please call the church office (217-356-9078) to request a contact from one of the program directors.
For Minds in Motions current schedule, go to the "News & Events" section of this website.
WESLEY COVENANT GROUPS
Wesley Covenant Groups is a program of small (6-12) group Bible study. Groups meet throughout the week with day and evening class times. All groups study the same curriculum and are led by lay people (not pastors). There are two “semesters” of study: Fall and Spring. Each semester runs for 6-8 weeks. In the tradition of John Wesley (founder of the Methodist church), Wesley Covenant Groups focus on developing a caring fellowship among group members to promote comfort in sharing questions about faith. Group members bond in a way that provides support through the ups and downs of daily living.
UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH
The United Women in Faith (formerly known as United Methodist Women) have a long and rich history in the church. Our (local) United Women in Faith activities benefit our members as well as the Church, local community and mission projects. You are invited to attend one of the following Circles: Dorcas or Sarah
MUSIC MINISTRY
If you are interested in music, our music ministry offers multiple opportunities including the following: Chancel Choir, Perceptions Praise Team, Youth Music, Angel Choir, Chancel Ringers, Instrumental Ensemble, Festival Choir, & Choral Union.
PRAYER CHAIN
Submit a prayer request by filling out a Prayer Request form https://www.champaignfumc.org/prayer-request-form or by contacting Sharon Johnson at 217-356-9078 or [sjohnson@champaignfumc.org]. Confidential prayer requests are only shared with the Directing Pastor. Prayer lists are distributed by email each week. Contact Sharon if you wish to receive them.
WELLSPRING HEALTH & WELLNESS
Wellspring Health & Wellness provides health and wholeness-related programs and services to both church members and community residents. For more information, call the church office at 217-356-9078.
Programs:
- Center for Healthy Aging
- Connecting Hearts Homebound Visits
- Stephen Ministry
- Minds in Motion Program
- Transportation
C-U at AUSTIN’S PLACE (EMERGENCY SHELTER)
C-U at Austin's Place is an emergency overnight shelter for single women in Champaign County. Originally housed in the basement of FUMC during the coldest months of the year, this shelter is now operated year-round by C-U at Home along with the Men’s Shelter and the Phoenix daytime drop in center. First United Methodist Church, Champaign continues to support C-U at Austin’s Place through financial donations. FUMC has expanded their ministry for homeless women by providing Welcome Home bins to women who move from the shelter into an apartment. These bins contain basic household items and cleaning supplies as well as a gift card to Meijer.
For more information about C-U at Home and their services for our friends without an address go to www.cuathome.us
[4]: /ministry/austins-place
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Outreach Ministries offers opportunities to serve in our community, as well as nationally and globally. Local service options include working with empty tomb with food deliveries and other work, home building and rehab with Habitat for Humanity, support for the homeless, and student support at community schools. Nationally and globally there are opportunities to help with disaster relief, mission trips within the US and throughout the world, and support of missionaries. For more information please contact First United Methodist Church Champaign at 217-356-9078
### APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT Our yearly summer mission trip to Appalachia involves a week of connecting with people in Appalachia and helping with home repair. Check in the early Fall for trip details as trip preparations and fundraising begin early. For more information contact Meredith Garreau at 217-356-9078 or [meredith@champaignfumc.org].
Cub Scouts/Scouts BSA, Venturing Crew
First United Methodist in downtown Champaign has a long history with the Boy Scouts of America. Three Scouts BSA units provide a well-rounded Scouting program to young people from Kindergarten through High School. For more info, click below for a quick look at our programs.
CHILD CARE CENTER
First United Methodist Child Care Center (FUMCCC) is licensed by DCFS, serving approximately 100 families in Urbana, Champaign, and surrounding areas. FUMCCC strives to provide a welcoming environment where children learn and grow through hands-on exploration. By taking time to observe and get to know each child as an individual, we can respond to their individual needs and provide appropriately challenging activities that engage to the whole child. Teachers use the Creative Curriculum to plan learning experiences in a combination of teacher-directed activities and child initiated activities that are spontaneous and flexible enough to move easily between the two. [Learn More][9] [9]: /ministry/child-care-center