Regularly Scheduled Opportunities
FUMC Prayer Team Mondays, 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Each week the team meets to pray for concerns of the church, its parishioners, the community, and the world. Members of the congregation and the community have the opportunity to submit prayer concerns for the team to hold in corporate prayer. All prayer concerns are bathed in prayer and then held in confidentiality (if so requested by the one who submits the concern).
This ministry benefits both those for whom we pray, but also those who pray.
Mid-Morning Meditations Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel
Join us each Tuesday morning for an hour of prayer. Each week's prayer experience is different as we utilize many different forms of prayer, ranging from Lectio Divina, guided meditations and centering prayer, to more physical prayer forms such as body prayer, walking prayer, and reflection through journaling or spiritual painting.
Monastic Meals Tuesday, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the Parlor
Based upon an ancient tradition of gathering in silence to share a meal while scriptures and other spiritual writings are read aloud, the Monastic Meals of First Church provide a time of quiet reflection in the midst of the work day. Home-cooked meals are offered at just $3.00 per person. Those who choose may gather for prayer and rest in the sanctuary prior to the 12:15 meal.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. in the Parlor
Anyone who knits or crochets (or wants to learn either craft) will be blessed by this growing ministry at First United Methodist Church. Each week the prayer shawl ministry meets for one hour for fellowship and prayer as the members work on the shawls or lap throws they are making for members of the church and community. The whole process of selecting the recipient of each shawl and the colors and pattern for that shawl is one of prayerful discernment. Each shawl is the product of a prayer burden felt for the recipient. Recipients of the shawls may be those who are ill, those who grieve, those who are elderly and alone, or those who are experiencing some sort of struggle or trauma in their lives. Others may receive a shawl in celebration of some joyful event in their lives or merely as a token of love and support from the congregation.
Each shawl, upon its completion, is dedicated and blessed by the entire congregation in a worship service before being presented to its recipient. Members of the prayer shawl team have found their work for this ministry to be a wonderful form of contemplative and intercessory prayer.
On the Way Home Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Regular members of the On the Way Home group meet weekly to share experiences from their daily discipline which uses the Take and Receive study series. This five part (six weeks each) study, based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, is open to those who have been participating since the first study.
Several times during the year, between segments of the Take and Receive series, the regular members welcome others to join them for other short-term spiritual growth studies.
