Missions

• First United Methodist Church has actively supported the people of Liberia through our global United Methodist connection. In May of 2008, FUMC raised over $55,000 to build a District Center in the Wealah District of Liberia for the training and support of pastors, as well as to provide housing for a District Superintendent and his family.
• In 2008, FUMC’s Christmas offering was used to purchased bed nets to protect the people of Africa from malaria through the “Nothing But Nets” campaign. Over $24,000 was raised to purchase roughly 2,400 bednets.
• On Easter of 2009, FUMC raised over $48,000 in one special offering to build a high school addition to the John Wesley School in the Wealah District of Liberia. As a result, approximately 600 additional children and youth will be able to attend school in the fall of 2009. FUMC also offers regular financial assistance for pastor support and children’s scholarships in Liberia.
• In the summer of 2009, FUMC is sending people on two international mission trips to Central America: Guatemala in July and Honduras in August.
• On October 11, 2009, 39 people from First UMC will be running the Chicago Marathon as a way to lift up our sisters and brothers in Liberia. To support a runner or just to track our progress, go to MercyMarathon.org.
• Several members of First United Methodist Church have formed an Emergency Response Team-group of trained volunteers who respond to natural disasters and other times of severe need. This team has worked in the Loami area after a tornado and Western Illinois following Spring floods, and stands ready to respond whenever the call for volunteers goes out.
• Numerous volunteers from First United Methodist Church volunteer regularly at the Midwest Mission Distibution Center in Chatham. Disaster supplies, health items and school supplies are shipped all over the world. We have also financially supported the MMDC since its inception.
• Each summer our youth group and college-aged young people go on mission trips through Appalachian Service Project . Each trip costs approximately $10,000 and the students raise over 80 percent of the funds. ASP coordinates with other church groups from throughout the country to make homes in the Appalachia region warmer, safer and drier. In summer 2008, nearly 100 youth, colleged aged young adults, and adult volunteers participated in the trips.
• First United Methodist Church is partnered with a United Methodist Church in Kurgan, Russia. We financially support them each year, have brought their Young Women’s Choir to the US for a visit, and sent a team from our church to Russia.
• First United Methodist Church has offered financial support to Henderson Settlement in Kentucky, a mission that helps with the poorest people of that region.
• First United Methodist Church financially supports Native American ministries, most recently supporting the mission Help for the First Nations..
• First United Methodist Church financially assists the United Methodist Church in Haiti, specifically Sister Paulette Holly and her work in where she directs two schools, a church and a medical clinic.
• First United Methodist Church financially assists African University in Zimbabwe where young people are given the rare chance to receive an education.
• An Emergency Relief Fund is allotted for the various ministries supported by First United Methodist Church. In the event that a disaster strikes, our church is equipped to further assist those in need.
• In past years, First United Methodist Church has sponsered and support Volunteers in Missions teams in their work throughout the United States.

Local Missions

• Throughout the winter of 2008-09, the Springfield Overflow Shelter for the homeless has been housed in the downtown building of First United Methodist Church. In addition to offering space for this mission, First UMC has also offered financial support and sent over 100 volunteers to work at the shelter or to take food to our homeless guests. We have also collected Christmas gifts and offered Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise services for our homeless guests. FUMC has supported the Springfield Overflow Shelter financially and with volunteers through all five years of its existence.
• First United Methodist Church has been partnering with other area United Methodist churches to build a Habitat for Humanity house each of the last several years.
• First United Methodist Church financially supports the mission of Contact Ministries to help people in the Springfield community who are struggling with poverty. Our donations help Contact Ministries run a shleter for women and childre; offer job training; provide housing, clothing, and food assistance; and help those in need in a variety of other ways.
• First United Methodist Church supports Kumler Neighborhood Ministries through financial support, volunteer time, and food donations. Various groups within the church have collected food, donated clothing and helped with organizing the donations on site.
• Low-income children on Springfield’s East Side are given a safe place to be at Asbury United Methodist Church’s Kids Cafe’ project. The kids are given a nutritious meal, help with homework and mentored by adult volunte ers. FUMC financially support their ministry , has donated a variety of supplies and clothing goods, and sent voluneers to this project.
• Each year, First United Methodist Youth participate in the 30-Hour Famine. Young people agree to fast for 30 hours while serving in various ministries. At the same time, they are earning pledge money, which supports the fight against world hunger.
• Various groups within our church have donated time and food to benefit low-income individuals and families through St. John’s Breadline. FUMC also supports the Breadline financially through our missions budget.
• First United Methodist Church financially supports the Washington Street Mission in its efforts to care for the least and lost in our community.
• Various groups within First United Methodist Church support the Ronald McDonald House by cooking meals and cleaning the house.
• First United Methodist Church is one of the main sponsers of Carpenter’s Hands, a volunteer organization which builds wheelchair ramps and other needed construction projects for those who are able to complete them or pay for them on their own. Members of FUMC are key leaders in this group, our youth group regularly assists in their work, and the churhc supports them financially.
• First United Methodist Church has a team of volunteers who deliever meals through Meals on Wheels.

We Believe

• There is one God eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.(2 Corinthians 13:14)
• Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God who died for our sins and rose from the dead.(I Corinthians 15:1-8)
• The Bible is the inspired word of God, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, and contains all things necessary for salvation. (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105)
• Every person has worth as a creation of God, but all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
• All persons experience a saving relationship with God as we turn away from sin, confess our faith in Jesus Christ and trust in his all-sufficient work on the cross.(Romans 6:23 & 10:9, John 14:6)
• Baptism and communion are the two channels of God’s grace instituted by Jesus Christ and celebrated as sacraments in the church.(Acts 2:38, Matthew 26:26-29)
• Forgiveness of sins, wholeness, and the promise of eternal life are available to all those who trust Jesus Christ as their Forgiver and Leader. (Matthew 9:5-7, John 3:16-17)
• The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and it exists to lead spiritually adrift people to faith, edify believers, and be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.(Ephesians 4:1-16)
• Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of Lords.1 (Thessalonians 4:13-18)