The Apostle John encouraged the early church to “walk in the truth” despite the confusion of the early formation of the Christian church. Join our nine-week small group study as we discuss how these same themes can be applied in our modern world.
Cub Scouts/Scouts BSA, Venturing Crew
Wellspring Health & Wellness
Wellspring Health & Wellness provides health and wholeness-related programs and services to both church members and community residents. For more information, contact the church office: 217-356-9078.
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.
Parish Nurse
The Parish Nurse may serve in the roles of:
health advisor
visitor of church members in-home, hospital or rehabilitation setting
facilitator to arrange support groups and health education offerings
The Parish Nurse may provide:
assistance to find community resources or needed health services
health screenings such as Blood Pressure
Stephen Ministry
Our congregation’s Stephen Ministry equips lay people to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals in our community and congregation who are experiencing difficulties or who would benefit from additional support.
A Stephen Minister is:
A congregation member with gifts for caregiving who was carefully selected to serve in this role.
A lay person who has received 50 hours of training in providing emotional and spiritual care.
A caring Christian friend who listens, cares, prays, supports, and encourages.
Someone who will ‘be there’ for the person receiving care, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week for as long as there is a need.
If you are interested in learning more about the Stephen Ministry service or are interested in having a Stephen Minister, please call the church office (217-356-9078) to request a contact from one of the Pastors or Stephen Ministry directors.
Connecting Hearts
Connecting Hearts is a ministry to connect members who cannot come to church with the church. A Connecting Hearts visitor will go visit our homebound members to develop a relationship with them and bring them a little bit of the church.
Child Care Center
First United Methodist Child Care Center (FUMCCC)
FUMCC is licensed by DCFS, serving approximately 100 families in Urbana, Champaign, and surrounding areas.
MISSION
Each child is person of value and should have every opportunity to learn and develop physically, mentally and socially in an environment which exhibits love and concern for each child by providing a safe environment which offers stimulating learning experiences, respecting the individual needs of each child, offering a compassionate response to a diverse community's need for affordable quality child care, encouraging a partnership between parents, child care staff, and church members based on mutual trust.
Philosophy
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.
FUMCCC is an outreach ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Champaign.
C-U at Austin's Place
An Emergency Shelter for Homeless Women
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
Music Ministry
FUMC Music Ministry Opportunities if you are interested in music, our music ministry offers multiple opportunities. For more information, please contact Barbara Zachow at 217-356-9078 or bzachow@comcast.net.
Chancel Choir
For anyone who enjoys singing and wishes to serve God through music.
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Meets in Choir Room, 2nd floor
Provide choral music in a variety of styles for worship
Perceptions Praise Team
For youth and adults of any age with enthusiasm to lead worship
Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Meets in the Sanctuary
Keyboard, guitar, drum set, vocalists, other instruments
Youth Music
For 6th through 12th graders
Sundays, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
In the Choir Room (2nd floor) and the Sanctuary
Singing, intermediate bells, instruments, other artistic talents
Angel Choir
For 3 years old through 5th graders
Sundays, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Meets in Room J (lower level), Fellowship Hall, and Sanctuary
Singing, tone chimes, beginning bells, Orff and rhythm instruments, foundational music reading skills
Chancel Ringers
For youth and adults who want to ring praises to God
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Meets at handbell tables in the balcony
Ring praises while enjoying the fun and fellowship of the art of handbell ringing
Instrumental Ensemble - Rehearsal TBA
For Youth and Adults (also known as the All Ages Band with Strings)
Some previous instrumental experience (brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion, keyboard)
Choir Room, 2nd floor
Several rehearsals, then help lead worship
Stay tuned for exact schedule
Media Arts technology Team (matt)
For youth and adults
Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings
Meets in sanctuary
Enhance worship through wise use of audio, video, and projection technology
Clarinet Group
For youth and adults who love to play clarinet
Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Meets in Choir Room, 2nd floor
Contact Cathy Mitchell for more information (abell8@illinois@gmail.com)
Festival Choir
For youth and adults who enjoy singing but cannot make a long-term commitment to Chancel Choir
Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
Meets in sanctuary and Choir Room, 2nd floor
Rehearsals prior to large musical works
Choral Union
A community chorus of Central Illinois for youth and adults
Mondays, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Choir Room, 2nd floor
Community chorus hosted by First UMC, Champaign.
Members enjoy singing together and give at least one concert each semester.
This chorus draws members of many faiths from the surrounding community.
For more information, contact Barbara Zachow at 217-356-9078 or by email at bzachow@comcast.net. Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/cuthechoralunion/
Children & 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
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
Youth Ministry at FUMC is a safe, inviting place where 6th-12th graders can meet, grow, serve, and live in Christ. Our youth group meets most Sunday nights during the school year from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. We meet for snacks, games, Bible study, and a variety of activities. We also have special activities throughout the year, such as going to corn mazes, having movie marathons, going to escape rooms, canoeing, and more! Please check the church website for current times.
Confirmation
The goal to give youth the tools they need to become and grow as a disciple of Christ and find value in being members of a Christian community. Confirmation will take place every few years. Contact Meredith Garreau at meredith@champaignfumc.org or 217-356-9078 with any questions.
Youth Music
Sundays, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and Choir Room. Bring your voice or other instrument and praise God with music. Unlimited possibilities: singing, intermediate bells, other artistic talents (instruments, dance, etc.). Contact: Barbara Zachow, 217-356-9078 or bzachow@comcast.net.
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.
Please check the Church website or Youth Facebook group or Youth Instagram page for information on current activities. Contact Meredith Garreau, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, with any questions (meredith@champaignfumc.org or 217-356-9078, ext. 108).
Adult members of FUMC who love working with youth should contact Meredith for more information about assisting with Youth Ministry Programs.