Welcome to FIRST UNITED Methodist Church of Stillwater
Our loving, welcoming, Christ centered community of faith wants ALL people to know they are wrapped in God’s love. You are invited to know and experience God’s love through worship, music, prayer, fellowship, small groups, and community outreach.
Wrapping ALL people in God's Love is the mission of the FIRST UNITED Methodist Church. We embrace the following statement included in the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline:
"We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person's value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic right of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection."
Discover FIRST UNITED
We are a Christ centered church for everyday people, where you can come as you are to connect with God in a way that makes sense to you. Whether you are exploring the Christian faith or attend church regularly, there is something here for you. We Wrap All People in God’s Love.
Upcoming Events
General Conference of the UMC
April 23 - May 3, 2024
Access a summary of Key Decisions from the General Conference.
Highway 12 Trash Collection Postponed
Highway 12 Trash Collection, from Brick St to Rutherford Rd, has been rescheduled due to rain. The new date later in May will be posted here - sometime after it stops raining.
Church Spring Cleaning
Save the date! Church Spring Cleaning is May 11. Meet at the church at 9 a.m. for your choice of indoor or outdoor tasks.
Grand Opening of Emma Norton/Restoring Waters Tuesday May 14th
A tour to visit Emma Norton’s new facility, Restoring Waters, is planned for the Grand Opening on May 14th. We will carpool from the church parking lot at 4:30. A scheduled tour has been set for 6:00 p.m. Registration required at the Information Center or call the church office.
This Methodist Home has benefited from several donations from our Women’s Circle and church. Emma Norton believes that housing provides the foundation for every human being to heal, recover, and build a more stable, harmonious life. They are requesting us to please join in investing in this bold vision of hope and healing through the new development in Highland Bridge: Restoring Waters.
All Church Picnic in Pioneer Park following worship service June 2
Hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided along with all the fixings, cold beverages and tableware. Bring a dish to share to round out the meal - such as salad, fruit, veggies, chips or dessert. Bring a lawn chair for comfortable seating after the meal. We will plan to eat about 12:15 to give everyone time to travel to the park and set up the food. Sign-up at the information center beginning May 19.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST UNITED adopts Reconciling Congregation Statement
On April 21, 2024 by a vote of 54 - 0, the congregation adopted the following statement:
"We acknowledge that throughout history the Christian Church has often condemned and excluded people because of race, culture, age, gender, economic status, disability or sexual orientation. While the church has made progress in being open and affirming to many groups, there continues to be condemnation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons from the community of faith, or at least, a tolerance of such condemnation and exclusion through silence. We believe such actions are inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.
We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed."
100 Days of Prayer - April 1, 2024
As we prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming General, Annual, and Jurisdictional Conferences, let us join together in prayer—for ourselves, our neighbors, our communities, our nation, our world, and our beloved United Methodist Church. Look for the brief prayers we will share each morning on the Minnesota Conference Facebook and Instagram pages, and share them to invite others to participate in this prayer movement.
Learn more: About 100 Days of Prayer
Next Scrip Order - June 2, 2024
Scrip orders can be placed after Sunday worship services, Wednesday dinners, or anytime by email to the church office. Order blanks are available at the church Information Center. Payment for email orders can be dropped off at the church during office hours. Scrip doesn't cost, it pays!
Annual Conference Love Offering
Each year, churches in the Minnesota Annual Conference take a Love Offering for missions in conjunction with our Annual Conference Session. The theme of the 2024 Annual Conference which will take place May 29-30 is “Jesus. Redeemer.”
Our Love Offering this year will help our neighbors—in Minnesota and around the world—heal from trauma and find safety.
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Thirty percent of the Love Offering will go to a new trauma care center in Ukraine.
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Thirty percent of the Love Offering will go to immigration legal support in partnership with Volunteer Lawyer Network.
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Thirty percent of the Love Offering will go to special programming aimed at reducing trauma at Emma Norton Services’ new Restoring Waters facility.
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Ten percent of the Love Offering each year goes to Volunteers in Mission scholarships, which support first-time mission trip participants.