Ministry

Each month we highlight a special mission need. Monies used to support that cause can be donated as part of the weekly collection, a special offering, or through our online donation page.

Monthly Mission

 “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” Mark 10:14

The Friendly Kitchen in Dunkirk will be supported by our June Communion Offering and all designated gifts to Missions this month.

Bridgette Majka, Program Director for Rural Ministries shared with us last Sunday that after a year of being restricted to just take-out meals, due to COVID, the Friendly Kitchen is now open for in-house dining as well as take out meals. Bridgette stated that the need for meals and food support for our community doubled over the last year. It is the goal of the Friendly Kitchen to serve hot nutritious meals daily free of charge to anyone in need. They also have an Emergency Food Pantry that provides meals and food items for families that need assistance. Bridgette expressed a large need for canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, canned meats, Mac and cheese, pasta, sauces – all easy-to-make food items since school will soon be out and children will be making their own meals. We have a box for food donations in the Narthex. Anything that you can contribute would be greatly appreciated! The food collected will be delivered to the Food Pantry each week. Please help feed the hungry in our community through your generous gifts of food and monetary donations.

We work within a budget supplied by the church, and disperse funds according to what we feel is the greatest need at the time.

We have several other phases to our ministry. These include Backyard Missions, an emergency fund used to assist individuals or families needing financial help for necessities; Food for Friends, wherein we oversee the gathering of foodstuffs for the Friendly Kitchen in Dunkirk; Helping Hands, wherein a team of committed individuals do home repairs; and Mission Teams, which journey to other parts of the U.S. to work and repair damage in homes caused by natural disasters.

We welcome new members to our team. We usually meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM in the DeLand room of the church or at the Parsonage to discuss information and requests received via mail or word-of-mouth. Most requests describe the financial needs of individuals and/or organizations.

This ministry focuses on the learning and social needs of adults from the congregation and community. Currently, we are limited in the ways we can meet because of the covid virus and our concern to keep each other safe. We offer 2 classes on a weekly basis utilizing zoom with some in-person opportunities. Bibles are provided to those who need or want them. Please watch the weekly letter for opportunities that may be time-limited. 

Our goal is to help adults grow in their faith through the study of God’s word and the mutual support of each other.

Current Studies:

Tuesday Mornings with Ronnie
An inductive book study on the gospel of Matthew. 10:30 am till noon

Wednesday night Zoom Study with Pastor Nettie
“Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus”.  6:30 till 8:00 p.m.

Saturday Morning Men’s Group
“The Chosen” video series in Bible study.   8:00 a.m.

Please contact the church office for more information.

Coming Soon
Friday night parenting group watch for details!

Prayer Ministry encourages, models, and provides opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth to this Methodist community of believers. We use scripture as a model. Both personal and group prayers are encouraged. 

On a regular basis, we have 2 small groups or Prayer Cords that meet to pray for the requests of the congregation, our leaders and ministries, and its participants. Prayer is offered “at the cross” on Sunday mornings for our worship time and a Prayer Letter is included in our weekly letter to the congregation with suggestions of prayer needs for that week. 

We also have Prayer Partners, an online team of intercessors. We are available to send and receive prayers as requested or expressed. 

716 Youth Jam
Wednesdays 6:30—8:00 pm
Students grades 9-12 are invited to explore the phrase Jesus All Mighty through music and fellowship. Games and snacks always served.

Art Start is a ministry and outreach of this congregation to provide an opportunity to explore art through hands-on experiences in small groups. The goal is to provide an opportunity to learn new skills, grow in faith, socialize, and participate in art as therapy. Supplies, instruction, and space are all provided in a safe and handicapped-accessible environment. Donations are welcomed. There is no charge for classes and they are open to the community. Currently, we are very limited in what we offer. A carver group meets regularly as does a knitting group. Periodically a small group also meets to construct greeting cards and scrapbooks. As classes open up we will publicize through the weekly letter and the church website.

Choir

Praise Team

Singing praise music is one of the ways to respond to the greatness of God. Praise music creates an atmosphere of celebration and invites worshipers to actively participate in an encounter with God.  To this end, the Praise Team is dedicated to leading worshipers in a time of preparation, thanksgiving, joy, and adoration.

Hannah Hasbrouck Petersen Memorial Concert Series

In May of 2010, the Chancel Choir of Fredonia First Methodist Church lost its director with the sudden death of Hannah Hasbrouck Petersen. Hannah had grown up in the choir, and had been its director for the past year. She was a talented violist, singer, & multi-instrumentalist who performed both as a classical and folk musician. She also taught fiddle and guitar lessons to many people of all ages. In 2011, her successor as choir director, Tim Antonacci, proposed a memorial concert series at the church, to honor Hannah, and to open the doors of the church to music and audiences of a broad, eclectic range.

The Hannah Hasbrouck Memorial Concert Series has done just that, providing the community with a wide variety of musical entertainment including open mic/jam sessions, Peter Puma Hedlund (Swedish nyckelharpa master), a specially commissioned operetta by Dr. Sean Doyle, “Samaritan” (in celebration of the church’s 200th Anniversary), the Mack Wilberg “Requiem”, and many more. A number of special children’s concerts included “Green Eggs & Ham”, “Carnival of the Animals”, and “Noye’s Fludde”. In addition, the series also provided a venue for student recitals and concerts.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4
Grief support sessions are one-on-one and individualized to help you on your way to healing.

By learning about the grief recovery process through a variety of resources, each person will make his/her journey through grief while receiving the support that they need.

For further information or to set up a meeting please call Carole Ricker at 679-7766 or the church office at 679-1513.

Grief is neither a problem to be solved nor a difficulty to overcome. Grief is a sacred expression of love.

Text goes here.