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Your opportunity to serve

Here at First United Methodist we are dedicated to making disciples who serve others. We believe that serving God is one of the greatest joys you’ll ever experience. Why? Because God created you to serve! And when you discover what your gifts are, and begin using them, you will experience a sense of fulfillment and purpose that will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. You will have the honor and privilege of seeing God at work firsthand - transforming your life and the lives of others.

Current opportunities to serve

 

Father Daughter Dance

The Father-Daughter Dance is a beloved tradition of our church and community, made possible by generous donations of food, time, and presence. Please visit the link below to help make this an incredible evening for our guests. There are a variety of ways you can help! Contact Jessica Green via email at jgreen@sylvafumc.org.

Yes, I want to help!!

Ongoing opportunities to serve

 

Local Missions

Help our local community members in need! Current opportunities include Project F.I.R.E. with the Jackson County Department on Aging.

Ramp Builders

Help make homes more accessible to our neighbors in need! Our ramp building ministry provides mobility to the disabled or elderly in our church and community. The Ramp Builders also provide volunteer building assistance to the Jackson County Department on Aging. Clients are selected by the Department on Aging and materials provided to our Ramp Building Team. Volunteers typically meet on Tuesdays as needed by the Jackson County Department on Aging. Contact the Church Office to have Bob Houghton put you on the volunteer list.

People delivering food to those in need

HERE

Let's work together to end homelessness in Western North Carolina! HERE's Mission is Working to end homelessness throughout Western North Carolina with Housing Equity Resources & Education. Sylva FUMC is supporting them with volunteers and by partnering together to work on special cases. Follow the link to their GET INVOLVED page to volunteer or give support.

Gideon Goss holding fire wood

Mission Trips

Be that person who makes a difference in the lives of those affected by disaster! Our week-long missions trips are planned annually. Contact the Church Office to be put on an interest list.

Food collection for United Christian Ministries

United Christian Ministries

Help your neighbors! United Christian Ministries is an interdenominational crisis ministry for the people of Jackson County who have urgent physical, economic, social, and spiritual needs. On an emergency basis, UCM offers food, clothing, and other forms of assistance. First United Methodist has supported this ministry since its inception. We keep a cart at the church for donations, be sure to "Do your part to fill the cart!"  You may also contact UCM directly to learn about current needs.

An open door meal with music in the Christian Life Center

Open Door Meal

Let's show our community the meaning of Open Hearts, Open Doors and Open Minds! Volunteer to help with this wonderful community meal for those who need a good meal and a friend to talk to. Free meal and entertainment for the community on the 5th Wednesday of the month. Contact the Church Office to volunteer.

People donating blood in the CLC.

Red Cross Blood Drives

Help host a blood drive! Red Cross Blood Drives are hosted in our Christian Life Center about every 6 weeks, typically on a Friday. Volunteers are needed to help host. Contact the Church Office to be added to the volunteer list

Circles of Hope

Help our citizens of Jackson County thrive and put an end to poverty in our community! Community effort to inspire and equip individuals, families and communities to thrive and end poverty in Jackson County. Training provided by Circles of Hope Haywood/Jackson County. Sylva FUMC is supporting them by sponsoring a meal once a month. Contact the Church Office to have Mary Slagle put you on a support list.

Men unloading firewood from truck

Rolling Start

Let's get our neighbors back on the road and on the path to a better life! Rolling Start is a non-profit group of car enthusiasts that refurbish donated vehicles that are then given to individuals in need of transportation to help work their way out of poverty in Jackson County, North Carolina. Contact the organization to donate a car. Church contact is Gene Robinson.

HIGHTS members standing in the kitcen.

HIGHTS

HIGHTS works to give the gifts of trust, connection, and hope to the most at-risk and vulnerable youth in far western North Carolina.  Since 2020 Sylva FUMC has provided HIGHTS with office and program space.  We are currently working together toward an afterschool program to serve middle school students.  You can help! Volunteers are needed for general supervision, as mentors, to provide meals (about 20 people), and to teach special skills.

A woman and a little girl gather items into a Walmart bag.