Serving (Acts of Mercy)
Here at First United Methodist, we are dedicated to being disciples and making disciples who serve others. We believe serving God is one of the greatest joys you’ll ever experience. Why? Because God created you to serve! When you discover your gifts and use 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 Service Opportunities
Hurricane Helene Relief
- Flood Buckets: we invite you to assemble flood buckets. If you can not find some supplies, it's ok; bring what you can!
Here are the instructions: https://
Video Instructions:
- Financial donations may come through the church office and online giving. Please indicate any donations as "Hurricane Helene Relief" or "UMCOR."
- Attend an Early Response Team (ERT) training. Visit this link to sign up: https://wnc-reg.brtapp.
com/ERTTraining-InitialSign-Up
- First UMC Waynesville- volunteers are welcome; they begin work at 10:00 am and ask for a day's notice before coming.
- Periodically, we will have teams go places to "get their hands dirty." Jerry DeWeese is the contact for these trips for mission work with him or the Orchard Church in Waynesville. Please contact him directly if anyone wants to work with Jerry on a Saturday. If someone wants to work during the week, please contact Tom Poston @ 910-322-2115, project director at the Orchard Church. They have printed forms to fill out once at their location and are to report to 205 West Brook Dr at 7:30. He needs a day's notice conveyed to him to volunteer, and he needs to know what they can and cannot do work-wise.
- Givens Estates is seeking volunteers to support our dedicated staff as they continue caring for our community's elders during this challenging time.
Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure residents’ safety and well-being, and your help can make a huge difference in lightening their load. To learn more or sign up, call us at (828) 274-4800 or email heleneinfo@givensestates.org. - ABCCM- (think United Christian Ministries in the Asheville/Buncombe County area) has volunteer opportunities; please visit this link to submit an inquiry: https://www.abccm.
org/volunteer-inquiry/ - Red Cross- Our next blood drive will be on October 24. Visit this link for an appointment. https://www.
redcrossblood.org/give.html/ donation-time
- United Christian Ministries- please continue to donate financially and items to UCM.
- The Community Table- provides a hot meal and access to their pantry. They will be open on Wednesday this week, but returning to normal schedule next.
Open Door Meal
Join us for our next Open Door Meal on October 30th, beginning at 5:30. We will serve Roosevelt Beans, Pinto Beans (vegetarian options), and cornbread. We are asking friends able to provide sides and desserts. If not, that's ok, there will be plenty to share!
ALL are Welcome!
Ongoing Service Opportunities
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
