Community Ministries |
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." -- Matthew 25:40 |
We, as members of the body of Christ, are sharing in many ways throughout central Illinois. Through police prayer teams, soccer leagues and local school choirs, we connect daily with our community. It's how we grow as Christ's disciples, by sharing our time, gifts and yes, even money with others. There are many ministries through which you can use your God given gifts. Listed below are the community ministries of FUMC Peoria. |
A.O.K. - click here to visit page |
FUMC Peoria partners with the Peoria Dream Center to participate in "acts of kindness" for our assigned zone which is the area surrounding Madison Avenue UMC (corner of Sloan & Madison Ave.) Typically five events are held each year, Spring Cleanup, Summer Cook Out, Backpack Peoria, Fall Festival and Operation Angel Food. |
Arts Place Ministry - click here to visit page |
Since 1988 First United Methodist Church, through its Fine Arts Ministry and Community Ministries, has partnered with Irving School (District 150), Bradley University, and the Peoria Art Guild to provide children from the impoverished near north side neighborhood with a opportunity to grow and express themselves with visual arts, music, cooking, pottery, writing, story-telling, photography, etc. The visual arts ministry is the only visual arts program for Irving School. The relationship between First United Methodist Church, Irving School, Bradley, and the Art Guild has become a model relationship for other partnerships in the Peoria area. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to children. |
Buddy Program Ministry - click here to visit page |
First United Methodist Church, through the Bear Buddy Ministry, has been involved in effective ministry with children in the city of Peoria since 1992. The ministry has grown from serving a class of second graders (about 50 students) to serving over 250 second, third, and fourth, and fifth grade children at Irving School. The relationship between First United Methodist Church and Irving School has become a model relationship for other partnerships in our Peoria District 150 school system. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to children. Irving School is located in our neighborhood and is in an area of primarily older homes that house rental units, single-family rentals, Taft Public Housing Project, and some commercial development. Most of the students live within walking distance of the school. The Buddy Brochure and Registration Form are available to download and print on the links. |
Housing Ministry - click here to visit page |
Over the past eleven years, First United Methodist Church has taken the leadership role in building eleven new Habitat for Humanity houses. In addition, our volunteers have been involved in rehabbing two other houses in the North Valley. Three of those houses were built completely by First Church volunteers. Over the years we have learned that partnerships are better for sharing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Four of those houses have been in partnership with other organizations such as: Caterpillar, Peoria Bar Association, Maui Jim (Sun Glasses), Illinois Great Rivers District Churches, Peoria Area Association of Realtors and the city of Peoria. Groundbreaking for our 2009 Habitat home took place in July. Read the Habitat blog to keep up with the work being performed and to find out areas in which you can serve. Along with our Habitat for Humanity Ministry, First United Methodist Church partners with homeowners in the near north side who have credit difficulties. So that these homeowners do not lose their homes to foreclosure, we assist them with their mortgages until they become credit worthy. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to all people in the community. |
Irving Choir Ministry - click here to visit page |
Since 2001, First United Methodist Church, through its Community Ministry, has partnered with Irving School (District 150) and the Peoria Part District, to provide a music program at Irving School. Led by staff and volunteers of First Church, the choir has grown from 20 students to 52 students. This music ministry is the only vocal music program for Irving School. The choir sings as civic events, including City Council meetings, and for service organizations throughout the city of Peoria. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to children. |
Loaves and Fish Ministry - click here to visit page |
Every Saturday, over the past thirteen years, First United Methodist Church has provided a hot meal weekly for upwards of 300 quests each week. Over 42 churches in the Peoria tri-county area, along with Bradley University, and several local high schools partner with First Church in providing volunteers, food, love, and care for some of Peoria’s poorest citizens. This ministry, led by committed laypersons, began when the only feeding ministry in Peoria on Saturdays was destroyed by a fire. Members of First Church asked themselves, “What can we do to meet this need?” The answer to the question was the development of the Loaves and Fish Ministry. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to God’s children of all ages. |
Morton Square Park Soccer Ministry - click here to visit page |
Beginning in 2001, First United Methodist Church, through its Community Ministries, partnered with Irving School and the Peoria Park District, to provide a community soccer program in the neighborhood. The six to eight week ministry, led by committed laypersons, has grown from 40 to 240 children in five years. The soccer ministry is the only organized athletic program in near north side neighborhood. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to children. |
Neutral Ground Ministry - click here to visit page |
In 2005 First United Methodist Church developed a partnership with the HIV/AIDS Clinic of the University of Illinois School of Medicine. The ministry known as Neutral Ground is a support ministry for those in the Peoria area who live with HIV or with AIDS. It is a ministry of love, care, prayer, and compassion. We provide a place (Neutral Ground) where clients of the Clinic can come for household and personal items, for spiritual support, and for friendship and care. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we give ourselves in love and care to all of God’s children. A support group for those who are HIV+ meets weekly at the church for mutual care, prayer and study to help manage the challenges of living with HIV. For more information about time and place of this confidential weekly meeting, contact Michael Illuzzi, Director of Community Ministries. A HIV/Family Support Group also meets, additional information is available here. |
Police and Firefighters Prayer Ministry - click here to visit page |
Over past four years First United Methodist Church has developed a partnership with the Peoria City Police Department through prayer. Every month, over 115 prayer partners write a note to over 240 Peoria police officers. Twenty-four members of our congregtion are praying as part of our Peoria Firefighter Prayer Ministry. The prayer partners commit themselves to pray daily for the officer’s well being, safety, and family. As we seek to “lift up Christ in the heart of the city” it is only natural to pray for our city police officers. God has blessed First UMC by inviting us into opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship as we pray together for the Peoria community. |