“Our ensembles are the finest they have ever been. All of them.” 

-Sandi H.

One of the primary functions of the church is the act of communal worship. The Music & Worship Arts Ministry at FUMC is dedicated to enhancing the spiritual experience of our congregation through dynamic and inspiring music. Our mission is to provide opportunities for worship, reflection, and community by enriching worship experiences for our congregants while also providing opportunities for those with musical gifts to offer their time and talents to God. In the past year, our church has been blessed to see impressive growth—growth that has thankfully been reflected in our music programs!

The Music & Worship Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge relies on this budget to fulfill its mission of providing meaningful and uplifting worship experiences through music and the arts. By investing in personnel, supplies, and programs, we aim to enrich the spiritual life of our congregation and foster a vibrant community through creative expression. Additionally, our generous budget allows us to present programs that can be enjoyed by the community. We are grateful for the continued support of our church family and look forward to another year of inspiring worship and artistic growth.

Two other churches turned me away. You are the first church to welcome me.“ 

-2025 Warming Shelter Guest

Mission and outreach are at the heart of what the church is all about. Jesus’ entire ministry centered around forming and growing disciples (Christian formation) and reaching out to the least, the last, the lost, and the lonely. First Church has a rich history of mission and outreach that begins right here in the Oak Ridge community and expands across the country and around the world. Mission and Outreach funds feed the hungry in our community through Community Meals and in our region through the Morgan Scott Project. Medical needs of individuals in Panama are addressed through the annual deployment of a mission team.

A long-term need in our community will be addressed through expanded funding for Mission and Outreach in 2025. First Recovery is a growing ministry of First Church that is filling what has long been a deep void in our community. Individuals struggling with addiction and families impacted by addiction have had limited options, but that is changing with the presence of First Recovery, which began with weekly speaker meetings now attended by as many as 60-70 people every week. 2024 saw the addition of men’s and women’s support groups as well as a family support group. First Recovery staff are connecting with area schools and other organizations to work together on prevention. Overdose rates in our area are down. Lives are being changed. Increased budgetary support of ministries like First Recovery, Community Meals, and Shoppes will enable these mission and outreach efforts to expand and impact more lives through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

“Serving our members and visitors who come to our church for help is rewarding and a blessing.” -Margie S.

Administration and office costs are an essential portion of the church’s non-program budget, ensuring that all our missions and ministry can be enacted efficiently, effectively, and faithfully. All our worship services, ministries, and programs require planning, organization, publicity, supplies, trained leaders, and financing administration. This portion of our budget includes the cost of office supplies and equipment, computer equipment, software and maintenance, upkeep of our computer network, postage, financial campaign expenses, and salaries and benefits for our office, finance, and administrative staff.

"I love First Church because I can be myself and connect with others." -Everleigh B.

Christian formation is a lifelong process, occurring in community, that shapes us into the people God created us to be. Christian formation at First Church begins with infant baptism, continues through Confirmation, and grows to fruition through adult and senior ministries.

Strengthening our church family as we grow in faith is instrumental to our mission. Sunday School classes are offered from nursery to senior adults. We offer classes for every age and stage of life. Small groups are offered in addition to Sunday classes to enrich our study of The Bible and to increase our faith. There are groups meeting daily throughout the week. Service opportunities such as participating in worship, volunteering in the church office, serving in the community meal, serving as a Stephen Minister, packing meals in Food for Kids, First Recovery, and more all form us to be more like Christ, to serve more like Christ, and to love more like Christ!

An additional form of diversity is found in our emotional, physical and spiritual needs, all of which shift throughout our lifetimes. First Church has a long history of beautifully supporting each other during challenging times. In addition to caring for one another as needs arise, we have many programs in place to help one another with emotional, spiritual, and physical needs, all provided through the gift of grace.

One of life’s greatest challenges is when we lose a loved one. As the body of Christ, First Church compassionately walks with people during this time by providing funeral services, two grief support groups (one specifically for those who have lost children), and Stephen Ministers. Stephen Ministers share booklets about the grief process, meet weekly with individuals in need, and also help the pastors with hospital visitation. Congregational Care also encompasses our homebound members. Pastoral visitations are enhanced by a personal delivery of the First Things Magazine by a congregation member each month. y visit and flower at both Easter and Christmas time, all reminders that even though they can no longer physically attend they are still vital members of our congregation. In addition, Willing Workers help people with house and yard maintenance. And lastly, pastors are always available to meet with people to explore concerns and provide spiritual support and guidance.