We are called to serve others as Jesus taught us to do. There are many ways to get involved in service and volunteering in our community, both inside and outside our church walls. Click below to learn about opportunities.

Tech Team

You’ve seen us in the back of the Sanctuary in the booth running the camera, slides, and sound. You can do it, too! No experience required. To get involved, reach out to Adam Stichter at astichter@fumcb.org.

Sunday School Teacher

We are seeking help teaching Sunday School to children and youth on Sunday mornings. This is a great opportunity to help young people grow in faith. To get involved, reach out to Desiree Ippolito at desiree@fumcb.org.

Refugee Support Team

Our Refugee Support Team engages with our East African friends and helps them resettle into Bloomington. We help them learn English through conversation and teach them how to use resources such as the bus system, library, and grocery. We are in special need of transportation to Sunday morning worship services. To get involved, reach out to Clint Merkel at clintmerkel@gmail.com.

Landscaping

We need help keeping our church grounds beautiful. We hire a lawn-mowing crew but we could use assistance with weeding, trimming, and planting. To get involved, reach out to Jared Helton at jhelton@fumcb.org.

Gardening

Yes, this is different from landscaping! We have a small community garden in the green space and we need volunteers to water the plants. To get involved, reach out to Tim Street at trstreet@gmail.com.

Usher

The first friendly face people see on Sunday mornings is the face of one of our ushers, who help visitors to feel welcome in our Sanctuary. Ushers also pass the offering plate and guide people to communion on the first Sunday of the month. To usher at Classic Worship, reach out to Nick Smith at ngstsh@yahoo.com. To usher at Common Ground, reach out to Cooper Sykes at cdsykes@iu.edu.

Serve Communion

We need help serving Communion on the first Sunday of every month. Help us to serve at our open table. To get involved, reach out to Judy Best (judithbest@hotmail.com) and Jane Gouker (janegouker@hotmail.com).

Wednesday Food Pantry

Our long-running Wednesday Food Pantry serves all people in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. Anyone can pick up a food package from 3:30-5:30pm on Wednesdays. We need volunteer help to put the food packages together and serve them on Wednesday afternoons. To get involved, reach out to Pastor John at jnyota@fumcb.org.

Social Justice Team

Our Social Justice Team engages in education and action surrounding many aspects of social justice, including but not limited to: LGBTQIA+ inclusion and affirmation, anti-racism, caring for God’s creation by engaging in sustainable practices, supporting people in poverty by serving meals at Crawford Homes, building a community of belonging for people with disabilities, and more. To get involved, reach out to Gail Merrill at pgtmerrill@aol.com or Dawn Wisher at dwisher@indiana.edu.

Hospitality

We are seeking friendly faces to sit at the receptionist’s desk in the atrium to greet people, help them find their way through the building, answer phone calls, and more. To volunteer to help, reach out to Kim Gale at kimg@fumcb.org.

Reader

We read Scripture at every worship service, and we’re in need of readers. People of any age or background are encouraged to get involved! To read at an upcoming service, reach out to Mariah Gese at mariahg@fumcb.org

Outreach Team

We strive to reach out to organizations and individuals outside our church walls who are in need. One way we do this is with out MLK Day of Service, which the Outreach Team organizes. To get involved, reach out to Chad Riester at criester@aol.com.

Prayer Team

We take prayer seriously at First Methodist and we have a dedicated team which prays for our ministries and individuals in need. To get involved, reach out to Pastor Donna at dgoings@fumcb.org.

These are just a few of the local organizations we’ve volunteered with in the past.

Beacon, Inc

Beacon is a vital, leading, compassionate organization which aids and empowers those experiencing need with a full range of support services to reduce hunger, poverty, and homelessness in communities we serve. Learn More >

New Hope for Families

New Hope for Families is a place for a family to call home while transitioning from homelessness to safe, stable housing. New Hope is the only shelter in Monroe County where families with children can find shelter together. New Hope provides excellent early childhood care and education programs that help parents get back to work and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. Learn More >

New Leaf, New Life

New Leaf supports incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals who reside in and are soon returning home to Monroe County. New Leaf New Life provides services to support individuals in finding material and educational resources. Our organization is focused on volunteer-driven programs offered inside the Monroe County Jail based on life skills, self-care and educational therapy. Learn More >

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County’s mission is to eliminate poverty housing by building decent, affordable homes in partnership with qualifying families. Most of the volunteer opportunities are found on the construction site and at our Habitat ReStore. Learn More >

CanopyBloomington

CanopyBloomington is a social impact organization created to maximize Bloomington's tree canopy and sustainably manage Bloomington's urban forest for trees' many environmental, health, economic, and social benefits, with a focus on tree equity and community engagement. Learn More >

MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify & Reduce Invasive Species)

Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the forests and wetlands of Monroe County, Indiana.  MC-IRIS works with landowners, educators, researchers, and agencies all over the county to protect our diverse natural areas from Invasive species. Learn More >

MCUM (Monroe County United Ministries)

MCUM focuses on childcare, basic needs, and self-sufficiency services in-house, while collaborating with partner agencies that help people meet other needs in their journeys through and out of poverty. Learn More >