Families & Fellowship

Support for families is an important ministry at Duluth First United Methodist Church.  Parenting classes with childcare provided offer help and support to families.  Activities for the family to do together are also a part of the church calendar.

A variety of events are offered for Christian fellowship for all ages – singles, couples and families.  Movie night, dinners, Trunk or Treat, and Christmas Caroling are just a few examples of the fellowship events at Duluth First United Methodist Church.

Events


  • Ashes To-Go Community Outreach:

    Wednesday, February 18th
    11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Duluth Town Green

    Join us at the Duluth Town Green on Wednesday, February 18th, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for Ashes To-Go, our Ash Wednesday community outreach. Rev. Dr. AnnaKate Rawles and Rev. David Burchett will be there to administer the imposition of ashes (or glitter ashes if you choose). There will also be coffee available.

  • wednesday night dinner in hinton hall:

    february 18th (ash wednesday)

    Our Food Ministry staff, along with our amazing Dinner Belles and Beaus volunteers, prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

    The menu for Wednesday, February 18th, is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuits, and dessert. For the kids – chicken tenders.


    Dinner service hours begin at 5 p.m. in Hinton Hall.

    PLEASE NOTE: Food service will be stopped at 6 p.m. while the Ash Wednesday service is taking place. It will resume at the conclusion of the service. To-go boxes will be available after the conclusion of the Ash Wednesday service.

    The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are:

    • $10.00 for adults (including seniors and from 11 years up);
    • $7.00 for children 10 years and younger;
    • $30.00 for family meals (nuclear family members only – husband, wife, their children under 18 years);
    • $7.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

    Credit/debit card payments, as well as cash and checks, are accepted.


    PLEASE NOTE: The Ash Wednesday service will take place during our regular Wednesday night dinner format, so plan to arrive early and receive your food before the service begins. Dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m. Food service will be stopped while the Ash Wednesday service is taking place. It will resume at the conclusion of the service.

  • Ash Wednesday Service:  February 18th

    Ash Wednesday will be observed on Wednesday, February 18th, with a short service beginning at 6 p.m. in Hinton Hall, located in the Sheldon Family Life Center. During the service ashes will be placed on foreheads as we confront our own mortality and confess our sin before God within our community of faith.


    Preacher: Rev. Dr. AnnaKate Rawles, Associate Pastor
    Sermon: Not By Bread Alone
    Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12 and Matthew 4:1-11 (New Revised Standard version Bible, Update Edition)


    PLEASE NOTE: The service will take place during our regular Wednesday evening supper format, so plan to arrive early and receive your food before the service begins. Dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m. Food service will be stopped while the Ash Wednesday service is taking place. It will resume at the conclusion of the service.


    PLEASE NOTE: The following activities will not meet on Wednesday, February 18th due to the Ash Wednesday Service:

    • Book Bunch for kids (ages 3–4);
    • DuluthKids (ages Kindergarten through 5th grade);
    • Youth Bible Study (grades 6–12);
    • Parent Connection Group;
    • Adult small group studies;
    • Yarn Arts Ministry.
  • WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOOD DRIVES

    The Wednesday Night Food Drive at Duluth First UMC for the Hands of Christ Duluth Co-Op is our weekly mission project, combined with the many Wednesday evening activities offered at the church.

     

    Items needed during the month of February are:

    • February 18th: cans of soup;
    • February 25th: cans of diced tomatoes.

    Items needed during the month of March are:

    • March 4th: peanut butter and jelly;
    • March 11th: tuna fish;
    • March 18th: cans of mixed veggies;
    • March 25th: canned fruit.

    Items needed during the month of April are:

    • April 1st: spaghetti or pasta

    A table for donated items will be located outside of the main entrance to Hinton Hall.

     

    Join us for a delicious dinner and fellowship in Hinton Hall, pick up a to-go dinner for your family, join us for any of our Wednesday evening activities, and drop off food items to help other families in need. We thank you for your support.

  • wednesday night dinner in hinton hall:

    february 25th

    Our Food Ministry staff, along with our amazing Dinner Belles and Beaus volunteers, prepare excellent meals at very reasonable prices. Enjoy fellowship around the table with family and friends.

    The menu for Wednesday, February 25th, is chicken pot pie, green beans, corn on the cob, biscuits, and dessert. For the kids – chicken tenders and French fries. Dinner service hours are 5 to 6:30 p.m., with to-go boxes available from 6 to 6:30 p.m.

    The prices for Wednesday Night Dinners are:

    • $10.00 for adults (including seniors and from 11 years up);
    • $7.00 for children 10 years and younger;
    • $30.00 for family meals (nuclear family members only – husband, wife, their children under 18 years);
    • $7.00 for salad bar only, which includes the salad bar, a choice of baked potato or sweet potato, dessert and a drink.

    Credit/debit card payments, as well as cash and checks, are accepted.

  • Wednesday Night Activities for everyone and all ages!

    Join us on Wednesday evenings at Duluth First UMC for the following activities for everyone and all ages :

    • Wednesday Night Dinner: 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in Hinton Hall, 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Book Bunch for kids (ages 3 – 4): 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. in The Louise McDaniel Memorial Library, 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • DuluthKids (ages Kindergarten through 5th grade): 5:45 to 7 p.m. in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall;
    • Youth Bible Study (grades 6 – 12): 6 to 7 p.m. in room F149, 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Parent Connection Group: 6 to 7 p.m., room F207, 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • “The History and Archaeology of the Bible” Class for Adults: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in room F145, 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Yarn Art Ministry: 6 to 7 p.m. in room F205, 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Happy Sacks: 6 to 6:15 p.m. in room F152, 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Handbell Ensemble Rehearsal: 6 to 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary;
    • Wednesday Night Food Drive: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. outside of the main entrance to Hinton Hall, 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
    • Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Don Lee Music Suite.
  • Christian Beginnings Parents Coffee Get-Together: Tuesday, March 10tH

    Parents of Christian Beginnings Preschool & Kindergarten kids are invited to a Parents Coffee Get-Together, with coffee provided by Break Coffee Roasters, on Tuesday, March 10th. Come hang out together beginning at 9:45 a.m. and enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the cul-da-sac area outside of the church offices located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.

    We thank Break Coffee Roasters, with locations at 3122 Hill Street NW in Duluth and 235 N. Perry Street in Lawrenceville, for providing the coffee.

  • Road Runners Visiting Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville: Tuesday, March 24th

    The Road Runners invite you to join them as they re-launch on Tuesday, March 24th, and travel to Cartersville to visit the Booth Western Art Museum. The group will leave the church’s front parking lot at 9:00 a.m.  The cost is $35 per person and includes entry into the museum and transportation via a 15-person van (please see notes below). The cost of lunch will be on your own.

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • In order to attend you must be able to get in and out of a 15-passenger van and be healthy enough to travel several hours by car.
    • We must have a minimum of 12 people to sign up in order to rent a van, otherwise travel will be via caravan.

    To register please click on BOOTH WESTERN ART MUSEUM, or cantact Rev. Dr. AnnaKate Rawles by e-mail at arawles@duluthumc.org. All registrations must be received by Tuesday, March 10th.

  • Registration is Now Open for Summer 2026 at Glisson Camp and Retreat Center

    It is time for summer camp registration at Glisson Camp and Retreat Center! Registration for Summer 2026 is open for members of North Georgia United Methodist churches and returning families of Summer 2025 campers.

    Glisson Camp and Retreat Center offers Summer Camp in the forests surrounding Cane Creek Falls near Dahlonega, GA. Since 1925, this place has become holy ground as thousands have had their faith strengthened through God’s presence there in creation and Christian community. Glisson Camp and Retreat Center is part of the North Georgia Camp & Retreat Ministries of the United Methodist Church’s North Georgia Conference. To see the schedule and/or register, as well as view promotional materials/videos, please go to https://glisson.org.

  • Save the Date for Vacation Bible School 2026!

    June 22nd  - 26th

    Get ready for a wild Amazon adventure in this summer’s Vacation Bible School at Duluth First UMC, Rainforest Falls - Exploring the Nature of God! Rainforest Falls - Exploring the Nature of God is filled with amazing creatures and meaningful moments in the Psalms! This summer, kids will explore God’s Word and grow closer to their loving Creator through fun, faith-filled experiences.

    Mark your calendars for June 22nd through 26th, and keep an eye out for more details coming soon!