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


  • Pack a Backpack with School Supplies for a Child at Seneca Street UMC: Beginning on Sunday, June 14th

    Over the last six years it has been a joy for our congregation to be part of the Summer Reading Camp at Seneca Street UMC in Buffalo, NY, by packing backpacks here in Duluth with school supplies for the children in Buffalo. After being shipped to Buffalo, backpacks are distributed to children at the end of the two-week camp for use in the upcoming school year. A portion of the backpacks will be processed as we have done in the past, while for the rest of the backpacks we will buy and collect school supplies and have a “packing party” for filling them with collected school supplies.

    If you would like to pack a backpack with school supplies:

    • Grades 1 – 8: Beginning on Sunday, June 14th, select one or more school supply cards to be used to buy supplies with. School supply cards will be available in Hinton Hall before and after the 11:00 a.m. worship services. Please return all school supplies by Sunday, July 5th. The packing party will be held on Saturday, July 11th, beginning at 10 a.m. in Hinton Hall, where you can come and fill backpacks with collected school supplies.
    • Kindergarten and grades 9 – 12: Beginning Sunday, June 21st, select an empty backpack which will include a school supplies list and note on the return process. Shop for school supplies to fill it with and return completed backpacks no later than Sunday, July 12th.

    This approach was very successful last year as it allowed a greater number of our members to participate in the ministry. Backpacks and school supplies can be left in the collection areas located on the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall stage, and outside of room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.

    If you have any questions, please contact Charlie Doerlich by e-mail at chaz3d@gmail.com or 678-662-2215.  Thank you for your continued support of this important ministry.

  • YOUTH MINISTRY SUNDAY NIGHT GATHERINGS

    Students in the 6th through 12th grades are invited to join us on Sunday nights for Sunday Night Gatherings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”), located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Sunday Night Gatherings include great dinners, fun games, amazing worship, inspirational and relevant messages and life-changing small groups.

     

    The Sunday Night Gathering schedule for June is:

    • Sunday, June 14th: No Sunday Night Gathering (Returning from the Gainesville Aid Project);
    • Sunday, June 21st: No Sunday Night Gathering (Father’s Day);
    • Sunday, June 28th: Sunday Night Gathering at 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”).

    The Sunday Night Gathering schedule for July is:

    • Sunday, July 5th: Sunday Night Gathering at 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”);
    • Sunday, July 12th: Sunday Night Gathering at 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”);
    • Sunday, July 19th: 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party. Time TBA in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”;
    • Sunday, July 26th: Sunday Night Gathering at 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Center (“The Fish Tank”).

    Questions? Please contact Rev. Min Lee, Director of Youth Ministries, by e-mail at mlee@duluthumc.org.

  • Vacation Bible School - JUne 22nd-26th:

    "Rainforest Falls: Exploring the nature of God"

    Mark your calendars and save the date for “Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God” Vacation Bible School. Registration is underway for the 2026 Vacation Bible School, being held Monday, June 22nd through Friday, June 26th, at Duluth First United Methodist Church. Vacation Bible School, held from 9 a.m. to noon each day, is for kids going into pre-Kindergarten (age 4 as of September 1st) through rising 6th graders. The cost is $30 per child with a maximum of $70 per family. Each day participants will participate in Bible story time, sing songs, play games, make crafts, and eat snacks.

    In addition to registering participants, we are also registering adult and youth volunteers. We especially need shepherds, who are adult volunteers in charge of a group of 6-10 kids. Shepherds do not need to prepare anything in advance. They lead their group to the various activities where other volunteers are in charge. If you would like to help but are only available one or two days that week, you can put your available dates on your registration. We often need substitute shepherds. Also, the Childcare Corner is available for the children of volunteers if you have a child who is not old enough to be a participant.

    Everyone who registers by May 24th is guaranteed a VBS t-shirt and copy of the music. All Vacation Bible School participant registration forms, as well as volunteer forms, are available by clicking on VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2026.

    For more information, please contact Leslie Yokeley, Director of Children’s Ministries, by e-mail at lyokeley@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 138.

  • Vacation Bible School Decoration Request for Loaner Flora and Fauna

    Thanks to all who have contributed to the Amazon wish list for decorations and other supplies! As we prepare to create an exciting rainforest environment around the theme of our upcoming Vacation Bible School, Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God, we are also requesting donation or loan of:

    • Green, leafy potted plants (preferably artificial, but all welcomed);
    • Tropical- and jungle-themed stuffed animals (monkeys, tigers, sloths, birds, reptiles, etc.).

    We’ll be glad to care for, label, and return any loaned items after Vacation Bible School . If you have questions, please contact Bryan Taylor by e-mail at bryantaylor44@gmail.com.

  • Vacation Bible School Decoration Day:

    Saturday, June 20th

    It’s time to build our lush rainforest adventure setting throughout the church for this year’s Vacation Bible School, Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God. Volunteers are needed to help decorate on Saturday, June 20th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please meet in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. No sign-up required – just show up when you can for as long as you can and be ready to help create an exciting environment for our Vacations Bible School kids!

    If you have questions, please contact Bryan Taylor by e-mail at bryantaylor44@gmail.com. Childcare will be available for children ages pre-school through 5th grade. They will be helping with their own special decorations for Vacation Bible School.  If you will be needing childcare, Please contact Linda Wettlaufer by e-mail at lwettlaufer@duluthumc.org.

  • POPSICLES ON THE PLAYGROUND:

    MONDAY, JULY 13TH

    The summer is too long to go without seeing our friends! Preschool-aged children, their siblings, and their grown-ups are invited to come play at the church on Monday, July 13th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. We will have popsicles for the kids and iced coffee for the grownups!

    Join us on the playground if the weather is nice, and if it is raining or way too hot, we will be in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Dr. AnnaKate Rawles, Associate Pastor, by e-mail at arawles@duluthumc.org.

    Be on the look out for other meet up opportunities this summer by following us on:

  • Senior Adult Coffee Hour: Wednesday, July 15th

    Senior Adults are invited to join us once a month this summer for a time of coffee, conversations, and fellowship. Bring a game, something you want to discuss, or just show up to enjoy time together!

    We will meet on Wednesdays, June 10th, July 15th, and August 12th, at 9:30 a.m. in the cul-da-sac area outside of the offices on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. AnnaKate Rawles, Associate Pastor, by e-mail at arawles@duluthumc.org. We look forward to seeing you there!