Register Now for “Stellar” Vacation Bible School on June 12th – 16th!

Register now Vacation Bible School 2023 before it is too late! Stellar – Shine Jesus’ Light will be the week of June 12th - 16th from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Registration is going on now for kids going into pre-Kindergarten (age four as of September 1st) through rising 6th graders.


We are once again offering Vacation Bible School FREE to all participants. Since there is no charge, we could use the congregation’s help in supplying some much-needed items. If you would like to help, please go to our Amazon Wish List https://amzn.to/3VbXRCv, or scan the QR code located below with your smartphone or tablet.  There you will find many items for our crafts and snacks for the week. Additionally, we would like to ask for donations of empty paper towel rolls. Vacation Bible School collection bins will be set up in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall.


WE NEED YOUR HELP! In addition to registering participants, we are also still looking for adult and youth volunteers. Please consider helping out for the entire week or even just a day!


All “Stellar” Vacation Bible School participant online registration forms, as well as volunteer forms, are available by clicking on STELLAR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL.


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.

Young Adult Gathering: Sunday Afternoons

Have you graduated high school/college and are 18 to early 30’s and trying to figure things out? Do you know someone who is 18 to early 30’s and is trying to figure things out? If you answered “YES” to either of these questions, we want to get to know you!

Join us on Sunday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. at Break Roasters on the Duluth Town Green (3122 Hill Street NW) for some get acquainted time. Come get some coffee and meet other young adults trying to figure life out just like you are. Invite your friends to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. David Burchett at by e-mail at dburchett@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 124.


Click on the following link to view the Young Adults Instagram page:  www.instagram.com/dfumc.youngadults.

Join Us for “Simply Psalms” Classes:

Beginning June 20th

Come join us for Simply Psalms, a Bible study of the Book of Psalms, led by Rev. Dr. C. Kay Fuino and Rev. Beth Brown Shugart, beginning on June 20th. Each week we will study one Psalm during the one-hour class. The same class will be offered twice a week:

  • Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center;
  • Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.

Simply Psalms will meet two weeks in June and two weeks in July.  Beginning in August, the class will meet every week. Upcoming classes and Psalms are:

  • June 20th and 21st:  Psalm 1;
  • June 27th and 28th:  Psalm 2;
  • July 11th and 12th:  Psalm 3;
  • July 18th and 19th:  Psalm 4;
  • August 1st and 2nd:  Psalm 5.

For additional information, please contact Rev. Beth Brown Shugart by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128.

Book Club to Discuss The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom: June 26th

Rev. Beth Brown Shugart invites you to read The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom and then join Beth for a discussion of the book. What would happen if we called on God for help and God actually appeared? In Mitch Albom’s profound novel of hope and faith, a group of shipwrecked passengers pull a strange man from the sea. He claims to be “the Lord.” And he says he can only save them if they all believe in him.


We will meet on Monday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to noon in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center to discuss the book.  That gives you plenty of time to read the book.  Please contact Beth by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org if you have any questions.

Roll Up a Sleeve and Donate Blood:  June 28th

Unlike other medical treatments that can be produced in a laboratory, blood can only come from volunteer blood donors and must be constantly replenished due to its short shelf life. One in seven patients entering the hospital will need a blood transfusion — whether they are accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, or those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. To meet the needs of these patients, the Red Cross must collect approximately 12,500 blood and nearly 3,000 platelet donations every day.

To help prevent blood shortages, the Red Cross encourages those who are eligible to commit to donating on a regular basis. Patients are counting on the kindness and generosity of blood donors. You are invited to roll up a sleeve on Wednesday, June 28th, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall, to help ensure people receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood today.

  • Make an appointment online by clicking on BLOOD DRIVE ONLINE REGISTRATION;
  • Make an appointment by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767);
  • Contact Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org, or by calling 770-476 3776, ext. 112.
  • Last, but not least, as a “walk-in” on Blood Drive Day.

Information Station: Begins July 9th

Information Station is the place to learn more about Duluth First United Methodist Church. This three-week course is especially for new members and those interested in becoming members. Information Station will meet on Sundays July 9th, 16th, and 23rd at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room, located on the 3rd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Please make plans to join us! If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Beth Brown Shugart by email at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128.

Morning Fellowship Program: July 11th

Morning Fellowship (formerly Senior Adult Fellowship) is for the adults of our congregation who have many gifts and talents to offer to the church and the surrounding community. They are active and encouraged to participate in all aspects of the various ministries of the church. They are a vital part of the ministry of the church and are truly an asset to the surrounding community.

Morning Fellowship meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (please note new time) in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Come join us on July 11th for Bingo and Brown Bag! Please bring a brown bag lunch with you. For more information, please contact Beth by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128.

Study of the Book of Genesis: Begins on Sunday, July 30th/Monday, July 31st

Join us as we study the Book of Genesis and use Danielle Shroyer’s book Original Blessing as our guide. This study, led by Rev. Beth Brown Shugart, will be offered on Sunday afternoons from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in room F204 on the 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center, and repeated on Monday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room F145 on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. The study will begin on Sunday, July 30th/Monday, July 31st, and concludes on Sunday, August 27th/Monday, August 28th. 

It’s easy to order a copy of the book Original Blessing online. Please register with Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org or call 770-476-3776. The deadline for registering is Wednesday, July 26th. Attendees should read the first section of the book before the first class session.

Share Your Talent(s) for a Good Cause: Items Needed for “Bundle Up for Buffalo” Fundraiser

What is your talent?  Will you share it for a good cause? Do you paint, sculpt, draw, bake, sew, do woodworking, quilt, crochet, make pottery, do photography, make jewelry, or do something that hasn’t been mentioned?  All of these talents can be shared with our church and community to raise money for Bundle Up for BuffaloBundle Up for Buffalo is the church’s annual crafts and baked goods fair that we hold to raise money to help pay the heating bill at Seneca Street United Methodist Church in Buffalo, NY.

This year the event will be Saturday, October 28th, and Sunday, October 29th. We plan to open the sale to the community. Your craft donations make it happen. Now is the time to start crafting or choose something you have already made to share with the sale.

Need more information? Please contact Rev. Beth Brown Shugart by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128.

Tornado Buckets for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

Due to the recent devastation by tornadoes across our country, the United Women of Faith is organizing a drive to make tornado buckets to be distributed by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). You can bring some items or complete an entire bucket. This would be a great Sunday School project. A menstrual hygiene kit is also included in the bucket, so you have an option to pack one of those.

Donation bins will be located in the Dorothy L. Rainey Fellowship Hall and outside of the offices on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Be sure to follow the exact list below. Thank you for your help.


TORNADO BUCKET ITEMS

  • 1 5-gallon bucket
  • 50 #8 common nails in a plastic bottle (to hold tarps/furring strips)
  • 1 pair leather palm/cloth back gloves
  • 1 magic marker (to mark boxes)
  • 1 rolls of wide cellophane tape (for packing boxes)
  • 12 black trash bags with draw strings (for trash)
  • 10 clear or white 13-gallon kitchen trash bags with draw strings (to salvage items)
  • 10 1-gallon zip lock baggies (for jewelry and smaller retrieved items)
  • 1 box cutter
  • 1 roll toilet paper in zip lock bag
  • 1 claw hammer
  • 1 pair safety glasses
  • 6 clear large plastic bags (to cover blown out windows)
  • 1 pencil and sharpener
  • Small shirt pocket style notebook
  • Flashlight: batteries separate
  • Insect repellent

Christian Beginnings Preschool and Kindergarten’s 2023-2024 School Year Registration is Underway

Registration for Christian Beginnings Preschool and Kindergarten’s 2023-2024 school year has begun!  What better way for your child, or a friend’s child, to learn their ABC’S, numbers, shapes, God’s love for us and so much more, than in a caring, loving, Christian environment. They will have fun and make friends while attending our accredited, award winning school.  We hope you will come join us!  If you know of anyone looking for a wonderful preschool, please send them our way.


Our preschool and kindergarten program is for children ages 6 weeks (by September 1, 2023) through kindergarten. Registration is underway and the registration fee is $180.00 per child.

Click on REGISTRATION FORMS to download the registration forms for the 2023-2024 school year.  If you would like more information regarding Christian Beginnings Preschool and Kindergarten, or if you would like to schedule a tour, please contact Pat Szathmary by e-mail at pszathmary@duluthumc.org or call 770-497-1743.

Introducing a New Way to Stay Connected with Your Church:  MinistryOne Mobile App

Duluth First United Methodist Church’s Ministry One app for mobile devices allows you to:

  • Watch sermons on your mobile device.
  • Make donations to the church.
  • Easily update your contact information.
  • Connect with other members through the online directory.

To install the app on your mobile device, just follow these steps:

  1. Go to the app store on your mobile phone and search for CHURCH MINISTRYONE. The icon is purple with a white cross in the middle of it.
  2. Once it is downloaded, open the app and enter “Duluth First United Methodist Church” in the box just above the blue FIND YOUR CHURCH button, then click the button.
  3. When the church’s name comes up, click on it.  It will move to a larger screen and at the bottom of that screen, click SELECT THE CHURCH.
  4. It will ask you to allow the app to send you notifications. We would recommend clicking ALLOW.
  5. In the bottom right, click profile.  Sign in with your e-mail (the one you use for church communications) and your mobile phone number.  The spaces for your e-mail and phone number are below the words E-MAIL and MOBILE PHONE NUMBER.  Do not sign using the username/password function.
  6. Click NEXT and it will ask you for a way to send you a validation code.  Click TEXT ME THE CODE.  Enter the code and click NEXT.
  7. After you do this, it will take you back to the menu screen and you should now have a 7th box that says PEOPLE.  This is the directory.

If you would like a copy of the MinistryOne app installation instructions to print out, please click on MINISTRYONE APP INSTRUCTIONS.


Having problems and need help? Please contact Brian Overstreet, Church Administrator, by e-mail at boverstreet@duluthumc.org or call the church office at 770-476-3776.