Small Fellowship Groups
Fellowship Groups provide opportunities for spiritual growth and friendships. There’s time for sharing life’s joys and challenges in supportive Christian community. Fellowship groups explore contemporary and biblical topics in relaxed, friendly settings – both in person and virtually.
For more information on Small Fellowship Groups, please contact us.
Women’s Ministry
FUMC’s women’s ministry strives to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Within FUMC’s women’s ministry, we have several small groups called “Circles.” The “Hands at Work” circle gathers to share interest in crafting and enjoy the fellowship of shared creativity.
For more information on FUMC’s women’s ministry, please contact us.
Men’s Ministry
FUMC’s men’s ministry meets regularly to fellowship. Men are welcome to join monthly breakfast meetings on the first Saturday of each month.
For more information on FUMC’s men’s ministry, please contact us.
Queer Christian Fellowship
As part of FUMC’s Reconciling Ministry, we invite LGBTQIA+ community members and their allies to engage in faith reflection and fellowship. This weekly gathering is a collaboration with the online community Q Christian Fellowship and First United Methodist Church which is a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network in the United Methodist denomination. The gathering meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM during the Purdue academic year, and on select dates over the summer and breaks.
The “Brown Bag” Fellowship hour is from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. This is informal time. You are invited to bring in your own meal or snack and share in conversations and friendship at this time.
The Faith Conversations hour is from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. This is a guided conversation by the group leader over a topic chosen by the group. This could be a book discussion, a Bible study, or other faith related project. The time ends with shared prayer concerns and celebrations.
The 2023-24 group leader is Pastor Monica McDougal (she/her). Monica is the pastor of Attica UMC, and is on staff at Trinity UMC Lafayette. She is a graduate of Garrett Theological Seminary and brings her voice and experience as an out member of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Rev. Duane Carlisle (he/him), Lead Pastor of First UMC West Lafayette assists and supports in leadership. Rev. Carlisle also identifies with queer community.
This group is a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community to explore their faith at the complex intersection of queer identity and Christian beliefs. It is open to all who identify as queer, as well as those who are allies who whole-heartedly support the queer community and allow queer voices to be centered in these conversations.
For more information, you can contact First Church Pastors Duane Carlisle (he/him), Kory Pritchett (he/him), or group leader Monica McDougall (she/her).