Monthly Prevue Newsletter

Building a Stronger Digital Home for First Church: April 2026 Update

In February 2026, First United Methodist Church of West Lafayette (First Church) shared the exciting news that we are creating a new website to better serve our congregation and community. Made possible through a Resource Grant from the Center for Congregations, this project reflects a shared commitment to strengthening how we connect, communicate, and welcome others into the life of First Church. Since that announcement, meaningful progress is underway. We have officially begun the audience Read more…

By First Church, ago

Freedom School Spring 2026 Update

First Church proudly serves as the host site for the Purdue CDF Freedom School program, a transformative six-week, literacy-based summer initiative serving students in grades K–5. Rooted in our commitment to supporting educational opportunities within our community and extending a warm welcome to people from all walks of life, First Church is grateful to host and support this program each year. Jorge Perez de Jesus, Bridge Builder for Family and Community Ministries at First Church, Read more…

By First Church, ago

Klondike Kids Club 2025-2026 Update

Klondike Kids Club (KKC) is a safe and nurturing after-school homework club. This collaboration between First Church, Klondike Elementary School, and the Point West Mobile Home Community provides tutoring in reading, language arts, and math to 30 students, many of whom are English language learners. Co-directors Carolyn Johnson and Maria Ansari share updates from the 2025–2026 school year. K-3rd Grade Program | Monday/Wednesday group Update from Carolyn Johnson, KKC Co-Director and Lead K-3 Supervisor Current Read more…

By First Church, ago

The Weight of The Way

By Diana Hoke, First Church congregant & a leader of Adult Education For most Americans there were too many paths to travel this past year, particularly the ones handing us burdens created by the implosion of our nation. For me, I had an additional rugged and immeasurably painful path to travel, pushing myself forward through the illness and death of my husband Max. Stumbling among so many paths, carrying the weight of so many burdens, Read more…

By First Church, ago

Behind the Scenes: Pastor Kory on Technology and Ministry at First Church

In recent months, First Church has been strengthening the technology that supports our worship, communication, and day-to-day ministry. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is already being felt across the life of the church. Associate Pastor Kory Pritchett has been leading these efforts, focusing on improving how our technology systems work together. “My main focus has been on streamlining and unifying our A/V, network, and organizational systems by taking a Read more…

By First Church, ago

Calling All Graduates!

First Church wants to celebrate our graduates on Sunday, May 17. If you or a family member is graduating this spring or has graduated in the time since last May, please let us know. We want to honor you! Please tell us the following: Deadline: Send an email to rkroeschen@fumcwl.org at the church office by Monday, May 4​.

By First Church, ago

2026 FUMC Foundation Scholarships

Each year the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Foundation offers scholarships to students in the community, reflecting our dedication to education. Scholarship applications for 2026 are open now through Sunday, May 31. The FUMC Foundation scholarship committee will review all applications. Recipients will be notified of their award by June 30. Click on the scholarship names below to view each application: Losey Patterson Memorial Scholarship This scholarship honors the memories of Roberta Losey Patterson and D. H. Read more…

By First Church, ago

Reflections from the Lenten Adult Education Class by Diana Hoke

This Lent, our Adult Education class, The Way: Going Deeper, builds on our church-wide exploration of the film The Way and explores the question: how does this journey become our own? The following reflection comes from Diana Hoke, a congregant and a leader of Adult Education at First Church. She shares updates from the class and a glimpse of what’s still to come. We began by hearing from Kristy, who told us about her experience Read more…

By First Church, ago

Charge Your Faith. Charge Your Car.

At First United Methodist Church West Lafayette (First Church), we embrace and celebrate the complexities of our faith, our world, and each other. When it comes to our world, we strive to make it a better place through service and social action. Our faith is put into action by caring for others.  We are excited to share news that reflects both our care for creation and our commitment to community. First Church is exploring the Read more…

By First Church, ago

First United Methodist Church West Lafayette Extends Legacy with Transformational Gift to Wesley Foundation

This post was originally published on Wesley Foundation’s website here. Wesley Foundation at Purdue University announced a transformational gift from First United Methodist Church West Lafayette (First Church) to expand ministry work across Purdue’s campus and create an intentional community space for students in the new Wesley Foundation Student Center. The gift is a part of A Legacy of Welcome: The Campaign for Wesley Foundation.  Located just outside of the Purdue campus, First Church has Read more…

By First Church, ago