Why We Serve
Blessed to be a Blessing. Sent by Jesus.
We believe God calls the church to do more than simply exist within a community — we are called to bless it (Genesis 12:1-2). As followers of Jesus, we seek to share God’s grace through acts of compassion, service, generosity, and love. In the Wesleyan tradition, we believe God is already at work in the world through prevenient grace, going before us into every neighborhood, school, workplace, and relationship. We do not take Jesus places; we meet Him there and join in what He is already doing.
As the Body of Christ, we are called to be His hands, feet, and heart in the world — serving with humility, loving without conditions, and shining the light of Christ in practical ways. We strive to bless others not for recognition or reward, but because it is the way of Jesus. Whether through missions, partnerships, outreach, or everyday acts of kindness, our desire is to help bring healing to a hurting world and move people one step closer to Christ.
We believe blessing is not merely something the church does; it is who we are. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to live with radical generosity, servant-hearted love, and unreasonable grace — trusting God to use even the smallest acts of faithfulness for His glory. Our prayer is that our church would become a visible expression of Christ’s love in Sarasota and beyond: a church the community is genuinely thankful for, and a people known for blessing others with no strings attached.
Our Mission
UMC Vision
Serving Sarasota
Local Missions
Through partnerships with schools, shelters, ministries, nonprofits, and community organizations across Sarasota, we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ in practical, compassionate ways. From supporting children, veterans, and storm recovery efforts to helping neighbors move toward stability and hope, we believe God calls us to bless our community with radical love and generous service.
A fund enabling the church to respond quickly and directly to individuals and families in unexpected need — bridging gaps that formal assistance programs can't always reach in time.
Provides assistance with utility payments, food, transportation, prescriptions, and work attire for thousands of Sarasota residents per year in acute financial need. A combined effort of four downtown churches. 100% of donations go directly to those served. FUMC volunteers every Monday” to FUMC serves every Monday morning.
Our people serve throughout the year at school events, the Food Pantry, and the school store. We assist teachers with back-to-school preparation and work with the school counselor to provide financial assistance to families in need, including funds to offset the cost of school uniforms.
First Church helped found Meals on Wheels in Sarasota in 1971. The program now serves 500 meals daily, relying on 450 volunteers. A 50+ year legacy of service to homebound neighbors.
First UMC is a founding church of Resurrection House — a forward-thinking, faith-based resource center committed to transitioning at-risk individuals to a path of self-sufficiency.
Two partnerships: the Angel Tree provides Christmas gifts for local children in need, and the Red Kettle Bell Ringers collect funds to support food, shelter, and after-school programs for local families.
Supporting the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center of Sarasota — an organization providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and prevention services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
We assemble storm buckets with cleaning supplies, ready to distribute when a storm hits. Our people also stand ready to serve breakfast and lunch to linemen at Robarts Arena. Florida Conference UMC disaster recovery hotline: 1-855-228-3862.
Supporting the GED Newtown Program at Suncoast Technical College — giving adults in the Newtown community a path to earning their high school equivalency and opening doors to employment and higher education.
A group of Ukrainian refugees and immigrants meets weekly at First UMC — supporting one another, practicing English, and learning about life in the Sarasota region. We also provide funds for Christmas gifts for the children and have funded the construction of tiny houses in Ukraine for those displaced by the war.
First Church provides a turkey and full Thanksgiving dinner for 45 veterans and their families each year through Goodwill Manasota. Hams are also provided at Easter. A practical expression of gratitude to those who have served.
Serving the World
Global Missions
Called by Jesus to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), our mission outreach extends far beyond Sarasota through partnerships that share Christ’s love in tangible ways. First United Methodist Church seeks to offer hope, compassion, and transformation through active partnerships in Cuba, Africa, and the Caribbean.
We financially and prayerfully support three Methodist churches in eastern Cuba: Madama, Juan Viciente Loma, and Cananova. Support includes pastors' salaries, clean water infrastructure, and building repairs. Mission teams visit periodically.
Flights deliver food, toiletries, and water filtration systems to struggling Caribbean communities — including Haiti and the Dominican Republic — where distribution infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
First UMC funds orphaned youth through Zoe's three-year program in Rwanda and Kenya, teaching them skills and how to run a business so they can feed and house their siblings and send them to school. Nearly all graduates create a successful business that supports their wider community.
Complete Directory
All Missions & Partnerships
A complete list of all missions, partnerships, and community organizations First United Methodist Church actively supports. Updated April 2026.