FUMC offers several small groups, each with a different focus, all of whom welcome newcomers.  With the variety of activities and studies, there very likely is one that appeals to you.  Please feel free to join in the fun, creativity and/or study.  Read the Sunday bulletin carefully so you don’t miss the one you feel drawn to.  A sincere attempt will be made to keep this page up-to-date as well.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
    Our Mission: The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is 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.  General meetings are usually held in January, February and March
    Officers 2011:  Ellen Van Sant, Contact  Person; Vicki Neiman, Secretary; Carole Sinacore, Treasurer; Ruth Hancox, Spiritual Growth; Jan Lorah, Education and Reading.
Tuesday Evening Fellowship meets at 5:45 PM on the second Tuesday of each month throughout the year.  Each meeting begins with a pot-luck dinner. Beginning January 10, 2012, we will be starting a new mission study . . The Journey - Forgiveness, Restorative Justice and Reconciliation.  We would love to have you join us for a pot luck dinner at 6:30; the study follows.  Call Ellen 954-476-9050 or Sue 954-583-8903 for more information.  The  location of our meetings varies so call Ellen or Sue to find out where we are meeting.. In the summer, their meetings are held at the beach. They hold bake sales to raise funds to donate to establishments that work with children, such as The Little Schoolhouse, Inc., a mission of this church for over 45 years that offers preschool education to underprivileged children for a low fee. 
Wednesday Morning Bible meets  on the second Wednesday of each month in the Second Floor Conference Room at the church at 10:30 AM. We study a variety of books relating to the Bible. We look forward to meeting anyone who would like to join us in learning more about our Lord and his vision for us.
UNITED METHODIST MEN
A supportive fellowship striving to know Jesus Christ, seeking daily his will and growing spiritually.   Our primary purpose is to declare the centrality of Christ in the lives of men and in all their relationships.
    2011 Officers:  Chief Fala Alailima, President; Daniel Smith, Vice President; Larry Mosher, Secretary; RL Landers, Treasurer; Jim Welch, Director; Norm Smith, Director; Bill Upchurch, Staff Coordinator

QUILTERS AND SEWERS
The Quilters and Sewers began in 1916 as Park Temple Quilters & Sewers, now First United Methodist.  Some of the many projects they have donated include quilts for the homeless; Easter outfits for the children at The Little Schoolhouse; lap robes, adult bibs and walker/wheelchair bags for nursing homes and rehab centers; knitted hats for The Children’s Diagnostic Center.  Items have been sewn for FUMC preschool and the church.  Also among our missions, we have donated to The United Methodist Haitian Relief Fund, Second Chance Society, Hope Women’s Centers, and Ronald McDonald’s House from proceeds earned at sales held at various times throughout the year.
    The Quilters will not be meeting in Fellowship Hall until renovations in that room are completed.  Please call Dena (954-524-1646) or Carol (if you have her number) to find out where, when and if they will be meeting.  You may also call the Church receptionist as they will attempt to keep the office informed.
SENIOR MOMENTS
    Even though we use the name “senior”, our group is open to all ages of men and women.
We generally meet once a month during the winter and visit local landmarks, museums, or just to have lunch together.  During summer months, we tend to limit our meetings to indoor activities that give us an opportunity to know our community better.
    If you would like to be on the Senior Moments mailing list, contact Susan Virtue 954-232-0869.

NEW!!  SENIOR ADULT GATHERING
This is a group centered on those seniors who are not as physically active as they once were but still have sharp minds and enjoy the good company of others.  They strive to meet bi-weekly for a variety of "soft" activities and challenging ideas.  Those who like the camaraderie of lunching together bring their own sandwich or salad to extend the pleasure.  No invitation needed.  Just come to the Parlor at 10 AM when you see the announcement in the Sunday bulletin.
TABATHA'S HELPING HANDS aka KNIT or CROCHET
This is a recently formed group that has been meeting for about a year on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 4:30 PM in the Parlor at the church.  Some knit and some crochet, creating a variety of items which are donated to hospitals or nursing homes.  They also knit Prayer Shawls and will honor special requests.  If you want to learn to knit or to crochet, these ladies are more than willing to help you set your fingers flying.

SUNSHINE VISITORS
Sunshine Visitors meet every second Thursday of the month at 11:00 AM in the Parlor.  One of our great ministry groups at FUMC is the Sunshine Visitors, a dedicated group that visits our homebound members. If you have ever felt called to be part of a nurturing ministry, please attend one of our meetings to find out how you can visit, write letters or make phone calls that are greatly appreciated by those who benefit from this ministry. Also, if you know of any church members in need of visitation or correspondence, please let us know.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 - 10:30 AM
    The New Day Class is Sunday school for seniors and older adults.  However, we welcome anyone who believes they would enjoy the lessons we are studying each week.  Our teacher is Helen Landers, retired Principal and Broward County Historian.  You will experience acceptance and support along with Bible study and lessons that focus on the Christian perspective on current events.  Our name is derived from our philosophy that it is a New Day and we take them one at a time.  (Room 313)

    The M & M Sunday is probably most easily recognized by the always present M&M’s on the table.  But frequently you will also find other delicious goodies to be shared along with our coffee.  While we do enjoy this, it isn’t the real reason we come together.
The M & M Class is open to all adults, men and women, married or single.  Our studies generally are taken from “The New International Lesson Annual”.  Each year, a new group of writers contributes to the ongoing Biblical studies, giving different insights into familiar scriptures.  During the year, we also include different studies for a change of pace.  Sally and Don Glenn are the leaders but others take over leadership from time to time.  Every year, we try to do projects that will reach out to help others.  As we grow together, we learn from each other.  (2nd floor Conference Room)

Faith Link - Many things not specifically addressed in the Bible are reported on TV or in the daily news.  Faithlink is a weekly discussion group that meets to discuss topics in the news or of contemporary Christian interest.  The idea is to put these topics into a Christian perspective and discuss what the Bible does say, and what Jesus might have done or said in certain circumstances.
Attendance differs every week, as each week’s discussion topic arrives via email on Tuesdays from publisher Cokesbury. Those who do not have computers receive the lessons by mail on or about Thursday for the following Sunday.  The class is particularly well-suited to those who cannot commit to weekly attendance, as each week’s topic is an independent “course of study”.
Recent topics for discussion have included: State of Marriage, The New Face of Retirement, Prayer, Youth Violence, Public Protectors, Homelessness, Health and Shalom.  If you would like to be on the mailing or email list to receive weekly articles for discussion, email susanstraker@comcast.net or call Susan Virtue at 954-232-0869.  (Parlor)