Calling All College Students and Parents! 
As we start a new term, we’re getting ready to send out College Care Packets to our students. If you or your college student would like to receive one, please email the current mailing address to cschulte@fumcbirmingham.org even if it hasn’t changed since last year. Addresses are needed by Sunday, January 25, with packets being assembled on Sunday, February 1. If you’d like to donate an item or help assemble packets, please contact Sue Smith at sue.smith@beachcom.net. 

It has come to our attention that there are fraudulent emails and text messages circulating from individuals posing as members of our church community. We want to caution everyone to be alert and not fall for these phishing attempts. Please be sure to carefully verify the sender’s email address or phone number before responding to any message. In-person communication is always the best and safest avenue if someone is asking you for money or requesting the purchase of gift cards. Thank you for remaining vigilant and helping protect our community from scams and fraudulent activity. 

Are you friendly?
Do you have the gift of hospitality?
Can you answer a phone and press a buzzer?

We’re looking for a few warm, welcoming individuals to take a shift or two each month at the Welcome Desk at the Birmingham campus. This volunteer role is a vital part of our ministry—greeting visitors, answering phones, and helping maintain a safe and friendly environment for everyone, including our First Kids Preschool families.

You’ll be the first face people see and the first voice they hear when reaching out to the church. If that sounds like a role made for you, we’d love to have you on the team!

To learn more or to say YES, contact Jill Brouhard at 248-302-8108. 

Click here to sign up!

Help us create a warm, welcoming experience for all! Sign up to serve as a greeter in 2026—make coffee and lemonade, set up beverage stations, welcome worshipers with a smile, answer questions, or greet at the Sanctuary doors, main doors, and Circle Drive near the Choir Room. You can also help staff the kiosk between services to recruit other greeters. Join us in sharing Christ’s hospitality—sign up today!

The Liberia Mission Trip in February will include a visit to the Judith Craig Orphanage and the Home for the Aging, both United Methodist ministries. We invite you to support this mission by donating needed items that will be packed and carried in suitcases. Donation bins will be located by the front Welcome Desk doors. Items needed include children’s underwear (24 months–size 14/16), socks, children’s flip flops, crayons, markers, and coloring books for the orphanage, as well as cotton underwear for men and women, flip flops, and crossword puzzles or small games for the Home for the Aging.

We have new book titles available at the Circuit Rider Bookstore, just inside Fellowship Hall—perfect for a last-minute Christmas gift or a cozy read on a cold winter night. New arrivals include Everything Teen Girls Should Know About the Bible, Knowing God, The Crippled Lamb, Mere Christianity, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia, and The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, The Jesus I Never Knew, and more, along with beautiful Bible editions for study and reflection. Stop by this Sunday and find something special for the reader in your life!

Visit our Circuit Rider Bookstore Page for more information.

Birmingham & Berkley First
Have you found comfort in grief or hope in God’s word? Do you love sharing how Jesus has worked in your life? Use your voice to inspire others! Take turns recording a weekly phone message of encouragement. Call Judy Lowery at 248-792-7821 to learn more. Your voice could be the hope someone needs! 

Birmingham & Berkley First
Call the Voice of Hope at 248-646-6407, then press 2 to hear an uplifting message recorded just for you! Whether you’re looking for comfort, inspiration, or a reminder of God’s love, take a moment to listen and be encouraged. New messages are shared weekly—don’t miss out on a little hope today! 

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION 
Discover the fun and strategy of Mah Jongg with new offerings in the CLC! Join us for Monday night Mah Jongg Classes (6:00–8:00 p.m.) designed for beginners, or Guided Play for those who want help sharpening their strategy—both require pre-registration. Prefer something more casual? Open Play is also available with no registration required. Come learn, play, and enjoy time together around this classic game!

Unite 3-on-3 Basketball
It's that time again for UNITE basketball!

YOUTH REFEREES WANTED
We are looking for middle and high school students who would like to ref for our league. Make money for the choir England trip, mission trip, spending money or community service hours! You don't need to be a basketball expert! We will train you!
 
Being a ref is so much fun and you make a positive difference for kids! Saturday morning's 9:00-noon, January 10-March 14th in the Christian Life Center.

Fill out the GOOGLE FORM to volunteer to Ref.

PLAYER REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for Young 5s–5th grade. Season runs Saturdays, Jan. 17–Mar. 14, 2026—fun, faith, and hoops! $110 includes a jersey and extras; spots fill fast, so invite friends and sign up early. We love parent coaches and youth referees—questions or to volunteer, contact Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org.

If you’re interested in learning more about life-time gifts and legacy giving such as strategies used for operating budget donations (ministry plan); endowment fund contributions, or donations directed to a designated ministry of your choice, please reach out to Karen Murphy for more information. Karen is our new Development Officer and can be reached directly at (248) 646-1200 ext. 3155, or email at kmurphy@fumcbirmingham.org. She would be happy to set a time to meet together to discuss further. 

Be sure to stop by Fellowship Hall between worship services on the following Sundays: February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, and June 7. Save these dates to stock up on your favorite Fair Trade chocolate, tea, and coffee. Equal Exchange supports a more ethical and sustainable marketplace by ensuring small-scale farmer cooperatives receive fair prices for their products. Your purchase helps create a better world—one cup (or chocolate bar) at a time! 

Potluck Sunday is the third Sunday of every month. Bring a dish to pass and join us in the Social Hall downstairs after worship for a wonderful time to connect with friends new and old.

Want to help set up? Email Rachel Alpert at ralpert@berkleyfirst.org. 

First Kids Preschool Registration opens on December 11 for current families and church members and to the public on January 8, 2026.  Visit our FIRST KIDS preschool page for more information.

First Kids Preschool strives to nurture each child’s individuality and innate curiosities in a loving, Christian environment. Our goal is to instill a desire for lifelong learning as we prepare preschoolers for kindergarten and the world beyond!

 

Volunteering to teach Sunday School is a meaningful way to invest in the spiritual growth of the next generation, regardless of whether you have a child in the program. It’s an opportunity to share your faith, encourage young hearts, and model Christ-like service in action. We will provide you with all the materials needed to teach Sunday School in advance. If interested in volunteering for Sunday School, please reach out to Beth Torrey btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org and Dayna Ratliff dratliff@fumcbirmingham.org. We have open spots in Preschool, K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th grade classrooms.

Nursery Care Volunteer Information
Birmingham First
If you have a passion for caring for our little babies by holding, rocking, and comforting them, we invite you to consider volunteering in our nursery. We are in need of volunteers to help in the nursery during 9:30AM and 11:00AM Sunday services. Your support is greatly appreciated. Click here to sign up!

Your health matters! First Nurses will be available in Fellowship Hall to check blood pressure between services on the first Sunday of every month. Compare your results each month to be sure you’re staying on top of your health! This free and friendly service is open to all—no appointment needed!