How to Get Involved or Stay Connected with First Methodist in Bloomington

First United Methodist Church (fumcb.org) in downtown Bloomington, Indiana offers several clear ways to get involved or stay connected: sign up for the newsletter, watch worship live online, volunteer or join justice/service efforts like Justice at First, and explore the Discipleship Pathway to find your place. These options suit both people who can attend in person and those who want to stay in touch remotely.

Start with Sunday Worship

Sunday is the main entry point, and you can participate on campus or online.

The church also provides a way to watch worship live online, so you can stay connected from home. If you are new, attending a Sunday service is the simplest first step; the Discipleship Hour that follows Classic Worship is a natural way to meet people and learn more.

Sign Up for the Newsletter

The site's "What's Happening Now" section includes a newsletter sign-up. This is the most direct way to stay informed about current events, service changes, and upcoming opportunities. Use it if you want regular updates without committing to a group yet.

Volunteer and Join Justice Efforts

Two involvement paths are highlighted on the site:

• Volunteer! — a general invitation to get involved with the church's work.
• Justice at First — a learn-more section for the church's justice-focused efforts.

Common Ground also builds justice and service projects into its worship experience, so if you are drawn to hands-on service, that service may be a good fit. The church describes itself as a Christ-centered community with "opportunities to serve God and give to others in world-changing ways."

Find Your Path Through the Discipleship Pathway

The Discipleship Pathway is described as a tool that connects people in community through God's abundant love to transform lives and the world by serving and growing together. The site invites you to "find your path" — a useful starting point if you want a structured way to grow in faith rather than picking activities at random.

For College Students and Young Adults: Jubilee

Jubilee is a Christ-centered community of college students and twenty-somethings that meets Wednesdays at 7:30 PM in the Jubilee & Youth Rooms. It is described as a safe place to be honest, be yourself, and belong, with weekly meals, worship, and discussions. If you are near the IU campus — the church is just a few blocks away — this is a direct route into community.

Who This Is For

First Methodist describes itself as united and open to all, and notes it is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which works for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the Church. If an inclusive, Christ-centered community is what you are looking for, these stated commitments are worth checking against your own priorities.

A Simple First Week

1. Pick a Sunday service (9:30 Classic, 11:45 Common Ground) or watch live online.
2. Sign up for the newsletter to see what's coming up.
3. If you are a student or young adult, try Jubilee on Wednesday at 7:30 PM.
4. Review the Discipleship Pathway and the Volunteer / Justice at First pages to choose one way to serve.

Each step gives you a concrete next action; you can stop after any of them and still be connected.