Welcome

We are a small, queer-affirming fellowship with a history of social justice activism. Who knows who we are becoming as we shift from traditional modes of doing church to being the church that is responsive to neighbor; deepens relationship and builds power with the most vulnerable, in the manner of Jesus?


If this sounds like a community you'd like to explore, we would like to connect with you! Click here to connect with Pastor Shalom or find us on Facebook. 


Building Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm where you can reach us by phone: 253-627-0129 or email: admin@fumcot.org.



gather WITH Us

Your health and the health of the most vulnerable are precious to us! We have returned to in-person gatherings and because we sing and take communion, we require that masks be worn for the duration of the service and while visiting with others after. Masks are always available on site.


WORSHIP WITH US

We are in the season of Lent, a time of reflection and introspection as we prepare for the new life that comes with Easter. Please join us in person or online for worship on March 5 and 19, April 2 and 16 at 10am. More details regarding Holy Week offerings will be in the Upcoming Events section. 


Easter Sunrise service will be at Jack Hyde Park at 6am on April 9.

 

STUDY WITH US

Our Decolonizing Bible study takes place on Wednesday mornings and is largely a conversation with the Enfleshed liturgy commentary. 


To join any of our gatherings online, including worship and bible study, please email Rachel Ahrens in the office to be added to the list serve where you will receive log in instructions for joining via Zoom.

FOOD ASSISTANCE


My sister's Pantry

Whether you're able to donate or are in need of receiving food assistance, My Sister's Pantry, a food bank housed in our building, is here for you. Their website outlines various ways to give in food and financial assistance.

 

My Sister's Pantry distributes groceries on the first and third Monday of each month from 2:30 - 5pm. They are also open on the last Saturday of each month. For more details please click here.


**These are difficult times, if you or someone you care for are in need of any food assistance, please reach out even if the Pantry is closed.

The people's assembly

We've recently partnered with neighbors who formed The People's Assembly and their friends. 


Although they've existed for and by community empowerment since 2014, their commitment to feeding neighbors accelerated in the pandemic.


They regularly prepare meals for neighbors every Sunday morning from about 9:30-11:00am in the Church basement (entry through parking lot). Please contact them at thepeoplesassembly253@gmail.com.



Give now

In the midst of this pandemic, God's spirit continues to work in our community and through our church. 

Through your giving, we have been able to

  • provide a portable toilet for neighbors living on the street to use
  • significantly subsidize rent for tenants and community groups
  • support Thyme Well Spent Catering in feeding essential workers
  • and continue to staff our ministry


Church is not canceled and your generosity continues to inspire new ways of being together, even while we are apart.

Please consider giving by clicking on the donation button below or send us a check in the mail.


Even before the pandemic changed our lives, Tacoma First was in the process of transformation from a small, inward-looking congregation to a multi-cultural, multi-racial ecosystem that builds the common good with community groups. If that vision aligns with you, join the work and please contribute in presence and financial gifts!


church updates

staying connected

Community Care during Covid-19


We continue to fellowship online using the Zoom platform and worship together twice a month. Some groups may gather together if they 1) stay masked the whole time 2) leave a name and contact number for contact tracing and 3) continue to space out while indoors.

Solidarity at the center

Our Partner Socials have been beautiful times of seeing one another face-to-face, of dreaming and scheming a little bit on what's possible if more of us shared porous boundaries around our work in Tacoma. These beginning steps of our Solidarity Hub are so important! Contact the office to be notified of our next Partner Social.

Harvesting our 1:1

We know organizing is all about being in relationship -- and the more people we are in relationship with, the more we are able to reorganize the world around us! 


Join us on the last Thursday of the month as we harvest the treasures surfaced in our one-on-one conversations. Email the office for the Zoom link.

HOW TO VISIT US

First UMC of Tacoma is located on Tacoma Ave South, between 7th and 6th. Until more people are vaccinated and we lower the cases of infection, we encourage groups to only gather with distance and masks and for short periods of time. Please contact the office phone if you're in need of assistance: 253-627-0129



Street parking is available on Tacoma Avenue. There is no time limit for street parking on Sundays (there's a 90 minute limit Monday-Saturday until 4pm). This is the most accessible option to enter the building, as it avoids the hills. Please park clear of the bus stop.



Visitor parking is available on Court E, around the back of the church. All spaces across the alley from the church are reserved for our tenants during the week, but are available for parking on weeknights and Sundays.



Pierce Transit Bus we are located directly in front of Route 1 bus stop. 



Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-1pm.


Mailing Address:


621 Tacoma Ave. S.


Tacoma, WA 98402


Our Pastor/Developer

Rev. Shalom is an ordained elder who has served the Pacific Northwest Conference since 2008. She is a graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and her formation as a follower of Christ was shaped by the Upper Room's Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation. Shalom has offered pastoral leadership to several churches in both central and western Washington and enjoys facilitating retreats. In her most recent position, Shalom was able to resource and support the growing number of planters and innovators who are repurposing buildings and creating new expressions of United Methodism in the Northwest through community engagement and relational organizing. 


July 1, 2020 marked her first year of listening to the city of Tacoma and its people; intentionally partnering with community healers and peace/place-makers to transform the church building into a community-responsive space. Curious about where we're headed? Stay tuned for more and visit Common Good Tacoma to learn about our transformation.

 

videos of our emerging partnerships

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