What are Missional Communities at First Methodist Church?
A Missional Community (not-unlike small groups in other churches) is an intentional discipleship group formed by “people of peace.”
The early Methodists discovered that when Christians gathered together in small “bands or classes,” (as they were called back then) on a regular basis to nurture one another in the faith, to break bread, and engage in mission together, the churches were supplied with lay folks strong in their faith and better equipped to serve the Lord.
Missional Community is our way of re-envisioning that time-tested way to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Each of our missional communities gather at least twice a month in homes to share a meal, talk about their faith journeys, and engage in missional activities of their own choosing.
If you are interested in finding a Christian community to share life with, or are a member of First Methodist Church and are interested in forming your own missional community, contact Pastor Stephen Bazan our Associate Pastor of Missional Discipleship.
Rev. Stephen Bazan, Associate Pastor of Missional Discipleship
252-946-3311 / 919-464-0264
sbazan@fmcwashington.com
Bath Time
We are a community of (mostly) working parents of adult-aged children and grandchildren! We enjoy spending time together over a meal and discussions of the Bible, Scripture and relevant issues in our lives as they scripturally relate. We have been a community since 2016, and we love each other like family! We gather the first or third Friday evening of each month, usually in Bath, for dinner and fellowship together. Our community mission has changed several times over the course of these past seven years, but we are open to all community missional efforts that need addressing and our assistance. We also lovingly serve each other within our group as well as serve First Methodist Church Washington, fulfilling many leadership roles.
Christian Channels Community
We are a retired but active Spirit-led group desiring to be the helping hands and feet of Jesus in the community. We see ourselves as a quick reaction force to both meet identified needs and to support those serving others. Our Christian Channels Community name reveals our desire that those we serve in mission would overlook our activity and see only Jesus. Our community efforts to date include: preparing Matthew 25 meals, packaging John Cotton Tayloe Elementary School Christmas treat bags for children, providing luncheons for John Cotton Tayloe and Chocowinity elementary teachers, sponsoring blood drives, providing meals for the Open Door Community Center, painting a home interior, distributing bottled water to local EMS/fire departments, picking potatoes for Eagle’s Wings and providing church family care and prayer.
Yahoos (Young At Heart Only Older Servants)
Our missional community gathers twice a month, second Sunday and fourth Thursday. We cook regularly to freeze meals for anyone who may have a need, visit shut-ins and others who may be lonely, send out cards and notes of encouragement, offer and include prayers for those we serve, and assist Matthew 25 and other cook teams who may need our services. We also assist Ginger Newbold in providing weekend lunches and snacks for needy high school students.