For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
Matthew 18:20
There are SO MANY opportunities to gather for Christian fellowship at PUMC. Some opportunities are reoccurring events. Some are seasonal celebrations. Some are unique and novel. Some are just spontaneous gatherings!
Here are a few examples of Fellowship at PUMC, but check out the What’s Happening @ PUMC tab for details.
Every Sunday, immediately after worship service, coffee and light refreshments are served in Fellowship Hour. It is precious time, each week, that casually chat and stay in touch with friends and soon-to-be-friends.
Our purpose is to be a loving, supportive fellowship for women of the church and friends in the community. The mission work of UWF is completed through the Friendship Circle activities. Special events include the Fall Festival, Election Day Pie Bake, homeless shelter meals, and sock collections for the homeless. Among the supported missions are Harriet Tubman Academic Skills Program, PUMC youth programs, Love, Inc., Dismantling Racism Team, Meals on Wheels, Dutchess Outreach, and Grace Smith House. In addition, projects are implemented which enhance the church building and our local environment.
The mission of the Visitation Ministry of the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church is to be a caring presence as people of faith to members and friends, primarily seniors, by means of personal visits and sharing of Holy Communion.
The volunteers in this ministry visit church members and friends who are home-bound, whether they reside in their homes or in senior facilities. They also coordinate requests for transportation needs for church, medical appointments and so forth, and provide meals on a short-term basis.
The Eucharist is available monthly upon request for those who cannot attend worship service at church. Our Visitation Minister, Rev. Martha (Marty) Morrison, or other Visitation Ministry members will serve Holy Communion in the member’s residence.
Marty says “Occasionally I hear from those we visit, ‘You’ve made my day’, and some have said, ‘It’s nice to know the church has not forgotten me’.”
Additional Services
Through the Easter Lily and Poinsettia “trees” we ask the congregation to assist in delivering the lilies and poinsettias that grace the sanctuary during worship to those on our visitation list. This ensures that even more people are blessed with the enjoyment of the beautiful plants and provides opportunities for those we visit to see new faces in our congregation.
“Care Notes” is another part of our ministry. In the Narthex pamphlets on various topics such as, “Confronting Cancer with a Spirit of Hope” and “Finding God in Pain or Illness”, are available to our members and visitors.
Our bulletin board is located on the wall between the Fellowship Hall and the Cribbery. Look for current information about those we visit, those who have died recently, and other timely topics of interest.
PUMC offers a Chancel Choir, that lead the congregation in traditional hymns, and our Voices in Praise, that celebrates the spirit with contemporary worship songs. The Sunday service is artfully blended with both styles of music. There are weekly practices for those people called to share their voices and musical talents to glorify His word.
PUMC celebrates Christian Fellowship with:
- movie nights
- campfire singalongs
- BBQ’s
- family game nights
- Valentine’s Dance
- Advent Dinner
- Christmas & Easter Pageants
- Easter Egg Hunt
- Trunk & Treat
Once a month, friends gather for a relaxed pace walk through nature at local parks. Together, they ask and answer the question “how is it with your soul?” as they enjoy fresh air in the beautiful world that God created.