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! Email us here to be connected to pastoral staff or visit 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.



connect WITH Us

As of August 28, 2021, following the latest guidelines from the CDC and the State of Washington, our building is open to small group gatherings like our Sunday faith communities, Narcotics Anonymous, and private rentals. Mask-wearing is required for everyone over 5 years old, regardless of vaccination status. We continue to limit gatherings in our space to 30 individuals or less.


Pierce County continues to see new Covid-19 cases which means we require face masks to be worn upon entering and remaining in the building and the continued practice of 6 ft physical distance from others in combination with good hand washing practice. This goes for vaccinated and unvaccinated people but we sure do encourage you to get vaccinated. To learn more about our UMC metrics visit here.


WORSHIP WITH US

First UMC worships in person twice a month and online in the intervening weeks during the  pandemic. As of now, our next in-person worship services will be at 10:30am on December 5 and December 19; a Taize-Feast of the Nativity on December 23 at 7pm, and Christmas Eve at 5pm.


Please email Rachel Ahrens in the office to be added to list serve where you will receive log in instructions.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

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.

 

During quarantine restrictions, My Sister's Pantry will be distributing groceries on the first and third Monday of each month from 3 - 5pm. There is no Saturday distribution in November and December. 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.

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) gather less than 30 people in our main space.

Solidarity at the center

We had our first two Partner Socials on August 26 and November 18 and they 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! 

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. 

 

videos of our emerging partnerships

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