CHUM: Churches United in Ministry
CHUM is a nonprofit human service agency sponsored and governed by 39 Duluth congregations. CHUM began in 1973 when FUMC and nine other Central Hillside congregations pooled resources to assist low-income people in Duluth. Through CHUM, people of faith work together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community. CHUM ministries include emergency shelter, housing advocacy, employment services,
a nurse clinic, and street case management. CHUM also collects and distributes food and household items to those in need.
The Gabriel Project
FUMC is one of 13 congregations participating in this ministry, a branch of CHUM that was established in 2001 after several congregations saw a growing need to help people make ends meet. A small discretionary fund was created to assist families with needs such as medication, co-pays, bus passes, gas vouchers, utility bills, and groceries. The fund allows families to receive up to $40 of assistance no more than once every three months. In 2007, the Gabriel Project social worker served over 1,000 households and distributed over $13,000 to help where most needed. The Gabriel Project also encourages member congregations to become involved in public policy discussions and decisions that make a difference in reducing poverty.
Twin Ports United Methodist Ministries
First United Methodist Church is an active participant in the Twin Ports United Methodist Ministries. Through TPUMM, United Methodist congregations come together to support the work of Harbor House Crisis Shelters in Superior, offer leadership training for lay leaders in our congregations, and sponsor joint youth events, and offer summer day camp and Vacation Bible School.
Arrowhead Interfaith Council
The Arrowhead Interfaith Council is made up of religious organizations from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Bahai faiths, working together to address human needs, dismantle racism, advocate for children, minister to prisoners, and build peace among all people. A key ministry of AIC is providing chaplaincy services at the Northeast Regional Correctional Center, the Arrowhead Juvenile Detention Center, and the St. Louis County Jail.
Reconciling & Racism
FUMC has declared itself to be a Reconciling Congregation with regard to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons. By making such a statement, we challenge ourselves to consider how persons who are "other than" heterosexual have been marginalized in communities of faith.
Our Dismantling Racism ministry task force seeks to address the pervasiveness of racism in our culture. By undertaking such a ministry, we acknowledge our own need for healing from racism and embrace our call to eradicate this blight from God's creation.
