Welcome to Younger Adult Ministries
  @ First UMC

                I am the Associate Minister at First UMC and have the privilege to be in ministry with many of my peers (younger adults, that is).  By younger adults, we are basically talking about anyone under 40, and we are focusing on two new ministries within the church.  One is more of an outreach, while the other will mainly be within our congregation.  You are welcome to participate in whatever events fit you, regardless of how they are classified.  Our outreach ministry is called The Mesa Movement and is designed for college-age adults, both at Mesa State and in the community.  We will have weekly gatherings near the Mesa State campus to provide a spiritual, as well as, social opportunity for building relationships with other Christians.  Our other younger adult ministry is called 20/30 and seeks to provide a community for those in their twenties and thirties to socialize, share struggles of career and family life, grow spiritually, and serve the community (both within and outside of the church).  Don’t hesitate to contact me for more information, to meet for coffee (one of my favorite things to do), or to make suggestions.  As you read the following quote, I hope it makes you laugh, realizing we hope it is the former, but once in a while end up being the latter.

“There are only 2 reasons everyone is not a Christian: 1) They do not know a Christian or... 2) They do.”

      — Author Unknown

Peace to you,
Rev. Annie Arnoldy

 Read on, or click on the following:

• United Methodists as Christians – where are we theologically?

A little more on The Mesa Movement…

For college-age adults, church may be something you are interested in staying connected with, getting to know as brand new, or staying away from!  Our college ministry seeks to provide a safe space for you to explore your faith, adulthood, questions, and fears.  It may or may not incorporate coming to the traditional forms of worship on Sunday mornings.  You are always invited to celebrate in our multi-generational congregation! 

If you are seeking a thoughtful and progressive way to live out your faith, you’ve probably found a good match.  One of the unique aspects of The United Methodist Church is its diversity in theology – there are ultra-conservatives and off-the-wall liberals within the denomination.  One of the reasons the denomination stays connected is because of the deep traditions stemming from John Wesley, who formed the church on the principles of:

• asking questions of your faith;

• serving others outside of the church;

• and studying the Scriptures for continual revelation. 

In other words, never put a period where God has put a comma!  Whether we form groups for spiritual growth or form bonds of fellowship, The Mesa Movement ministries will be open, inclusive, thoughtful, and fun. 

So, you’re in your 20s or 30s … it’s exciting and terrifying!

For our adults in their twenties and thirties, we offer 20/30 ministries.  This is a community within our congregation that is just forming!  We invite new people to join in fellowship, service, and spiritual growth as we pursue our careers, families, and faith lives.  This community is a mix of singles, couples, and families.  For those with children, we will have events where kids are welcome, and others where we will provide childcare so that you may participate without having to worry about where the kids are!  There will be opportunities to serve the church and the community.  As we continue our journeys of faith, we seek to connect in a variety of ways with each other and with the many generations at First UMC. 

There are newcomers to Christianity, those of us who grew up United Methodist, and those of us who have questions of our faith that linger from what we were taught growing up.  This is a place to ask the questions, seek the answers, and build relationships.  We will seek out opportunities to take retreats, serve as leaders in the church and community, and invite others to join on this journey!