Reno First United Methodist Church

Paper Bag Christmas Pageant
2023-12-31 10:00 - 12:00 UTC
Join us for an intergenerational Christmas pageant. Come to our 10AM service. Take a paper bag. your part and your costume will be inside. Everyone is part of the Christmas story.You won’t want to miss the fun we have at 5th Sunday, family services.

Christmas Morning 10:00AM
2023-12-25 10:00 - 11:00
Gathering for á capella Christmas carols and a communion service on Christmas day at 10:00AM. It is time to find Jesus and give him his rightful place in our creche and in our hearts.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
2023-12-24 19:00 - 20:30
A beautiful celebration in an historic church. The story of Christmas unfolds with the warmth of community singing our favorite traditional songs. Join us in person and online at 7PM.

Blue Christmas
2023-12-21 19:00 - 20:30
There are times in our lives when the message of Christmas we most need to hear is a message of hope and compassion. We all experience loss and grief, and we know that God brings comfort to the heavy laden. If this is a year for you and your loved ones need to to rest in the arms of God’s compassion rather than trying to match the mood of a Holly Jolly Christmas, come to our Blue Christmas service either in person or online. We sing sacred songs of hope, light candles, lift up our prayers, and witness the light which overcomes the darkness.

Christmas Special Services
2023-12-20 08:00 - 23:30
These are our special services this season. Our normal Sunday services are happening too. It is an exciting week. We have so many ways to celebrate the love of God in a community of faith committed to inclusion and compassion.

Church Conference
2023-12-02 12:00 - 13:30
Over soup and fellowship, we celebrate the 2023 year of ministry and elect officers to lead us into the years coming up. This is an annual Methodist tradition.

Hanging of the Greens
2023-12-02 10:00 - 12:00
This is a family event. We decorate the church for Advent and Christmas. We drink hot coco and listen to Christmas carols together. Many hands make light work, and it is always fun to see this beautiful church transformed for the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Interfaith Dinner & Dialogue
2023-11-11 18:00 - 20:00 | McKinley Arts & Culture Center, 925 riverside dr, Reno, Nevada, 89523
Join us for an opportunity to know and love our neighbors. We are bringing Dr. Zeki Saritoprak to discuss the intersection of faith traditions through Mary, the mother of Jesus. We will have dinner together in the Halal tradition. There is no charge for this event. But sets are limited. Call 322.4564 today.

All Saints - A Special Service of Remembrance
2023-11-05 11:15 - 12:00
Now that restrictions on gathering are lifted, we have the opportunity to remember those that died without a memorial services during the pandemic. It will happen on all saints day, November 5th, 2023 at 11:15am. The regular All Saints services are happening during our usual service times. This is a special service with music and prayer which will last 45 minutes and lift the names and lives we have lost without due ceremony into our loving God’s eternal embrace.

Candy Corn Carnival - Family Event
2023-10-29 10:00 - 12:00
Enjoy a free, fun-filled carnival with games and activities, food, raffles, prizes and, of course, CANDY! Expect to have a great time and to hang around for a while. Wear a costume to church and join us in the fellowship hall wear we all act like kids in a candy store. You may be entered in a drawing for an extra treat and photo opportunity.

Once Yearly Quilt Sale
2023-10-22 09:00 - 12:00
Reno First Church Quilters are ready to share the beauty of their work. The sale is happening after the morning services in the Fellowship Hall. Proceeds will go to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief – an agency of the United Methodist Church responding to people in crisis from disasters – recently flooding in Florida, fire in Maui, earthquake in Morocco. People in crisis need prayer AND realtime resources.

Connecting to God and to Community
2023-10-22
Are you enjoying the new connections as much as we are? Are you feeling excited about the future ministries of RFUMC like we are? We have seen many new faces when our community comes together for Sunday Services. The energy in our shared space is exciting and children are filling the classrooms again. We are definitely making connections.
Membership Sunday is a way to make these connections in a formal way and to celebrate setting an intention for living a God Centered Life. Please call pastor George, share your aspirations and ask questions about the process. 775.343.8695

Episcopal Communion Reunion
2023-10-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Sacramento First United methodist Church, 2100 J Street, Sacramento, CA, United States
What can Love do with our community, in a time like this?

Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño has returned home to California-Nevada Conference and we invite you to celebrate with us on World Communion Day with a special service of welcome and Holy Communion.

The service will be held on at 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sacramento, which is located at 2100 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.

All are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Sweet Vibrations Concert Series: The Red Tango
2023-07-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
NORTHERN NEVADA’S PREMIERE CLASSICAL TANGO CROSSOVER
The Red Tango is an ensemble that knows how to sizzle. As Northern Nevada’s premiere crossover quartet, they move effortlessly from the Nutcracker to Purple Haze with tangos in between. These four string players play with the Reno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, California and Sacramento Symphonies and many a pop artist coming to town. They also play for milongas, weddings, parties and fun events like this one. Founding members Olga Archedkin (violin) and Catherine Matovich (viola) bring their personalities and expertise to this music. Olga has been wowing audiences with her violin chops since she landed in Reno from Russia twenty years ago. Catherine has jammed with Bo Diddley, played in many back up bands-most recently for the Eagles and Barbra Streisand – and has toured the world with Neil Diamond.
Doors open at 6:30pm and donations are welcome! Parking in the garage on the corner of 1st and Sierra Streets is validated with a $1 donation.

Sweet Vibrations Concert Series: High Desert Harmony & Free Range Quartet
2023-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
ACA-AWESOME!
The women of High Desert Harmony Chorus have a passion for a cappella music sung in the barbershop tradition. While they love singing traditional barbershop favorites, they frequently branch out into pop tunes and classic standards – just about any music can be adapted to barbershop harmonies. They are a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, and their 25+ singers of all ages and walks of life are excited to be part of Reno First United Methodist Church’s Sweet Vibrations program again this year.
Free Range is back at Artown by popular demand! The group is comprised of Amy Fleming, Stephanie Urmston, Anna Freeman, and Malary Engstrom—four chicks who love each other and love to sing. This award-winning quartet sings various genres of four-part a cappella music but is best known for their complex barbershop harmonies. These ladies are each strong musicians in their own rights, performing in and conducting various groups around town, but when this powerhouse group performs together, they are fan favorites. They placed 4th at the Sweet Adelines regional competition in 2019, making them the first quartet from northern Nevada to earn a regional medal. Music lovers of all ages will quickly become fans after hearing the vocal styling of Free Range!
Doors open at 6:30pm and donations are welcome! Parking in the garage on the corner of 1st and Sierra Streets is validated with a $1 donation.

Combined Administrative and Ministry Council Meeting
2023-07-20 17:30 - 19:00
Leaders of Finance, Trustees, Staff Parish Relations Committee, other administrative teams, and ministry groups, will gather to make plans for the coming months on Thursday at 5:30pm in the church.

Sweet Vibrations Concert Series: Reno Modern Brass!
2023-07-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
INNOVATIVE BRASS QUINTET PIECES BY LIVING & LOCAL COMPOSERS!
The Reno Modern Brass meets at the intersection of composer, performer, and audience by curating thought-provoking programs of new compositions and reimaginings of songs from across the musical spectrum. This concert will feature new (but accessible) works written by local and living composers, as well as arrangements of some unexpected pop favorites.
Doors open at 6:30pm and donations are welcome! Parking in the garage on the corner of 1st and Sierra Streets is validated with a $1 donation.

Sweet Vibrations Concert Series: Warriors, a Breast Cancer Awareness Concert
2023-07-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
reNEW Music Ensemble presents a program that lifts up women and breast cancer survivors. The program features mezzo soprano Olga Perez Flora singing the words of Brett Van Hoesen set to music composed by her husband Jean Paul Perrotte. The centerpiece of the program describes the experience of cancer through the eyes of the patient, their spouse, and their friend. The remainder of the concert will be dedicated to female composers. Dr. Perez Flora will be joined in the performance by tenor James Flora, cellist Eileen Brownell, and pianist Aren Long.
Doors open at 6:30pm and donations are welcome! Parking in the garage on the corner of 1st and Sierra Streets is validated with a $1 donation.

California-Nevada Annual Conference of the UMC
2023-06-15 - 2023-06-18
The annual conference is the basic body in The United Methodist Church and sessions of the annual conference have historically been a time for the people called Methodists to gather, give account to God of the work they have done and their stewardship of the resources God has given them since they last met. It has also been a holy time to discern God’s will for their future, a time when persons called to ordained ministry are commissioned and ordained, and both clergy and lay personnel and financial resources are deployed for ministry. Above all, annual conference sessions have been connectional gatherings where the gathered have experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit and have been revived for God’s holy work.

The Annual Conference session will consider legislation, recognize retiring clergy, celebrate a Memorial service to honor clergy and clergy spouses that have passed during the previous year, and fix the appointments of pastors to the various charges.

Annual conferences are geographically defined and each year, across the denomination, the clergy members of the conference meet with at least an equal number of lay members in their annual conference session for worship, fellowship, and to conduct the business of the conference, which may last three to five days. The area bishop presides over these meetings. This will be the 175th session of the California-Nevada Annual Conference.
Lay Member and Council Chair Betsy Morse will accompany Pastor Kris to Sacramento on behalf of Reno First United Methodist Church. Please keep them in your prayers!
Want to tune in and follow along? Go to this website to see the agenda for the week, read up on the legislative proposals, and maybe even livestream the plenaries and worship services!

Celebration of Life for Linda Walker
2023-06-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
A celebration of life to remember Linda Walker will be held at the church on Monday, June 12, at 10am, with a reception to follow. If you would like to join by Zoom, you can do that by clicking here:Join the Celebration of Life by Zoom
Or using the following codes:
Meeting ID: 811 8056 6742
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Linda Faber Walker had much to recommend her: she was a caring wife to Ralph Walker (who predeceased her), mother to three kind and gentle men, a grandmother to more; she was a kind and generous companion to her friends, a faithful member of her PEO group, a friendly and compassionate neighbor, a hospitable and curious explorer of ideas and innovations, a thoughtful theologian, and the kind of organizer that could whip a group of people into shape with careful and considerate details and communication. Most famously, perhaps, Linda was an artist. She created beautiful landscapes and portraits to capture what was good and inspiring and wonderful in this world. Her brushstrokes, patient and deliberate, could turn a blank canvas into a whole new world, or make you feel like you could step through the window of the frame into a familiar one. Every year, she organized a local artist group to display their pieces in our Parlor during Artown for any and all to enjoy, and even purchase – and all proceeds would support young artists working for their education. When we celebrate her, we will remember more stories, share more insights, and create loving space to honor all she was and grieve what we have lost.

Donations in celebration of Linda’s life may be made to:

Reno First United Methodist Church
209 W. 1st Street, Reno, Nevada 89501

PEO-International
Checks to: PEO Foundation
PEO Executive Office – Treasurer’s Department
3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312

Latimer Art Club
c/o Eileen Fuller, Art Show Chairman
P.O. Box 1506, Reno, Nevada 89505

The weather has been so sunny and mild recently. I invite you to take a moment today, and notice something beautiful. Maybe it will be a far horizon, or a tree throwing out its fresh green leaves, or perhaps a hopeful flowering weed crawling up through the concrete at your feet. Drink it in with your senses, and give thanks for those who help us notice, and honor, all of the creation around us, who direct our attention to what is holy and good, and remember Linda.

Celebration of Ministry for Pastor Kris
2023-06-10 14:00 - 17:00
Farewell, Pastor Kris!

Come and celebrate Pastor Kris’s ministry with us and say goodbye!
What: A drop-in open house with wine and ice cream sundaes and maybe some munchies, too. Bring your favorite beverage to share! Stay as long as you like, be it three hours or five minutes!
When: Saturday, June 10, 2-5pm
Where: Pastor Kris and Ben’s new home (call the office for the address, we’re not posting it on the website!)
How (to get there): Again, see the newsletter for directions!
You are welcome to park in the driveway, and blocking in the driveway,
but please keep the driveways of the neighbors clear.
There is a lot of street parking, too.

Celebration of Life - Alice Morgan
2023-05-13 14:00 - 16:30
Join us to celebrate the life well-lived of Alice Morgan! A service of celebration will be led by the Rev. Doug McCoy in the Sanctuary, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall with goodies overflowing with strawberries! To understand why, read on! To join by Zoom, click here.
Alice Ausborn Asay was born in Manasquan, NJ on September 1, 1929, the second of five children born to Milton and Olive (Lent) Asay. She passed away in Reno, Nevada on February 22, 2023 (February 23, 2023, New Jersey time – her 71st wedding anniversary) at the age of 93. She grew up in the Methodist camp town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey – “God’s Square Mile of Health and Happiness.” Growing up during the Great Depression was not easy, and it left a lasting impression on her, as it did on many people from that era. One of her favorite expressions, learned from her father, was “Eat it or go without.”
In late 1951, after visiting her sister Sarah and niece Sally in Boise, ID, Alice took the bus to Reno because she heard it was a fun town and jobs were available. On New Year’s Eve, she and another woman were at a bar on Commercial Row, when two men began a conversation with the two women. One was opening a restaurant in Sparks, so Alice rattled off her phone number at the boarding house so he could contact her about a job. The would-be restauranteur never called. It was the other man, a handsome carpenter named Orin Morgan, who called her. All of seven weeks later, on February 23, 1952, they were married in a small ceremony in downtown Reno. Their marriage lasted over 56 years, until Orin’s passing in 2008.
Alice spent the first 25 or so years of her marriage raising her and Orin’s three boys. While the boys were at school, she worked at home as a seamstress, making dresses and doing alterations, as well as many of her own clothes and a number of shirts and jackets for the family. She was especially proud to use her earnings to treat the family to an Oakland Athletics baseball game (their first major league game).
Once the boys were all in school, she went to night school to get her high school diploma. In 1977 she enrolled at UNR and attained a BA degree in Communications in 1987. She was the only member of her family to graduate from college. In 1980 she received a two-year degree from the School of Theology in Claremont College. She used this knowledge to teach communication skills at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center for 11 years. She ran the Morgan household – getting groceries (no small task), fixing meals (lots of creativity), paying bills (who knew how easily eyeglass frames broke?), and cleaning the house (no small chore). And she found time to volunteer at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Reno (where she was a member for over 50 years), primarily overseeing the children’s programs. She also made robes for the entire boys’ choir.
Her boys’ activities – backyard baseball, organized baseball and football, late-night basketball, motorcycles, illegal drag racing, illegal fireworks (purchased and homemade) – seemed to prepare her for her long-time volunteer work with the Kairos Prison Ministry program at the Nevada Men’s and Women’s prisons in Carson City and Lovelock. She also served many years on the Board of Directors of Kairos, where she became known as “The Strawberry Lady” because of the ritual of hand-feeding food to the Kairos participants at each event, much like Jesus did. She also served on the Board of Directors of The Ridge House, a half-way house for former inmates re-entering society, and participated, with Orin, in the renovations to The Ridge House’s facilities.
Once all the boys moved out of the house for the last time, she and Orin began traveling, first in a small motorhome, then on organized tours. They visited many of the National Parks in the western US, rode trains, cruised to Alaska, and saw baseball games at nearly every Major League ballpark west of Texas. She and Orin were an important part of their grandchildren’s lives, providing guidance, care, and love, and setting a positive example. She baked lots of cookies to enjoy together. She was always willing to lend a compassionate ear for problems big and small. She maintained a warm and comforting home ready for after school snacks, homework, and the occasional puzzle. She made everyone in the room feel like family, including her great grand dogs Camus and Toasty. She was loved and looked after by her neighbors, who dubbed her the “Mayorette of California Avenue” after the passing of “Mayor” Orin. Everyone she knew loved and adored her; she will be missed.
Alice was predeceased by her parents, all her siblings (Sarah, Charles, Mary, and Bill), her husband Orin, and infant daughter Karen Jean. She is survived by her three sons – Charles, Michael, and Russell – two grandchildren: Alexander and Katryna, and granddaughter-in-law Kyra. She is also survived by her New Jersey family: sister-in-law Bonnie, nieces Sally and Karen, nephew Billy, and their families. She is also survived by her many loving friends in the Kairos community.
At Alice’s request you are encouraged to donate to any of the following organizations in her memory:
First United Methodist Church, 209 W. First Street, Reno, NV 89501
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1660 Grandview Avenue, Reno, NV 89503
Episcopal Diocese of Nevada/Kairos Prison Ministry, 2621 Brookside Way, Carson City, NV 89701
The Ridge House, 900 W. First Street, Suite 200, Reno, NV 89503
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, 2680 East Ninth Street, Reno, NV 89512
And of course, eat lots of strawberries.

All-Church Retreat at Lake Tahoe!
2023-04-28 18:00 - 2023-04-30 11:00 | Zephyr Point Conference Center
Beginning Friday evening, April 28, and ending Sunday, April 30, join the whole church family (kids, adults, elders, families, singles, and everyone all together!) at Zephyr Point Conference Center for a wonderful time! We’ll enjoy the beauties of nature, cook, eat, sing, and pray together, reflect on our lives and our faith, and just have a ton of fun! Lots of time to explore on your own or join with groups to hike, swim, or just hang out on the front porch of your cabin and take in the view of snow-capped mountains ringing the most beautiful lake in the world…. not that we’re biased. Registration closes April 9, 2023, so sign up now!!!

Service Project: "Charlie Bag" Construction
2023-04-23 11:00 - 12:30 | Fellowship Hall, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501
Our youth have been dreaming, planning, and preparing to lead the entire congregation in the construction of 500 Charlie Bags. Charlie bags contain basic hygiene items, a meal, water, a list of resources available, a kind note, and seasonal items (sunscreen, warm hat and gloves, etc). Come and construct a couple yourself, and keep one in your car to help someone you might see in need in the community!

Interfaith Ramadan Iftar Dinner
2023-04-19 18:30 - 20:30 | Fellowship Hall, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501
Breaking bread together is an important part of every religious tradition, and celebrates our shared humanity and our particular diversities. Iftar is the fast-breaking meal observed each evening at sundown during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Iftar dinner is an opportunity for the whole community to join our Muslim friends for an evening meal as they break their Ramadan fast. The evening includes a traditional Middle Eastern – Turkish meal provided by our Muslim friends, along with presentations by both Christian and Muslim religious leaders. We will build relationships, get to know one another better, and learn more about one another as we share a delicious meal!
**MUST SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME — CONTACT THE OFFICE**

Easter Sunday
2023-04-09 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
Come and join together as we celebrate the life that transcends death, calling us to truer, more loving, more just ways of being in the world! We will sing, tell stories, pray, celebrate, and of course, hide eggs all over the church for the young and young at heart. Services in English are at 8:15am and 10:00am, and in Tongan at 1:00pm.

Good Friday
2023-04-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
What makes this day so “good” when something so horrible happened in Jesus’ brutal execution? It’s an excellent question. Join us for a quiet reflection service that will ground us in God’s presence with us, even and most especially in the worst of times. We believe God’s love in Jesus extends and transcends far beyond any of our own selfishness, fear, isolation, bad decisions, and abuse. So even though the execution of Jesus is not something we are proud of, Jesus’s choice to live in ultimate solidarity with the last and the least valued in his society, and the grace God extends as Jesus forgives people even from the cross offers us both forgiveness and the challenge to forgive, both love and the challenge to love, both peace and the challenge to extend peace through justice and compassion in the world is something to be proud of.

Maundy Thursday
2023-04-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Sanctuary, 209 West First Street, Reno, NV, 89501, United States
Join us for a time of reflection to remember Jesus’ Greatest Commandment: Love one another. Maundy comes from the same root as “mandate” — Jesus never told us to love our religion, our politics, our country, our opinions, or our preferences…. Jesus just told us to love God and one another. That’s the mandate!

Palm Sunday
2023-04-02
Join us for worship at 8:15am or 10am in English (or 1pm in Tongan) for communion, singing, telling the stories of Jesus, and beginning Holy Week with reflection and connection.

Youth Group - Destination Unknown!
2023-03-26 11:30 - 13:30
Kids in grades 6-12 are welcome to join us on a mystery road trip to an undisclosed location where we’ll talk about life, faith, and nonsense with Pastor Kris and Pastor Susan.
