Finding your place

Looking to take the next step beyond worship? You are in the right place! To help you know what to expect, we divvy up our adult opportunities into two experiences: Core Small Groups and Seasonal Classes. Our Core Groups open twice a year (January and September) for new participants. Want to know the differences between Core Groups and Seasonal Classes? Click here. Check out the open opportunities below and if you need help, please give Rev. Tania Dozeman a call at 616-422-4316 or send her a message. email 

Video Description

Opportunities for you to join now!


  • Seasonal Experience

    Church of the wild at the outdoor discovery  Center

    Sundays 5-5:30 pm July 10-august 28

    Love nature? We do too!  We are a small group of contemplative souls who desire to worship God in God's most beautiful cathedral: Creation. We see God revealing God's self in nature and care deeply about the natural world. 

    Victoria Loorz, author of the book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred says it best, "When we gather as wild churches-among the cedar trees, oak groves, city parks, or desert shade-we are entering into a relationship with our place. We are expanding our experience of prayer, and we are also learning how and why Jesus went into the mountain to do it. There is an unmediated presence of God that can only be experienced outside the human constructs of civilization when we enter into a reverent relationship with the natural world."

    Sound good? Click here for the nitty-gritty details and to register. 

  • Seasonal Experience

    Women. Wednesdays. Water.

    Every other Wednesday 7:30-8:30 pm July 6-august at the Holland State Park Beach

    Living an imperfect life? Yep, join the club! Meet up with women in the same place that you are: living a life in faith and doing the best they can while supporting one another on the journey. We will be reading Kate Bowler's devotional book Good Enough.

    Real talk without problem-solving or toxic positivity. Each time that we meet we will have discussion questions to guide us, a time of conversation during which you can participate as little or as much as you would like, and a time of prayer. Want to know more? Click here.

  • Seasonal Experience

    Cofee. Courtyard. Christ. 

    Sundays July 10 -August 21 9:30-10:30 in the courtyard

    Yes, you read that correctly! Coffee is coming back to First UMC! (And tea, and water, and perhaps lemonade a time or two.)

    AND, as an added bonus, on Sundays in July from 9:30-10:30 am the clergy want to talk life and faith with you! Join us as we sip and chat in a loosely designed casual conversation experience. We will use our current sermon series as fuel for the conversational fire. 

    What do you need to do? Scrounge around in your cupboard for a silly mug you are ready to part with. Come ready to share its story and bless it for its new journey as part of our eclectic coffee cup collection. To sign up to let us know you are coming, register here.

  • Seasonal Experience

    Pub Theology

    Wednesdays at 7, July 13-August 24 at Tulipcity Brewstillery

    Got Questions? Trying to figure out how to be a Christian in this complex world? Join Rev. Brad and a few other guys for a beverage and for real talk about your very real life! Gatherings will take place at Tulip City Brewstillery. And as an added bonus, almost always Spice Boys Taco Truck is there too if you need a little dinner to go with the conversation. Click here to register.

  • Core Group

    Core over Coffee

    Thursdays july 14-August 18 at 9:30-10:45 am here at First UMC

    Join Rev. LuAnne and this group of women for a cup of coffee and conversation centered in the prior Sunday's scripture and message. Come ready to discuss, share life, pray for one another, and to enjoy fellowship centered in faith. Click here to sign up and let her know you are coming!

  • United Methodist Women Circles

    Seeking a community of women striving to know God, developing a creative and supportive fellowship, and participate in mission through the global ministries of the UMC? We invite you to join one of our circles! Our three groups meet monthly. Hope (meets at noon), Joy (afternoon) and Faith (evening) look forward to meeting you! For more information please contact Nelda McCrocklin at neldamcc@aol.com or 616-994-6381.

  • Seasonal Experience

    Women's Retreat at Lake Louise

    September 16-18, 2022

    Ready to embrace the rest and renewal that can be found in God's beautiful creation this fall? Join a group of wonderful women up at Lake Louise for a time intentionally focused on supporting and encouraging one another as we take a set-aside sabbath together. Click here to learn more and to register. 

  • seasonal experience

    Winter Fun at Lake Louise

    February 10-12, 2023

    Bring your favorite people: family, friends, or loved ones for a weekend of all things winter fun at and around Lake Louise. The days are on your own and in the evenings we will gather for some fun and low-key programming fireside. Think youth group kind of experience with a wide array of ages! Sound good? Click here to register and to learn more about this experience!