Women’s Ministry

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16

United Methodist Women

Franklin First United Methodist Church has an active United Methodist Women’s unit. Women of all ages attend and are encouraged to be a part of this dynamic ministry. The purpose of United Methodist Women is to be a community of women who know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; and to develop a creative, supportive fellowship and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. We belong to a larger group of women from across The United Methodist Church.

There are five circles that women can join to further help them grow and develop in personhood and in mission. Those five circles are:

  • The Lydia Circle meets on the third Tuesday evening of every month at 7:00 p.m. This circle has many women who have older children that either are on their own or are soon to be out of the home.  They are typically in their 40’s and 50’s.  These ladies love to stay busy, have a good laugh and frequently engage in book club reading as well as studies.  This group meets in member’s homes.

Contact: Kerry Blackwood, (615) 790-3448

  • The Mary-Martha Circle meets on the second Sunday of every month in Room B-101. The circle meets at 2:00 p.m. This circle is very active in local missions and is made up of ladies age 50 and over who are retired or close to retirement.  This group loves to share stories, go on outings and work with mission organizations.

Contact: Deborah Brinker, (615) 445-9059

  • The Sewing Circle meets every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the kitchen of the Historic Sanctuary building. You’ll find the matriarchs of the Franklin First UMW circles here.  This is the longest running circle and their main focus is making quilts for the new babies born in the church.

Contact: Barbara McLellan, (615) 599-2546

  • The Susanna Circle meets on the second Friday of every month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the B-212. This circle is for any women of any age.  Many women here have young and school age children. You’ll find the women in Susanna Circle work from home or have flexible working schedules that work well with the day time meetings.

Contact: Angela Overstreet, (615) 614-1205

  • The Sisters Circle is an organized group of women in the Church,  building  a strong supportive sisterhood in Christ.  We are an eclectic group of spirit-filled women in our 40’s-50’s and beyond. Meetings are the fourth Monday evenings of each month from 6:30-8:00p.m. in room B-210.  Our  meetings  include, devotions, engaging life discussion, prayer, UMW program presentations and book study, business and mission focus.  We focus on social gatherings as well.  It’s a come as you are, sharing, stress free time together.  The organization of our group is dedicated to the memory of our beloved, fellow sister, Robin Altshuler.  All women are welcome!

Contact: Kay Matthews, (615) 790-6579

There are yearly and quarterly events of the UMW that take place at our church such as the Annual Birthday Luncheon in which all women of the church are invited to share lunch together, celebrate their birthdays, and hear a dynamic speaker. A mission study is also given each year.

At Franklin First UMC all women are invited to attend and be a part of this dynamic, mission-minded, and spiritually growing group of women. For information about the entire UMW unit and its activities and events, please contact Amy Martin at (615) 790-9514.