How early should I arrive?
Just plan to arrive a few minutes early. You should have no problem finding a parking place or a seat in our worship venues. (And there is overflow space available for the 9:30 Gathering service.)
What if I arrive late?
Please don’t worry if you’re late – it happens to all of us sometimes! In any of the services, there will be ushers to help you find a seat.
What should I wear?
We certainly don’t have a dress code, but it can be good to know what to expect when you arrive. We invite members and visitors who attend our Sunday services to dress in a way that makes them feel comfortable at church. (Some choose to wear suits or dresses. Others wear jeans. Most people fall somewhere in the middle.) Please feel welcome to come just as you are — we are always honored to have you as our guest.
Can I visit any adult Sunday School classes? Do I just show up?
Yes! You are welcome to try any and all of our Sunday School Classes! Descriptions of the classes and their locations are available on the Adult Sunday School page, and teachers and topics for the coming Sunday are published each week in our FUMCFW Weekly Enews.
On our adult Sunday School page, you will notice that there are primary contacts listed for our Sunday School classes. Please feel free to email them if you’d like to have information about the class — and if you’d like, you can let them know you plan to visit — but know that you are always welcome to just show up!
Do you have accommodations for sight/hearing impaired?
Yes!If you are hearing impaired, our Sanctuary is equipped with a robust hearing assistance system. Hearing devices are available for checkout in the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings for use with your own earbuds, our over-ear headphones, or if you have a telecoil (T-Coil) system, it will wirelessly connect with your own personal hearing device.
If you experience any difficulties upon first-time use of our hearing devices, please check with your audiologist to make sure your device is loop compatible.
Large print bulletins are available in the narthex.
Do you have accommodations for anyone with mobility issues?
It can be a challenge to find accessibility in a 1929 Gothic Revival building, but thanks to the hard work of our FUMCFW Accessibility Task Force, our church has made great strides in becoming more accessible to people with mobility challenges. FUMCFW accessibility features include:
- Wheelchair seating that intercepts two rows of pews, designed to offer both easy access for wheelchair users and a place within the congregational seating for wheelchair users and their companions to sit together
- Reserved accessible seating where many as four wheelchairs users can now sit comfortably within our congregational seating, with a brightly-colored edge along the corners of the spaces as a safety feature to help prevent tripping over the raised areas
- Handrails affixed to the ends of the pews in the lower balcony now offer help in navigating uneven steps safely
- Choir loft handrails provide choir members with mobility challenges safe passage to even the top rows of choir loft seating
- Complimentary Valet Parking on 5th Street provides easy access to our Garden courtyard
- Ramp entrances are available from the Garden courtyard for easy access into the Sanctuary, Wesley Hall, Welcome Center, and first floor including classrooms, common areas, and restrooms
- Elevators (at both east and west ends) provide access to second and third floor classrooms.
- Accessible restrooms on the first floor and tall toilet accessible restrooms on all floors also help increase the accessibility of all our spaces.
When do I stand during worship?
In the Sanctuary Services, an asterisk in the worship bulletin will show you those times during the service when you’re invited to stand. In The Gathering and eleven:eleven services, the pastor will ask everyone to stand when appropriate.
What do I do when the offering plates are passed?
Offering plates are passed during our Time of Giving during each worship service. You may notice some members dropping cash or checks in the plates as they go by; other may contribute online, so no need to worry if you want to just pass the plate on!
While we always appreciate financial contributions from our guests as a show of appreciation, we see giving by our members as a spiritual discipline. And, even if you’re not a member, but consider FUMCFW your church home, please prayerfully consider giving to our church by check or cash during the service, or by setting up an online giving account.
Can I take communion?
In the United Methodist Church, all are welcome at the Lord’s Table, regardless of denominational affiliation, church membership, or belief. All are welcome to experience the gift of grace offered to us through Jesus Christ.
In the Sanctuary and the eleven:eleven services, we celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month. In The Gathering and DiscipleChurch services, we celebrate Communion every Sunday. We also offer a brief but beautiful Communion Service every week between services in Leonard Memorial Chapel.
Do I have to join your church?
No, you do not have to join to attend our church — even regularly! FUMCFW Membership is a choice and commitment you are welcome to make when the time is right for you.
Our Pastries with the Pastors event on the 3rd Sunday of each month offers a great opportunity to learn about membership expectations at FUMCFW. Or, you can contact Dr. Mike Marshall (mmarshall@myfumc.org | 817-339-2409) or Lisa Helm (lhelm@myfumc.org | 817-339-2403). The would be happy to meet with you at your convenience to answer any questions you may have.
Please know, whether you are a member or not, you are always welcome to worship among us, participate in any of our activities, and attend any of our classes or group activities!
