But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
Tucker First UMC is an Acts 1:8 church, which means the church has pledged to follow the outline of the Bible verse and craft our mission program, finances, and witness based on those words.
Tucker First UMC is an Acts 1:8 church, which means the church has pledged to follow the outline of the Bible verse and craft our mission program, finances, and witness based on those words.
| Highlights of Faithfulness (May 2019-May 2020) |
FAITH PROMISE
Our mission programs are funded through a special campaign initiative called, Faith Promise. By pledging your gift to this program, your pledge enables our mission ministry to expand the mission of the church. If you would like to make a pledge to Faith Promise, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for a mission group, please email missions@tfumc.org.
Our mission programs are funded through a special campaign initiative called, Faith Promise. By pledging your gift to this program, your pledge enables our mission ministry to expand the mission of the church. If you would like to make a pledge to Faith Promise, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for a mission group, please email missions@tfumc.org.
Urgent Need for Shelter Volunteers
Our cold weather shelter, which operates out of our Activities Center, is in desperate need of additional men and women volunteers for overnight volunteers. We have had a great need for the shelter in December and January and our volunteer numbers are getting thin. Due to the pandemic, several of our regular volunteers are unable to serve. Tucker First is in desperate need of men and women to serve as overnight volunteers. To volunteer, please contact Charlie Lester at charlestlester@comcast.net or 404-694-3028.
2021 NETWorks Cooperative Ministry Volunteers & Donations needed.
NETWorks continues their all outdoor distribution with pre-packed bags of grocery items in 2021. Hours remain Wednesday/Friday/Saturday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Volunteers from low risk groups are needed to help pack and distribute bags of groceries. No experience necessary; training will be provided.
To Pack Bags of Groceries (indoors) (T/W/F): https://signup.com/go/JxnaBSa
To Help Distribute Bagged Groceries (outdoors) (W/F/Sat): https://signup.com/go/rHghEeD
You must sign-up in advance to volunteer; walk-in volunteers will be unable to serve as NETWorks is closely managing volunteer numbers to maintain social distancing.
NETWorks continues their all outdoor distribution with pre-packed bags of grocery items in 2021. Hours remain Wednesday/Friday/Saturday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Volunteers from low risk groups are needed to help pack and distribute bags of groceries. No experience necessary; training will be provided.
To Pack Bags of Groceries (indoors) (T/W/F): https://signup.com/go/JxnaBSa
To Help Distribute Bagged Groceries (outdoors) (W/F/Sat): https://signup.com/go/rHghEeD
You must sign-up in advance to volunteer; walk-in volunteers will be unable to serve as NETWorks is closely managing volunteer numbers to maintain social distancing.
Jerusalem was the city where the disciples were when Jesus gave them the Acts 1:8 command. Our witness to Jesus Christ and His saving power begins at home in Tucker, GA and DeKalb County, GA. We are tell our friends and neighbors about Jesus. We are to seek to meet the needs of people and minister in Jesus’ name.
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American Red Cross – Tucker First hosts monthly blood drives each year for the American Red Cross. In 2020, the church was asked to host additional blood drives due to the pandemic. To date in 2020, the drive have collected over 475 pints. Blood donors and check-in volunteers are always needed for the blood drives.
American Red Cross Blood Drive | Thursday, March 11 | 2:00 – 7:00 pm. Blood donors can sign up at http://redcrossblood.org and use site code TUCK1UMC. Volunteers are also needed to help with the blood drive. You can sign up at https://tinyurl.com/blooddrivevols. Deliver SuperPaks to Area Children. | Tucker First is committed to help Action Ministries distribute Friday Super Packs to children in three locations. These bags contain much appreciated, non-perishable items. Our mission team delivers to Tucker Mobile Homes, and the Springdale Glen and Stanford Oaks Apartments.
On Fridays, volunteers pick up bags at the Tucker First Activities Center at 3:30 pm to hand out at each location between 4:00-4:30 pm. To sign up to deliver the Super Packs, please go to https://tinyurl.com/SuperPaks. Please note the tabs at the top of the sign-up for each of the three locations. Questions? Contact Robin Pounds, robinpounds631@gmail.com or 404-918-0069. 
Great Day of Service | Do Something September -Annually, the church gathers for one large, single day missional outreach to our community. Due to pandemic, the program was changed to Do Something September for 2020. Look for 2021 Great Day of Service news this Fall.
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Children First is an initiative to focus our mission efforts on the children of the Tucker community.
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English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)ESOL Registration 2021 – This ministry helps people learn the English language. The current ESOL program is being done online due to the pandemic (click the heading to register). When this ministry does meet in person, volunteers are needed for registration and childcare one night a week. In 2019, the program added a Sunday morning Sunday School class.
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N.E.T Food Pantry- Located in the Tucker Recreation Center, the N.E.T. Food Pantry is an ecumenical outreach of area churches from Northlake, Embry Hills, and Tucker and provide a three-day emergency food supply to families or persons in need. Tucker First stocks a pantry item (spaghetti and sauce) and provides volunteers to staff the pantry one month a year. This food pantry started many years ago in the basement of Tucker First UMC. Spaghetti noodles and sauce contributions can be dropped off in the community room.
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NETWorks Cooperative Ministry -A cooperative of churches in Northlake, Embry Hills, and Tucker. The ministry provides food, financial education, and financial assistance to people in our area living below the poverty level. In addition to supporting the ministry financially, the members of Tucker First serve by packing bags and helping to distribute food. They also help stock the food pantry with donations as well as provide space for NETWorks’ Grocery Alliance (weekly food cooperative) operations. During the pandemic, volunteers are needed more than ever.
Tucker First United Methodist Women-The UMW is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and experience freedom as a whole person through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Our two Tucker First UMW circles participate in the following missions throughout the year:
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Tucker First
United Methodist Men- Our Men’s Fellowship meets on a weekly basis (currently via Zoom) for discussion and Bible study on Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm. They also assist in service projects for the church and work with youth and children on many outreach activities in the community. Contact Andrew Carlton at acarlton@bellsouth.net for more information.
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Tucker First Music & Arts- This ministry provides free guitar and piano classes to the community. Due to the pandemic, the guitar and piano classes are not being offered this year, but Instructors and assistants are always needed when the classes are in session.
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Tucker Middle School, Tucker, GA- The church hosts an annual teacher appreciation “breakfast break.” This mission outreach is current shut down due to the pandemic.
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Tucker First Youth-During their annual youth week in July, our youth serve many local missions. In 2019, they provided over 400 volunteer hours during youth week.
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Salvation Army Ringers-Every year in December, our church members “ring the bell” for the Salvation Army. This happens at multiple sites in the Tucker community on different days.
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Just Bakery of Atlanta
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church 5140 Memorial Drive, Clarkston, GA https://justbakeryatl.org Just Bakery of Atlanta provides paid job training, professional certification, and living wage work in partnership with our neighbors who resettled as refugees. Tucker First sponsors a pop-up tent for Just Bakery on the first Tuesday of each month in the church parking lot. |
Tucker First UMC Space-The church provides space for additional groups and ministries to gather.
In addition to the above mentioned missions, we have many groups in our church that serve the Tucker area through their ministry. |
Special Offerings – Jerusalem-Through your Faith Promise pledges, Tucker First is able to support the following ministries of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (NGUMC) annually.
NGUMC Bishop’s Offering - Ministrial Education Fund
NGUMC Wellroot Family Services Offering
NGUMC Wesley Woods Offering
NGUMC Bishop’s Offering - Ministrial Education Fund
NGUMC Wellroot Family Services Offering
NGUMC Wesley Woods Offering
Judea was the province where Jerusalem was located. The disciples were to take the message outside the city. We are called to take the message of Christ to the State of Georgia and the southeast region of the United States. It is a large, growing and spiritually lost population. Through our missions efforts we seek to strengthen and encourage the work of the church along with meeting the needs regionally and statewide.
Appalachian Service Project-Appalachian Service Project (ASP) is a Christian home repair ministry through which volunteers repair homes for low-income families in rural Central Appalachia. Construction skills are not required to participate in this mission. Work teams consist of 5-7 adults and most mission trips are three days (Thursday – Saturday). Tucker First normally sends a team in the fall every year. Due to the pandemic, ASP did not accept any mission teams in 2020. You may check out ASP online at www.asphome.org.
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Celebration Singers Youth Choir Tour-Our youth, as music missionaries, spread God’s Word through music to churches and nursing homes annually in June.
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Special Offerings – Judea-Through your Faith Promise pledges, Tucker First is able to support the following ministries of the United Methodist Church (UMC) annually.
UMC Student Offering
UMC United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Offering
UMC Student Offering
UMC United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Offering
Samaria was a neighboring province that many in the early church avoided because they did not know that community or the people were “different.” The call to Samaria reminds us of our responsibility to not just reach people similar to us, but to go further and reach all people with the Gospel. Like the Samaritans of the first century, our *Samaria* may include those who are near to us but different from us economically, racially, spiritually, or culturally.
Cold Weather Shelter at Tucker First UMC-Tucker First operates a cold weather shelter during the winter months when the temperature drops really low. This is the only shelter in the Tucker area and the DeKalb County police work with the church to make sure the shelter is known to the homeless population. This past winter 2019-2020, the shelter was open for ten nights and provided 78 guest night for men and women. The shelter provides a bed, dinner, and breakfast. We have already been open 3 nights in 2021 When the shelter is open for the night, volunteers are needed to provide food and to stay overnight in the shelter.
Trinity Big Bethel House T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) Dinner-Trinity Big Bethel House is a thirty-six bed transitional housing program that serves men who are homeless and disabled and/or in recovery. To these men, the recovery program is a lifeline, providing support services that lead back to employment, personal responsibility, and reunification with their families. Tucker First volunteers provide a meal on the fourth Sunday of every month for the men of Trinity House. Volunteers take the meal to the men and eat with them. Additionally, as the men graduate from the recovery program, Tucker First has established four scholarships for graduates to provide them with the tools to give them a fresh start (textbooks, specialized tools, etc.).
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Trinity Table Community Kitchen-Trinity Table, a soup kitchen, is located in Downtown Atlanta and it is run by Big Bethel AME Church. Tucker First provides a meal for the soup kitchen once a year (soup, sandwiches, cookies, to-go bags) and send a team of volunteers to serve at the soup kitchen. The entire project is a two day effort, the soup is provided by our church members and dropped off at the church on Saturday morning and the sandwiches are created on Saturday morning. The serving team takes all the food down on Sunday (usually in February). Additionally, many times throughout the year, Trinity Kitchen has requested that our church help out with the supplies for to-go bags because the kitchen is shorthanded.
Street Grace
https://www.streetgrace.org Street Grace is a faith-based organization that utilizes evidence-based demand reduction strategies to eradicate the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Tucker First, is just getting started with this organization. In September, the church hosted a “Night of Awareness” Zoom meeting to raise awareness about child trafficking in our community. |
Special Offerings – Samaria-Through your Faith Promise pledges, Tucker First is able to support the following ministries of the United Methodist Church (UMC) or the North Georgia Conference of the UMC (NGUMC) annually.
NGUMC Homeless Offering
NGUMC Murphy-Harpst Children’s Home Offering
UMC Native American Offering
Tucker First United Methodist Women (UMW)-Our UMW, through yearly fundraising, provides financial support for the following Samaria ministries and programs.
Atlanta Mission Day Shelter for Women & Children. Atlanta, GA
Breakthru House, Decatur, GA
Wellspring Living, Atlanta, GA
Murphy-Harpst Children’s Home, Cedartown, GA
NGUMC Homeless Offering
NGUMC Murphy-Harpst Children’s Home Offering
UMC Native American Offering
Tucker First United Methodist Women (UMW)-Our UMW, through yearly fundraising, provides financial support for the following Samaria ministries and programs.
Atlanta Mission Day Shelter for Women & Children. Atlanta, GA
Breakthru House, Decatur, GA
Wellspring Living, Atlanta, GA
Murphy-Harpst Children’s Home, Cedartown, GA
God has given each of us a responsibility for our world coming to know Christ. We are committed to missions around the world. We can give and we can pray in support of those who go into the mission field, but we can also go ourselves. We seek to involve members of our church in our missions’ ministry around the world in personal ways.
Honduras Outreach International
Tucker First sends a group of missionaries to Honduras annually. This mission team work on projects in different villages (e.g. communal fountains, latrines, painting, general repair, etc.). They also offer a Vacation Bible School for the children. Inspired by the adult mission trip, Tucker First sent its first youth missionaries to Honduras in 2019.
Due to the pandemic, the 2021 mission trip was cancelled.
Tucker First sends a group of missionaries to Honduras annually. This mission team work on projects in different villages (e.g. communal fountains, latrines, painting, general repair, etc.). They also offer a Vacation Bible School for the children. Inspired by the adult mission trip, Tucker First sent its first youth missionaries to Honduras in 2019.
Due to the pandemic, the 2021 mission trip was cancelled.
United Methodist Men Bike and Bibles
Through an annual pancake fundraiser, our Tucker First United Methodist Men have raised thousands of dollars for Bikes & Bibles. The primary objective of Bikes and Bibles is to provide utilitarian bicycles and native-language bibles to the poorest pastors in Africa’s poorest areas.
Here is a recent article about the ministry and the efforts of our Tucker First membership - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/motorbikes-keep-pastors-moving-during-covid-19
Through an annual pancake fundraiser, our Tucker First United Methodist Men have raised thousands of dollars for Bikes & Bibles. The primary objective of Bikes and Bibles is to provide utilitarian bicycles and native-language bibles to the poorest pastors in Africa’s poorest areas.
Here is a recent article about the ministry and the efforts of our Tucker First membership - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/motorbikes-keep-pastors-moving-during-covid-19
Our Tucker First Missionaries
Florence Kaying
Florence is a Global Ministries missionary in Mozambique working with women and children. Tucker First, through the UMC General Board of Global Missions, has established a covenant relationship with her. Additionally, our United Methodist Women also support Florence Kaying. You can watch a video about Missionary Kaying here - https://advance.umcmission.org/p-1645-kaying-florence.aspx 
Kathryn Wurst
Kathryn Wurst serves with the Globalscope campus ministry team Unterwegs in Tübingen, Germany. This is the same location and organization that Tyler and Shaynn Crawford have been serving for many years. Tucker First Connection - Kathryn is the granddaughter of Tucker First members, Jim and Gail Cook! The information below is from Kathryn's bio web page. You can also click on her photo for more information about her ministry. Kathryn grew up in a Christian home in the Atlanta area and was a part of the Christian Campus Fellowship (CCF) while a student at Georgia Tech, where she caught a glimpse of how God can use campus ministry to bring people of different backgrounds together to explore faith in a loving community. As a senior, she visited the Globalscope team in Germany and fell in love with Tübingen and the students who are searching for meaning and belonging in a place with few resources for exploring faith. Kathryn enjoys connecting with the students, modeling what it looks like to love Jesus, and helping the community that has been changing students’ lives for the last ten years continue to grow. |
Kabila Mukuni Claude A Mujil
Kabila is a ministerial student attending Katanga Methodist University in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tucker First is sponsoring Kabila and his family while he attends classes at the University. He is 29 years old and has BA in French and African Languages. His wife is Rose Mwange and they have two children, Blanchard Kayemb Ngwej and Catherine Mbind. While on campus at Katanga Methodist University, the children are able to attend school and his wife can enter the Woman’s School that helps her prepare to be a minister’s wife. Kabila is also a rock crusher to help feed his family. The Seminary students are supported through a minimum scholarship of $100 per month which often leaves the families short of food at the end of the month. Kabila is from the South Congo Annual Conference |Galilee/Lumbrumbashi District |Salem/ Kasapa UMC. He is president for intercession for the district and president for evangelism of the local church. Katanga Methodist University was established in 1951 and originally began with the Seminary. It rose to a University in 2002 and now has 900 students. It is located in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The need for seminarians in the Congo is great as the Methodist Church had about 20,000 members in 1950 and now serves 2.6 million today. The seminarians live on campus with their families for two years and can get a PhD in Theology in an additional year. |
Special Offerings –End of the Earth-Through your Faith Promise pledges, Tucker First is able to support the following ministries of the United Methodist Church (UMC).
Katanga University Ministerial Scholarship – Katanga is a United Methodist University
UMC Annual Human Relations Offering
UMC Annual World Communion Offering
Katanga University Ministerial Scholarship – Katanga is a United Methodist University
UMC Annual Human Relations Offering
UMC Annual World Communion Offering