You are invited on a holy pilgrimage to honor the legacy and celebrate the birthday of Dr. Howard Thurman on Monday, November 18, 2024.

• Schedule a tour of the Thurman home at 10am, 11am, or 2:30pm

• Attend a special program featuring Dr. Kenyatta R. Gilbert - Dean of the School of Divinity at Howard University - as the keynote speaker from 12pm to 1:30pm

• Stay for a lunch and discussion afterwards from 1:30pm to 2:30pm to further explore the impacts of Thurman's work and how we can continue it today. 

  
  The Thurman Home is located at 614 Whitehall St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114.
  
  The program and luncheon will be held at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church located at 317 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. There will be a livestream option available for the keynote program.
  
  The cost of lunch is $25.

REGISTER

The Gathering Place is joining FAITH (Fighting Against Injustice Towards Harmony), a bipartisan Interfaith Justice Network in Volusia County on Tuesday November 12th. The current local issues we are addressing are affordable housing and flooding. Let maarmistead@firstunited.org know if you can make it.

The Gathering Place will be installed as an official justice ministry network member, and our hope is to have a BIG representation from our church community!

It's the cutest Sunday of the year!

Join us for outdoor worship on Sunday November 3rd at 10am. Make sure to bring a lawn chair and bring your leashed pet or a picture/memento of deceased or living pet who may not like crowds!

Treats, water bowls, & waste baggies will be available.

On Sunday October 27th, we encourage you to bring in a photo of a loved one who has passed in honor of All Saints Day to place on the altar. All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith.

Join us at One Daytona’s Trunk or Treat! Sign up to Volunteer at the TGP Booth at One Daytona’s Trunk or Treat on Saturday October 26th from 4-8pm. Email marmistead@firstunited.org to help!

We are collecting candy until then!

Thursday, October 24, 2024

5:00 PM 7:30 PM

First United Methodist Church is located: 336 South Halifax Drive Ormond Beach, FL, 32176

The proven way to improve literacy in children is simply reading aloud with them. We are recruiting volunteers to read with 2nd and 3rd grade students at our partner school, Westside Elementary.

Join us on Tuesday October 15th from 3-5pm for Read Aloud with Partner Training and Child & Youth Protection Training. ALL volunteers are required to be CYP trained and receive a background check.

Email beckypittard@gmail.com for more information and to sign up! Training is located in the Westside Media Center.

Sunday, October 13, 2024
9:00 AM 11:00 AM

The Gathering Place turns 3! We’re having outdoor worship at Central Park in Ormond Beach! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy family-friendly games, food, and powerful worship!

Located: Central Park II
601 Hammock Ln, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Saturday September 21, 2024

9am-11am

Located: Sun Splash Park

611 South Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32118

SIGN UP

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

11:00 AM 12:00 PM

First United Methodist Church

336 South Halifax Drive Ormond Beach, FL, 32176 United States

Studying Scripture is one of the ways we know more about God and the story of God's people. On August 18th, we are going to be presenting Bibles to students 3rd grade and up! If you would like make sure your child/grandchild gets a bible, email aarmistead@firstunited.org or text at 954-292-3664.

We're excited to celebrate the next step in your student's faith journey!

On August 8th we are serving breakfast to the wonderful teachers and staff at Westside Elementary School on their first week back from summer vacation. We need about 2-4 volunteers to donate breakfast items and/or serve breakfast that morning. Email aarmistead@firstunited.org if you're interested in serving!

Fun gatherings once a month in June, July, and August. Our LGBTQ+ Bible Study will resume in September.

Men of all ages and stages - we’ll see you at the Foundry on Sunday June 23 at 6:30pm for our Guys Group kickoff!

Sign Up!

Sunday, June 9, 2024

9:00 AM 11:00 AM

What makes The Gathering Place unique is our commitment to gathering differently. We understand that there are many people who would never step foot in a traditional church building, but are still longing for hope and belonging.

Kayaks & Communion is the chance to experience the beauty of God's creation IN God's creation. The church doesn't have to look like a building with steeples and pews. Sometimes it looks like a group of folks wanting to learn more about Jesus on kayaks, paddle boards, and pontoon boats.

Join us Sunday June 9th, 2024 at 9am at Tomoka Outpost. Kayaks & Canoes available for rental OR ride on a pontoon boat (free, but space is limited). Click the link to sign up and for more info:

SIGN UP

We believe that everyone who connects with The Gathering Place in any way is already a part of what God's doing among us. God’s prevenient grace makes that possible, and the invitation is already there. But Partnership necessitates a response. It’s never one-sided. Think of it this way: The Gathering has already said, “You’re a part of this.” This is your chance to respond, “I am a part of this” in word and action. Are you all in?

On June 2nd, we are giving you an opportunity to join The First United Family in an official way, by joining the church. You are making a statement that you will support The Gathering Place with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness to help grow this abundant community. To make the first step, click the link below.

JOIN THE CHURCH

Join us immediately after worship on Sunday May 26th for a Town Hall to keep informed about what's going on at The Gathering Place. Updates will be given about Williamson Property, Summer programming for youth and kids, Read Aloud with Partners, Financial report, and more.

Join us on May 22 at 6:30pm for a Daytona Tortugas game! Tickets are $10 per person which includes all you can eat hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, and Little Caesar’s pizza.

Sunday May 19th 10am at First United Methodist Ormond Beach

We will be worshipping as a First United Family on Sunday May 19th. Florida's Bishop Tom Berlin will be leading us in worship. Lite refreshments and Q&A after worship.

Located: 336 S. Halifax Dr. Ormond Beach, FL 32114

Guys’ Group is playing pickleball at Pictona Saturday May 11 from 9am-12pm. $12 per player

If you have paddles/pickleballs please bring them! We should have enough to borrow without renting, but if you need to rent paddles are $5 for the day.

SIGN UP

Volusia & Flagler Counties are in need for more Foster families and emergency placements. Do you feel a tug on your heart to serve children in temporary need of a safe shelter? Join us on May 2nd from 6:30-8pm for an Information Session with Neighbor to Family, an organization that is intentional about keeping siblings together and reunifying families.

They will provide information about:

• Emergency Placements

• Sibling Care

• Monthly stipends for foster families

SIGN UP

What makes The Gathering Place unique is our commitment to gathering differently. We understand that there are many people who would never step foot in a traditional church building, but are still longing for hope and belonging.

Kayaks & Communion is the chance to experience the beauty of God's creation IN God's creation. The church doesn't have to look like a building with steeples and pews. Sometimes it looks like a group of folks wanting to learn more about Jesus on kayaks, paddle boards, and pontoon boats.

Join us Sunday April 21, 2024 at 9am at Tomoka Outpost. Kayaks & Canoes available for rental OR ride on a pontoon boat (free, but space is limited). Click the link to sign up and for more info:

SIGN UP

Join us on Sunday March 31st to experience new hope! We have 3 opportunities to connect this Easter:

Easter Sunrise Service with First United: 6:30am at Cardinal Approach Ormond Beach

Classic Hymns: 8:30am at 728 Fentress Blvd Daytona Beach

Modern Worship: 10:30am at 728 Fentress Blvd Daytona Beach

Friday, March 29, 2024

6:30 PM 7:30 PM

336 South Halifax Drive

Ormond Beach, Florida 32176 United States

Maundy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. It's when he not only commanded us to love one another, but showed us how to do it. He humbled himself and washed his friend's feet. In the spirit of loving abundantly, The Gathering Place is spending Maundy Thursday serving a meal to our neighbors at the Barracks of Hope now located at: 962 Derbyshire Rd, Daytona Beach, FL 32117

We will be serving approximately 20 residents and eating WITH them.

Please Sign up for a dish/ingredient and plan to arrive at 4:30 for meal set up with your portion already prepared. Dinner will be served at 5pm.

SIGN UP

Join us on Sunday March 24 for an interactive prayer experience! 10am-11:15am

We will have several different prayer stations for all ages to participate in that help us journey through Holy Week. This is an opportunity to center your heart on why this week is so important to our faith. Our prayer is that you will find this meaningful and helpful for your spiritual life.

There will still be music, a brief message, and communion. Bring your family or some friends. We hope to see you there!

Join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt at Westside Elementary! Saturday, March 23 from 1pm-3pm. We will have age-level egg hunts, inflatables, crafts, snacks, and more!