Hospitality and Caring

Church family members are cared for by one another. Whether the need is a casserole or two following surgery or in crisis, lightbulbs changed or fences fixed, a ride to the doctor, or friendly phone calls and notes to remind people they are loved and in our loving thoughts.

Family Kitchen is a community wide ministry providing dinner to anyone who comes, at the First Lutheran Church, the last two weeks of each month. Our congregation is privileged to participate and serve on the last Tuesday.

Kitsap Rescue Mission is a community ministry aimed at assisting the unhoused to get a new and stable start. Our church enjoys supporting this mission not only with cash gifts, but also with donations of coats, shoes, socks, tarps, tents, and more as requested.

Newcomers are most welcome on Sunday morning or any time. Warm greetings are extended, donuts and refreshment are served after worship—and yes they are free! Newcomers are invited to take home a plant as an expression of our good wishes for them.

Sammy’s Place Tutoring and Mentoring provides individual attention and support for Marcus Whitman Middle School students who come to the church on Wednesday afternoons. Following a time of snacks and friendly games with volunteers, students are supported as they do their homework. The kind support of volunteers who believe in the students provide the students a safe place to talk, ask questions, or struggle with personal issues all while knowing they are still welcome.

Severe Weather Shelter is hosted in our building and staffed by volunteers from our congregation and many others from the local community. The shelter is activated, insured, trained, and credentialed by the Kitsap Department of Emergency Management. Volunteers manage the site, host overnight shifts, do laundry and cleaning. Many others deliver coats, shoes, socks, gloves, hats, individually packaged snacks and more to provide good hospitality to our guests

South Kitsap Helpline is our local food bank, supported by our church with cash gifts, donations of garden produce, non-perishable foods, personal hygiene products, household paper and cleaning products, and more. Our special gifts are the Birthday Bags, coordinated by our Women in Mission, that provide a cake mix, frosting, birthday candles, and party items for children being fed by the food bank.

United Methodist Men meet for breakfast once a month and plan projects which include rebuilding homes destroyed by wildfire, minor repairs for congregation members and friends, labor and funding for some church maintenance and upgrade projects and expanding fellowship opportunities for the men of the church.

Women in Mission have a regular schedule of activities and fundraisers that allow them to bless many, including Birthday Bags for Helpline Foodbank, free Upper Room booklets, supporting New Beginnings, and providing financial gifts to numerous area agencies that provide assistance and services for those in need, particularly women and children; coordinating receptions and hosting game nights at church, and finding a few ways for women to have fun together.