Join FUMC Sunday at 10am, Native Grace at 2:00pm
First UMC of Cortez: Our Story
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors
First UMC has a long history in Cortez. Our first building was erected in 1904 on the corners of First and Beech Streets. In 1968, we moved to our current location and expanded our service outreach to the community. As a member of the United Methodist Church, we are affiliated with the second largest mainline Protestant denomination in the country which has about 5 million members.
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Our local church, however, is comprised of a small, neighborly community of about 100 members.
Our Founders
John Wesley was an Anglican clergyman and evangelist, who with his brother Charles, founded the Methodist movement in England in the 18th century. Together, they worked in the United States to share their ideas on “holiness of heart and life.”
What makes us unique?
Our collaboration with Native Grace Intertribal Fellowship,
a ministry of the United Methodist Church comprised of
Navajo (Diné) families who are our partners in mission.
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Our service outreach
Methodist Thrift Shop – providing affordable shopping options;
Hope’s Kitchen – providing meals to those who are hungry;
Children’s Enrichment Program – providing a Christian-guided Pre-K program for local families and their children;
Native Grace Relief Projects – offering support to our Native American friends during and after the COVID pandemic and
UMCOR Disaster Response – providing assistance to those impacted by disasters within the United States.
Our church in Cortez comes alive through friendships - those feel-good relationships that sustain and strengthen our ties with one another and our community. Since the pandemic, we know there are many people who are alone and hurting. We are here to provide spiritual support, prayers, acceptance and love
Who are we?
"A United Methodist is someone who puts faith and love into action. We believe that God loves all people, and that we share in expressing that love. So the United Methodist tradition emphasizes God's grace and serving others. We believe that Jesus Christ is the fullest expression of God's love - showing us the fullness of God's care through Jesus' teachings, death and resurrection."
- From UMC.org
to anyone who crosses our path.
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One thing we will not do: Tell you how to think or what to believe. The Methodist approach to faith is one of discovery, prayer and study. Following the teachings of Jesus, and his life and ministry, we invite spiritual seekers to examine their beliefs and grow in relationship to God through sacred practices such as meditation, lectio divina, labyrinth walks and other grace-filled moments. Faith also comes alive in the presence of others, nurtured through deep conversation and reflection.
Our Faith
"Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God." - John Wesley
We also know that when we put our faith in motion by the simple
act of serving others, we become witnesses to God's grace.
That's where our power lies. Besides, it's a lot of fun. We invite
you to serve alongside us HERE.
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For more information about what Methodists believe,
click HERE.
Our Staff
Pastor: Rev. Kim Schultz
Cell: 970-403-5646; cortezfumcpastor@gmail.com
Communications/Administration Assistant: Sadie Waala
Methodist Thrift Shop Managers: Julie Gonzales, Rena Kensworthy
Hope's Kitchen Director: Pat Downey
Treasurer: Remetha Gustafson