A Methodist Presence on Kanner Highway
First United Methodist Church of Stuart sits along South Kanner Highway in Stuart, just minutes from the heart of Martin County's seat on Florida's Treasure Coast. The church is part of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and is led by Rev. Dr. Dwayne J. Craig, an ordained elder who previously served churches in Florida and Illinois and holds degrees from Bethune-Cookman, Duke, Garrett-Evangelical, and Emory. Beyond Sunday worship, FUMC Stuart is known in the community for three things that set its ministry apart: a long-running preschool, a children's program called FUMC Stuart Kids, and a hands-on outreach effort through Manna Kitchen and the Mission House.
Two Services, Two Styles
On Sunday mornings, the church offers two services under one roof so that families and longtime members can worship side by side.
The 9:30 AM contemporary service is a relaxed, family-friendly gathering shaped by the Praise Band. Music ranges from acoustic to rock, soul, and gospel, and the atmosphere is described as creative and Spirit-led. During this service, children in VPK through fifth grade are dismissed after the Children's Moment for crafts, games, and Bible lessons, while infants through Pre-K gather in Clubhouse for play and Bible stories.
The 11:00 AM traditional service leans into the church's Methodist heritage with hymns and varied choruses, often led and accompanied by the Celebration Choir and occasionally the Brass Ensemble. The choir is joined by the Wesley Ringers handbell ensemble and the FUMC Dancers, both of which serve across the worship schedule.
Coffee, goodies, and conversation are available from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at a Meet and Greet table in front of the church entrance, and a nursery is offered for infants through four-year-olds at both services. Services typically last about an hour.
Horizon Youth Ministries
Middle and high school students have their own corner of the church through Horizon Youth Ministries, led by Director Shelby Halsom. The program's weekly rhythm centers on a Sunday night gathering from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, where students worship together, hear messages aimed at their stage of life, and break into small groups organized by current grade and gender. Horizon's heartbeat is summed up in four words: Find, Grow, Discover, and Make a Difference. Students feed the homeless, take mission trips (including a recent coffee-farm tour in Costa Rica), and plug into service projects both inside and outside the church. Halsom grew up in Lakeland and studied Religion with a focus in Youth Ministry at Florida Southern College; she uses her own love of singing to lead worship.
FUMC Stuart Kids
Children's Ministry Director Catherine Ellis oversees FUMC Stuart Kids, a program for infants through fifth grade that uses both large and small group settings to introduce children to the love of Jesus. The ministry partners with parents and guardians to help children grow in relationship with God, discover their gifts, and learn to serve others. On Sunday mornings, Clubhouse welcomes infants through Pre-K at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services, while older elementary children join a separate class during the 9:30 service. The ministry also maintains a presence on Facebook at fumcstuartkids.
First United Methodist Preschool
Sharing the campus is the First United Methodist Preschool, commonly called FUMPS. Directed by Amanda Landry, the preschool ministers to whole families rather than just children, and frames daily life around the truth that God is the source of all life and communicates His love through Jesus Christ. Children of any race, religion, or creed are welcome once they turn two. Instruction uses the Conscious Discipline approach, a research-based framework for building social-emotional skills, and balances active and quiet, indoor and outdoor, and teacher-led and self-directed time.
FUMPS offers all-day, morning, and extended-day programs in two-, three-, and five-day options, with a separate VPK-only private pay track. Enrichments are built into the week, including a Wednesday visit from musician Mr. Brian, Tippi Toes Dance (a blend of ballet, tap, and jazz), and Ignite Sports Florida soccer during summer and fall sessions.
Manna Kitchen and the Mission House
If there is a single thread that ties the congregation to the wider Stuart community, it is the church's outreach work. Every Tuesday evening from 4:30 to 5:30 PM, Manna Kitchen serves a free hot meal to anyone who comes through the door. Guests leave with a meal and often with bread, clothing, and small household items. Volunteers are always needed to plate food and sit with guests.
Just behind the main church buildings sits a small house known as the Mission House, open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to noon. A Caring Ministry Team uses the Mission House to provide food, clothing, and medical equipment to families inside the church and across Stuart. Anyone who needs help, or who wants to volunteer, can call 772-781-0223.
Adult Small Groups
Adults at FUMC Stuart have many ways to dig deeper beyond Sunday morning. Three Sunday school classes meet before or between the services: Pathfinders and Bellringers at 9:30 AM (in Rooms 2 and 1 respectively), and Closer Walk at 10:45 AM in Room 1. Six weekly small groups meet throughout the week, including a Men's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 AM in the Wesley Room, a women's group, and several mixed gatherings. Director of Fellowship Dee Blount, who has been on staff in various roles since 1988, helps newcomers find a group that fits.
Worship Arts
The worship ministry is built around five teams: the Celebration Choir, the Praise Band, the Wesley Ringers, the Brass Ensemble, and the FUMC Dancers. Minister of Music Dr. Tom Green has directed worship since 2015 and holds degrees in music performance and organizational psychology. He can be reached at tom@stuartfumc.org for anyone interested in joining a music or arts team.
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral
The church teaches from what John Wesley called the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, a four-sided framework for theological thinking. Scripture is the sole and final source of understanding. Christian tradition, especially the early church creeds, is valued insofar as it lines up with Scripture. Reason serves faith as a tool for understanding God's will. And personal experience, particularly the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, is essential for living out what is believed.
Joining and Staying Connected
Anyone curious about becoming a member can attend "Java with Jeff," a monthly meet-and-greet held with Pastor Jeff and staff after each service. Recorded services are posted to the church's YouTube channel, and the 9:30 and 11:00 AM services are livestreamed on the church's Facebook page. Giving is accepted online, by text (text STUARTFUMC and the amount to 73256), through a bank's bill pay service, by mail to PO Box 539, Stuart, FL 34995, or in person via the offering box.