Just south of the Ohio River, on the eastern edge of Newburgh, Indiana, Newburgh United Methodist Church sits along Highway 261 and serves as both a place of worship and a steady resource for families across Warrick County. Members and neighbors know the church for its Sunday morning gathering, its Monday food pantry, and a recreation ministry that fills the gym nearly every evening of the week.
Sunday Mornings at NUMC
Sunday at Newburgh United Methodist Church begins at 8:30 a.m. with Individual Reflection Time. Sunday School for all ages meets at 8:45, and the whole congregation gathers for a 10:00 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary. The service is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook Live, and past services can be viewed at any time during the week.
The church is part of the United Methodist tradition and practices open Communion, welcoming anyone who wishes to receive. Children are welcome to stay in worship, and a nursery for children ages 0 to 4 is available in Room G-5.
The Monday Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Every Monday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., the church opens its food pantry to any household in need across the county. Families drive around to the back of the building and enter through Door 3. During the same hours, a clothes closet is open to anyone in Warrick County who needs clothing or personal items. Together, the food pantry and clothes closet have become one of the most visible ways the church reaches beyond its own walls.
Children, Youth, and Families
Lisa Vaughan serves as the Pastor of Children, Youth and Families and oversees a robust set of programs for younger members. Sunday School for kindergarten through fifth grade meets in Room G-10 at 8:45, while youth in grades 6 through 12 gather in the downstairs Youth Room.
During the 10:00 worship service, children are invited through the Children's Moment to follow the Pastor of Children, Youth and Families to Kids Church in Room G-10. Nursery care for ages 0 to 4 continues throughout the service in Room G-5. Parents can also connect with the broader Children's Ministries through the NUMC Kids Facebook group.
Recreation for the Whole County
Recreation Ministries, led by Recreation Director Angie Barr, welcomes both church members and anyone else who wants to play. Open courts and gyms run almost every day of the week: pickleball on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, volleyball on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings, and basketball on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Spots can be reserved in advance, and all skill levels are welcome regardless of church membership.
A Place for Special Needs Youth
Since January 2011, the Special Needs Ministry has offered a twice-monthly gathering for young adults with special needs. Youth Group meets on Sundays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the gym and lower-level youth room, with a supervised activity or a brief faith-based lesson that includes stories, scripture, sharing, and prayer, followed by crafts, games, snacks, or gym time. The ministry keeps a student-to-leader ratio of about 2 to 1, and the group is open to teens in the broader community as well as within the congregation.
What NUMC Believes
Newburgh United Methodist Church holds to the historic doctrines of the Christian faith, including belief in the triune God, the divinity of Christ, the inspiration and authority of Scripture, and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As United Methodists, the congregation emphasizes the centrality of grace, the practice of open Communion, and John Wesley's four guiding principles: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Of these, the Bible has primary importance in shaping the church's life and teaching.
Leadership and Contact
Rev. Holly Hardsaw serves as Lead Pastor, with Lisa Vaughan as Pastor of Children, Youth and Families. Rafael Pereira and Griffin Devoy share the role of Co-Music Director, and Allison Novak serves as Church Administrator. Duane Jaeger is Facilities Director, Annette Greenberg is Administrative Assistant, and Angie Barr directs Recreation Ministries.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at 4178 Highway 261, Newburgh, Indiana. The office phone is 812-853-2946, and general questions can be sent to the church email. Services, the clothes closet, the food pantry, the recreation courts, and the special needs youth group together make Newburgh United Methodist Church a busy and visible presence in the life of Warrick County.