We offer a heartfelt welcome to First United Methodist Church of Delmar.

At First United Methodist Church, our vision is, “A Christian community, growing together in faith and in service to God.” Our Core Mission is, “Experiencing God’s love and responding to it.”

Information for visitors is here; directions with a map are here.

If you are a visitor, a stranger, a guest of someone, or a traveler, we offer you welcome.

If you are an inquirer, wondering about Christians and the Christian community, we offer you welcome.

If you are a Christian looking for other Christians, we offer you welcome.

Sunday worship services

Sunday morning worship is available at two different times: 9:30 a.m., and 11:15 a.m. (Check our home page for specifics about each Sunday.) Holy Communion is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of every month. Between the two services, everyone is invited to a time of fellowship in Fellowship Hall, which is on the first floor. A map that shows how to find us is available on our visitors' page.

Christian education

• Church school for infants through Grade 12, Sundays 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Children who attend 9:30 a.m. worship then leave for classes after the Children's Sermon.
• Adult education classes are offered on Sundays at 11 a.m. (and also on Wednesday at 10 a.m.).

Special features to assist you:

• Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 9:20 until 10:50 a.m. (During the summer the nursery is not staff; but it is open for parents’ use and sound is piped in from the service.)
• The Church building is accessible by ramps to the first floor and by an elevator to the second floor.
• Hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers and may be used in the sanctuary.
• Audio and video recordings of the Sunday services are available upon request.
• Large print bulletins and hymns are available for use during the service.

Fellowship groups

First United Methodist Church offers a variety of fellowship, support, study and growth groups for people of all ages, including youth fellowships, women's study groups, and seniors ministries. A detailed explanation of each of our ministries and programs is available here.

For more information on our fellowship groups, click here. For current information on our Church School, click here. For information on faith-based groups, including those for adults, click here.

Special programs and activities, sponsored by the Church Family Life Ministry Team, provide monthly programs and activities designed to meet the needs and concerns of families.

Music ministries

• Chancel Choir: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Joe Farrell, Director
• Junior Choir (grades K-3): Sunday 11 a.m. Sue Loiacano, Director.
• Intermediate Choir (grades 4-8): Sunday 11 a.m. Lynda Conway, Director
• Youth Singers (grades 9-12): Sunday 10:50 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Joe Farrell, Director
• Bell Choir (grade 9-adult): Thursday 6:30 p.m. Ken Loiacono, Director

Pastoral ministries

One of the most important ministries that we offer is that of our pastoral team. Rev. Janice Palm, Rev. Robert L. Kanuck and Rev. Sherwood Carver all have specialized training in counseling and pastoral care which enables them to respond in understanding, caring, and supportive ways, whatever your spiritual needs may be.

They are "as close as the nearest phone!" (And they can be reached by e-mail as well.) Click here for contact information.

Our Church in Mission

First United Methodist Church is committed to mission and provides numerous opportunities for people to live out their faith and to reach out to those in need. Some of these mission ministries include:

Albany United Methodist Society
AUMS is a ministry serving inner-city Albany. We collect groceries, provide drivers and tutors, and supply preschool lunches.

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
Interfaith provides shelter and support services in inner-city Albany. We assist with hot meals on Sunday evenings and provide bed linens and clothing. Our children assemble "Love Kits" and they participate in the "Pennies for Haven" fund drive.

Habitat for Humanity
We help finance and build houses.

Volunteers in Mission
Our volunteers have erected windmills and rebuilt a clinic in Mozambique. They also rebuilt a church in Gay's Hill, Georgia.

Missionary Support
We help support programs of missionaries in the Bronx and on a reservation in Oklahoma.

Refugee Resettlement
We're actively involved in sponsoring several refugee families in the Capital Region.

There's a role for everyone, with many more opportunities to reach out in mission. There's so much to do, from simple tasks to major projects. Join us as we strive to help make this world a better place!

Church Staff

• Rev. Janice Palm — Senior Minister
• Robert L. Kanuck — Minister of Congregational Care
• Sherwood E. Carver — Minister of Elder Care
• Jennifer Bailey — Director of Christian Education
• Joseph Farrell — Director of Music
• Ken Loiacono — Organist/Bell Choir
• Lynda Conway— Intermediate Choir
• Sue Loiacono — Junior Choir
• Nan Rabinow — Office Manager
• Natalie Darrone, Office Assistant
• Amy Cartwright — Business Manager
• Beena Salik — Parish Coordinator
• Beth Hickox — RPMs Leader
• Greg Wilson, Gerald Venable and Zdravko Knezevic — Custodial Staff