Welcome to First United Church of Naples!
We come together each week in worship to celebrate and honor God, who loved us first. Through worship, God’s grace shapes us to live our lives sharing joy, hope, wholeness, and peace. We are a warm, welcoming church that believes in serving neighbors near and far. We celebrate baptism and communion as outward signs of God’s grace in our hearts. There are enough seats at Christ’s table for everyone, so please come join us!
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Our History
We are blessed for being the very first church in Naples, Florida. In 1891, Naples consisted of sandy beaches, a 600-foot long pier that extended into the Gulf of Mexico, and a 16-room hotel, the Naples Hotel. There were no phones or electricity and there were barely any roads established. So in 1891 Reverend Gatewood, was sent by the Methodist Conference to establish churches for families living in South West Florida. He organized the Everglades Circuit. First United Methodist Church of Naples is a direct result of the Everglades Circuit. The term for each minister was short because of the hardships and hazards and numerous mosquitoes, sand flies, snakes, and wild animals. As the only church in Naples during those early years, attendees included worshipers of other denominations who eventually left to form their own churches when they attained a large enough nucleus of attenders. First Naples also helped spawn several other Methodist congregations in the Naples area. The congregation reached out in mission in the early Naples community back then and continues to do so today. Members and attendees find a loving and welcoming place here, in which to grow their faith.
Our Mission & Vision
"To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World."
Making Disciples means that we will:
* Help people to know Jesus for the first time, so that they will realize their sins have been forgiven, repent and accept the wonderful gift of salvation
* Help people grow in their faith and be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus every day, loving God with all their heart.
* Help to alleviate suffering in the world as Jesus has asked us to do in Matthew 25, by loving our neighbor.
EVERYTHING we do at FUMC and every penny we spend should support Jesus' mission in the world.
Our Vision
We are a welcoming church presenting Jesus in positive and loving ways, helping all people grow spiritually as disciples, and making the world a better place by relieving suffering.
Our Beliefs
The United Methodist Church is an 12.8-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world. We invite you to learn more about our rich theological heritage. We share a common heritage and basic affirmations with all Christian communities. For more information, please click Our Christian Roots
Learn how Wesley and early Methodists invited people to experience God's grace and grow in Christian living by putting faith and love into action. For more information, please click Wesleyan Heritage
United Methodists, like many other Protestants, recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: baptism and the Lord's Supper. For more information, please click Sacraments
The foundation of Christian living is faith in Christ. Faith does not happen overnight, but rather is a journey. But little by little, most of us deepen our relationship with God.
Sunday Worship Services
Traditional Worship: Our 10:15 am worship, held in our sanctuary, blends traditional liturgies, creative worship arts including soloists, instrumental ensembles, organ, piano, and the Word of God in scripture and sermon.
Communion Sunday - 1st Sunday of the Month: You are invited to join us. We have an open table; all are welcome!
"This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." - Luke 22:19
Anointing & Healing Sunday - 4th Sunday of the Month: The ministry of healing, as taught to us in James 5:13-16, provides healing from brokenness. This brokenness may come from sin, grief, or loneliness; it may come from physical, mental or emotional pain or illness. On Anointing Sundays, you are invited to come to the altar for the healing touch of a blessing and prayer for you or a loved one.
Meet Our Pastor
Rev. Nancy Mayeux (pronounced MY-you) has been our pastor at FUMC for 8 years. Pastor Nancy was born in New York and moved to Florida as a teenager. She attended the University of Miami and began a 25-year career in international business, living and working in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. When God called her to full-time ordained ministry, she was managing the Latin American operations for high-tech companies.
Pastor Nancy returned to school to obtain her Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando. While attending seminary, and again, after ordination, she was appointed to churches in Palm Coast, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, before her appointment to FUMC in 2015.
She served her last appointment, which was 8 years, at a multicultural church with three congregations: Anglo, Hispanic, and Micronesian. Nancy's mother was Cuban, so Nancy speaks Spanish fluently; she also learned Portuguese which helped her in the business world.
Pastor Nancy and husband John have been married for 41 years. They have been partners in raising children, in the business world and now, in ministry. Their two daughters are 37 and 38. Lauren lives in Orlando. Trish(adopted from Korea) is married and lives in Texas with her husband Selby, daughter Anya and son Aiden.
Meet Our Staff
Chaplain Scott Ehler
Director of Discipleship and Congregational Care
Karen Click
Music Director
Jaimie Dandridge
Administrative Asst. to the Pastor
Bookkeeper
Alicia Silvin
MDS Preschool Director