We're glad you're here. Whether you are searching for a faith community, exploring your spirituality, or looking for a place to belong, you are welcome with us.

At First United Methodist Church, we beleive God's love is for everyone without exception. We affirm the sacred worth of all people and celebrate the diversity of all of God's creation. No matter your age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, abiliites, or background, you are embraced here as a beloved child of God.

At First United Methodist Church you will find a community that prays together, serves together, and grows together. We don't pretend to have all the answers, but we seek to follow Jesus with open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

We invite you to join us as we worship, serve, and share life together. There is a place for you here!

First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Oneonta, NY is a congregation of faith and doubt.

We commit ourselves to pursue justice, and pledge to stand with all our neighbors who are marginalized and oppressed, as Jesus did.

At First United Methodist Church we believe that all people are of sacred worth. We believe in living out our faith through grace, unconditional love, radical acceptance of all, and by persuing justice in the world.

In 1830, Reverend George Harman organized a Methodist Class Meeting in Oneonta that would eventually evolve into the church we know today. The current church building was dedicated in 1926.

Since 1989, FUMC has been part of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), advocating for the full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the life and leadership of the church.

FUMC continues to be a community where we promote the inclusive love of God. Whether it is in our worshipping together, in small groups that meet throughout the week, or in our advocacy in the community and in the world, FUMC is a place where the love of God is on the move through the mission of the church.

If you are coming to church for the first time we want you to know that you are welcome here. We have no dress code and we strive to make our worship services accessible to all people.

We have 2 primary worship spaces on Sunday morning: the Sanctuary and the Embury Room. The 8:15 service is held in the Embury Room, where we have couches and chairs set up and a piano for music. The 10:30 service is held in the Sanctuary, with additional seating in the Embury Room, It includes a mix of piano and organ music, as well as a musical offering from our choir.

Several times throughout the year our bell choirs offer their gifts during the 10:30 worship service. We also occasionally have additional special music, primarily during the 10:30 worship service.

FUMC does not have a parking lot.

There is street parking available on Church Street.

You may also park along the outer edge of the Dollar General parking lot or in the lot on Academy Street behind the old Baptist Church.

Childcare is provided during both worship services for ages one to ten.

We encourage our children to be present in worship; there is a time early in the worship service when children are invited up front for a special children’s message. After the children's message the younger children can stay with their parents or go downstairs to childcare.

Safe Haven Congregation

This is a season of turmoil in the United Methodist Church. As we strive to live into a new vision of what it means to be part of the United Methodist Connection, First UMC has established itself as a Safe Haven Congregation.

Safe Haven Congregations are local churches among United Methodists of Upper New York equipped to offer radical hospitality to anyone whose church closes or has chosen to disaffiliate or close. Regardless of our theological leaning, as United Methodists, we are all encouraged to follow the example in Acts 2 of the community of Jesus’ followers caring for each other – a diverse community that is ready to receive unity as a gift from God.

If you are looking for a place to belong, First United Methodist Church is ready to welcome you with open arms!