This year marks a monumental milestone in the life of Athens First United Methodist Church—our 200-year anniversary. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate all of the ways God has been faithful to our congregation and community over the past two centuries.

Join us starting Sunday, March 9, for Bicentennial Worship, a Church History Talk, our annual Missions Celebration Brunch, and a celebratory dinner. In addition to these events, our chapel will be open the week of March 17-20 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for self-guided prayer.

March 9, 16, and 23

Bicentennial Worship

9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Join us for worship for three Sundays in March as we celebrate all that God has done, is doing, and will do in the future at Athens First UMC.

March 9 | Tom Jackson preaching
March 16 | Rev. Bill Britt preaching
March 23 | Rev. Jeremy Lawson preaching

March 9 | 4:00 p.m.

Church History Talk

Come learn about our church history from Tom Jackson, the author of 
Forward
 Through the Ages: A Bicentennial History of Athens First United Methodist Church.

Register Here

March 16 | 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Missions Celebration Brunch

We invite you to join us on Sunday, March 16, to celebrate what God has done through Athens First United Methodist Church in the past year! The Missions Celebration Brunch is a morning full of fun and fellowship around a yummy meal, accompanied by a silent basket auction.
Register

Sarah Beth Barger, Director of Missions Ministry

March 23 | 5:00 p.m.

Bicentennial Celebration Dinner

Our Bicentennial Dinner will celebrate the historic importance of our past, the community impact of our present, and the hopes of our future. We are honored to hear from speakers like Mayor Kelly Girtz and University of Georgia President Morehead. 

A Children's Bicentennial Celebration will run concurrently with the Bicentennial Dinner. Children in 5th Grade and under are invited to participate. The children's event will include dinner and Bicentennial activities for all ages. Nursery care is also provided for our youngest ones. Children will be welcomed upon arrival and can be picked up following the event.   

Reservations are required for the Bicentennial Dinner. We are elated by the interest in this celebration and expect to have overflow seating as a result. Table seating will be assigned so please be sure to register your entire party together. Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once registration capacity for Hancock Hall is reached, registration for seating in overflow will open. Our overflow experience will include the same menu and comfortable seating. 

Register Here

Bicentennial Flower Dedications

Remember or honor a loved one by donating towards our Bicentennial Celebration flower arrangements. Donations of $15 per name will be accepted through March 3 and will be listed in the Bicentennial Celebration Sunday bulletin on March 23.  

Registration is now open. You can register online by clicking on the button below. If paying by check, make payable to AFUMC and include Bicentennial Celebration Flowers in the memo line.

Register Here

Sunday Morning Parking

We are a downtown church and sometimes parking can be hard to find. We have two lots off of Hancock Ave and parking is also available on the street. If all of these options are full, the Washington Street parking deck offers free parking on Sundays.