Music

Adults

Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir is the primary choir for worship leadership at our 11am service. This ensemble rehearses on Wednesdays at 6pm in Newman Center. Rehearsal will move to 7pm when Wednesday evening programming resumes in August. Participation does not require that you read music. We simply ask that you come with a willing spirit and an eagerness to give your time in service to this congregation and its worship. In addition to providing music on Sunday mornings, the Sanctuary choir also prepares music for special events, including choral masterworks performed with orchestra. In addition to musical activities, the choir also gathers for non-musical fellowship events throughout the year! The Sanctuary Choir is directed by Charlie Overton, Minister of Music and Worship Arts.

First Awakening Band

The First Awakening Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6pm in Clayton Hall to prepare for weekly leadership at our 9:00am worship service. The First Awakening service features a blend of various styles of music including praise and worship, hymns, and global songs. This ensemble takes on the character of the gifts of its members, and it is open for participation to any who play instruments or would like to sing. The First Awakening Musicians are led by Steve Patterson, Music Coordinator for First Awakening. Contact Charlie Overton for more information at 731-422-4002 or charlie@jacksonfumc.org.

Prime Ringers

Prime Ringers is an adult handbell ensemble which rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6pm in the Sanctuary. Participation does not require that you read music. In fact, playing handbells is an excellent way to develop the basic skills needed to read and understand music notation. Prime Ringers provides music for our 10:50am worship service. This ensemble also participates annually in the West Tennessee Handbell Festival. Prime Ringers is directed by Charlie Overton, Minister of Music and Worship Arts.

Arts for Esteem

Arts for Esteem, a ministry of First United Methodist Church, Jackson, TN, is committed to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ that all persons are worthy of love and opportunity. Arts for Esteem builds the esteem of underserved youth by providing a loving, secure environment, in which they can develop respect for self and for others, encourage their own creativity, and learn to make choices that lead to healthy living.

The Arts for Esteem program was developed in 1991 to use music and art as a tool to build the self-esteem of disadvantaged young people in our community. Through piano lessons, art class, and chorus, volunteers spend time with youth, sharing their faith and encouraging the students to celebrate their own creativity. Currently, Arts for Esteem is partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson with whom the program is held at 4:00pm on Thursday afternoons on the campus of FUMC.

Arts for Esteem is ever in need of volunteers to give their time and energy to these young people. Opportunities exists for volunteers to drive the church bus, provide snacks or devotionals at weekly meetings, teach piano or art lessons, or simply spend time with the students. All of our students are beginners, so volunteers with even the most limited experience with piano or art are an immense resource. Please contact Rev. Charlie Overton, Minister of Music and Worship Arts at 731-422-4002 or charlie@jacksonfumc.org, for more information or to volunteer.