Welcome to LOVE FIRST

An Emerging Faith Community of the United Methodist Church

LOVE FIRST

Celebrating Diversity | Fostering Connections | Igniting Imaginations

LOVE FIRST is an emerging progressive faith community rooted in love, inclusion, and connection. Rather than gathering in a single building, we embrace a dynamic approach to worship, meeting in various locations across Haywood County. With regular rotations at the Pigeon Center, Creekside Lodge, and Panacea CoffeeHouse, we create sacred spaces wherever we come together. Whether in conversation over coffee, in shared service, or in reflective gatherings, we seek to embody a faith that is engaged, welcoming, and ever-evolving.

Come join us! Click the button below to see where you can find us!

  • Celebrating Diversity

    In our faith community, we embrace the beauty of diversity as a reflection of the divine. We welcome all people—of every race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and background—honoring the unique gifts each person brings. Rooted in love and justice, we seek to create a space where everyone is valued, heard, and empowered to live authentically. Together, we celebrate our differences as a testament to the vastness of God’s love and the strength of an inclusive, progressive faith.

  • Fostering Connections

    Our faith community is built on the power of genuine connection—where all are seen, heard, and supported. We cultivate relationships that cross barriers, creating a space of belonging and mutual care. Through shared worship, open conversations, and acts of service, we strengthen the bonds that unite us. Rooted in love and compassion, we journey together, growing in faith and building a community where everyone is valued.

  • Igniting Imaginations

    Faith invites us to dream, create, and envision a world shaped by love and justice. In our community, we nurture curiosity and encourage bold ideas that inspire growth and transformation. Through storytelling, artistic expression, and innovative ministry, we celebrate the divine spark within each of us. By embracing wonder and possibility, we cultivate a faith that is alive, evolving, and deeply engaged with the world around us.