For more than 30 years, First United Methodist Church of Gadsden has welcomed the community to its annual Gift to Gadsden program, offering free classes that teach new skills, hobbies and practical life lessons.
“Community outreach is part of the philosophy of being a downtown church,” Ginger Ross, a member of the Methodist church, said. “It’s something we love to do, and everyone in the church gets excited about it.”
The classes, which are taught or sponsored by a church member, will be held during the week of July 27–30 in the evening, with two sessions: the first from 6 to 7 p.m. and the second from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m., with times varying by class, according to the press release.
“Each year the class lineup varies a little bit, depending on which of our members are going to be instructors,” Sheila Freeman, director of connectional ministries for the church, said. “… A few of the classes have supply lists… but many are completely free.”
This year’s class lineup includes a few new classes, such as Building a Fairy Garden for kids, Fancy Desserts – with a dash of Pinterest, Intro to Line Dancing, and Bucket List: Travel, according to Freeman.
Additional Classes
- Acrylic Painting for Beginners
- Cooking Made Easy
- Sewing for Beginners
- STEM Activities (kids)
- Dog Training Basics
- Wills and Trusts
- The Gift of Hope after Loss
- King’s Olive Oil
- Stained Glass Window Tour
- Medicare and You
- Chair Yoga for Beginners
- Jelly Making
- Canva Basics
- Recycling to Make Money
- Assertiveness Training
- Canva Pro
- Cake Decorating for Beginners
- Mah Jongg for Beginners
- Beginning Pickleball
- Intro to Fly Fising
- Intro to Line Dancing
- Knitting for Beginners
Returning favorites include beginner pickleball, chair yoga, acrylic painting, knitting, beginning sewing, crochet, cake decorating, dog training basics, olive oil health tips, jelly making and Mahjong.
Practical classes cover topics such as assertiveness training, recycling for income, cooking skills, wills and trusts, and Gift of Hope After Loss.
Children in grades first through fifth are invited to take part in STEM activities and building a Fairy garden.
Pre-registration is required. For a complete class schedule or to register, visit fumcgadsden.org/g2g2026 or call 256-543-8200.
