Gulfport FUMC Expands Wednesday Dinners to Welcome All

a group of people sitting around a table eating and smiling. — First United Methodist Church of Gulfport expanded its Wednesday Community Dinners with grant funding, pay-what-you-can meals, and a focus on serving the wider community.
*Photo courtesy of Rev. Tracie Ashley*

Gulfport’s First United Methodist Church (FUMC) received a grant from the United Methodist Foundation that will allow the church to expand its Wednesday night meal program.

Gulfport FUMC has hosted Wednesday night dinners for many years. These dinners allowed members to gather, eat, fellowship, and learn from the Bible. The Church is now rebranding these dinners as “Community Dinners” to include more of the wider community in their Wednesday gatherings.

Speaking of this community-focused approach to the dinners, Reverend Tracie Ashley said that the Church’s intention is to “offer a meal to whoever would like one or [needs] one in the community.”

The $3,000 grant from the United Methodist Foundation has acted as a jumping-off point for the Church to do just that. In the past, volunteers provided the dinners, and the Church would “suggest” each diner pay around $8 for their meals. Now, with support from the grant, the Church can reimburse part of the food costs and implement a pay-what-you-can policy for the diners.

“If you can’t pay, then wonderful,” Rev. Tracie said. “If you can pay, great. But it’s not about that. It’s about the community around the table.”

a sign that reads "First United Methodist Church; Worship Sunday 11:15; It's better when you're here!" — The Church’s Community Dinners start at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at 2728 53rd St. S. in Gulfport.
*Photo courtesy of Rev. Tracie Ashley*

Building a Community Around the Table

Another of Rev. Tracie’s hopes is to continue the program year-long. Because the program relies so heavily on volunteers, the dinners traditionally have not happened during the summer months and Christmas time. Rev. Tracie, however, hopes that funding and community partnerships may allow the dinners to start happening over the summer months as well.

“The grant has really helped us to kick off Community Dinners well. Now, that grant will not sustain us throughout the year. It will just get us going,” said Rev. Tracie. “We’ll also be looking for other partners, either to provide food or financial resources for that.”

Beyond providing a meal, Gulfport FUMC hopes to help meet the needs of the unhoused and under-resourced within Gulfport. Currently, the dinners include a charging station where anyone can charge their electronics. The Church hopes to expand the ways it can serve those in need. In order to do that, the Church needs help. Rev. Tracie hopes to seek help within the community.

“What I am hoping to do is reach out to other local restaurants to see if they would want to partner with us,” Rev. Tracie said. “For example, would the restaurants that are all around Gulfport, would they each take one meal a year?”

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An Open Invitation to Gulfport

Another important aspect of these dinners is their intentional inclusivity. In 2025, a major change in LGBTQ+ doctrine within the United Methodist Church has allowed for a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community within the UMC network.

Likewise, a change in Gulfport FUMC’s leadership board has made it a focus for the Church to be “inclusive in every way, especially with our LGBTQ community,” according to Rev. Tracie.

“All are welcome all the time,” Rev. Tracie said. “Everyone needs a point of belonging, connection, and we just are so thankful to be part of the community and want to open our doors to anybody who would like to be part of ours.”

The Community Dinners take place every Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Gulfport FUMC’s Chapel and run for around an hour. Dinner is followed by an optional short teaching from the Gospel and a time for reflection. The first Wednesday of every month is always a potluck, with volunteer-provided meals every week after.

First United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 2728 53rd St. S., Gulfport. fumcgulfport.org, 727-321-3620.

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