Bartlett United Methodist Church sits at 5676 Stage Road in Bartlett, Tennessee, a short drive from Bartlett High School, and serves as a hub of worship, fellowship, and community service for the north Shelby County area. The congregation lives by a simple motto placed on the front of its online home: "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors." In 2026, the church has set a yearly theme around three words - audacious hope, abiding joy, and amazing love - and frames its life around them in worship, classes, and outreach.
The mission of the church is to know Christ and to make Christ known to all people through worship, education, and service in the community and throughout the world. A John Wesley quote on the church's About page captures the same spirit: "I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship and the whole world for my mission field."
Sunday Mornings: Traditional, Coffee, and Contemporary
A typical Sunday at BUMC begins with traditional worship at 9:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. After the first service, Coffee Connections gathers in Oaks Hall at 10:00 a.m., giving the two congregations a place to mingle. Sunday school for all ages runs from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., with classes for children, youth, and adults spread across the Sanctuary Building, the Life Enrichment Center, and the Chapel Building. The morning closes with a contemporary worship service in the Sanctuary at 11:20 a.m.
Both worship services are livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube, and recordings are also available as audio on the Sermons page. Weekly bulletins for the traditional and contemporary services are posted online so anyone can follow the order of worship. Parking and the main entrance to the Sanctuary are at the rear of the church off Woodlawn Street, while the church office is reached up the stairs on Shelby Street.
Greeters stand ready at the Narthex to help newcomers find the nursery or the right Sunday school class. Nursery care and Children's Church are offered during both worship services.
Wings of Bartlett: A Mural That Has Become a Landmark
On the side wall of the Life Enrichment Center, facing the front of Bartlett High School, a large painted mural of wings has become a recognizable landmark for anyone passing the church. The piece features an adult set of wings and a smaller set for children so visitors of all sizes can pose for photos. The design draws on Psalm 91:4: "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." The mural is lit at night, and a printable coloring sheet is offered online so children can create their own version at home.
Wednesday Nights Around the LEC Gym
Midweek life at BUMC centers on "Well on Wednesday," or WOW. A fellowship dinner is served in the Life Enrichment Center Gym from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. each Wednesday from August through May. Adults pay $8, children ages 4 to 12 pay $4, and the maximum for an immediate family of parents with children is $24. No registration is required. After dinner, the evening branches into children's choir at 6:00 p.m., chancel bells at 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, chancel choir at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, and other activities such as the crochet group and Pistols & Petticoats. The dinner menu and weekly schedule are posted on the dinner and calendar pages.
Music: Choirs, Bells, and a Sanctuary Organ
Music ministry is described as a way to "proclaim the Gospel through music and to serve God and our community of faith with the gifts God has given us." The program is open to anyone with a willing heart and no prior experience is required. Opportunities exist for children, youth, and adults, including Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, the Campanella Ringers and Youth Bellhops handbell ensembles, Crossroads (a vocal or instrumental group that rehearses Sunday afternoons in the Sanctuary), and chancel bells. The Sanctuary organ has its own specification sheet available for anyone curious about the instrument.
Children and Families
The Children's Ministry touches nearly every part of church life. Children lead in worship, serve in community kitchens, and learn about God through Sunday school and other programs. Nursery care is available during services, and Children's Church meets during worship. Erica Escamilla serves as Director of Children's Ministries and is also responsible for Vacation Bible School, Dayshore, sixth-grade discipleship, Confirmation Class, and other family mission and service events. VBS, called Snowball Mountain Challenge in a recent year, gathers children for a week of music, Bible stories, crafts, games, and recreation such as obstacle courses, foam parties, and a closing snow-filled celebration.
Youth and Young Adults
The youth ministry, called UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship), serves students in grades 7 through 12. Its stated aim is to empower young people as disciples of Jesus Christ, nurture their faith, and cultivate compassion, organized around three pillars: spiritual growth through devotionals, Bible study, and worship; service through community outreach and mission trips; and fellowship and recreation through games, retreats, and mentorships. Activities mentioned include the Appalachia Service Project, Youth Choir, Foot Soldiers, Live Nativity, the 30-Hour Famine, and a semi-annual crafts fair.
Josh Shaw, the Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministries, joined the staff with experience in local church, Annual Conference, and General and Jurisdictional Conference work, and is pursuing a Master's of Arts in Youth Ministries at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The transition was shaped by Lynn Thompson's retirement following 38 years of youth ministry at BUMC. A young adult ministry offers service and connection opportunities for those in their college and career years after high school graduation.
Sunday School for Every Age and Learning Style
Sunday school at 10:15 a.m. is offered to every age group. Adult and children's classes meet across the three main buildings of the campus, and the church describes the range as inclusive of both classroom-oriented and discussion-based learning styles. A printable class list is posted online for anyone who wants to preview the options before visiting.
Preschool, Kids' Day Out, and Summer Camp
BUMPS (Bartlett United Methodist Preschool) provides a Christian environment where young children can grow emotionally, socially, cognitively, and spiritually. The program operates on a school-year basis from late August to late May. Three-year-olds and four-year-olds can attend two days (Tuesday and Thursday) or three days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), with morning hours from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or full days until 2:30 p.m. A five-day program is offered for four- and five-year-olds who meet the age cutoff.
The Kids' Day Out (KDO) program serves children from 6 months through age 3, organized into four classrooms: Caterpillar (6 to 12 months), Bumble Bee (13 to 18 months), Lady Bug (18 to 26 months), and Butterfly (25 to 36 months). The program runs Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with each child attending any two of those three days. BUMC Summer Camp extends this care from early June through late July for ages 6 months through kindergarten.
Brightwheel is used for tuition payments and classroom communication, and both programs maintain their own Facebook pages. Stacey Graves directs both BUMPS and KDO. Inquiries can be directed to preschool@bartlettumc.org or kdo@bartlettumc.org.
The John Light Food Pantry
The food pantry, named the John Light Pantry, is part of the church's commitment to share God's love through practical assistance. It is open on the last Thursday of each month from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The pantry serves residents of ZIP codes 38002, 38128, 38129, 38133, 38134, and 38135. Service is first-come, first-served and operates as a drive-up on the Shelby Street side of the building, so visitors can pull up to the curb and volunteers will load their bag or box. Patrons are asked to bring an ID showing a residence in one of the qualifying ZIP codes.
United Women in Faith and United Methodist Men
United Women in Faith is open to all women of the church. Members gather in small Circles for fellowship, Bible study, mission, and service. A brochure is available online for anyone wanting to learn more.
United Methodist Men describes its purpose as helping men grow in Christ so others can know Christ. The UMM meets on the second Saturday of every month at 8:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a light breakfast, fellowship, and a guest speaker. The cost is $5.
Outreach, Recreation, and Crafts Fair
Outreach ministry frames the church's local, national, and international mission around the United Methodist call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Recreation ministry emphasizes life enrichment and the affirmation that Christian ministry is for the whole person - spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. The LEC Gym hosts pickleball on Tuesday evenings, Zumba on Thursday evenings, walking groups on Mondays and Tuesdays, and other activities throughout the week.
Twice a year the Life Enrichment Center fills with handmade goods for the Crafts Fair, one of the church's biggest community events. Vendors apply for booth space, and proceeds support the church's ministries. The fair features a bake sale, concession stand, and items that are at least 70 percent hand crafted.
Beliefs and United Methodist Identity
BUMC links to the United Methodist Church's "Basics of Our Faith" and "Social Principles and Creed" pages for a full articulation of doctrine. In its own statement, the church teaches that faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17). Membership in the United Methodist Church connects BUMC to a global communion rooted in the theology of John Wesley, with an emphasis on Scripture, grace, and Christian conferencing.
Staff and Leadership
Rev. Dean Emerson serves as pastor. Josh Shaw is the Director of Youth and Young Adults Ministries. Donia Wade is the Director of Music Ministries, with Karen Strawhecker serving as Associate Director of Music Ministries. Erica Escamilla is the Director of Children's Ministries. Brittany Dawson is the Media and Communications Director. Stacey Graves directs the Preschool and Kids' Day Out programs. Supporting roles include a Business Assistant, a Director of Finance, and a Maintenance and Facilities Supervisor.
Giving, Communications, and Staying Connected
Online giving is available through a secure portal, with options for recurring or one-time gifts via checking account, MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. Contributions can be designated to the General Offering or to specific funds. Gifts may also be mailed or delivered to the church office at 5676 Stage Road. The church is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions are tax-deductible.
The Monthly Message newsletter keeps members informed, with a sign-up on the home page. A mobile app puts sermons, event listings, the newsletter, and other resources in one place - search "Bartlett UMC" in the Apple or Android App Store. The Facebook page, Instagram account, and YouTube channel carry news, livestreams, and event updates throughout the week.
Visiting Bartlett United Methodist Church
First-time guests find the Sanctuary entrance and parking at the rear of the church off Woodlawn Street. Greeters help families locate the nursery, the Children's Church, and Sunday school classrooms. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Preschool office can be reached at 901-386-4651, and the Kids' Day Out office at 901-388-1698.