Help Restore Air Conditioning at Firwood United Methodist Church (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Our sanctuary is too hot to gather—let’s bring everyone back upstairs.

Hi friends, neighbors, and extended church family,

We’re raising funds to repair the air-conditioning at Firwood United Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This summer’s heat has pushed our worship services into the basement with fans. It’s been tough (especially for our older members) and we’ve had to pause our live-streaming because the temporary setup simply isn’t workable. Attendance has dipped, spirits are strained, and we miss being together in the light of the sanctuary.

Why this matters

Since 1912, Firwood UMC has been a pillar of the Wilkes-Barre community. It’s where neighbors meet for worship and prayer, where kids sing in Christmas pageants, where couples say “I do,” and where we comfort one another in times of loss. Beyond Sundays, our building hosts community moments—food drives, small-group gatherings, and countless conversations that start with a hello and end with real help. When our sanctuary is unusable, all of that becomes harder.

What happened

Our church’s air-conditioning system failed during this stretch of extreme heat. Without cooling upstairs, we moved services to the basement and did the best we could. However, the space is cramped, acoustics are poor, and streaming is nearly impossible. We want to make it safe and comfortable for everyone to return to the sanctuary—and to bring our online community back with a reliable streaming.

How your gift will be used

Your donations will go directly toward:

• Diagnosing and repairing/replacing failed AC components (e.g., compressor, air handler, or condenser as needed)

• Electrical and ductwork adjustments required to meet code

• Permits, labor, and installation materials

• Startup maintenance and filters to keep the system efficient

• Temporary cooling/ventilation if needed while work is scheduled

If we exceed the goal, extra funds will be set aside for future HVAC maintenance, utility costs during heat waves, and accessibility and livestream improvements so everyone—on site and online—can participate fully.

Transparency & stewardship

We’ll post updates, estimates, and paid invoices on this page so you can see progress in real time. Firwood UMC is committed to careful stewardship and will use every dollar for the purposes listed above.

How you can help today

• Donate what you can—every gift moves us closer to reopening the sanctuary.

• Share this campaign with friends, former members, and anyone who loves Wilkes-Barre.

• Pray for our congregation, our neighbors struggling with the heat, and the crews who will do the work.

On behalf of the Firwood UMC family: thank you. Your generosity will help us welcome people back upstairs, restore the warmth (and cool!) of our worship, and keep this historic neighborhood church serving the community for years to come.

With gratitude,

Firwood United Methodist Church

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania