Transforming the world

Discipleship focuses on actively following in the footsteps of Jesus. As Christian disciples, we are not passive spectators but energetic participants in God’s activity in the world. Because of what God has done for us, we offer our lives back to God. We order our lives in ways that embody Christ’s ministry in our families, workplaces, communities, and the world.

As United Methodists we seek to use scripture, reason, tradition and experience to transform the world into the kingdom of God described in the Gospels.

We believe in the divine personhood of the Holy Spirit as an equal part of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God present, living within each follower to empower a life that reflects the lifestyle, values and character of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the change agent in the lives of Jesus’ followers, illuminating God’s word for understanding and application in the life of each.

The Spirit is involved in progressively transforming each follower into the image of Christ, and is actively working within the Christian community and world at large to bring about God’s plan of redemption for all people and all creation.

Believing that baptism is an act of the church through which God offers grace, the United Methodist Church practices the baptism of persons of any age, ranging from infant to adult. All United Methodist baptisms take place in the context of a worship service. Because it is a divine act, we recognize as valid the baptisms of churches of other denominations and do not baptize persons more than once. In baptism, the congregation promises to care for and nurture the faith of the one being baptized. Therefore, we baptize those infants, children, and adults who will continue to be part of the life of the church.

We celebrate Holy Communion about once per month. Worshippers of all ages, including non-UMC members, are welcome to receive the communion bread and juice.