About US

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The United Methodist Church shares a great deal with other Christian denominations. We believe God's grace is open to all, and therefore practice "open Communion"--meaning that anyone may participate in receiving Communion. We believe salvation is an open gift from God, accepted by individuals according to their own free will. The United Methodist denomination is a "big tent" theologically, providing space for theological discourse and, at times, disagreement.

Like many other Christian groups, we affirm the beliefs expressed in the Apostles Creed. These include:

• The belief in one God, who is the Creator and sustainer of the universe.
• The belief in the Trinity, that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• The belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is fully human and fully divine.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) core values: 

• Do no harm
• Do good
• Stay in love with God
•  Full inclusion, Spiritual growth, Justice-seeking, Bold service, Prophecy, Equity, Hospitality.  
• The Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
• Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection
• The spiritual presence of Christ
• The continuing movement of the Holy Spirit

Though The United Methodist Church was officially created in 1968, its history dates back to 1730 when John and Charles Wesley, two students at Oxford University in England, gathered a small group of students who sought to spread the Methodist movement.

At about the same time, people like Philip William Otterbein, a German-American clergyman, and Martin Boehm, a Mennonite preacher, were leading similar movements in America that helped people grow their faith through the United Brethren in Christ Church.

Across the decades, both movements spread and grew, often merging to form new denominations. In 1968, both strands of Christianity came together to form The United Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Church is a worldwide connection of more than 12 million members in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. We are the person next door, the church on the other side of the country, and the worshiping community across the globe. Together, we share a legacy of living as disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing God's love both in what we say and how we serve our neighbors.   

As one of our hymns states, "The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people" ("We Are the Church" United Methodist Hymnal #558).

The United Methodist Church connects more than 12 million members on four continents, and engages in ministry all around the world. We speak many languages, come from various cultures, and span generations. Yet, we are united in our faith in Jesus Christ.  

Ministries with young people, a vital part of The United Methodist Church, are found in local congregations throughout the church. In this section, we highlight the ministries by and with the children, youth and young adults of The United Methodist Church.

"We aim to empower young people as world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ, to nurture their faith development, and to equip young leaders." - Young People's Ministries