Who We Are |
Welcome to this United Methodist congregation! It is one of the nearly 35,000 similar congregations spread across the United States, which, together, make up the United Methodist Church.
United Methodism is a uniquely diverse denomination and it is almost impossible to characterize either a “typical” congregation or an “average” United Methodist. We are the most ethnically and socially diverse and the most evenly distributed denomination in America. With only minor exception, every town of at least two thousand people in America has one or more United Methodist congregations. While this diversity sometimes gives us identity problems, it remains one of our greatest strengths. Whatever your needs or interests, there is a United Methodist congregation for you. No matter what our surface differences may be, we are all members of God’s family. We are brothers and sisters who love the same God and our differences genuinely allow us to be more creative and flexible in our response to God’s call. --Excerpt from United Methodist Visitor’s Booklet by Ron Kerr |
What We Believe |
Our United Methodist heritage is rooted in a deep and profound understanding of God’s grace. This incredible grace flows from God’s great love for us. Did you have to memorize John 3:16 in Sunday school when you were a child? There was a good reason. This one verse summarizes the gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, described God’s grace as threefold: prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace.
United Methodists insist that faith and good works belong together. What we believe must be confirmed by what we do. Personal salvation must be expressed in ministry and mission in the world. We believe that Christian doctrine and Christian ethics are inseparable, that faith should inspire service. The integration of personal piety and social holiness has been a hallmark of our tradition. We affirm the biblical precept that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” James 2:17 |
Our History
|
The first Methodist class meeting was held in Watertown in 1800. The church formed on August 5, 1811 and services were held at various homes and school houses. The present church building was dedicated on December 15, 1898. A major addition and renovation of the church was completed in 1989. This included the addition onto the rear of the church, with extensive interior changes, as well as the addition of an elevator.
Read much more about the history of our congregation here. |
Safe Sanctuaries |
We are a Safe Sanctuary Church, which means we follow the resolutions set forth by the United Methodist Church. Our purpose for establishing this policy and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth.
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and a United Methodist congregation, we pledge to con duct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of our children and youth, and our staff. We follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers by conducting a background check on volunteers who work with the children and by requiring church membership of at least 6 months before allowing an adult to lead a group. We have operational procedures in all programs and events, and have a clearly defined procedure (which conform to the requirements of state law) for reporting a suspected incident of abuse. All volunteers must attend a Safe Sanctuary Training workshop. |