What Makes Us United Methodists
The mission statement of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Since its beginnings in 1729, United Methodists have embraced the idea of “the ministry of all believers.” While pastors lead the churches, every United Methodist member is in ministry, supporting Christ and the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
Following the example of our founder, John Wesley, United Methodists believe in “practical divinity,” combining faith with social action in profound and meaningful ways. Like other Christians, we believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and that each person is created in the image of God. United Methodists believe the church is an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. United Methodists are distinct in their emphasis on Christian living. We are noted for putting love into action. We embrace grace as the love and mercy given freely to people by God. While the church is governed by a Book of Discipline and guided by Social Principles, many United Methodists do not agree on some of the most pressing social issues of the day. This diversity of thought is often one of the church’s greatest strengths.
To help explore these differences in theology and ways of thinking about God, United Methodists look first to the Bible, then to illumination by tradition, enlivening by experience, and confirmation by reason. We also follow three general rules: do no harm by avoiding evil; do good of every possible sort; obey God by seeking wisdom and justice, and correcting oppression. For United Methodists, church is not a building, nor an event on Sunday morning. Church is a way of life.
A Vision for Mission
KWUMC 2025
If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” James 2:15-16
John Wesley said, “The world is my parish.” He recognized God’s imperative to spread the Good News widely abroad. At the same time, he recognized that hungry or hurting persons often cannot be receptive to that message if their suffering supersedes hearing the Gospel message. Wesley therefore recognized that there is no holiness apart from social holiness which works to meet the needs of the poor and disenfranchised.
The view of missions at KWUMC is based on both these imperatives: give the Good Word and address spiritual need, and also meet the physical and emotional needs as we are able. We do this locally, nationally, and internationally.
Local Programs
- Souper Bowl of Caring: Support for local feeding programs
- Thanksgiving Gift Cards: $100 for Gerald Adams needy families
- Shoes from Santa: Support for Wesley House Family Services children
- Sharing a portion of Easter and Christmas offerings for local causes (when made possible by generous contributions at these holidays). In the past, we have supported
- St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen
- Wesley House Family Services Inez Martin Childhood Development Center backpack feeding program
- Cooking with Love feeding program run by Metropolitan Community Church
- Samuel’s House/Woman’s Shelter
District and National Programs
- Specific response to immediate needs, as for victims of hurricanes or other natural disasters
International Scope
- Support of Global Board of Missions missionaries in Quessua, Angola with quarterly financial support
- Support for our Cuban sister church in El Entronque de Herradura with monthly financial support for their general ministry needs, as well as additional funds for specific one-time needs: extensive repairs to parsonage, purchase of additional property to expand ministry services
- Support for UMCOR, the disaster relief arm of the Methodist Church that responds to crises both at home and abroad
