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YOUR JOURNEY
Joining our church family is a step in your faith
journey that leads to many others! On that journey, each step
deepens your relationship with Christ as you respond
 by sharing
your prayers, presence, gifts, and service. The journey is an
amazing experience of growing inwardly and serving outwardly,
all the while surrounded by an incredibly loving community of
faith that is West Market Street UMC.
You will find information below that will help
you
begin your new journey --
a journey down a road we will travel together!
Special opportunities to learn more about West Market |
STEPS TO JOINING
- Check the box on the
sign-in sheet during worship that says, “I wish to join”
and be sure to leave clear contact information. We will get
back with you as soon as we can. You can also call the
church office (275–4587) and ask for the membership office,
or email Susan Barnes,
sbarnes@wmsumc.org .
Set a date to join
with the membership office on a Sunday morning which can
be before OR after your participation in the “Exploring West
Market” experience. Everyone who joins West Market Street is
strongly encouraged to participate in this simple experience
to discover one’s place within this church community. It’s a
low key gathering within a small group setting to learn
about our own gifts and talents that
each of us has to
offer, and how we might use them to grow in our faith as we
serve God together.
On the day you
join, you do not need to sit in a special place in the
sanctuary or in the Fellowship Hall if you are attending the
9:40 am service. Follow along in
your service bulletin to “Reception of New Members.” At that
point in the service, you will join the pastor at the altar
rail and you will be received as a new member.
WHICH WAY WILL I JOIN AND WHAT WILL I SAY?
You will join either by:
-
Baptism and
Profession of Faith,
- Reaffirmation of
Faith,
- Transfer from another
United Methodist Church, or
- Transfer from another
denomination.
Baptism and Profession of
Faith - Since
baptism is part of membership, if you have
not been baptized, it is normally done within the context of a
service of worship with the congregation making a profession to
care for you. You will then respond to the United Methodist
questions of faith asked by the pastor.
Reaffirmation of Faith
– This is usually chosen as a renewal of faith after a period of
inactivity or of not being on a church roll elsewhere for some
time. The United Methodist Church believes that baptism is a
one-time occurrence; therefore, we recognize baptisms from other
faiths. You will not be re-baptized. You will then respond to
the United Methodist questions of faith asked by the pastor.
Transfer from another
United Methodist Church or Transfer from another denomination
- This is chosen when you are a member of another church (United
Methodist or otherwise). Your baptism is recognized. You will
not be re-baptized. You will then respond to the United
Methodist questions of faith asked by the pastor.
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Questions of Faith asked at the time you join:
Do you wish to be a follower of Jesus Christ, claiming Him
as your Lord and savior?
Your Response: I Do.
Do you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained
in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
Your Response: I Do.
Will you make this your church family, allowing the people
of this church to love and care for you, as together - we
serve God with our prayers, presence, gifts, and service?
Your Response: I Will.
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Special Opportunities to Learn More About West Market:
-
Exploring West Market
- Get to know more about
The United Methodist Church, your faith, and how you can
connect at West Market Street UMC
Dates TBA - Contact our Membership Staff (see below)
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Getting
Acquainted -
Brief overview of ministry at West Market, tour of the
church, meet some of our leaders, ask questions
Dates TBA - Contact our Membership Staff (see below)
Contact
Our Membership Staff:
Reverend Ryan Danker, Pastor of
Discipleship (275-4587, Ext. 19)
Susan Barnes, Membership Administrative Assistant (275-4587,
Ext. 11) |