Vision and Mission
VISION AND MISSION
Our Mission Statement:
Our mission is to lead persons to Christ and disciple believers.
The Vision of First United Methodist Church of Manchester:
As followers of Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, we…...
Step boldly out of our comfort zones so we grow deeper in our faith;
Feed the hungry both body and soul;
Provide worship and spiritual growth opportunities;
Promote truth and justice; and
Always value others over ourselves so together we can grow in Christ.
Beliefs
BELIEFS
Our Wesleyan Theological Heritage: Distinctive Emphases
Wesley and the early Methodists were particularly concerned about inviting people to experience God’s grace and to grow in their knowledge and love of God through disciplined Christian living. They placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.
The distinctive shape of our theological heritage can be seen not only in this emphasis on Christian living, but also in Wesley's distinctive understanding of God's saving grace. Although Wesley shared with many other Christians a belief in salvation by grace, he combined them in a powerful way to create distinctive emphases for living the full Christian life.
Grace
Grace is central to our understanding of Christian faith and life. Grace can be defined as the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. We read in the Letter to the Ephesians: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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.” The ability to call to mind God’s love and God’s gift of Jesus Christ is a rich resource for theology and faith.”
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, described God’s grace as threefold:
prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace.
Faith and Good Works
Mission and Service
Nurture and Mission of the Church
for more information to the the umc.org website:
http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2310047/k.4669/Our_Wesleyan_Theological_Heritage.htm
History
HISTORY
Methodists have met in Manchester since 1813, when Isaac Conger was appointed to the Elk River Circuit. The land where Manchester First United Methodist Church sits was donated to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1836. A frame building was erected in 1852 and in 1883 part of the present brick building was erected.
Various renovations, including a major one completed in 2006, brought us to where we are today. While we're excited about the updates we've made to our building, it's the people of Manchester First United Methodist Church who step out in faith every day to make disciples of Christ that is truly exciting.
Plans are now underway for our congregation's celebration of our bicentennial in 2013.
Chapel
Sanctuary
Wedding Policy
WEDDING POLICY
The First United Methodist Church of Manchester is happy to offer our facilities for your wedding. Membership in our congregation is not required. However, our senior pastor must review each request to use our facilities and determine its appropriateness before an agreement is final. Our senior pastor and our secretary are responsible for determining whether the date and time of a marriage ceremony can properly fit within the church calendar of ministries and activities. Please review the following concerning the wedding policy at Manchester First UMC.
WEDDING POLICY Revised 2006 - FINAL, 8-21-07.doc
Chapel
Sanctuary