Welcome to

Linworth United Methodist Church

About Us

Our goal at Linworth UMC is to build a community of deeply committed Christians who love God and neighbor. We are a church that welcomes all people to encounter the risen Jesus. Together we assist one another in developing a faith that equips us for the challenges of our changing world and place our hope in the Lord.

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION

OUR BELIEFS

OUR STORY

CORE VALUES

Such a love of God is this as engrosses the whole heart, as takes up all the affections, as fills the entire capacity of the soul, and employs the utmost extent of all its faculties.

John Wesley

What We Believe

Linworth UMC is a member of the United Methodist Church and is affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network within the greater UMC denomination.

What is a United Methodist Church?

The United Methodist Church is a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world. The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

A United Methodist is someone who joins in that mission by putting faith and love into action. We believe that God loves all people, and that we share in expressing that love. So the United Methodist tradition emphasizes God’s grace and in serving others.

We believe that Jesus Christ is the fullest expression of God’s love–showing us the fullness of God’s care through Jesus’ teachings, death and resurrection.

John Wesley started the Methodist movement in 18th century England. His teachings on practical divinity (living out our faith) and appeals to reason and experience form important aspects of United Methodist practice today.

Diversity is an integral part of the United Methodist Church because our members come from many ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Our opinions and our interpretations of scripture are also diverse. As members of the United Methodist Church we seek acceptance and love in our diversities and through our faith.

Here at Linworth UMC our beliefs are summarized as:

God loves and forgives everyone. Lives are changed through God’s love and grace.
The Bible gives inspiration and guidance for relationship building as well as spiritual development.
Jesus, God’s Son, is the example for how we should live.
Jesus Christ sends us into the world to love and serve others.
Life, now and forever, is offered to every person who believes in Jesus Christ.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WEBSITE

What is the Reconciling Ministries Network?

Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is a network of United Methodist and other Christian individuals, community groups, and congregations who are LGBTQ+ affirming and committed to full inclusion in the United Methodist Church. RMN works for full equality in membership, ordination, and marriage for God’s LGBTQ children.

For more information on RMN’s programs, members, and history:

RECONCILING MINISTRIES NETWORK WEBSITE

Statement of Inclusion

Linworth UMC has a rich tradition of being a welcoming place for all people to worship God in a loving community of faith. As we are all created in God’s image and named as children of God, each one of us in our uniqueness and diversity reflect the unconditional love of God and God’s creative sovereignty.

Therefore, Linworth UMC celebrates that all people are of sacred value. As Galatians 3:28 declares, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” As a reconciling congregation, Linworth UMC welcomes and affirms LGBTQIA+ individuals into the full life and ministry of the church. Furthermore, Linworth UMC welcomes and affirms all people regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, physical ability, socioeconomic status, or faith background as part of our community.

As United Methodists, we believe that all are welcome to participate in the sacraments of Holy Communion and baptism to receive the gift of grace given to us through the hope and healing brought by Jesus Christ. Therefore, at the invitation of Christ, Linworth UMC pledges to make space for one another, welcome one another, and love one another as God first loved us.

Our Story

Linworth UMC began in 1887 as a chapel, originally known as Bright’s Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 2424 W. Granville Rd.

In 1957 additional space was needed. Fourteen families took out second mortgages on their homes to provide the equity needed to purchase property and build the new church at 6200 Linworth Road. By 1996 the average worship attendance had increased to 550 and again more space was needed.

Ten acres was purchased at the corner of Bent Tree and Federated Boulevards and on December 7, 1997 the church moved to its current location. The second phase of the move will be to erect a Family Life and Outreach Center.

The church now has a membership of between 700-770. In 2000 a Contemporary Worship Service was begun. Excellent educational day care opportunities are offered through the Linworth Children’s Center where over 200 children are enrolled. Opportunities to explore and share our faith journeys are given through mission work, community service, Vacation Bible School, and a myriad of small groups. These groups build community and share life together.

The legacy created by our forebears in 1887 remains a beacon of hope and inspiration to us here in the 21st century.

Core Values

We value life-changing spiritual growth by inviting all people into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Church.

We value and respect ALL persons no matter where they are on their faith journey.

We value the God-given talents of each individual.

We value the power of prayer.

We value worship as an integral part of experiencing God’s presence through the scripture, the sacraments, music and the arts.

We value Christian education as a tool for Christian maturity.

We value an intentional “caring ministry” that nurtures and builds our relationships with others.

We value God’s call for us to take action beyond ourselves and our local church by being committed to issues of social justice.