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

1. 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 .
2. 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.
3. 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.

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.

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)
   

• 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 Rob Hutchinson, Pastor of Evangelism and Small Groups (275-4587, Ext. 19)
    Susan Barnes, Membership Administrative Assistant (275-4587, Ext. 11)