Our Faith

Shine in God's Grace Every Day

As part of the United Methodist Church of America, we hold its foundational beliefs, as set forth in the Bible and elaborated by John Wesley in The Book of Discipline. For a clear and concise explanation of the tenets of Methodism, please go to the United Methodist church website at www.umc.org.

At our church in Winooski, we place special emphasis on:

Human Dignity

We recognize and celebrate our responsibility to God and to one another

Grace

God's love is freely given--and we do not deserve it.

Conversation

It provides a new beginning and an is on-going process guided by the Holy Spirit

It provides each of us with the possibility for personal transformation as faith working in love.

Faith & Works

Faith inspires service. The two belong together. Faith by itself is dead if it has no works. (James 2:17).

An Inclusive Church

We include people of all races, cultures, disabilities, ages--children, youth and adults. We manifest a climate of welcome, as well as a desire to learn from and share with one another.

A Connected Church

We help carry God's mission to the world through our relationships with family and community.

Sacraments

Holy Communion and Baptism are the two sacraments we honor.

John Wesley by George Romney.

National Portrait Gallery London.

This quiet demonstration of Pietist and Moravian faith had already made an impression on John and Charles while they were studying at Oxford. When they returned to England from their unsuccessful missionary so American somewhat disillusioned, both bothers separately experienced spiritual encounters, which would alter their religious beliefs.

In John's case, his conversion occurred after having attended a reading in 1738, of Luther's "preface to Romans" at a society gathering London at Aldersgate. About the experience afterwards, John wrote: "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.

Wesley's transformational experience provided the seed that grew into the importance he placed on new birth, a continuing process of spiritual growth in all areas of one's life, and on sanctification, the movement toward holiness and spiritual maturity.

When combined with the need for balancing Works of Piety or Devotional Worship (prayer and reading of scripture) with Works of Mercy or the Social Gospel (acts of compassion and helping others), it completes the basic building blocks of Methodism.

Spiritual Transformation

In 1736, John Wesley and his brother Charles began a missionary to Georgia by ship, when suddenly the main sail shredded and all the lives on board endangered. Panicking, most of the passengers were screaming for their lives to be saved, except for a small group of Moravians, a Pietist sect, who calm presence and trust in God, led to to sing hymns.

Parishioner Judy Fredette shares her memories of the Winooski UMC

The Beech and Dacres Families have been members of the Winooski United Methodist Church since the early 1960s. Many of the family members were baptized, confirmed, married, and remembered in their passing at this little green church, located in the heart of downtown Winooski.

Several family members participated in the Sunday School program as students and teachers while others were part of the Lay Leader program, sang in the choir, and acted as communion stewards. Clara and her daughter, Judy, still attend Sunday services. Each week, they join fellow worshippers singing hymns and songs. They enjoy hearing Jesus speak to them through sermons, given by their faithful pastor, Ellen Ravelin.

Parishioner Profiles

The Winooski United Methodist Church has been, and continues to be, a faithful Christian church for the Beech and Dacres families, with loyalty to ALL church members, visitors, and the community. Through all the adversities the church has faced, the smiles and indomitable spirit within this strong little church are a blessing to everyone!!

Clara and her daughter believe that as you allow the ordinary stuff of life to fade away, you are able to listen intentionally and to rejuvenate your spirit in His presence. In the same way you enjoy spending your birthdays and holidays with your family, Jesus enjoys spending every day with you. "i am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12 NKJV).

Everyone is always welcome at the WUMC. The Beech and Dacres famiies are grateful for this little green church and for always being in his presence. Grateful Families, Always in Hist Presence.

“When it comes to faith, what a living, creative, active, powerful thing it is! It cannot do other than good at all times. It never waits to ask whether there is some good which is to be done; rather, before the question is raised, it has done the deed, and keeps on doing it.” --John Wesley