The Methodist Church developed in the mid-1700s out of dissatisfaction with the quality of religious life in the Church of England. With the conviction that the Christian faith contains both a powerful inward spiritual dimension and the call to social justice, the leaders of the reform movement began to reach out to the disinherited of their time: farmers, traders, laborers, merchants, prisoners, widows, children, and the physically and mentally ill.
To this day, the United Methodist Church holds of equal importance in the life of faith the personal spiritual dimension and social compassion. Methodist Christians balance four factors in making life and faith decisions: scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. This is not a creedal church, which tells people what they must believe. Rather, each person is challenged in the difficult and exciting task of developing his or her own faith. The result is that this church and the United Methodist church internationally, is pluralistic, open, and inquiring. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is quoted as saying "in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; but in all things charity."
Church membership is a personal commitment to the life of faith lived in community. This church would be delighted if you chose to affirm membership here. At regularly held membership classes, you will learn more about this church, its heritage, organization, special concerns, and the mission, ministry, and activities of the members. As you become a member you will make a vow to support the church with "your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness."
TENDING THE SPIRIT
Each worship service is designed with care so those who are here will be able to move back into the world with greater strength, vision, and hope. Worship is designed with a particular theme in mind, which the music, the visual design, and the spoken word all reflect.
Sermons and prayers are available in printed form in the Narthex the following week. Tapes of the service may be purchased by following instructions on the envelopes in the pew racks. Sermons are also posted on the church website: www.campbellunited.org.
Prayer is at the heart of Christian life. Every participant in the life of the church is encouraged to develop a personal pattern of prayer to deepen their own spiritual journey, as well as lifting up concerns for other people, for family and friends, for those who are sick or in trouble, or for wider concerns around the world.
The Prayer Chain calls its members with concerns that arise, and the members pray for each person or concern. The E-Prayer list works like the prayer chain, but with people receiving the information via e-mail.
To put a person or concern on the prayer list, you may call or email the church office with a request, or fill out a Prayer Request slip, which can be found in the pew pockets in the Sanctuary.
The pastor and other pastoral care-givers are a source of counsel, aid and comfort. They assist in major life: baptism, marriage, and times of bereavement. They also provide a wide range of other pastoral care, such as visiting the ill and shut-ins, and they have resources to make referrals into the community for therapeutic and other needs. If you have a special concern, please contact the pastor through the church office. All pastoral conversations are confidential unless permission is given to share this in prayer.
Teams of lay pastoral caregivers function in various ways, from visitation, to phone support, to prayer. If you would like a caring connection with a layperson, or if you would like to offer yourself as a caring friend, please contact either Rev. Alan Jones or, Care-giving Coordinator, Ginny Johnson. Both may be contacted through the church office at (408)378-3472, or via email: alanhjones@earthlink.net, or ginnyjnsn@aol.com.