We welcome visitors and guests to Newark United Methodist Church in the same spirit of hospitality that Jesus showed throughout his earthly ministry, when he encouraged, fellowshiped, and ministered with/to all he encountered. The NUMC family embraces all God's children as fellow partakers in the kingdom of God. We take seriously our responsiblilty and commitment to joyful hospitality, as set forth in examples from both Testaments. (Mark 10: 13-16; Matthew 15: 22-28; Luke 15:1-7; Genesis 18:1-15; Luke 15:11-32.)
We greet visitors and guests during the Sharing of the Peace in each worship service, and visitors are invited to note their presence among us by registering in our red “Friendship Pads.” First-time visitors receive a welcome gift which includes information about the church and its ministries. Returning visitors may expect a friendly telephone call from a volunteer from our Membership Team, just to answer any questions about our church or its programs. Visitors are invited to participate in our ministries and to receive communion with us from the very first visit!
Information about Membership and Baptism:
- Adults and older teens may become members of Newark United Methodist Church
- by profession of faith in Jesus Christ,
- by reaffirmation of faith after an absence from church life,
- by transfer of membership from another denomination or
- by transfer from another United Methodist Church.
- If a person has never been baptized, they will be baptized and received into membership at the same time, in a regular service of worship.
- Children and babies are baptized into the universal church of Jesus Christ and are considered “preparatory members” of the United Methodist Church.
- For more information or to schedule a baptism, please contact the Senior Pastor at 302-368-8774.
- We baptize by pouring or sprinkling; immersion baptism may be arranged on special request. We recognize the baptism of other Christian denominations, and so we do not re-baptize persons who come to us to become members.
- Adults and teens who receive baptism are invited to full membership at the time of their baptism.
- Older teens (those in 9th through 12th grades) and their parent(s) are invited to participate in a ten-week period of preparation for confirmation – when they are invited to make their own profession of the faith into which they were baptized. Those not previously baptized will be baptized at the same time as their profession of faith.
- Regular visitors are invited to take part in New Member Classes, which are held three of four times each year, fall, winter, and spring, or more often as needed. On three Sunday (late) afternoons, adult (and teens previously confirmed in another church) enjoy sessions around these themes:
- What is Methodism? Where do we fit in the church of Jesus Christ? What is distinctive about the UMC?
- Methodist spirituality – growing in grace, growing in love
- Methodists in mission and ministry – the church in the world (Main Street, Newark, and beyond), stewarding our resources for mission, and opportunities for ministry in and through NUMC.
Please contact our Senior Pastor at 302-368-8774, if you have any questions about membership or baptism in the United Methodist Church. |
