UMC Handbook

Our Membership Vows

The Meaning of Baptism in the UMC

The Meaning of Holy Communion in the UMC

We believe in:

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

We live by two kinds of faithfulness:

Personal & Social

We follow three simple rules:

Do no harm.

Do Good.

Stay in love with God.

“‘What then is the mark?  Who is a Methodist, according to your own account?’  I answer: A Methodist is one who has ‘the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him;’ one who ‘loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength.’  God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee!  My God and my all!  Thou art the strength of my heart, and my potion for ever!'”

John Wesley-“The Character of a Methodist,” in Works, Vol. 8; pg. 341.

Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Understanding of the Christian Life

1)  Do No Harm

“By doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced.”

-United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004.

When we agree that we will not harm those with whom we disagree, conversation, dialogue, and discovery of new insight become possible.  When our words and actions are guarded by this first simple rule, we have time and space to think about consequences before a word is spoken or an action taken.

“It may easily be believed, he [Jesus] who had this love in his heart would work no evil to his neighbor.  It was impossible for him, knowingly and designedly, to do harm to any man.  He was at the greatest distance from cruelty and wrong, from any unjust or unkind action.  With the same care did he ‘set a watch before his mouth, and keep the door of his lips,’ lest he should offend in tongue, either against justice, or against mercy or truth.  He put away all lying, falsehood, and fraud; neither was guile found in his mouth.  He spake evil of no man nor did an unkind word ever come out of his lips.”

John Wesley-“Sermon 4, Scriptural Christianity,” in Works, Vol. 5; pg. 41.

2)  Do Good

“By doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity; doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all….”

-United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004

The words of Jesus and of Wesley suggest that doing good is a universal command.  That is, doing good is not limited to those like me or those who look like me.  Doing good is directed at everyone, even when those who do not fit my category of “worthy” to receive any good that I or others can direct their way.  This command is also universal and no one is exempt from it.

“There is scare any possible way of doing good, for which here is not daily occasion….  Here are poor families to be relieved:  Here are children to be educated:  Here are workhouses, wherein both young and old gladly receive the word of exhortation:  Here are the prisons, and therein a complication of all human wants.”

John Wesley-“Journal from August 12, 1738-November 1, 1739,” in Works, Vol. 1; pg. 181.

3)  Stay in Love with God

“By attending upon all the ordinances of God….”

-United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004

While the word “ordinance” is strange to our modern ears, John Wesley used it to describe the practices that kept the relationship with God and humans vital, alive, and growing.  Wesley names public worship of God, the Lord’s Supper, private and family prayer, searching the Scriptures, Bible study, and fasting as essential to faithful life.

Our primary weekly worship celebration is every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.   The sacrament of Holy Communion is typically celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and at other times throughout the year.

Children Are Welcome in Worship

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes a child … welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5).  Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration.  They are full participants in the life of the church and in the realm of God. 

Following United Methodist tradition, children are welcome to fully participate in Holy Communion on the First Sunday of each Month.  Children’s Worship Bulletins and Sanctuary Sacks are also available as you come into the Sanctuary.  These Children’s Worship Bulletins have a secret code that unlocks hours of fun learning at home.  This secret code is unique to our church and allows safe and secure access to online games and activities that reinforce our weekly Scripture focus.  

NMO-UMC has been recognized as A Church for All God’s Children by the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church and has a Safe Sanctuaries policy for the protection of our children and youth.

Invitation to Holy Communion

The United Methodist Church celebrates an open Communion Table.  According to The United Methodist Book of Worship: All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children are invited to receive the bread and cup.  We have no tradition of refusing any who present themselves desiring to receive the bread and cup.  All ages are welcome to come and receive these gifts of God’s grace.

The Meaning of Holy Communion in the UMC

Worship Assistance Available

Hearing assistance devices and large print hymnals are available for your use.  Our Greeter will be happy to assist you with these items.

Season of Lent 2023

From the dove released from the ark by Noah to Isaiah’s soaring eagle, from the ravens who brought food to the hungry Elijah to Jesus’ image of a mother hen sheltering her chicks under her wing, and from God’s provision of quail to a wandering people to the rooster’s haunting cry to a wavering disciple, we will explore the role of biblical birds as they offer significant spiritual insights to our understanding of Christian faith.

Newport Community Easter Sunrise Service & Breakfast

Join us at The Village Green Sunday, April 9 at 6:30 a.m. as we greet the sunrise with the glorious announcement; “He is not here for he has been raised as he said.”  The Rev. Roger Henderson, pastor of First Christian Church-Newport, will be sharing the message.  Our time of worship will be followed by an Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall.  Contact Cheryl Miller at cherylmiller26@gmail.com or (703) 304-6038 to see how you can help with the breakfast.

We so often hear about the seven last words of Christ from the cross.  But rarely do we focus in the same way on what Christ said after his Resurrection as he surprised, consoled, rebuked, and inspired his followers.  These words—or better, conversations—provide insight into the heart and mind of Jesus as he prepared and deployed them for ministry in the world.  Join us for The Seven Next Words of Christ each Sunday during the Season of Easter as we walk through these seven powerful encounters and consider their implications for our lives.

A Christian faith that is deeply enchanted by Christ’s beauty and thus formed and fashioned by this beauty has the opportunity to present to a jaded and skeptical world an aspect of the gospel that has been too rare for too long.  Where truth and goodness fail to win an audience, beauty may once again captivate and draw those it enchants into the kingdom of saving grace.  Join us this summer for our series Beyond Reason: Rediscovering the Beauty of Christian Faith.