United Methodists

UMCL is part of the United Methodist denomination, the second largest Protestant denomination in America.  We uphold our heritage by pursuing ministry in keeping with this tradition.  We seek to be generous in spirit, broadminded, devoted to Jesus Christ, and wholly surrendered to God.  We strive for personal holiness by inviting people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and we pursue social holiness in the public sphere by addressing key issues of our time so that our world will look more like the Kingdom of God.

United Methodists share a common heritage with other Christians, holding to the historic essentials of the Christian faith.  We have a passionate faith with strong convictions, but we also recognize that the world is not always black and white.  We are willing to ask questions, to wrestle with difficult issues, and to do so with grace and compassion.  We are "people of the Book," whose faith is firmly rooted in and built upon the scriptures.  We hold the Bible to be divinely inspired and are committed to live by its words and we recognize the Bible was written by people who heard God in the light of their own cultural and historical circumstances.  As such, we make use of scholarship and study the scriptures carefully.  When we encounter theological differences, we bear in mind John Wesley's approach, "in essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity."

We believe the goal of the Christian life is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.  From the beginning of the Methodist movement, we were knows as "reasonable enthusiasts," those who were both emotionally and intellectually engaged.  We value passionate worship, relevant preaching, small groups to hold Christians accountable to one another, and serving those who are in need.  We value the spiritual disciplines and take a "methodical" approach to growing in faith.  United Methodists value the full participation of women and men, people of all backgrounds in every facet of fellowship and leadership within the church and society.

This is our heritage, and it continues to shape the United Methodist Church of Livonia in every area of our ministry.

UMCL is a congregation of the United Methodist Church, very proud of our Wesleyan heritage, and the global work of the United Methodist Church through “Nothing But Nets,” UMCOR, and other short- and long-term Methodist Ministries.

The United Methodist Church is trying to eradicate malaria through its “Nothing But Nets” program.  Malaria is the leading killer of children in Africa.  This global, grassroots campaign saves lives by preventing malaria by providing specially treated netting.

UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by war, conflict or natural disaster.  Humanitarian relief and disaster response is provided by UMCOR to people in more than 80 countries, including the United States, and is most often the first on the scene.

The United Methodist Church is organized into geographic regions.  Our church, UMCL, is part of the Northeast Jurisdiction, Upper New York Annual Conference and our Bishop is Héctor A. Burgos Núñez.  Each conference is divided into districts.  We are part of the Genesee Valley District.

 Salih and Joyce and their two sons have been connected to UMCL for about 12 years now. Joyce was a graduate of Elim Bible College, Lima, NY, and felt called to go to Turkey as a missionary.  Upon arrival, it became clear to her that Turkish society would not accept a female missionary. But she still felt called by God to be there.  She met and married a Christian pastor from Turkey and threw her support behind his ministry.  Together they have had many adventures.

Being a Christian in Turkey is very challenging.  Salih has been beaten several times for his faith. One way this happens is that he receives a call that someone wants to talk about Jesus but is afraid of persecution by their family. Would Salih be willing to meet with them in a quiet area of a park so that they can be discipled in the faith? When Salih arrives there are three or more men and they beat him - sometimes to unconsciousness.  Salih and Joyce's church has been in the university town of Eshkesheir. Perhaps it would have been worse for them in a more parochial village.    
     
Salih's English is not terrific, but he has spoken at UMCL and he blessed the church greatly. I think it's fair to say that he believes that most people in the U.S. are fantastically wealthy - and compared to Turkey we are.  When he's visited before, Former Pastor Dan Finch and Karen loaned him a car and their cabin.  He thanked Pastor Dan profusely.  

Their family has had numerous health challenges and they have recently moved to the U.S. so that they can have treatments that are only available here.  Former UMCL Pastor Dan and Karen are hoping to connect with Salih and Joyce soon.  To them, Salih and Joyce are heroes who will have mansions in heaven while our accommodations will be less impressive. We have ministered in comfort while they have labored in faith.