Church Membership

If you are considering joining the membership of Valley Center UMC, you will need to attend a Coffee with Dennis. He will schedule these meetings about four times per year or more often if needed. He and others will provide information about the church, what membership means, and what the congregation expects of members. This informal Coffee is offered during the Sunday School hour and last about an hour to an hour and ten minutes. It is a good chance to ask questions about the church, the pastor, and whatever you need to know to help you make an informed decision about membership. Attendees are not obligated to join, but everyone is invited to consider church membership and join the congregation as she or he decides. Contact Cheryl Ward in the office to indicate your interest in a Coffee. We hope to meet you there soon.

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What About Baptism?

We understand Holy Baptism to be a Sacrament, a rite in which God is directly involved. We baptize with water during regular services of worship, and at other times and places under special circumstances. While pastor Dennis administers the words and the water, God performs the baptism. For that reason we do not re-baptize; God has already completed that act.

Baptism is an act of faith on the part of the one being baptized and indicates trust in care, love, and grace of God. Anyone who wishes to join the congregation must have been baptized with water in a church of the Christian faith.

Please inquire at the church office with your questions about baptism. We are always happy to assist you.

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Uniting by Transfer

If you are a member of another United Metodist congregation, we will receive you by Transfer of Membership. The church office will be happy to write and secure a Certificate of Transfer for you. It is not necessary for this process to be complete before you are received into membership.

If you are a member of another Christian Denomination, we will receive you also by Transfer of Membership. A second baptism is not necessary. As you unite with us, you will be asked the question of loyalty: "Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church, and this local congregation, and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?"

The church office will assist you in securing certificates of transfer and anything else regarding a membership transfer.

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Uniting by Profession of Faith

Any person desiring to confess her or his faith in Jesus the Christ and wishing to live a Christian life may become a member of VC 1st UMC by profession of faith. Each is asked to declare his or her purpose by answering the following traditional questions:

1. Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness , reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?

2. Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

3. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?

4. According to the grace given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ's Holy Church and serve as Christ's representative in the world?

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What about Confirmation?

Confirmation in the church means simply that persons who have been baptized but who have not professed faith in Jesus the Christ now will confirm their baptism by making a public profession of faith. When a student (confirmand) confirms his or her baptism and professes faith, he or she enters the Professing Membership of the United Methodist Church as well as the local congregation.

Confirmation Class assists those preparing for their profession of faith by providing information about the church, about the Christian history and faith, and about our commitment to Christ. Youth Director Brian and Pastor Dennis lead the class, normally composed of 8^th grade students. Class begins in the fall and concludes on Confirmation Sunday sometime in March.

Confirmation is not an ending but a beginning of a new relationship with Christ and his body, the Church. It marks a major transition in the faith journey of the student, and it promises continued ministry, service, and growth in one’s Christian life. In United Methodist language, it is a major step in moving on to perfection.

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Requirements of Confirmands

1. Attend all class sessions and be on time. If you cannot attend or will be tardy, please call ahead if possible. If you miss a session, you will be required to do a make-up exercise and/or worksheet. If you miss class four times (regardless of make-ups), we will schedule a time to meet with you and your parents to discuss whether or not we can continue the journey together for this year.

2. Com prepared. Each week you will need your Bible and your class notebook.

3. Be actively involved in class discussions and activities.

4. Keep cell phones off during class time.

5. Be respectful of the thoughts, ideas, and questions of others in the class.

6. Do not bring food or drink to class (snacks will be served during break time).

7. Worship weekly on Sunday mornings at FUMCVC. In addition, be an active participant in Sunday School and/or UM Youth: Cross Trainers on Wednesday nights.

8. You may be asked to memorize selected Bible passages and other significant Christian traditions. You will not be asked to do anything more than you are capable of doing, but you will be asked to do your very best.

9. Attend the Covenant Service at the beginning of the Confirmation Journey, the Confirmation Retreat in February, and the Confirmation Service on the designated Sunday in March.

10. Meet with your mentor on a weekly basis. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate calls to make the meetings happen.

11. Contribute to the weekly class collection for United Methodist Open Door; we will contribute the designated canned food item of the month.

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What kind of ceremony will occur when I join the church ?

What happens on the day you join the church depends on where you are in your faith journey. If you have never been baptized, then you will be baptized in a worship service. If you are transferring your membership to FUMCVC, pastor Dennis will have you come forward in the service of your choice and he will ask you a couple of questions concerning your willingness to support the United Methodist Church and the local Valley Center Congregation.

The congregation does not vote on you; the congregation will welcome you.

The ceremony to join the church doesn't take very long. At the end, Dennis will hand you a certificate of membership, and you may return to your seat in the worship service. You will be invited into the Narthex after the service so that the congregation may greet you as they depart.

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Does the UMC require a particular mode of baptism?

No, the United Methodist Church recognizes three modes of baptism, and if you want to be baptized, you may request any mode. 1. Sprinkling, in which a small amount of water is used on your head. The pastor will drop a small amount of water on your head and also make the sign of the cross.

2. Pouring, in which the pastor will pour water over you. This is a much wetter experience, and it would not be done in the sanctuary. Other options are avaialbe. If you are interested in pouring, check with pastor Dennis about details.

3. Immersion, in which you will be completely immersed in water. This form of baptism requires a baptistry (a tank large enough to submerge an adult). FUMCVC does not have a baptistry, but we have the option of gathering at a church facility that does. Talk to pastor Dennis about the possibilities.

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What does the church expect of Members?

Membership vows include the words ". . . will you faithfully participate in the congregation's ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness." We interpret these words to the following:

1. We expect members to pray, to pray for each other, for their own Christian growth and faithfulness, and for the needs of the world at large.

2. We expect members to attend worship each week. We realize that no one is able to attend every single week, the pastor will be absent occasionally, but our hope is that for all members, worship attendance will be a priority. Those involved in worship planning and execution will try to assure that attendees will not waste their time by coming to worship.

3. We expect that members will support the church financially. Christian disciples learn to live in a state of sacrifice, and financial sacrifice is a part of the faith--faith that we can live on a bit less than we are given. No one will be looking over your shoulder, or prodding you to give. How much you give is between you and God. If you have questions about supporting the church financially, contact the office.

4. We expect that members will be involved in some kind of small group experience, and FUMCVC offers lots of those.

We expect that members will participate in a service ministry. The church will promote these events and ministries, and you will be invited to choose from a long list of service opportunities. Members may also receive a personal invitations to participate in projects as they come along.

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Our Invitation

We invite you to join us in our ministry of making disciples of Jesus the Christ. You may indicate your desire for membership by contacting the church office, speaking with the pastor, the director of lay ministries, or by making a notation on the red attendance pad found in the pews.

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