Woodville: UM church plans heritage day celebration

News Editor
news@presspublications.com

The Woodville United Methodist Church will host a Rally/Heritage Day and block party Sept. 10 to mark the church’s 150-plus-year heritage in the village and promote its fall season of Sunday School and church activities.
The Rev. Dee Baker, who was appointed to Woodville UMC last November, said the church is also embarking on a campaign to help individuals and families who wish to remain United Methodist find a new church home in the wake of the disaffiliation of the Global Methodist Church from the United Methodist Church.
Individual churches within the United Methodist Church denomination have until December to decide whether to disaffiliate from the UM Church. Those deciding to do so have the option of becoming independent, joining the Global Methodist Church, or affiliating with a different denomination.
Formally launched in 2022, the Global Methodist Church has a more conservative stance on several issues.
Rev. Baker said UM churches willing to open their doors to those looking for a church have volunteered to be listed as a “North Star Church.”
“This simply indicates to people that Woodville UMC is a church that has remained United Methodist, and has opened its doors to persons in search of a church home,” she said. “Our administrative council made the decision in June – after the annual conference – to open our doors to anyone needing a church home. We are making preparations to welcome and assist all who walk through our doors.”
Members of the Woodville church studied the issue for months before deciding to stay the course, Rev. Baker said.
A new church logo is being designed, echoing its mission statement of “Deepen Faith, Grow Community, Serve in Love.”
The block party planned for Sept. 10 is a way for the community to get to know more about the church and register for the church school program.
“It’s our way of moving forward in a positive direction,” Rev. Baker said.”We’re saying we are United Methodist. Welcome. We trust there are people in the community we haven’t met who have felt disenfranchised from their own denominations. We want to give anyone the opportunity to come and meet the congregation.”
Face painting, treats, an obstacle course, games, music and other activities are planned.
Church school will start at 9 a.m. and a 10:30 a.m. worship service will be held outside under a tent.
A picnic lunch will follow.
The church is located at 201 W. First St., Woodville.
Rev. Baker can be reached at 419-849-2400.