Membership
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. -1 Corinthians 12:12
Why Membership Matters
From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he called people into relationships with each other. We believe that God created us to be in committed community, and within the Christian church this is lived out in church membership.
“A member is bound in sacred covenant to shoulder the burdens, share the risks, and celebrate the joys of fellow members.”
UMC Book of Discipline, Paragraph 219
What Membership Means
Taking United Methodist membership vows is an important step in your life of faith at FUMCR. Each of our church members is unique and lives out these vows in diverse ways.
As you consider joining FUMCR, we encourage you to think and pray about what these vows mean to you.
Our hope is that you find ways to commit to a life of faith and participate in the mission of FUMCR to welcome people for Christ, grow people in Christ, and serve people with Christ.
Membership Vows:
• Do you confess Jesus Christ as Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord?
• Will you remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world?
• Will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
• Will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness?
How to Become a Member
We are thrilled that you would consider making FUMCR your spiritual home. If you have questions about taking this step in your faith journey, please reach out to Mallory Pickering, Engagement Coordinator, at mpickering@fumcr.com or 972.996.0146.
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Christian Baptism
Through the sacrament of baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church. We are incorporated into God’s might acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price. -United Methodist Hymnal
As United Methodists, we believe God takes the first step by offering us grace, no matter what age or stage of life we might be living. Baptism is a declaration of the grace that has already been offered to us. It is a sacrament - a special tradition of the church in which we believe God is acting in a unique way.
If you have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in another Christian denomination, we recognize that baptism and celebrate it with you. There is no need to be re-baptized.
If you would like to be baptized, we offer a one-hour baptism class to learn more and schedule this special time in worship. If you have questions about baptism, please reach out to Rev. Cheryl Bishop, cbishop@fumcr.com.
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Joining Options
We offer several ways to join FUMCR.
Worship: During most Sunday worship services, a pastor will invite those wishing to become members to walk forward during the closing song. The pastor will ask you to affirm the membership vows, and the congregation will celebrate with you in taking this step along your faith journey.
Welcome Desk: You can visit our Welcome Desk at any point on Sunday mornings to take your membership vows with a staff member.
Welcoming Ministry Events: Our periodic Thinking About Joining? events give you the opportunity to connect with pastors, staff, and other potential/new members and take membership vows if you desire. Contact Rev. Allison Jean, allison@fumcr.com, to find out about upcoming events.
Online: If you are part of our online community, please reach out to Mallory Pickering, mpickering@fumcr.com, to discuss joining the church.
Membership options for children and youth:
• Infants through 7th graders may be baptized and become provisional members of the church.
• 7th graders participate in Confirmation Sunday School, which offers a joining opportunity near the end of the school year.
• 8th graders and older may join as full members in the ways listed here, with baptism being a prerequisite.
If you plan to join FUMCR, we hope you will let us know so we can prepare to celebrate with you!
You can fill out membership paperwork online, and someone from our Welcoming Team will reach out to discuss next steps.
We are here to help!
Rev. Allison Jean
Pastor, Modern Worship and Welcoming972.996.0103
allison@fumcr.com
Rev. Cheryl Bishop
Pastor, Faith Formation, Women's Ministry, Caring Ministry972.996.0136
cbishop@fumcr.com
Bethani Blair
Asst Director, Welcoming972.996.0156
bblair@fumcr.com
Mallory Pickering
Engagement Coordinator972.996.0146
mpickering@fumcr.com
