Text Box: Our Vision To Realize God’s Promise at Creation God has something in mind for the world — a realm in which God and people live in harmony and joy. The evidence of that intent can be seen throughout the Bible — particularly in the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis, and the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. The fulfillment of that vision was important for Jesus Christ, who taught his followers to pray “thy kingdom come…” That fulfillment is the vision of our congregation — where “realize” means more than mere understanding, but also to “make real.” Realization happens when something unseen, like a dream, becomes tangible in the lives of everyday people. Our Mission To Recognize, Celebrate, and Participate in God’s transformation of the world through Jesus Christ This congregation has accepted the invitation of Jesus to be in partnership with God, helping people experience that life-changing power immediately as well as in the future. This is what we understand to be the Good News of the gospel: That the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus demonstrates the depth of God’s love for the world, and God’s desire for our full experience of that joyful realm envisioned at creation. Our response to the Good News, as disciples of Jesus Christ, is to invite others — including you — to experience the joy of that love in tangible ways, and to be alert for opportunities to participate in God’s transformation of the world. Our Motto Real people, with real issues, on a real journey with a real God. As Real People we acknowledge that we are not perfect, and we do not pretend to be. We try to be authentic about who we are, where we come from, and where we hope to go. Real Issues are the widely varied circumstances that affect everyone’s life and faith. We don’t hide from our burdens, fears, conflicts, and challenges. Rather, we try to face them in the same way that Jesus faced them — with words and acts of healing, encouragement, and sometimes admonishment; but all given in love. This is all part of a real journey with a God who is not static or distant, but close by and dynamic. God has a destiny for the world, and for all of us who are part of it. None of us is here by accident, and none of us goes unnoticed or unloved by God. When a community of faith recognizes that together, they begin to experience God within that togetherness: Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Our motto is not original. It was inspired by and adapted from that of the Livingwater UMC in Dayton, OH, a growing community of faith whose vision, passion, and inclusiveness we admire. We thank them for this important understanding of what the church of Jesus Christ is all about.

About Abbott United Methodist Church

Real people, with real issues, on a real journey with a real God
Text Box: Beginnings Abbott church began as a Methodist Society in a Parsons, PA schoolhouse in 1872, and later that year constructed the building pictured above. (It’s a bit different now.) It was incorporated as the Methodist Episcopal Church of Parsons in 1876; but soon after renamed itself in memory of the late Rev. William Penn Abbott, a renown preacher of New York with roots in nearby Plains, PA. In spite of its side-street location and no parking, membership and attendance peaked in the 1940s and 50s, only to decline as population shifted and more people depended on the automobile. The Grand Experiment As with many congregations, Abbott church’s heyday had long passed by 2004. With only 45 members and an average Sunday attendance of 15, church leaders decided to use recent windfalls of cash on a “Grand Experiment,” in which a full-time pastor would be sought to help Abbott “become a vital church, or die trying.” Church leaders decided that saving souls was more important than saving the church; and they set forth a vision and mission that incorporates that understanding. Since then, new worship experiences, a renewed Sunday School, year-round Bible study, a new parking lot, and door-to-door invitations have helped make Abbott a growing center of life and faith. Occasional concerts by our praise band, Revelation 21, have become one of the vehicles by which Abbott church spreads the Good News of Jesus Christ in the larger community.