Within United Methodism and in our congregation, are people of strong, literal Biblical belief, as well as others who are equally reverent but more attuned to the Bible's symbolism and openness on many issues.

There are persons whose greatest religious value is prayer and personal spirituality, and others who are most concerned with daily missions, justice and good works.

There are persons who have had specific experiences of being "born again," or "converted," and others who view their entire life as a continuing journey with God.

There are some who have been United Methodists since childhood, and many who have grown up in other religious traditions.

We are not all alike, but we seek a unity of spirit and acceptance within the fellowship of Christ's Church. This attitude reflects the spirit of John Wesley who, despite his very pronounced opinions, was able to say to someone who differed from him "If your heart is as mine, give me your hand."

We are a diverse fellowship, but within our differences there are some basics:

We are a Christ-Centered Church, committed to the God who is revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

We believe strongly in the Whole Gospel, in the connection between the inner life of prayer and the outward life of service. We worship and serve God most authentically when prayer and work, devotion and action, go together.

We are a Connectional and Ecumenical Church, linked in mission with our fellow United Methodists around the world, and one in spirit with Christians in all branches of God's Church.

We are pledged as church members to serve God with our Prayers, our Presence, our Gifts, and our Service.

At a time of deep personal struggle he had an experience that touched him deeply, which he later described this way:

"I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins and saved me from the law of sin and death."

Though Wesley never left his Church, he gave his life to working outside its structure, organizing his followers in close-knit "societies," which met for spiritual nurture and practical outreach in service to others. Personal salvation, linked with concern for the poor, the oppressed, the imprisoned, the ill - this "whole gospel" approach was the mark of the societies. So disciplined were these Christians that the derisive label "Methodists" was applied by outsiders, and this name, intended as an insult, was accepted by the Wesley followers.

Methodism came to America with the British colonists, and spread rapidly through the efforts of "circuit riders," traveling preachers who rode to the most remote frontiers to carry the Christian message. After the Revolutionary War the American Methodists felt that they could no longer be a part of the Church of England, and in 1784 they officially organized themselves as the "Methodist Episcopal Church."

Methodism has been present in Hyde Park since 1828 - first in a farmer's home, then in a school house, and finally in a church. In 1833 the first Methodist church building was erected, at the corner of Church Street and Route 9. This building was outgrown, and was torn down to make room for a larger one. which was dedicated on May 26, 1897, the church in which we still are worshipping. In 1965 the new education building was constructed, providing much needed space for Christian education, fellowship and community service.

We here, however, are a part of something much more significant than buildings and institutions. After much thought and prayer a statement of purpose for our church was agreed upon: