A Methodist Society since 1789
Jesse Lee Church Worship Schedule
| Date | Event |
| Sunday | 9:15 Education Hour - This program features music, reading, and activities for all ages. |
| Sunday | 10:00 service - Please join us for a traditional worship service. This service, for all ages, includes a sermon, prayers, organ music and choir, singing, scripture readings, and, once a month the Bell Choir plays. On the first Sunday of the month, Holy Communion. |
| Sunday | Following the 10 AM service join us for coffee and fellowship in Bennett Hall. |
| Date | Event |
| First Sunday | Food Collection - Donations of non-perishable food items, which are given to various food pantries and shelters in the area. |
| Twice Yearly | Clothing Collection - Twice a year clothing in good condition is collected and given to various agencies. |
| None at present | UNITED METHODIST WOMEN - The United Methodist Women is not meeting at present. |
| Last Sunday | UMM Fellowship - The United Methodist Men's (UMM) group has temporarily suspended their monthly breakfasts. |
Calendar of Events
Communion Stewards
We are located at 25 Flat Rock Road in Easton. Follow Route 59 (Sport Hill Rd) to the blinking yellow light (Flat Rock Rd.), turn onto Flat Rock Road. We are the third building on the left.
Telephone: (203) 372-8250; Fax: (203) 374-9383 or Send us an e-mail
Jesse Lee United Methodist Church seeks to be a compassionate congregation whose members, through word and deed, live the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself."
Our Mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ by:THROUGH THE POWER AND GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Jesus told us: Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19 - 20
The noble calling of Christians is to be ministers to the world where they live, work and play. The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church reminds us that The heart of Christian Ministry is Christ’s outreaching love...All Christians are called to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment. ( 104, The 1996 Book of Discipline)
We Invite You To Join
Jesse Lee United Methodist Church is the direct descendant of the oldest continuously operating Methodist Society in New England. Our church traces its origins to 1789 when Jesse Lee, a traveling preacher from Virginia, was appointed to spread the word of God to the New England circuit. Operating continuously since then, Jesse Lee has grown into a vibrant and caring church family. The congregation meets in its warm and intimate colonial sanctuary dating from 1813.
The Rev. Christine Kim
Pastor Christine comes to us from Grace United Methodist Church in Southington, CT. YangHee Christine Kim was born in Seoul, Korea and immigrated to the United States in 1981 where she grew up and lived in New York City, before answering the call to be a pastor at Clinton United Methodist Church in Clinton, CT.
At the age of 10, YangHee began to overcome challenges, enduring the struggle to learn, English, a language her ears barely heard before coming to the U.S. Inspired by Dr. David Livingston, Pastor Christine was almost Dr. Kim. It was after completing pre-med. studies at N.Y.U. that she was called to the path of ministry. The first steps were serving as a youth pastor, the journey continued by studying at the New York Theological Seminary.
Beyond her Master of Divinity, Rev. Kim studied at the Wesley Theological Seminary on religion and politics while doing an internship at the General Board of Church and Society on Healthcare legislation. She also studied CPE at the Boggs Institute at Robert Wood Johnson serving as an intern chaplain with the Cerebral Palsy Institute of Monmouth County New Jersey. In addition, a brief period was spent as a Fundraiser and Financial manager at the Korean American Family Service Center in New York City where she organized a fundraiser with Gloria Steinem as the keynote speaker. Her work with the agency ended when she received the call back to ministry.
Christine has always believed that part of God’s plan for her as a pastor is to have a family that will be an example to others. God granted this blessing in May of 2008 when she married her husband Walter Stopka. The blessings continued with arrival of their daughter, Colette Eun Hae Stopka in November of 2009. It is Rev. Kim’s belief that each challenge in her life was a road to greater blessing, and so far this faith has proven right.
Jesse Lee is fortunate to have the only pipe organ in Easton under the direction of our Minister of Music, Joe Swindon. The music you'll hear at Jesse Lee features a blend of religious, classical, and modern music as well as secular selections. Mr. Swindon has been the Minister of Music at Jesse Lee for over 35 years and is the musical director of the Senior Choir.
The church is also fortunate to have an active Handbell Choir under the very able direction of Christina Rao. At various times during the year, they participate in the morning worship services. New members are welcome.
Children - Jesse Lee offers a full church school program which meets at 9:15am. We also have nursery care for infants through age two. Older children are invited to participate in a program of religious instruction through the eighth grade.
The children also participate actively in the regular worship services. At the 10 a.m. service, children are welcome in the church sanctuary, and most services feature a special children's message. Twice each year, the spotlight turns to the children with the Annual Christmas Pageant and Children's Day in June when the worship service is conducted by the children.
Grade 7 & Up and Adults - Jesse Lee offers an intergenerational Bible study at 9:15 a.m..
Youth Group - Amy Sabia leads the Youth Group. They have a varied schedule and projects.
The church sponsors a fully-licensed, nonsectarian preschool, offering Mom & Tot, Threes, Pre-K Fours and Pre-K Fives programs. We include a theme based creative curriculum, including Phonics, Kindergarten Readiness, and Music Enrichment, under the direction of Jessica Leone, a gifted teacher who has over 14 years of preschool experience as a teacher and director. We have a low teacher-child ratio and experienced teachers. The staff is CPR/First Aid trained. Phone: 203-372-4178
The Witness Ministry Team provides opportunities for individuals to meet Jesus Christ through Jesse Lee Church. We invite people to come, look, see and meet Jesus, first hand, through both spiritual activities and Christian fellowship. The Committee meets monthly and through prayer and discussion seeks to find new ways to witness our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Fellowship Ministry Team focuses on the internal needs of the members of the congregation. By supporting the internal needs of the congregation, it prepares our church members for ministry to the community and the world. This Ministry Team oversees the Care Corp, and other fellowship activities, like church picnics and pot luck suppers. This ministry team meets monthly.
Jesse Lee is active both locally and through the United Methodist Church in outreach activities. Locally, we participate actively in Habitat for Humanity, a Program designed to construct and rehabilitate housing for the underprivileged. Jesse Lee Church is a Covenant Congregation of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport. Volunteers are invited to work on site at various times during the year. Over the years we have provided active leadership to HFH from our membership. Jesse Lee Church has also provided leadership and support to the Easton Coalition and United Methodist Faith-Builders, coalitions of churches to sponsor building a home.
Other local activities in which we take part are Mercy Learning Center, Alcoholics Anonymous, and numerous other agencies and activities. We periodically collect food and clothing for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and other shelters in the Bridgeport area.
Through the United Methodist Church, we are involved in mission work throughout the world and help support 20 hospitals, 26 colleges and universities, and many ongoing service projects, touching the lives of millions of people
BISHOP LLOYD C. WICKE HEALTH CENTER/ UNITED METHODIST HOMES-
From time to time Jesse Lee Church provides support to our health care facility in Shelton, CT. Some of the projects include worship services at Wesley Heights and Wicke Health Care Unit, and gifts at Christmas time for residents of the centers.
March is "Blanket Month" at Jesse Lee. Members and friends are invited to purchase blankets at $5 each through Church World Service. These blankets are then donated to those in need. Our congregation has purchased over 1,500 blankets during the past several years.
CHRISTMAS OUTREACH PROJECT -
Jesse Lee Church members and friends purchase gifts for needy children and teens in Bridgeport. These items are distributed throughout the city through the Healthy Families Program by the Golden Hill United Methodist Church Christmas Outreach program. Gifts are also collected for Wicke Health Center in Shelton.
DENOMINATIONAL PROJECTS -
There are six traditional United Methodist Special Offerings each year. These special offerings provide our congregation with an opportunity to reach out beyond Easton and Connecticut into the nation and the world.
SPECIAL -
Jesse Lee Church members have responded generously to requests made by the United Methodist Committee on Relief which helps those in need around the world. Contributions made by our members have helped those in need who have suffered as a result of earth quakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters. All funds donated go fully to relief work.
MISSIONARY -
Jesse Lee Church provides financial support to missionaries, Kayij and Kona, for their work in the Manuba Orphanage and among refugees in Tunisia through the General Board of Global Ministries.
Worship
Worship Ministry Team oversees the worship life of the congregation. This ministry, in consultation with the Pastor, helps to develop special church services for special events such as All Saints Day, Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Thanksgiving and Easter. The Worship Team also ensures the sanctuary is properly prepared for Sunday services by preparing the communion elements on Communion Sunday, adorning the Altar with flowers, and providing tasteful decorations, appropriate to the season, for the church throughout the year. This ministry team meets quarterly and is on call throughout the year.
Administration Jesse Lee is governed and administered by the lay members of the congregation. Opportunities for participation and leadership abound in various areas ranging from church administration and finance, to outreach, to Christian education. Officers, Ministry Teams, Committee Members Finance and Stewardship The Ministry of Finance and Stewardship is responsible for overseeing the prudent use of our pecuniary resources. This Ministry Team constructs the yearly budget, conducts the annual Stewardship Campaign, balances our income and expenses, and provides guidance to the Church Council on financial concerns of the church. Membership is limited to nine members and meets nine times a year.
Staff Parish Relations Committee Staff Parish Relations Committee serves as the "Personnel Office" of the church. Staff Parish Relations ensures that the church is appropriately staffed. The committee provides guidance to the Pastor regarding the establishment of priorities for ministry and evaluating the effectiveness of that ministry. Membership on the Staff Parish Relations Committee is limited to nine individuals who serve for a term of 3 years.
Board of Trustees This board of elected members are responsible for the stewardship (maintenance & upkeep) of the church property, including the parsonage, and the management of the endowment fund of the church, including periodic reviews of the investments in the endowment fund and the expenditures made from that fund. They are also responsible for periodically reviewing the insurance coverage on both the church and the parsonage to ensure they are adequate.
Other Committees Other committees that provide opportunities for service in Jesse Lee Church are:
Newsletter
- Jesse Lee UM Church has a monthly newsletter - The Circuit Writer Pastor Update
- Periodic updates concerning what's happening in Jesse Lee - Pastor Update Brochure - Information about the church and preschool - Brochure
News
- News Article Our Graduates - Graduates
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