First United Methodist Church

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Faith and Society affirms the rich diversity of perspectives represented in this congregation and encourages respectful dialogue in non-partison ways. Faith & Society is committed to developing ways to help the congregation to raise consciousness, deepen understanding, and increase dialogue and involvement in social issues of our community, nation, and world. In this aspect of their work, Faith and Society strives to fulfill the purpose of the Social Principles: The Social Principles are a call to all members of the United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice. (from the Preface to the Social Principles)

FAITH & SOCIETY OUTREACH AT FUMCSB

The Faith and Society Committee at FUMCSB is engaged primarily in encouraging members of the church to relate their faith to the social context within the local parish, but also in the larger society in which we all live.

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

Faith and Society develops educational opportunities for the congregation and community to face current issues.

• Faith & Society Forums: Faith & Society has initiated education forums to inform the congregation about important issues and social outreach activities already being carried out by members of the church:
--End of Life Issues: discussions to help participants explore the resources of faith in addressing these issues, as well as practical assistance for constructive planning.

--Election and National Issues: meetings with and by local officials, professionals, and organizational representatives provide information to voters on a variety of local and national issues.

--Transition House: a local ministry to families breaking the cycle of homelessness.

--The Cottages at Cottage Hospital: a ministry providing temporary housing for families of patients in critical condition at the local hospital.

--Faith and Higher Education: discussion of how the church relates to colleges and universities such as exist in our community.

A HERITAGE OF MINISTRY IN SOCIETY

A summary definition that Wesley gave, found in the first Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, published in 1785, said that the purpose of the revival was: "to reform the nation and to spread scriptural holiness over the land."

The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice. Its members have often taken forthright positions on controversial issues involving Christian principles. Early Methodist expressed their opposition to the slave trade, to smuggling, and to the cruel treatment of prisoners.

A social creed was adopted by the Methodist Episcopal Church(North) in 1908…The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort on the part of the General Conference to speak to the human issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation as historically demonstrated in United Methodist traditions. They are a call to faithfulness and are intended to be instructive and persuasive in the best of the prophetic spirit; however, they are not church law. The Social Principles are a call to all members of the United Methodist Church to a prayerful, studied dialogue of faith and practice.

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