Rev. Mary Dotson
When I was in my 40s, I entered seminary. It was an American Baptist seminary, but the student body was quite ecumenical, including Lutherans, Presbyterians, United Methodists, and other denominations. It was during a semester in Systematic Theology that I sensed my understanding of God—and God’s work in and through all of creation—seemed to line up best with the doctrine of the United Methodist Church (UMC). So, after interning with a United Methodist congregation, I transferred my membership. The main reason I made this change was the United Methodist emphasis on God’s grace and the belief that our faith needs to be active. In addition, God’s grace is not just for the individual but involves caring for all people and all of creation.
Over the last 20 years, the denomination has worked through some polarizing aspects of our understanding of welcoming and affirming LGBTQ members, marriage, and scriptural interpretation. It’s no secret that a large group of United Methodists broke away over these issues and either became independent or joined a new Methodist denomination.
Change can be troubling, and yet, over the 287 years since the Methodist Church was formed, there have been many changes. New denominations have formed both when groups have left and when groups have joined ours.
In April, Vista de la Montaña joined some 300,000 churches worldwide to explore and strive to live out our new denominational vision statement: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
This series will continue each Sunday until May 24. We would love for you to join us for worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. as we learn what it means not just to love, but to love our neighbor boldly, and not just to serve, but to serve joyfully.
We believe that discipleship is rooted in Jesus Christ and nurtured in a faith community through the work of the Holy Spirit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me: Rev. Mary Dotson, 520-825-1985.
Join us for worship at 10 a.m. every Sunday at 3001 E. Miravista Lane, west of Oracle and just south of the Golder Ranch Rd. intersection.