About
Our Values and Beliefs
The words of the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, echo the words of Jesus: “A Methodist is one who loves the Lord our God with all their heart and mind and strength and loves their neighbor as themselves.” Our commitment to Christ is not limited to worship on Sunday mornings but lasts throughout the week in living a life of love and service. We believe the grace and forgiving love of God is available for all people.
This is why we welcome all who wish to be part of our fellowship, and why our Communion Table is open to all people of all ages and faith backgrounds who wish to receive the love and grace of Jesus.
Our Mission
- To Know the love of Jesus in personal ways through worship, prayer and study.
- To Live the love of Jesus through acts of compassion, gentleness and justice.
- To Share the love of Jesus in our homes, our community and the world.
- To Welcome all of God’s children regardless of age, race, ability, sexual or gender orientation, and economic circumstance.
From the Pastor
December 5, 2024
Dear Church Friends,
The first snow fall of winter always adds a touch of beauty and peace to the world…until you need to clean off your car and step on to icy sidewalks! I pray that you are making time for moments of reflection in this Advent season before you step out into the busyness of the day. It is so easy to be overwhelmed, but so necessary to take a breath.
I am savoring the inspiring words of Steven Charleston’s Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder’s Meditations on Hope and Courage. Even if you do not think you have time to read another book, take a copy (in the narthex or on-line) and spend five minutes a day reading a page or two.
Here is a reflection that moved me:
Don’t look. Don’t look down, don’t look back, don’t look away. Don’t look down with your head bent by sorrow or fear, for the courage you have within you is reason enough to hold your head high. Yes, you can carry a heavy burden, but you know you never carry it alone. Look up, for love still has much to show you. Don’t look back to the old hurts and struggles, for they have had their moment and cannot live in the light of this new day. Look ahead to what life offers you now. Don’t look away from the challenges before you, no matter how hard they may seem. Breathe in the strength of the Spirit and trust what guides you. Look your truth straight in the eye and capture the vision that will set you free.
Look forward to the light of Christ that glimmers even in these shortened days and promises to be even brighter and more glorious as we approach Christmas. I hope to see you in church this Advent.
Peace,
Pastor Heather
United Methodist Church
of Westport & Weston
Church office: (203) 227-4707
Pastor Heather’s cell: (203) 913-8148
hsinclair@westportumc.org
Church Staff
Rev. Heather A. M. Sinclair
Pastor
Ahyoung Son
Organist
Marilyn Smith
Administrative Assistant
John Hoddinott
Director of Music Outreach
How to Join the Church
We welcome everyone! Members, regular participants, and first-time visitors all will find the same welcoming embrace. Becoming a member enables you to make a public commitment to Christ and the church and claim the values of love and service that we hold dear.
Members hold a diversity of beliefs, but all profess faith in Christ and promise to faithfully participate in the church through their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
Membership classes are offered on a regular basis and introduce newcomers to the church and to Methodism.
Our History
The current church on Weston Road celebrated a 50-year anniversary in 2017. Several of the families who took out 2nd mortgages on their homes to help fund the construction of the church are still members! But the Methodist Church roots in the area go back to 1790 when Jesse Lee, a Methodist from Virginia, rode his horse all around this part of Connecticut gathering people in homes for fellowship and worship.
The Church on Rabbit Hill
The site of the current church is adjacent to the former home of Robert Lawson, author of the children’s book “Rabbit Hill,” and the reason why it has been known as “the church on Rabbit Hill” ever since!