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
October 17, 2024
Dear Church Friends,
God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1 Corinthians 12:24-26)
As we continue to explore how we can faithfully “Do Unto Others” in this divisive time, we turn to the quality of respect. Marcia McFee writes,
“Sometimes we think having respect means to agree or be the same. But that is not actually the depth of what respect is about. It comes from the Latin respectus which means “the act of looking at one often, to consider, to observe.” We are called to respect by tending to one another–regarding each other, considering each other–early and often. The reality is that common ground is sometimes not possible. As so as we live on uncommon ground, what can we do to keep tending to one another as “kin” worthy of respect despite our differences?”
How do you approach those with whom you have a difference of opinion? Do you look long enough at each other to find common ground? Can you embrace the humanity of the person, even when you cannot embrace the opinions that they hold?
Rev. Adam Hamilton (a Methodist) was on stage for an ecumenical event with a Pentecostal and a Southern Baptist when someone asked about the differences between the Christian churches. Hamilton responded,
“I think God looks at churches – The Pentecostal passion, the sacramental devotion of the Catholics, the emphasis on memorizing Scripture and winning souls of the Baptists, the passion around faith and good works of the Methodists. I could go on—I think God says, “I love them and these siblings need each other. They are all my children.’…We disagree on a number of things, but we choose to focus on what we agree upon and that makes us friends and brothers in Christ. Together we can work for healing.” (WorshipDesignStudio.com/kindness)
May we, despite our individual differences, seek to discover the God-given gifts in each other. See you in church where we celebrate our unity in Christ!
See you in church!
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!