The United Methodist Church (UMC) is the living expression of an historic faith renewal movement that emerged in England in the 18th century. Its initiator, John Wesley (a Church of England minister), inspired people to take the Bible seriously, find personal faith, act with compassion, educate children, develop faithful workers, reform prisons and labor laws, and welcome all.

What started in England spilled over into America. Methodist Churches were planted and flourished across the United States and Canada throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the UMC continues as welcoming, inclusive, compassion-bearing, justice-seeking faith communities locally and around the world.

Explore the United Methodist Church: link to UMC site: www.umc.org/en/