How do I join
Grace United Methodist Church?

We invite your participation and membership in Grace United Methodist Church.

If you are interested in becoming a new member, you may e-mail the Pastors' secretary at dmcanulty@indianagrace.org and type New Member in the subject line. She will then reply back to you. New member applications are also available in the Welcome Center.

You may unite with us in one of several ways, as outlined below.  Regardless of the way you come to join our church, part of the process of membership will be your participation in a New Members Class that is led by the pastors.

BY TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

We will write for your letter of transfer.  It is not necessary for you to write your former church;  we will handle the details for you.

   

BY TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION

 

The process is very much like the one above.  Since you are already baptized and confirmed, these steps will not be repeated.  You will be asked to participate in the New Members Class and take the one vow taken by all members of the United Methodist Church:

 

"Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service?"

   

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

 

If you are a United Methodist, temporarily living in the Indiana area, and you wish to retain membership in your "home" church, you can become an Affiliate Member of Grace United Methodist Church.  This grants you pastoral care, fellowship and participation at Grace United Methodist Church.  You will be counted on the rolls of your "home" church.

  

 

     One requirement of becoming a new member is that you are baptized.

 

What is Baptism?


Because we believe God acts on our behalf even while we are unable to respond, the United Methodist Church believes all members of your family can -- and should -- be baptized, including the youngest infants.

We believe that baptism makes you a member of our church family. We have "baptized members" including our smallest children, and "professing members," who have come to the age of reason, and taken upon themselves the obligations of church membership.

The Sacrament of Baptism is administered either by sprinkling or pouring of water.  If you would like to be baptized by immersion, arrangements can be made for you to be baptized in this way. 

 

                                               I was baptized in a different denomination. Does that count?

As United Methodist Christians, we believe we are part of Christ's universal church, comprised of Christians of different denominations. When we baptize, we practice Christian baptism, not United Methodist baptism.

If you have been baptized in a Christian Church that baptizes "in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit," we recognize your baptism.
Because we see baptism as an act of God, and we believe God "gets it right the first time." we do not rebaptize someone who has already been baptized.  However, once a year, we do have a "service of renewal" of baptismal vows. 

When a decision about baptism is made, a time will then be scheduled for the baptism to take place during morning worship.  Baptism is a congregational act, and all the members of the congregation are asked to make a pledge to support you or your child who is being baptized.

 

If you or a member of your family are interested in being baptized, please contact the church office at 724-463-8535 for information and to be put on the schedule.