{"id":960,"date":"2019-07-10T14:50:53","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T14:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/204.16.129.187\/?page_id=960"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:23:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:23:20","slug":"what-we-believe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/what-we-believe\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Believe"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Page title” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#d6d6d6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”What We Believe” _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”36px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Who We Are trial” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/background-grey-stars.jpg” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Welcome Statement” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inspiring people to live and love like Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church.<\/span><\/h2>\n

No matter who you are, or where you are on life\u2019s journey, you are welcome here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church<\/strong>\u00a0 is a congregation united in the belief that God loves each of us unconditionally. Whether you are young or old, conservative or liberal, a Spartan or a Wolverine, <\/span>single, attached or \u201cit\u2019s complicated,\u201d there is a place for you at St. Paul\u2019s. <\/span>Together, we strive to model God\u2019s love by listening to one another, <\/span>caring for each other, and respecting each person\u2019s unique gifts and perspectives. <\/span>Our umbrella is wide. Our table is long. <\/span>St. Paul\u2019s is a church where you can be you, be loved, be change. You belong here.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|auto|25px|auto||” custom_padding=”27px|||||” overflow-x_tablet=”” overflow-x_phone=”” overflow-x_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_repeat=”repeat-x” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/SP-logo-cross-500×500.png” alt=”cross png” title_text=”SP logo cross 500×500″ admin_label=”Cross” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”We believe that – Our Values” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

We believe that<\/span><\/p>\n

Love<\/strong> changes lives, and therefore, we are called to love all people as Jesus Christ loves us.<\/span><\/p>\n

Worship<\/strong> is a celebration of God with one another, where our souls are nurtured through scripture, message, music, and prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Service<\/strong> provides an opportunity to share God\u2019s love and compassion as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spiritual growth<\/strong> is our lifelong journey, where we grow our faith in Jesus Christ with one another, living in grace and walking in love through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Witness<\/strong> is our invitation to others to know God and to share God’s love, peace, and compassion with our members and guests.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Mission statement of the United Methodist Church” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Mission Statement of the United Methodist Church
<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and the world.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2025_2028-UMC_Handbook-screen-shot.jpg” title_text=”2025_2028 UMC_Handbook screen shot” admin_label=”UMC Handbook screen shot” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”UMC Handbook description and links” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

2025-2028 UMC Handbook<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Discover the Handbook of The United Methodist Church<\/em>\u2014a digital, print-ready resource designed to help you understand who we are, how we are connected, and how we live out our shared mission together. Updated for the current quadrennium, this handbook offers clear explanations, helpful visuals, and trusted information for learning, teaching, and leading in The United Methodist Church. You can also find a conversation guide for new church members explaining what means to be a United Methodist. (from umc.org<\/a><\/strong>)<\/span><\/p>\n

2025-2028 UMC Handbook<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/United-Methodist-Conversation-Guide-for-New-Members-screen-shot-scaled.jpg” title_text=”United Methodist Conversation Guide for New Members screen shot” admin_label=”UMC Converstion Guide screen shot” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”UMC Conversation Guide for New Members description and links” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

United Methodist Conversation Guide for New Members<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

This guide helps lay leaders walk alongside people who are new to The United Methodist Church or exploring what it means to be United Methodist. Each section names a core United Methodist belief and then invites participants to reflect on that belief through conversation. (from umc.org<\/a><\/strong>)<\/span><\/p>\n

United Methodist Conversation Guide for New Members<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/winter-upsplash.jpg” title_text=”winter – upsplash” admin_label=”winter globe” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Definition of a Methodist according to John Wesley<\/span><\/p>\n

John Wesley used the following passage from Matthew\u2019s Gospel in answer to the question, \u201cWhat is a Methodist?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?\u2019 <\/em>He said to him, \u2018\u201cYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.\u201d <\/em>This is the greatest and first commandment. <\/em>And a second is like it: \u201cYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d <\/em><\/span>On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.\u2019 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span> \u00a0<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Matthew 22:36-40<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Inspiring people to live and love like Jesus. Welcome to St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church. No matter who you are, or where you are on life\u2019s journey, you are welcome here.\u00a0 St. Paul\u2019s United Methodist Church\u00a0 is a congregation united in the belief that God loves each of us unconditionally. Whether you are young […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-960","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=960"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31548,"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960\/revisions\/31548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stpaulsrochester.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}