Pastor Denise Neuschwander
What to expect when you visit Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church
The first word you will hear upon entering the door is, "Welcome!" VHUMC prides itself on being a welcoming community. We value each individual's faith journey, theology, and spirituality. Please see "About Us" for our Reconciling and Mission Statements.
Worship is relaxed and Christ centered. Music plays a big part in the worship service. Traditional and contemporary hymns and songs are led by our music team. The choir sings each Sunday except for the second Sunday of the month when the children's choir, The Joyful Noisemakers, sing. The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. Reading music is not a prerequisite.
The message centers around the love God has for us and our response to that love. You will be challenged each week to think about a certain aspect of your faith journey. Faith is not stagnant. Faith is alive and growing. What you will not hear is fire and brimstone or condemnation. We begin our service with this affirmation, "I am a beloved child of God and a beauty to behold."
Children are valued in our church. Children come to the worship service for the first few minutes and then are dismissed to Sunday School after the Time With Children. Children are also welcome to stay in worship through the full hour (or more realistically, 1 hour 15 minutes). The youth and young adult ministry meets on Sunday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. The time spent together is focused on Christian formation, bible study, outreach, and loads of fun. All adults working with children or vulnerable adults have a background check. We take Safe Sanctuary policy seriously and will do all within our means to make this a safe environment.
The adult bible study meets on Thursday evenings from 7-8 p.m. A variety of topics are studied including scripture, spiritual formation, and outreach and mission.
The church welcomes several AA/Al-Anon/NA groups. Please see the calendar for days and times that they meet.
In addition to the UMC worship, we have three other congregations that meet in our facility. A Celtic Mass, Metropolitan Community Church, and a Tongan Fellowship associated with our UMC tradition meet here every Sunday. Martha's Pantry, a ministry of the MCC, is a food pantry specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. Martha's Pantry sends no one away hungry. Please see the calendar for their schedule.
We invite the church and neighborhood community to plant flowers or vegetables in our Community Garden.
As you can see we are a church that opens our hearts, minds and doors to those who need a sanctuary or a harbor from the storms of life. We have so much to offer that it is impossible to list and I'm sure I've left out many other opportunities. I welcome you to visit our church, attend worship, or call me if you have any questions about a particular program.
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end division:
ALL ARE WELCOME, ALL ARE WELCOME, ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE!
(All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen, UpperRoom Worship Book, No. 58, vs. 1)
Blessings,
Reverend Denise Westfall Neuschwander
The first word you will hear upon entering the door is, "Welcome!" VHUMC prides itself on being a welcoming community. We value each individual's faith journey, theology, and spirituality. Please see "About Us" for our Reconciling and Mission Statements.
Worship is relaxed and Christ centered. Music plays a big part in the worship service. Traditional and contemporary hymns and songs are led by our music team. The choir sings each Sunday except for the second Sunday of the month when the children's choir, The Joyful Noisemakers, sing. The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. Reading music is not a prerequisite.
The message centers around the love God has for us and our response to that love. You will be challenged each week to think about a certain aspect of your faith journey. Faith is not stagnant. Faith is alive and growing. What you will not hear is fire and brimstone or condemnation. We begin our service with this affirmation, "I am a beloved child of God and a beauty to behold."
Children are valued in our church. Children come to the worship service for the first few minutes and then are dismissed to Sunday School after the Time With Children. Children are also welcome to stay in worship through the full hour (or more realistically, 1 hour 15 minutes). The youth and young adult ministry meets on Sunday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. The time spent together is focused on Christian formation, bible study, outreach, and loads of fun. All adults working with children or vulnerable adults have a background check. We take Safe Sanctuary policy seriously and will do all within our means to make this a safe environment.
The adult bible study meets on Thursday evenings from 7-8 p.m. A variety of topics are studied including scripture, spiritual formation, and outreach and mission.
The church welcomes several AA/Al-Anon/NA groups. Please see the calendar for days and times that they meet.
In addition to the UMC worship, we have three other congregations that meet in our facility. A Celtic Mass, Metropolitan Community Church, and a Tongan Fellowship associated with our UMC tradition meet here every Sunday. Martha's Pantry, a ministry of the MCC, is a food pantry specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. Martha's Pantry sends no one away hungry. Please see the calendar for their schedule.
We invite the church and neighborhood community to plant flowers or vegetables in our Community Garden.
As you can see we are a church that opens our hearts, minds and doors to those who need a sanctuary or a harbor from the storms of life. We have so much to offer that it is impossible to list and I'm sure I've left out many other opportunities. I welcome you to visit our church, attend worship, or call me if you have any questions about a particular program.
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end division:
ALL ARE WELCOME, ALL ARE WELCOME, ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE!
(All Are Welcome by Marty Haugen, UpperRoom Worship Book, No. 58, vs. 1)
Blessings,
Reverend Denise Westfall Neuschwander
