FAQs

How do I become a member?

What is available to college students/young adults?

What is available for children?

What is available for youth?

What is the process for baptism?

Can I participate in Holy Communion?

What do you believe as a church?

What does Reconciling mean?

How do I get involved in music?

How can I deepen my spiritual life?

To become a member, please email the main office at davisumc@davisumc.org and request to be put on the list for the next “new member retreat”. These occur about four times/year and take place on a Saturday from 10:30AM-3:30PM. During this retreat you will learn about Methodist History, this particular congregation, and have opportunities to reflect and ask questions. After the retreat, you will be invited to come to a special worship service(s) to be formally received into the church. The next date for the retreat is January 10^th, 2009.

All ministries are available, but we have some ministries focused on you. We have a number of opportunities for college students and young adults. We participate in a shared ministry with the campus ministry known as CA House. The website is www.cahouse.org. At this Church, there is a meal for college students every third Sunday of the month after the second service, and beginning in the winter quarter a UC Davis professor is invited to talk about their lives from a spiritual point of view. We have care packages for our college students throughout the year. There is also a young adult small group that has formed and it meets on Wednesday evenings (Contact Kristin Thebaud at kthebaud@comcast.com ). Many of our young adult or college events happen either at the Grace Café, which is in the back of the fellowship hall building, or at the CA house on Russell Blvd. Many college students participate in our music programs as well, including our new offering of Gospel Choir (Contact Ashley Barmore at pianist@davisumc.org.)

There is so much available for children at Davis UMC. There are choirs for each age group and a big musical every year. There is nursery care every Sunday Morning. There is also Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 AM each Sunday. A number of events take place every year including Vacation Bible School. There is an emphasis in helping children to actually experience God and not just learn about God. Hands on service work and participation in worship is also a priority. For more information, contact Patty Rominger at children@davisumc.org.

We have Junior High and Senior Activities throughout the year. Every week there is Sunday School in the grace café (back of the Fellowship Hall building) at 9:45AM. Also on Sunday is a gathering time for food, fun, and contemplative/ancient prayer at 6PM-8PM. Many of our students are part of our Gospel choir which rehearses in the sanctuary every Sunday at 4:30-6:00PM. There are a number of service and travel opportunities including Sierra Service Project. For more information email Heidi Hawthorne at youth@davisumc.org.

To be baptized or to have your child baptized, arrange a time with the Senior pastor for a meeting. Typically, baptism is tied to becoming a member for adults, and for children it is tied to a parent or guardian willing to support that child in being brought up in the church. The time with the pastor is made to talk about the meaning of the Baptism and the commitments that accompany the journey. Contact pastormantu@davisumc.org for more information.

Yes, anyone and everyone may participate in communion. We practice by intinction which means we break off the break and give it to you. You take the bread and dip it in the cup, and then eat it right away. If you have a disability and have any kind of special need, we will do everything possible to accommodate you. Please email the pastor with any questions/suggestions on communion at pastormantu@davisumc.org.

To find our more about the United Methodist Church in general, go to www.umc.org. Our particular congregation emphasizes living the love of Jesus Christ. In particular, we try to live out the Beatitudes in concrete ways, so social justice and growth spiritually are intertwined for us. We are also committed to being an inclusive congregation which means that anyone of any background is welcome to worship with us.

This means that we are part of a coalition of Churches that is working toward full inclusion of all people. This work is most active in the areas of the GLBT populations and people with disabilities.

There are currently three Sunday School opportunities each Sunday for Adults. At 9:45 AM every Sunday there is a traditional Bible study in the Walker room (enter the fellowship hall building and turn left). Contemporary Issues Forum is on the right. Prayer time meets in the Education Office (Go into the Fellowship Hall, straight past rest rooms and go outside. First door on your right- see signs for prayer.)

There are also a number of small groups throughout the year, including our ever popular Disciple Bible Study. For more information check our website or look at the bulletin board in the foyer area outside the main worshipping space. If you would like to start a group, contact the main office for information on getting started davisumc@davisumc.org. There are also a number of retreat opportunities, including the Walk to Emmaus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)