Congregation of faith

​​Our Mission: To help people find their way to God, by connecting people to Jesus and one another.

Copyright 2013. First United Methodist Church. All rights reserved.

Our Sunday worship service is at 9:30 a.m., followed by a coffee hour in our Fellowship hall.  Sunday School, Pre-K through grade 6 starts at 9:45 a.m..  High School and Middle School Sunday School begins at 10:45 a.m. 

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FUMC is a congregation that is "on the go and on the grow!"

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Our Vision: We believe all people matter to God and that Christ's message and ministry through our church is hope for all the world.

FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR MIKE

                A Letter to the Church for a Pastor By Ron Edmondson

Grace and Peace,
I want to be honest with you on behalf of many pastors I know. You would want me to be honest, right?
It’s sometimes hard to know who to trust.
     Honestly, that’s hard to say, because we are a church and, if there is any place, we can trust people, it should be in the church. But many pastors I know have been burned so many times by trusting people. It seems people love to repeat the pastor. They love to share things they know about the pastor – some of which was shared in confidence or not shared with them at all. I know so many pastors who simply don’t trust anyone. They keep their private life so removed from the church and never really let anyone get to know them. It’s not wise. It’s certainly not the way the church should function,but it often feels safer. Let me be the one you can trust – every time.
Sometimes people make leading very hard.
     Like someone said, “Leadership would be easy if not for the people.” We know every decision we make is unpopular with someone. Most pastors wish they could do everything everyone wanted them do. But, we simply can’t. We know we are called to lead the church as God leads us – not to be popular. But, sometimes, we are made to feel very uncomfortable for not doing what people want us to do. And, many pastors struggle with a bent towards people-pleasing.That may make us seem shallow, but it’s true. You can help by being a supporter of your pastor. You don’t have to always agree, but the way you disagree says a lot about your support.
We need a few people who are “in it” for Jesus and others, more than for themselves.
     When we find those people – wow – it makes our day. We feel like we are accomplishing something. Those people fuel us for ministry. They are the ones who keep us going on days we are ready to quit! Oh, how I need people who are committed for all the right reasons! Can you be one of those?
We have to wear many hats.
     And, that’s okay. It comes with the job, but some things we are asked to do we simply aren’t skilled to do. You thought seminary taught us everything, didn’t you? No, in fact, we feel very inadequate at much of the things required of us. I need your help, but sometimes it’s hard to ask, because I don’t know who to trust – remember? It’s a gentle giant who comes along to support us expecting nothing in return. An older, more mature person who simply wants to bless a younger pastor – that’s gold to us. Someone who simply says, “Pastor, let me know what you need and I’ll do my best” –wow! Go ahead, make my day!
We want you to love us in spite of our flaws.
     That makes sense to us, because you want us to love you that way, but sometimes we feel you love us only aslong as we are “performing” as people would have us perform. (Wow, did I just say that?) It has sometimes been said a pastor is only as good as their last good sermon. We feel the pressure to be perfect sometimes – yet, we know the temptation people face we face. Pastors are flawed humans too! And, sometimes the enemy works extra hard on us – loving when a pastor fails. Those who pray for us regularly – and really do – those are some of our heroes in the faith.
We feel so responsible – for everything.
     Church growth. Church discipline. Church health. Church budget. Church strategic planning. And, people’s spiritual growth and often their personal happiness. We know ultimately Jesus is in charge of all things, but we feel the weight of our role to see that each of these are completed well in the church. That’s a lot of self-induced pressure, isn’t it? But I thought you’d like to know so you can pray for me better. (Thanks for doing that.)
Lastly, I would remind you – I love you. I really do. I don’t know any pastors who don’t really love people. I know no pas- tor is perfect, and some know how to show love better than others, but with the calling comes a calling to love people. It’seasier some days than others, but I truly do love you. I consider it a high honor, a great privilege and a tremendous re- sponsibility to have the role in the church I have. Thanks for loving me back!

Your brother in Christ,
Rev. Michael D. Jenkins

                        See You All In Church!

First United Methodist Church | 21 Fern Drive, Torrington, CT 06790, USA |860-489-8084

First United Methodist Church