Welcome!

Sunday services are held at 9:30 a.m.

The last Sunday of the month is "Hat Sunday"
and, on the first Sunday, we celebrate Holy Communion.

To the People of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church,

Grace and peace to you, in the name and spirit of Jesus, whose life is the light of all people (John 1).

As we take the first steps into this new year, I invite you into three spiritual practices.

First, I invite you to cultivate an intentional personal spiritual life. This can include daily prayer, scripture reading and weekly worship. There are many helpful resources for this intentional work; here I mention only a few: Moravian Daily Texts, Give Us This Day (Benedictine and Ecumenical), Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, The Bible Year, Pray as You Go (British Jesuit), We Make the Road by Walking (Brian McLaren), and A Beautiful Year (Diana Butler Bass). It will be most helpful if you do this spiritual work with a person or small group that provides accountability and support.  

Second, I encourage you to do all within your power to strengthen the mission of your local church. A healthy church is energized by shared leadership, which is fueled by growing disciples. We come together to worship God and then we are sent into the world to love our neighbors through acts of compassion, mercy and justice. Visualize the light on the altar being carried literally into the darkest places in our communities. Indeed, at our best this is the Methodist way of transforming the world: the abused are protected; the homeless have shelter, the addicted form circles of support; the hungry are fed; the lonely feel connected. Learn more about Equip and Connect as a way of growing as a leader and strengthening your church’s mission and influence.  

Third, I note the importance of the public witness of followers of Jesus, especially now. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation. As I write I am reflecting on January 6, a day of light (the Epiphany of the Lord) and a day of darkness (the violent insurrection that occurred in our nation’s capitol five years ago). The gospel describes the relation of light and darkness, but with the good news that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1). We seek to connect our faith and our citizenship in ways that are faithful, non-violent, that practice dialogue, and have no room for arrogance.

This month, two opportunities will help us grow as disciples who engage in public witness: The Celebration of the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, January 17 at University City UMC in Charlotte, and the formation of study circles around the new Council of Bishops’ book, Building Beloved Community: The Courage to Love in the Face of Tyranny. The purpose of our public witness is to see all people and to advocate for the most vulnerable.   

In 2026 we have the opportunity to pursue an intentional spiritual life, to strengthen the mission of our local churches, and to engage in a public witness for the common good (1 Corinthians 13).

I give thanks to God for you, your love for Jesus Christ, and your love for His church. I wish you abundance and newness of life in all that is ahead.  

Bishop +Ken Carter
Western NC Conference
The United Methodist Church

If you're looking for a small, very friendly community of believers that gathers in an historic Methodist church, please consider joining us on Sunday!