About the United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church is a 12-million strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world. The United Methodist Church remains the third-largest religious group in the United States.

John Wesley (our founder) and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as “practical divinity” has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today and here at Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church.

Like many Christian faiths, God's Holy Word leads and guides us.  Nonetheless, we respect other denominations and faiths because we focus on things that bind us together rather than what divides us.

Our common Christian heritage, we value that:

  • God loves us and wants us to live in harmony with Him.  Sin breaks this harmony, and we are made whole again by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior.
  • God’s love lives in and works through us through the Holy Spirit.
  • As Christians, we enter the church through baptism and celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ through Holy Communion.  These two sacraments are celebrated in the United Methodist Church (UMC).  In the UMC, our Communion Table is open to all who wish to receive this sacrament.
  • We believe the Kingdom of God is here in the present and in the future to come.
  • Scripture is the Word of God and contains everything we need for salvation.
  • There is one church in Jesus Christ (where we can all express our unity).

God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.” 1 Peter 4:10

If you are interested in learning more about the United Methodist Church’s values and beliefs, please contact the Church Office at (203) 874-1982 to schedule a meeting with Pastor Roy.


Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church is a member of the Connecticut District in the New York Annual Conference (NYAC) of the United Methodist Church.

The NYAC vision statement is “The New York Annual Conference through the grace of God embodies a beloved community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, with heart-warmed United Methodists in mission for the transformation of the world.”

Come Grow With Us!