Handbook of The United Methodist Church

Discover the Handbook of The United Methodist Church—a digital, print-ready resource designed to help you understand who we are, how we are connected, and how we live out our shared mission together. 

Updated for the current quadrennium, this handbook offers clear explanations, helpful visuals, and trusted information for learning, teaching, and leading in The United Methodist Church. UMC Handbook is also print-ready. The downloadable PDF is formatted for local printing, whether for personal use, small groups, new member classes, or leadership training. You can also find a conversation guide for new church members explaining what means to be a United Methodist.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

One of early Methodism’s most well-regarded early preachers, Mary Bosanquet, kept a journal in which she recounted her spiritual journey. Here she speaks of an experience of grace during the sacrament of Holy Communion:

Towards the end of the following winter, there was a confirmation at Saint Paul’s; and my father desired I should be confirmed. This was a very rousing ordinance to me; for some time before, I had felt how unworthy I was of it: how unfit thus solemnly to devote myself to God, my renewing that covenant I had so often broken I read the order of confirmation, with the ministration of baptism, over and over, and besought my God to give me power to keep the charge of the Lord faithfully. For some months after, every time I approached the Lord’s table, I had a very peculiar sense of his presence, and sometimes I felt as if the Lord Jesus did from his own hand give me the sacred emblems of his body and blood.

~ Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (The Life of Mrs. Mary Fletcher, p.24)

Happy 65th anniversary!

Cards and flowers for the happy couple

Some of the Glenville UMC friends on hand

Roy & Judy Luksik celebrate their 65th anniversary this week and today gathered with friends and family to celebrate their special day. 

Scripture lessons for March 1

"Jesus Clearing the Temple" by El Greco

Our focus next Sunday is on Monday in Holy Week and the events surrounding Jesus in the temple. The lessons will be Romans 4:13-17 and Mark 11:12-19.

Palm Sunday at Glenville UMC

Lent is happening in Glenville!!

Let's join the parade!

Today's focus is Palm Sunday

Pastor Charles' Palm Sunday painting

Shelley G. is today's scripture reader

We began the Lenten season with a focus on Palm Sunday. Pastor Charles is leading us this season through Holy Week with a focus each Sunday on the events of each day of that week.

JOYS:

+The congregation thanks God for Renae H.’s beautiful prelude she played on the piano this morning.

+Praise God for a beautiful Celebration of Life service for Arletta Woods yesterday morning at Glenville’s First Lutheran Church. Folks were genuinely pleased to take bells from Arletta’s bell collection as a sweet remembrance of her influence in their lives.

+Gloria S. visited Roger and Judy L. last week. They invite everyone to join them this coming Tuesday, February 24^th, at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary.

+Bob S. thanks God for the successful fundraiser he attended last night to celebrate Glenville American Legion Post 264 and the American Legion Riders’ honor of being selected to launch the Patriot Tour in Albert Lea. On May 16^th, the Patriot Tour will begin in Albert Lea, escorting one American flag as it begins its journey across all 50 states before returning home. 1 Flag. 50 States. 14,000 Miles. All to support disabled veterans and their families.

+Korla S. thanks God for safe travels while dealing with traffic around The Twin Cities yesterday.

+Shelley G. thanks God for her grandson’s successful hockey team participation.

+Shelley G.’s jokes today.

+Laughter in church – carbonated holiness – is celebrated.

+Sid T. celebrates an exciting, well-played hockey game between the USA and Canada.

+Bob S. thanks God for a pastor who is willing to visit sick parishioners.

+The congregation is thankful for Shelley G.’ service as Scripture reader and Bob S.’ service as usher this morning.

+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved pianist/ organist, Renae H.!

Concerns:

+Praying for Pat R.’s husband Craig who is dealing with medical challenges. Also, praying for Pat to have the strength to provide Craig the support he needs.

+Praying for Donna D. as she deals with medical challenges and for Sandy D. and other family members who are rallying to support Donna.

+Praying for Cheryl R. who is dealing with a head cold.

+Praying continues for Judy C. and Karnella S. as they deal with medical challenges.

+Korla S. invites the congregation to join her in continuing to pray for Jessica as she recovers from a heart and lung transplant. Jessica is back in ICU.

+Bob S. asks for prayers for the family and friends of the veterans in Freeborn County who died last year.

+Praying for the family and friends of Connie Nelson who died last Monday. Her service is tomorrow at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m.

+Praying for staff of Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home who have been extremely busy, of late.

No Holiness But Social Holiness

The General Rule of Discipleship (To witness to Jesus Christ in the world, and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.) shapes the life and work of Covenant Discipleship groups, class leaders, and the congregation. 

It helps them live as witnesses to Jesus Christ in the world as they follow his teachings, summarized by him in Matthew 22:37-40:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." 

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). The Christian life is shaped by obedience to Jesus’ teachings.

Read more at this link.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

Unite the pair so long disjoined,

Knowledge and vital piety:

Learning and holiness combined,

And truth and love, let [us all] see

In those whom up to thee we give,

Thine, wholly thine, to die and live.

~ Charles Wesley

Rend Your Heart: A Blessing for Ash Wednesday

"Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing."  

- Joel 2.12-13a

To receive this blessing,

all you have to do

is let your heart break.

Let it crack open.

Let it fall apart

so that you can see

its secret chambers,

the hidden spaces

where you have hesitated

to go.

Your entire life

is here, inscribed whole

upon your heart’s walls:

every path taken

or left behind,

every face you turned toward

or turned away,

every word spoken in love

or in rage,

every line of your life

you would prefer to leave

in shadow,

every story that shimmers

with treasures known

and those you have yet

to find.

It could take you days

to wander these rooms.

Forty, at least.

And so let this be

a season for wandering

for trusting the breaking

for tracing the tear

that will return you

to the One who waits

who watches

who works within

the rending

to make your heart

whole.

- written by Jan L. Richardson and posted on The Painted Prayerbook blog

What is Lent and why does it last forty days?

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians.

Today, Christians focus on relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter." This is why you will see the designation "Sunday in Lent" rather than "Sunday of Lent" in the naming of these Sundays. On each Lord's Day in Lent, while Lenten fasts continue, the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

This content was produced by Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.

Scripture lessons for February 22 - Palm Sunday

Starting February 22, Pastor Charles will offer a Lenten sermon series that will use each day of Holy Week as the focus of his sermons. We will begin the series with   lessons from John 12:12-15 and Mark 11:1-11 and the events of Palm Sunday.

The series will conclude on March 29 with Good Friday. 

Transfiguration Sunday / Imposition of Ashes today

The scene is set

The season of Lent approaches

Imposition of Ashes

Kraig K. is today's reader

Our journey together

We observed Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday this morning and included the Imposition of Ashes (we're not having an Ash Wednesday service). Copies of the Lenten Devotional were distributed as well.

Joys

+Bob S. gave out boxes of Valentine’s chocolates to each person at church today.

+The congregation thanks God for Bob S.’ generous spirit.

+Sid T.’s jokes today.

+Laughter in church – carbonated holiness – is celebrated.

+This year’s Lenten devotionals are being distributed today.

+Rita W. thanks God for the beautiful warmer weather we are enjoying today.

+Bob and Gloria S. talked with someone in town who commented on how lovely is the sight of battery-operated lit candles in the church windows at night.

+Sandy D.’s grandson Ethan made the President’s List for his great grades at the Albert Lea Riverland Community College.

+Donna D. celebrates her great grandson Nash’s phenomenal sports achievements.

+Donna D. thanks God for the arrival of baby Charlotte Ann in the family.

+Nancy and Roy B. thank God for their son Rory and his wife’s wedding anniversary celebration.

+Pastor Charles thanks God for Kraig and Korla S. faithful service in changing the paraments for today’s worship.

+Cheryl and Mike R. thank God for the fun time they had at their twin four-year-old grandsons’ birthday party.

+Korla S. celebrates the new floral decorations in the sanctuary.

+Korla S. thanks God for Kraig S.’ successful surgery last week. They were so impressed that his surgeon prayed for Kraig before his procedure.

+Korla S. thanks God for her cousin Jessica’s recovery after having a new heart and lung transplant surgery.

+The congregation is thankful for Kraig S.’ service as Scripture reader and Bob S.’ service as usher this morning.

+The congregation is thankful for the music ministry of our beloved pianist/organist, Renae H.!

Concerns:

+Praying for Pat R.’s husband Craig who is in the hospital, dealing with medical treatments. Also, praying for Pat to have the strength to provide Craig the support he needs.

+Praying for the family and friends of Pauline Perleberg who died February 11.

+Praying for family and friends of Lydia Mittag who died February 12. A memorial service will be held Thursday, February 19, at 2:00 p.m. at Bayview Funeral Home in Albert Lea. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and for an hour prior to the service.

+Praying for the family and friends of Arlynn Anderson who died February 13. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the church. 

+Praying for the family and friends of Arletta Woods who died January 27. Shelley G. is her daughter. Her funeral service is scheduled for this Saturday, February 21 at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Service begins at 11:00 a.m. Renae H. will serve as pianist.

A Valentines Day Prayer

"Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things."

– 1 Corinthains 13:4-7 (CEB)

Lord, because love is patient…

Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen. Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.

Because love is kind…

Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please" and "Thank You" because those little things still mean so much.

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…

Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking…

Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…

Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…

Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.

Because love always protects and always trusts…

Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.

Finally, because love always perseveres…

Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means. Amen.

Author Unknown

The Theme for the Lenten Devotional

The theme for this year’s Lenten devotional is the Psalms and shared for your use during the season of Lent.

Starting on Transfiguration Sunday (February 16) and continuing through Easter Sunday (April 5) a reading from one of the Psalms will be shared each day. If you want to read the entire Psalter, two additional Psalms are also given each day so that come Easter, all 150 Psalms will have been read.

 

Reading the Psalms can be challenging as they cover the gamut of human emotions and of our engagement with God during the peaks and valleys of life. But I do encourage you to stay the course and make this time of reading the Psalms a look into just how we may be present with God throughout our life and how God may be present with us.

 

In the days and weeks to come, take a moment from your day and consider, “What do the Psalms have to say to me today?”

Every blessing,

Pastor Charles

Wednesday with the Wesleys

And first let us inquire, What is salvation? The salvation which is here spoken of is not what is frequently understood by that word, the going to heaven, eternal happiness. It is not the soul’s going to paradise, termed by our Lord, ‘Abraham’s bosom’. It is not a blessing which lies on the other side death, or (as we usually speak) in the other world. The very words of the text itself put this beyond all question. ‘Ye are saved.’ It is not something at a distance: it is a present thing, a blessing which, through the free mercy of God, ye are now in possession of. Nay, the words may be rendered, and that with equal propriety, ‘Ye have been saved.’ So that the salvation which is here spoken of might be extended to the entire work of God, from the first dawning of grace in the soul till it is consummated in glory.

~ John Wesley (Sermon 43: “The Scripture Way of Salvation”)

Today in Methodist History

What influences does God use to shape us into the people we become?

Our family of origin certainly plays a part, as do experiences with other adults. Events at school and friendships at church sometimes leave a lasting impression. A move to a new community, a national tragedy, and a host of other factors may contribute to our understandings of who we are and what our place is in the world.

For the most part, these events subtly form us. Other times a single event can be so profound that we remember it for the rest of our lives.

The fire at John Wesley's family home when he was just five years old was such an event for him. And likely impacted the way Wesley would lead the movement that was to become The United Methodist Church. 

Read more at this link.

Scripture readings for February 15

Church of the Transfiguration - Mt. Tabor, Israel

We come to Transfiguration of the Lord Sunday next Sunday and turn to 2 Peter 1:16-21 and Matthew 17:1-9 for our lessons.

We will offer the Imposition of Ashes on Sunday rather than having a separate service on Ash Wednesday.

February 8 @ Glenville UMC

Bob S. is today's scripture reader

 

Blessing on the sheets offered for missions

Potluck Sunday!

Fellowship time!

Cleanup time

Joys:

+Praying that God grants Shelley G. the strength she needs during this tender time, after the recent deaths of her mother and sister.

+Shelley G. thanks God for her grandson’s phenomenal sports achievements.

+Church family celebrates assembly of five bed kits for Midwest Mission’s ministerial outreach to people in Honduras – sending mattresses and bed kits to those who have no beds.

Concerns:

+Praying for Kraig S. who is having surgery this Wednesday – Praying for his surgeon and his medical team – Praying for Korla who will be helping him.

+Praying for Sid T. who is dealing with a medical challenge.

+Praying for Pat R.’s husband Craig who had his first medical treatment last Monday and is not feeling well. Also, praying for Pat to have the strength to provide Craig the support he needs.

+Praying for Judy Carroll who is dealing with medical challenges.

+Praying for Karnella S. who is dealing with medical challenges. She is happy to have returned to her apartment at Hidden Creek – Good Samaritan, 75303 240^th St., #304, Albert Lea.

+Praying for all involved with the winter Olympics – prayers for safety and focus on positive memorable moments.

+Praying for the family and friends of Carolyn J. who died last Sunday. (She was Gloria S.’ cousin.)

+Praying for family and friends of Carol Hanson who died recently.

+Praying for the family and friends of Donna Nelson who died. Her funeral service is scheduled for this Friday, February 13, 2026, at the First Lutheran Church in Glenville. Visitation begins at 10:00. Service begins at 11:00 a.m.

+Prayers continue for Korla S.’ cousin Jessica who had a new heart and lung transplanted last week.

GCORR Statement on Racist Video Shared by President Donald Trump

The General Commission on Religion and Race strongly condemns the racist video recently shared by President Donald Trump that includes imagery portraying former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. This imagery is not accidental, nor is it harmless. Comparing Black people to primates is an abhorrent racist trope deeply rooted in the history of anti-Black racism and white supremacy, used to dehumanize Black communities and to justify exclusion, violence, and white supremacy.

At the core of this harm is a denial of imago Dei, the Christian affirmation that every person is created in the image of God and bears sacred worth. When Black people are portrayed as less than human, that divine image is mocked and denied. Such dehumanization is not only morally reprehensible, but it is a theological violation that stands in direct opposition to the Gospel.

Article V: Racial Justice of the Constitution of The United Methodist Church affirms the biblical truth that all persons are created by God, bearing God’s

image, and are uniquely beloved children of God. Racism, especially when

expressed through dehumanizing imagery, directly contradicts this constitutional commitment and undermines the Church’s witness to God’s justice and love in the world.

As the antiracism agency of The United Methodist Church, GCORR names this moment clearly: this is blatant racism. When racist tropes are amplified by those in positions of power, the harm is magnified.

Silence, deflection, or minimization only deepen the damage and betray our shared responsibility to speak truth.

Although the video was later deleted, the harm caused by sharing and amplifying racist, dehumanizing imagery cannot be undone.

We call on people of faith, church leaders, and communities of conscience to reject

racist rhetoric in all its forms, to speak with courage, and to recommit themselves to the work of building a beloved community rooted in justice, equity, and the God-given dignity of every human being.

Read more at this link.

‘Crazy Lorenzo’ joins other fictional Methodists

The most famous Methodist in popular culture is arguably Superman, but Lorenzo McRae has something the man of steel doesn’t have: a real-life Methodist as inspiration.

Superman, at least in some of the origin stories in DC Comics, attended a Methodist church in Smallville while identifying as mild-mannered teenager Clark Kent.

In “The Deliverance of Barker McRae,” the inspiration for Lorenzo McRae is real-life 19th century evangelist Lorenzo Dow. He was sometimes referred to as “Crazy Lorenzo” or “Crazy Dow.”

Neither the fictional McRae nor the historical Dow would be described as mild mannered.

Lorenzo Dow was unkempt and filthy, said Mark Shenise, associate archivist at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Read more at this link.

Read more about "Crazy Lorenzo" at this link.

Today in Methodist History

 John and Charles Wesley arrived in Savannah, Georgia 

on this date in 1736.