Arlington United Methodist Church

What is the history of the church?

In 1873, a small congregation began meeting at the old Bryan Academy and later in a vacant two-room house on Weaver Place. A dense thicket of land was was donated by Mrs. Morgan, and Ben Turbeville, a charter member and a house builder, built a chapel on the land.This building was completed in the summer of 1874, just before the annual Methodist Conference. The Methodist Church at the time would only accept the building if all debts were paid. Mr. Demsey Weaver assumed all unpaid debts so that worship services could begin. In 2024, we celebrate our 150th anniversary! Please check out our 150th anniversary celebration page to see more of the history and to join us for this celebration! Arlington United Methodist Church is part of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. You can visit their page at https://twkumc.org/. We are a non profit and maintain a 501c status so your donations can be used for tax purposes. See more about donations/tithing on our Community Outreach page.

How would you describe your church?

Our church is friendly and welcoming. You may dress however you like and we welcome children of all ages to worship with us. We use a large TV screen, along with bulletins, to help folks navigate the service. We take a moment to greet one another toward the beginning of the worship time, and we also have a time of sharing our joys and concerns as a faith community. We offer communion or the Lord's Table every first Sunday of the month. We welcome people of all ages, stages, races, identities, and other distinctiveness to worship with us. We exclude none.

Who is welcome at Arlington Methodist Church?

All are welcome. We are accepting of all races, religions, backgrounds, etc.. We support those in the LGBTQ+ community. We want everyone to feel safe and accepted as a child of God in our church. We strive to be a place where the God's spirit can move freely among us, and not be inhibited by man-made barriers or prejudices. 

When are services?

We met Sundays at 10:00 am in the main sanctuary. You may arrive using the main front door or by accessing the wheelchair accessible ramp at the back of the church. If you come in through the back door, go right through the commons area, and left at the hallway. Sanctuary will be straight ahead.

How long are services?

Services are generally 50 minutes to an hour. Communion Sundays may go a little longer.

Do you have a crying room?

Yes, there is an infant and toddler room at the back of the sanctuary to the right. However, you do not have to use it. We welcome all in the main sanctuary, and the crying or fussing of a child is a joy for us to hear. We do not want parents to feel they ever have to leave the worship service unless they choose.

Do I have to be a member to come to your church?

Absolutely not! We welcome all to experience our church and our love for Jesus Christ. If you become a regular visitor, the pastor may inquire as to your interest in becoming a member. But we do not require membership. There are benefits and responsibilities to becoming a member, which you may choose to explore at some point.

Do you have Sunday school?

Yes! Sunday school is at 9:00am, in the Susie Mitchell Classroom, located inside back entrance door (using the ramp entrance), turn right when entering, and it's the door straight ahead. Pastor Susan leads this interactive, multigenerational, and inspiring class. Please join us for Sunday School at 9 AM, and stay for Worship at 10 AM.

Can I meet the pastor?

Yes, Pastor Susan is available prior to, and after service to greet you.  If you desire a longer conversation with the Pastor, let her know and she will accommodate you.

How do you receive tithes and offerings?

We collect tithes/offerings during the worship service however you are not obligated to give. Financial giving is how we support the work of God through AUMC. It not only pays the salaries of staff, but also helps maintain the building, grounds, utilities and other expenses. Our church tithes a portion of our gifts toward the larger United Methodist Church and other ministries, keeping with our belief that tithing is God's standard for giving to help others. Because our building is large and older, we have many ongoing expenses. We are very careful how we spend the gifts we receive, as we believe in being good stewards of our resources. You can also give your offerings and tithes through platforms, including Zelle, Venmo, PayPal and direct deposits. Your gifts are a nonprofit donation and can be used to file your taxes. We can provide a tax form at the end of the year if you provide us with your name and address when donating. There are offering envelopes available in the pew back holders in the sanctuary. Please see our community outreach page under Donate for more information.

How do I become a member?

Everyone's journey into the church is a path we welcome. If you have already been baptized, we can accept you into membership simply by asking if you will be faithful to this church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service. If you have not been previously baptized, we will offer to do that as soon as possible. We also offer a service to REAFFIRM our baptisms, usually in January of every year. Pastor Susan will welcome any questions or conversations you require regarding membership.

How do I rent The Ark (the Fellowship Hall)?

You simply contact us and to see if it's available on the dates requested. A deposit is required to hold the facilities. We do have a number of groups that currently use THE ARK on a regular basis. However, we try to work with outside parties who wish to use our facilities for other events.

Are there any restrictions in using the Ark?

Yes, we have a rental agreement for The Ark and other areas of our building. This paperwork will need to be agreed upon and signed before rentals can happen.

Do you offer communion?

Yes, communion is offered during the worship time every 1st Sunday of the month.

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