We celebrate two sacraments —
baptism and
holy communion.
Our communion services are open to all, members or not.
We observe four guidelines for Christian living:
1)
Scripture—the Bible, which we take seriously, but not literally
2)
Tradition—the gifts of Christians through the generations
3)
Experience—our own present-day encounters with God
4)
Reason—using the tools God has given us to understand ourselves and our world
ESUMC affirms the sacred worth of
all people. We embrace the gift of the diversity of our neighborhood and the world. We celebrate our human family’s diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability, education, and any other differences.
We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and as beloved children of God, all are worthy of God’s love and grace. We welcome the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of El Sobrante United Methodist Church as we journey towards reconciliation through Christ.
We support families as they nurture their children and keep them free from harm as they grow and mature through Christ’s guidance. We recognize that there are differences among us, but believe that we can love alike even though we may not think alike.
We seek to live the motto of the United Methodist Church – Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors. We support marriage equality and full pastoral privileges for all persons regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation. We proclaim this statement of welcome to all who have known the pain of exclusion and discrimination in the church or in society and know that everyone’s participation in our ministries enriches us. We invite all people to join us in our faith journey toward greater love, understanding, and mutual respect.
We are the United Methodist Church, 7 million people in 125 countries, praising God for the diversity of the human family, showing forth God’s love in the world, bringing hope in the name of Christ.
