Five Churches – One Community of Faith
United in One Hope with One Love
Serving One Lord!

Our Story

About the Eastern Columbia Charge UMC

We are one community of faith comprised of five rural churches located in Eastern Columbia County, NY.

In 2022, our parish was established and now extends from Copake to East Chatham. We have come together not only to worship the Lord but also to spread the light and love of God by serving our congregations and neighboring communities with compassion and commitment.

This charge is currently made up of the Community UMC in Copake
the Hillsdale First UMC
the North Hillsdale UMC
the Chatham UMC
and the East Chatham UMC

5 Unique Churches – One Community of Faith
Serving God and Eastern Columbia County to the best of our ability.

Our Approach

United in Faith, Empowered to Serve

What We Do and How We Grow

John Wesley, a co-founder of the Methodist Movement, emphasized that through God’s grace, we can experience ongoing spiritual growth throughout our lives. Although we understand that grace cannot be earned, Wesley taught that all believers should regularly engage in “means of grace.” These are categorized into ‘works of piety’ and ‘works of mercy,’ reminding us that our journey of learning and growing in faith is never complete.

Works of Mercy – Service and Community Engagement

We are committed to actively participating in our communities to understand their needs and challenges. Our goal is to bring about a positive difference in the lives of those we assist.

This is accomplished through various programs, volunteer initiatives, and by working together with other local organizations.

Works of Piety – Spiritual Growth

We believe that fostering spiritual growth is at the heart of our mission.

This includes Personal Practices such as scripture study, prayer, fasting, regular worship attendance, healthy living, and sharing our faith. It also encompasses Collective Practices like participating in sacraments, Christian conferencing (mutual accountability), and group Bible study.

By engaging in these ‘Means of Piety,’ we aim to support one another in enhancing our relationship with God, allowing us to thrive and progress along our faith journey.

Ready to Make a Difference?

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