The United Methodist Church in Williamsburg

On Wednesday, January 11, 1781, Francis Asbury had few good things to say about our little piece of the world, nothing that the “exterior of the college [was] not splendid, and but few students” and that, with the removal of the seat of government to Richmond, “the worldly glory [was] departed from [Williamsburg]; as to Divine glory, it never had any.”  He obviously didn’t take into account the effect of Winter Break on the presence of students at the College (yes, we realize breaks probably worked differently back then haha).  But we think Bishop Asbury would be pleased at how the spiritual state of our city and its churches has improved in the last 225 years.  Here are overviews for each of the three United Methodist congregations in Williamsburg.

**Williamsburg United Methodist Church**

If you need a church home while you're at school, consider Williamsburg UMC. It is located on Jamestown Road next door to the Wesley Foundation and right across the street from Jamestown South. They have services at 8:15 and 11:00 AM on Sundays, as well as several adult Sunday School classes which meet in between services. They have a variety of ministries you can become involved in. Williamsburg UMC welcomes all students and encourages their participation in the life of the congregation.

Williamsburg is a dynamic family of faith devoted to making disciples for Jesus Christ and witnessing to his saving love in our church, local, and world communities. As such, they endeavor to reach out to others and introduce them to God so that all may have knowledge of the Christian faith and be nurtured in spiritual growth. They look to send disciples into the world to make it more loving and just. Check Out Their Website at www.williamsburgumc.org

Williamsburg is regularly attended my several Wesleyites.  A group usually congregates in the Wesley living room around 10:40 AM to walk over and worship together.

**Wellspring United Methodist Church**

With its mission, “To care…as Jesus Cares”, Wellspring UMC has served the Williamsburg community for nearly 30 years. Wellspring is a welcoming church that values people over policy and empowers people for ministry in the name of Jesus Christ. As their website states, their pastor is Eddie Barnett, but every member of Wellspring is one of its ministers.  Wellspring is well-known for its dynamic worship, community outreach programs, and diverse music ministries. The church is located just a couple of short miles from campus on Longhill Rd. and offers two Sunday services -- a blended traditional service at 9:00 AM and blended contemporary service at 10:45 am. As you search for a church family in Williamsburg, check out www.wellspringmethodist.org . They may just be the right church home for you.

Wellspring is regularly attended by Melissa MacIntyre ’09 and members of the Wesley board.  They are always pleased to give students rides to Wellspring!
 

**New Town United Methodist Church**

New Town UMC is the newest United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. Their worship style is a blended experience of contemporary praise choruses and traditional hymns that have been rearranged so that they are more culturally familiar in music style.  The prayer portion of their service is especially dynamic and they intentionally seek to be hospitable to students.  Members go through a study with Pastor David Ford of John Wesley’s life and fundamentals of our Wesleyan heritage, so the people you encounter at New Town are particularly informed about the Wesleyan tradition which unites us all. Interested? Want to know more?  Visit www.newtownumc.org to learn more about this dynamic new community of faith.

New Town is regularly attended by Marg Lynch, our Wesley AA, and members of the Wesley board.  New Town loves to have W&M students join them for worship and are happy to assist in getting you there and back on Sunday morning!