Grace United Methodist Church
Grace United Methodist Church is part of the Connecticut District Midstate Cooperative Parish of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Our vision is to model Jesus in our community
by our welcoming, loving and caring spirit.
Rev. Carol Bloom
We welcome Pastor Carol Bloom to Grace UMC with open arms and open hearts!
Carol was born in Ohio and moved to Virginia at a young age with her family where she grew up in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Carol has always known that God placed a call upon her life but was unsure how to answer that call. She has been active as a lay person in The United Methodist Church her entire life, serving as a Sunday School teacher, singing in the choir, teaching and organizing Vacation Bible School and holding most offices at various points.
While serving the church, Carol built a successful career in business in the healthcare finance, administration and information technology industry. She held upper-level management positions in hospitals, long term care facilities and a software development company. She eventually formed her own consulting company to assist private practitioners with software selection, financial operations and the maze of regulations with which they need to comply.
In 2009, Carol took the step of deciding to enter professional ministry when she became a candidate for ministry. In January 2010, she attended Local Pastor's Licensing School and was subsequently appointed to serve as the Associate Pastor of Centerport United Methodist Church on Long Island. In August of 2011, Carol enrolled as a full-time student at Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ to pursue a Master of Divinity, while continuing to serve the church in Centerport. She graduated from Drew with her M.Div. in May 2014 and was appointed to Diamond Hill United Methodist Church and The United Methodist of Springdale as a shared pastorate in July 2014. She was appointed full time to Diamond Hill UMC on January 1, 2016 and served there until joining us at Grace United Methodist Church on August 1, 2020.
Carol enjoys her ministry and is excited to be among the people in Southington. She particularly enjoys leading Bible studies and designing worship services. She invites anyone who is searching for a church home ... or just searching ... to visit and get to know the warm, caring people in our congregation.
We are a Safe Sanctuaries Church.
The safety of our children and those that work with our children is taken seriously.
Our program is based heavily on these simple but ironclad rules.
• Criminal Background Checks. All workers and helpers in contact with children are required to undergo a criminal background check.
• Six Month Involvement Rule. All volunteers who work with children and youth must be involved with Grace UMC for at least six months before they are allowed in any position involving contact with minors.
• Two Adult Rule. No fewer than two adults are to be present at any time during a church sponsored program, event or ministry involving children or youth.
• 5 Years Older Rule. Leaders of youth ministry must be a minimum of five years older then the oldest youth.
WORSHIP SERVICE
We worship each Sunday at 10:00 am.
We celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month. Coffee Hour follows each service. We hope you will worship with us and stay for coffee, too!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Children attend the worship service. After the children's portion of the service, the children leave the sanctuary and join their Sunday School class. Sunday School concludes when our worship service ends. During the summer months, children are treated to special lessons and activities.
NURSERY FACILITIES
Our nursery is a safe and warm place. TV access allows parents to remain with their children, if they wish, and watch the service.
Why Grace?
Terry S.
Grace gives me a faith family, people of various backgrounds, ages, experience and devotion. It has set me on a path for my life only faith in God can give.
Debbie C.
I have found a wonderful, caring church family and have reconnected with God by way of worship, Bible studies, singing in the choir and serving others.