After migrating from the various southern states it did not take long before the need was felt for a place of worship. On November 30, 1891 fifteen very spiritual and praying people who had been meeting in the local African Methodist Church organized and founded what is now known as the GRACE Baptist Church. 117 years, 13 pastors later and God's bountiful Blessings we still stand to proclaim the word of God to all those who will listen. So for 117 years we have been a beacon of light and pray to be for years to come. It is our aim and determination to continue to do God's Will. <? We see the presence of the kingdom of God being established through a growing community of believers of the Grace Baptist Church, Norwalk, CT. The Holy Spirit will give focus, fullness and fruitfulness through ventures and victories that will make known the power and the favor of God throughout the greater Norwalk area and vicinity. Devoted to the Word God... Free to Flow in the Spirit of God. To present the Living Christ to a dying World in this present age. To provide a worship, study and service environment where people are encouraged not only to grow in their own spiritual life but also to influence others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to become disciples making disciples of Jesus Christ. Understanding that what we do is all for S.O.U.L. purpose ( to seek - to optimize - to utilize - to Love )
Rev. Janet G. Hodge received her Master of Divinity degree from The Theological School at Drew University in 2001. She has served as chaplain at Nyack Hospital, youth/student pastor of Hillsdale United Methodist Church, Hillsdale, NJ and associate pastor of Golden Hill United Methodist Church of Bridgeport, CT before becoming pastor of NUMC in 2002. Pastor Janet is active in all aspects of the church's life - preaching, teaching, worship, missions, fellowship opportunities, small prayer group leadership, Bible Study and pastoral care. She works with active members in the leadership and administration of the church and is involved in many community action/outreach agencies within the city of Norwalk. Pastor Janet meets with church and community members for listening, discernment, counseling and prayer in her office, at homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations in the community. Please call her to schedule an appointment if you would like a home visit, are considering joining the church, are concerned about a friend or a family member, are planning a Baptism, Confirmation or Marriage, wish to share a joy, would like to talk through a theological or ethical issue, or are facing a life challenge ( mental and physical health, elder needs, spiritual issues, family relations, addictions, domestic violence, work issues, etc. ). Pastor Janet can generally be reached in her office Monday through Thursday ( except when she has meetings scheduled ) and is available to meet with you at your convenience. Her office number is 866-3707. About The Church The United Methodist Church is the third largest denomination in the United States, with some 8 million members. The church affirms the Christian belief in God the Father, the Son ( Jesus Christ ) and the Holy Spirit. Methodism traces its history from the early Christian church, through Roman Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation. During the 18th century, the Father John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman, set out to form societies of Methodists , so called because the members followed a daily routine of religious observance and social work. In America, itinerant lay preachers spread the Christian gospel and Wesley's teachings, and Methodist Church was formed. First organized in 1858, the Norwalk United Methodist Church has served our community for over 145 years. The NUMC Trustees tend our beautiful and historic buildings and active education wing. The church was built in 1858 with completion in 1859. The education wing was built in 1958. Norwalk United Methodist Church is a part of the CT/NY District of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our Bishop is Jeremiah park and our District Superintendent is the Rev. Jeannette Bassinger-Ishii. We have frequent opportunities to share in worship, service and learning with other United Methodist churches in our District and Conference, and to use the resources of the Learning Center at our Conference Center in White Plains, NY. Clergy and lay delegates of all United Methodist Churches share ministry ideas, resources and decision making, and celebrate ordinations, at the Annual Conference held every June at Hofstra University, Hempstead, Long Island, NY. Denominational decisions, printed in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, are made by clergy and lay delegates to the world wide United Methodist General Conference held every four years.
