I'm New!
Welcome!
This is a quick guide for folks coming to Bashford United Methodist Church for the first time. Hopefully this will help you know what to expect and make you feel more at home when you visit.
Welcome Statement
We the people of Bashford United Methodist Church commit to do our best to ensure welcome and belonging for all who come to our community. We are a reconciling congregation.
We see in Scripture evidence that God wants everyone to be loved and accepted for who they are. Genesis 1:27 refers to God making humankind in God's image. Welcoming immigrants is a theme of the Book of Ruth. Psalms cry out in concern for the oppressed. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus emphasizes that offering care to others is offering care to Him. First Corinthians 13 speaks of the importance of universal compassion (agapē). These are just examples of the broader messages of love and community in the Bible, and no brief selection of verses and books out of context can fully capture this.
We affirm people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Our welcome and acceptance also includes, but is not limited to, people of any race, any ethnic identity, any country of origin, any immigration status, any language background, any physical or intellectual ability, any veteran status, any age, any level of formal education, any mental illness, any neurodiversity, any faith background, or any present faith beliefs.
We agree with our denomination's guidelines for inclusiveness that "The United Methodist Church seeks not just presence or representation but the meaningful participation of all who join together to create and build the church" (Advocates for Inclusiveness: Value and Empower All Persons for Full Participation in Church and Community, 2016). In our community, all means all.
Bashford UMC invites you to let us know how we can be more hospitable and better honor your identity as a child of God.
Dementia-Friendly
The Aging and Disabilities Recourse Center of Dane County has recognized Bashford as a dementia-friendly community. We strive to be a community where everyone feels welcome and included.
Worship
Among the many ways to be involved in our community, we offer worship services to thank God for all God has given us. United Methodism is a big tent and attracts people from a wide range of Christian belief. We have the shared desire to love God, think thoughtfully about the Bible, and serve others.
Parking
We have a newly redone parking lot behind the building. Most people enter the building through the back doors from the parking lot.
Accessibility
Bashford has one main floor. Wheelchairs are available.
Food Pantry and Little Free Pantry
One of our most significant ministries is our food pantry. We are honored to serve our neighbors and help them have enough to eat. Anyone interested in being one of our clients must call ahead and reserve a spot during one of the times the pantry is open during the week.
We also have a little free pantry outside the front of our church. Anyone is welcome to take items from this mini-pantry. Anyone is also welcome to stock it according to the instructions inside. It's like those little libraries, but for food and basic necessities.