Online we stream from FaceBook and YouTube – full services with an online giving platform.  When persons are ill or traveling, they can stay connected. Family members who live at a distance can tune in for special service and music. Persons interested can preview worship before joining us in person.

Children are welcomed and loved at Columbia UMC.  Each child and their parent find the best way for their participation. 

We have trained and background checked volunteers who can take children to the nursery; we also have coloring items and encourage quiet play for those who want their children to stay. 

Older children can participate in lighting candles, reading, helping hand out materials, and other special tasks in worship.  Every person counts in our worship from babies to our eldest in attendance.

Comfortable, modest, and as you wish. Jeans, work boots, flip flops, shorts are as welcome as high heels, loafers with suits and dresses.

Most people dress work casual – kakis and button up shirts for men, slacks/skirts and blouses or informal dresses for women. We have everything from suits, dresses to shorts and flip flops. 

 During communion attendees are invited to follow along in the hymnal or bulletin to participate in asking for forgiveness, hearing words of forgiveness, sharing in recalling the life and saving acts of Jesus as well as his last supper with the disciples. 

When it is time to get up, the pastors and ushers will provide instructions and guidance as how best to receive – we offer wafers or small cubes of bread (always gluten-free) and small cups of grape juice.

Hand sanitizer is provided for those who wish to clean their hands first (all servers use it before offering) take and eat the bread, then take and drink from the cup – you can return the cup to the empty back of the tray or leave it at the altar if you wish to pray or preferably throw in the trash receptacles provided.  You can take the elements and return to your seat or take them and kneel at the altar and pray.

  Music and singing will be light in the background. Pastors will offer your words such as “the body of Christ given for you” – “the blood of Christ shed for you.”  We believe in the UMC that we are experiencing God’s spirit in the taking of this small meal and we will be filled with love and compassion if we receive it.

Every person – whether you are a member, a child, from a different denomination, tradition or even religion – every person is invited to the table of Jesus.  He offers love and grace to all.  We do not exclude anyone.

Offerings are a part of our discipleship – the way we live that reflects our love from Jesus. We are not “paying” to go to church. Rather because we receive and God makes us responsible for one another, we want to share what we have including our money.

Money received in worship does help with basics such as electricity, maintenance, and staff salaries. It is also the way in which we care for our neighbors, our members, and those around the world. We finance the mission of the church with giving of our money. Our offerings help feed one another – when there is a death, when someone is sick, when someone does not have enough. Offerings are our monetary gifts to support the ministry of the church. 

Those persons who are guests or worshipping the first time are not expected to give. Any gifts will be used for ministry, missions, and operation of the church staff and building.

Our worship is outlined in a paper bulletin each week.  We use 3 different books – the United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, and Worship & Song.  Which book is being used is indicated by initials UMC, TFWS, and W&S along with the number in the bulletin. The numbers for hymns are also posted on either side of the altar area (the elevated portion of the sanctuary).

The person announcing when the congregation participates will also indicate where to find it – if it is printed in the bulletin or on an insert to the bulletin,  or in one of the 3 books. There are multiple places where the worshippers participate – by saying things together aloud, singing, and in moments of prayer. You never have to do anything you are uncomfortable doing. 

We have a greeting moment just before worship begins where persons speak to one another. Some visitors find this uncomfortable.  If you do not wish to be greeted, usually staying seated is enough to indicate this to others. We do not want to exclude anyone; we do not wish to put anyone on the spot and make them uncomfortable. 

If you wish to be seated near a person who can guide you through worship, please ask an usher. Ushers are usually standing or seated by the side outside door or in on the middle row at the split in the seating.  

There are some parts of worship that long time members have memorized. All of those items will be indicated as to where to find them in the UMH. Please feel free to locate them and read along.  When possible, they are also printed in the bulletin.

During worship – we most often stand for singing, sometimes for other parts as well. The leader will indicate when to stand and sit if able to do so.

We are located on Main Street in downtown Columbia. We have adequate parking in our main lot directly beside the church (numbered for weekday use) and you may park in any space.  Park and enter by the Welcome Center doors (awning over double doors is labeled) or by the accessible ramp which enters straight into the sanctuary.

The Welcome Center doors enter our fellowship hallway where coffee and sweets are served prior to worship.  You can also find nametags and materials about our church in the hallway.  Ushers are in the hallway if you need help finding the sanctuary, restrooms, or the nursery. 

Our church is friendly, and they do want to talk to you; however, it is understandable if you want to check us out before getting a full welcome. You can do this by watching online, coming right at the start of worship and leaving immediately, and by sitting further back in the sanctuary (but be aware it is a large facility and that does put you away from the “action” so to speak). 

During our worship greeting time, if you do not wish to be greeted, staying seated usually helps with that.

We will accommodate any disability if given prior notice.  We have a braille version of the hymnal and a church leader who is blind and can help us accommodate those needs. We send out the bulletin in advance each week so that your computer can translate it for you if you read braille.

We monitor the sound to accommodate a wide range of hearing, but we also encourage those hard of hearing to move forward.

We do not have an interpreter at this time but can place you where lip reading is more possible. We would bring an interpreter in if given notice.

We have a ramp on the parking lot side of the church; we have seats that can be arranged to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. We have large print UM Hymnals on request, and if given notice can print a large print bulletin and all of the music for the service.

Persons with other auditory and sensory issues can feel free to wear headphones, sit apart, and use other means for helping their experience be pleasant. We allow beverages in the sanctuary, encourage children with quiet play, and would welcome persons who need to knit, write, or otherwise keep their hands busy to focus.

BETTER TOGETHER – we see a future together, stronger, more inclusive, and prioritizing intentionally being disciples of Jesus Christ. Our focus and priority is offering a space for all persons to worship. We welcome people from the street to college students to young families and seniors. We welcome persons who have never been to church to those who have always made church central to their lives. All are welcome.  If you see something that needs to change in order to fulfill that goal, please let us know.  We will make every reasonable attempt to accommodate your needs. We hope you will find your place with us. 

We have gendered restrooms with wheelchair access and a family restroom. The family restroom has a child and adult sized toilet in stalls with a baby changing station.  A baby changing station is also available in the nursery.