Family of Faith United Methodist Church

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s a fun little church history bit on the man who today is named after. Be safe today and be blessed.

03/08/2026

Join with our bishops and leaders in prayer

The start of a new week invites us to pause and pray as we consider the days ahead.

As we begin this week in prayer, we remember the call from the Council of Bishops in their statement from March 1 regarding the violence in the Middle East.

Let us join in prayer for all who are affected by conflict there and around the world—praying for peace, for justice, and for the healing of communities.

📖 Read the full letter from the Council of Bishops - The United Methodist Church: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/cob-pastoral-call-on-new-mideast-war-19640420

03/02/2026

3/1/26 worship

03/02/2026

Please join us and our Bishop in praying for peace.

A Call to Prayer for Peace in the Middle East

Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

As we witness the widening conflict across the Middle East, our hearts are heavy. In times such as these, we turn first to prayer. Scripture reminds us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

We are not powerless in moments of turmoil. We are called to pray – for peace, for protection, and for the preservation of every life precious to God. I invite you to join in prayer:
• for peace to prevail across the Middle East.
• for every life to be protected.
• for families living in fear to be sheltered in God’s mercy.
• for leaders to be guided toward wisdom and restraint.

Beloved, let us remain awake in prayer – in our congregations, in our homes, and in the quiet of our hearts. May Christ, our Peace, guard the nations and steady our spirits.

A Prayer for Peace
God of mercy and compassion,
you are the source of life and the guardian of every soul.
We grieve the violence unfolding in our world.
We tremble for families living under the threat of war.
Protect every life, O God.
Shield the innocent.
Restrain the powerful.
Transform the policies of nations,
so that they reflect your justice, mercy, and peace.
Grant wisdom to leaders.
Turn them toward diplomacy instead of destruction,
toward courage in reconciliation instead of pride in power.
Make us instruments of your peace.
Keep our hearts free from hatred.
Teach us to love beyond borders and beyond fear.
Through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

In Christ’s hope,
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

02/22/2026

Worship Feb. 22, 2026

02/01/2026

First Sunday of February Worship

01/25/2026

Hear these words from our Bishop and may we stand together with our brothers and sisters who are immigrant, migrant and refugee. We are all God’s beloved.

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Dear Beloved People of The Ohio Episcopal Area,
I write to you today with a heavy heart and a praying spirit as we witness the recent tragic deaths of two people in Minnesota. These losses are not isolated incidents. They are part of a wider pattern of fear-driven, indiscriminate immigration enforcement that has crossed moral and spiritual boundaries. Nothing can justify violence against human life.

As an immigrant myself, I know in my own body what it means to live under the weight of uncertainty, vulnerability, and being labeled. I also know that many who are called “undocumented” are not criminals. They are workers, parents, and neighbors who crossed borders because economic systems, political violence, and family survival left them no other choice. Today, families, industries, and entire communities in the United States depend on their labor and their lives. This is why we must continue to call for comprehensive immigration reform that reflects reality, justice, and mercy.

Scripture is unambiguous about God’s heart toward the stranger.
“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the stranger. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the stranger as yourself” (Leviticus 19:33–34).

The crisis before us is not only legal or political—it is moral and spiritual. The United States is being tested at the level of its soul. Will we be a nation shaped by fear and exclusion, or a society rooted in hospitality and justice? Our faith reminds us that God is always found among the displaced, the vulnerable, and the unwelcome.

Jesus himself was a refugee. Scripture tells us that his family fled violence and crossed borders to survive (Matthew 2:13–15). And our Lord teaches us plainly: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35).

The church cannot be silent in such a moment. The Ohio churches are called again to be a people who build true human community—where dignity is protected, where the stranger is seen as neighbor, and where love is stronger than fear. Laws matter. Policies matter. But before all of that, the spirit of hospitality must shape our homes, our congregations, and our public witness.

Let us become communities of sanctuary - places where justice has a face, and mercy has hands:
We lift before you the names and faces
of those who have died,
and the families who now grieve.
Hold them in your healing light.
Make our churches places of welcome,
where the stranger is no longer invisible,
and the wounded find safety.
Let justice walk freely in our streets,
and let compassion become
the language of our nation.
Break the power of fear.
Restore the soul of this land
through the love of Christ,
who makes us all neighbors. Amen

01/23/2026

01/19/2026

On this MLK Day, we remember that Dr. King’s dream is not only something to honor—it is work we are called to continue today. Justice, unity, and beloved community are built through faithful action, shared worship, and standing together for our neighbors.
We are deeply grateful for Mr. Avery Friedman for bringing a powerful message yesterday, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik for being with us and presenting a proclamation and for our combined worship with Zion Temple Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Ward, and South Arlington UMC. Thank you to all who gathered as one community to carry this work forward.

01/14/2026

We are excited to worship together this weekend with Zion Temple and South Arlington UMC at 10am with renowned civil rights attorney, Mr. Avery Friedman, giving the message. You won’t want to miss this morning of unity and praise.

01/14/2026

So proud to see what Rev Don started and Pastor Mike had a small part in, come to fruition. What can we do in Akron? Let’s keep dreaming and doing asset based community development.

The Newton Family Apartments, an affordable housing project orchestrated by Canton For All People, is set for February completion. See link below ⬇️ bit.ly/45CExoo