United Methodists are people whose actions bring new meaning to their faith.

• We have a story to tell
  
  United Methodists have a story to share with the world. As the familiar song "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" says, our is "a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light." It's the gospel story.
  
  United Methodists share our faith each time we tell the story of how God entered the world through Jesus of Nazareth. Like John Wesley, Methodism's founder, we embrace Christ's mandate to "make disciples of all nations." The story of the Holy Spirit's continuing work is the United Methodist story.

• We're a covenant people
  
  When you join a United Methodist congregation, you become a member of the total United Methodist connection. The Book of Discipline states that, as a member, you promise God and the congregation to uphold the church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.

• We're a diverse community
  
  United Methodism was formed when the Methodist church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968. United Methodists trace their spiritual heritage back to 18th-century leaders including John and Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, Philip Otterbein, Martin Boehm and Jacob Albright.
  
  All Persons are welcome in The United Methodist Church. We are firmly committed to inclusiveness. We celebrate a diversity of people, ideas and cultures and are enriched by our broad history.

• We are Biblical in faith
  
  United Methodists trust free inquiry in matters of Christian doctrine. Our faith is guided by Scripture, tradition, experience and reason. Of paramount importance is Scripture. For United Methodists, the Bible is the record of God's people living out God's promise.

• We are mission-oriented and socially conscious
  
  Mission is important to our faith. We are aware of world events and work to help those in need. United Methodists are one in faith and tradition with Methodist Christians around the world. Through the World Methodist Council, Methodists from 68 member churches cooperate in support of ecumenical, educational, evangelical, and other ministries.

• We are Ecumenical
  
  For generations, United Methodists have cooperated with other churches to spread the gospel, care for those in need, alleviate injustice and foster peace. In national and interfaith groups, United Methodists reach beyond our own churches and our own communities to express concern and to share God's love with people of many faiths.

• We are involved
  
  For more than 200 years, the United Methodist Church has expressed concern for the worker, the sick, the poor, the orphaned, the aging, the impaired, the oppressed and the imprisoned. Our church participates in the struggles of women, people with physical and mental impairments, and racial and ethnic minority persons, helping them attain equality in the church, the economy and society. United Methodists positively influence society through responsible social action.