1. How do I become a member of Vista Ridge?
Reception into a local United Methodist Church is by baptism, profession of faith in Christ, confirmation, or reception from another denomination or another United Methodist Church. Vista Ridge offers the Connections Cafe, an orientation class that you must attend before membership in the church. Please call either of the pastors for additional information at 972-315-5225.

2. How do I get involved at Vista Ridge?
As you go through our orientation class you will be provided a listing of programs, classes and volunteer service opportunities offered by the church. During the orientation class you will also meet ministry leaders and class teachers. The Community Sonshine Care team provides the neighborhood connection in Vista Ridge and will contact you after you have become a member. If you are just checking us out, you are encouraged to call the office or consult the website www.vrumc.org for current events.

3.What is the baptismal policy of the United Methodist Church?
The baptismal policy of our church can be found in the services of The Baptism Covenant in The United Methodist Hymnal, 1989 and The United Methodist Book of Worship, 1992. Also, please reference By Water and The Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism, 1996 at http://www.gbod.org/worship/articles/water_spirit/life.html.

4. What does United Methodism fundamentally believe about baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament. In this sacrament a person is cleansed by the Holy Spirit and becomes part of the body of Christ, the church universal. The common elements, in this case water, is used as a vehicle of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

5. What is infant baptism?
Infant baptisms are generally celebrated for children two years old or younger. When a child is baptized as an infant, United Methodists understands that God claims the child with divine grace. The child can do nothing to save himself or herself, but is totally dependent on God's grace.

Because Baptism claims and enacts a covenant between parent/guardian and congregation, at least one guardian/parent should be a member of this congregation, or should have participated in one of our orientation classes. For more information about the next scheduled class, please call the church office.

6. May we have our baby dedicated instead of baptized?
No. United Methodists understand the two services of dedication and baptism to be very different. Dedication is a human act of pledging or giving the child to God. Baptism is a divine act initiated by God, a pledge and gift that God gives to us. While Baptism includes vows of dedication, it chiefly celebrates what God is doing and will do in the life of the child.

7. May I be baptized again?
We believe baptism is an act of God, and God does it right the first time. Our side of the covenant relationship with God will need recommitment and reaffirmation, but God always remains faithful to the divine side. We believe there is no need to be baptized multiple times.

8. How do I schedule a baptism?
Services of Baptism are almost always done in the context of regularly scheduled Sunday morning worship and are usually scheduled on the 2nd, 4th or 5th Sunday in consultation with one of our pastors. The Senior Pastor may be reached at 972-315-5225, ext. 205. The Associate Pastor may be reached at ext. 204.

9. How do I let the church know that I have moved or had a change in personal information?
There are several ways to update your membership information. You can make changes on the attendance card that is in the bulletin each Sunday and indicate that it is a change. The card can then be placed in the offering plate. You may email the change to the office secretary or you may call the office directly at 972-315-5225 and give the changes to the secretary.

10. How do I schedule a wedding?
If you wish to use the church for your wedding ceremony, please contact the wedding coordinator at 972-315-5225, ext. 202. If you want a pastor to officiate, please schedule a time for consultation with them. The Senior Pastor can be reached at ext. 205 and the Associate Pastor at ext. 204.

11. How does the church learn about our new baby, a hospitalization or a death in our family?
You may call the church office and inform the secretary or one of the pastors of your specific situation or information may be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Upon receipt of your call or email, appropriate pastoral prayers and support will be offered.

 

12. How do I reserve a room for a meeting at the church?
You can access the website at www.vrumc.org. Scroll over to the Membership tab and click on Calendar. Click on All Interest Groups to see calendar events for the whole church. Check to see what is scheduled for the date and time that you are interested in. If it is available, a room request form can be downloaded from the website or picked up at the church office. It can be turned into the Church Secretary or the Business Administrator.

13. What are the different ways to give at Vista Ridge?
Vista Ridge makes giving a joyful and painless experience. You can give through regular offerings, automatic bank draft, memorial gifts, pledges, gifts in honor or memory of someone, endowments, stock, or designated gifts.

14. Who do I call if I have questions about my gifts to the church?
The church accountant can be reached at 972-315-5225, ext. 215 or you may email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

15. How do I find out what the scheduled events are at Vista Ridge?
Each week the church publishes an online newsletter called eVista. It is emailed to each member of the church. Please advise the church office if you want to have your name placed on the list of recipients. You may also check the church calendar on the website. Scroll over to the Membership tab and click on the Calendar tab, and then click on All Interest Groups to see the calendar events.

16. How do I submit announcements for the bulletin, web page or newsletter?
Any announcements for church publications can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can call the secretary at 972-315-5225. The deadline for the bulletin is Wednesday at noon. Please call or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for the newsletter deadline for articles. All information for the webpage is approved by the Associate Pastor. She can be reached at 972-315-5225, ext. 204. Please do not give announcements to the pastors on Sunday mornings before services.

(Questions on Baptism are taken from FAQs about Baptism, Membership and Salvation by Dr. Gayle C. Felton and Peggy Sewell for the General Board of Discipleship. Some information has been edited for the website.)

Copyright 2001, The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. All rights reserved. Published by the Center for Worship Resources, P.O. Box 340003, Nashville TN 37203; telephone (615) 340-7073; web site: http://www.umcworship.org.