We want to hear your questions, concerns, hopes, and dreams about the future of Lewis Memorial and Marvin UMC! Join one of these sessions:

• Sun, Sept 21 — Lewis Sanctuary Immediately after worship

• Wed, Sept 24 at 6:00 PM — Marvin Sanctuary after Wednesday Meal

• Sun, Oct 5 — Marvin Sanctuary, immediately after worship

  Your voice matters—come listen, share, and pray with us about God’s preferred future for our congregations!

Listening Session One

How Was the Decision to pursue Unification Made? Both churches were given the opportunity to vote on entering the discernment process to decide what future collaboration between our churches would be moving foward. Leadership teams from Marvin and Lewis approved moving forward with Discernment. Leaders then discerned the call to unify and become one church with two campuses.

What approach are we taking in this process? Pastor Ben noted two possible paths that our leadership group could take: 1. Seek to provide clarity by finalizing all details privately, then presenting to the congregation. 2. Be transparent and collaborative throughout. Our Leadership chose to prioritize transparency over immediate clarity.

What is the Unification Team Doing? Pastor Ben reminded the group that there are many things that we do not know the answer to yet, and that is why these groups are working through possibilities at this time. It’s impossible to gather ALL details for what lies ahead, but your leaders are working diligently to solidify a vision for what a unified church could look like.

Why Did Alyssa Rothschild join the conversation? Her presence was requested by leaders from both congregations to offer guidance and support, and she is the Regional Developer who does this for our District.

Will both campuses remain open? Yes. Community Partnerships and utilization of facilities by community groups help sustain both Marvin and Lewis. Each campus serves as a vital hub in its community.

What happens to each church’s assest/liabilities? All property, assets, debt, liabilities, and opportunities would be shared moving foward as one church.

What happens if we don’t unify? If unification does not move forward, each church will likely return to operating independently, meaning that the shared pastoral appointment would no longer continue. The Conference would work with each congregation to provide pastoral leadership that best fits their size and financial capacity. In practical terms, Marvin would most likely receive a part-time local pastor, and Lewis would likely receive a pastor at a reduced salary level.

Is there a plan to sell property? No property sales are anticipated in the foreseeable future.

How will the church conference vote work? No property sales are anticipated in the foreseeable future.

What is next? The date for our Church Conference is February 15, 2026. We are discerning two powerful opportunities to build upon the missions of Marvin and Lewis—together. Please attend Listening Sessions and complete surveys to have your voice heard and to stay informed.

1. Missional – Living Out Our Call to Unity

For Lewis and Marvin, the heart of unification is the same: we can do more together than apart.  #BetterTogether

• Biblical grounding: Just as scripture teaches us to bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, and serve together in love, our congregations are called to embody that same spirit.

• Shared ministry: We are already cooperating in meaningful ways — Vacation Bible School, WaterPlay nights, Grow Groups, and combined worship experiences. These are powerful glimpses of what it looks like to live into God’s vision of unity.

• Amplified witness: By joining strengths, we expand our ability to share Christ’s grace and hope with our community at the crossroads. Rather than duplicating efforts, we can amplify one another’s impact in children’s ministry, outreach, and discipleship.

2. Practical – Strengthening Structure for the Future

Lewis and Marvin recognize the benefit of one clear leadership structure for one community.

• Leadership focus: Instead of stretching leadership thin across two parallel structures, one unified church provides clarity and stronger direction.

• Community reach: Both congregations, while faithful and active, are smaller than in years past. By pooling energy and volunteers, we can increase the effectiveness of every ministry.

• Avoiding duplication: Many of our committees, policies, programs, and practices overlap. Coming together simplifies processes and allows us to spend less time in administration and more time in mission.

3. Financial – Stewardship That Honors God

Both churches working together can better steward our limited resources, eliminate duplicative waste, and focus our assets to support our disciple-making mission.

• Efficiency: One administrative structure means fewer duplicate costs (communications, facility needs, software systems, staff, volunteer hours).

• Better stewardship: Resources can be used more strategically for ministry rather than being split between two separate systems.

• Shared investment: By bringing resources together, we strengthen our ability to maintain facilities, fund ministries, and support staff in ways that neither church could sustain as strongly alone

For Lewis Memorial UMC and Marvin UMC, the decision to unify will not rest with the pastor, staff, or even the leadership teams. Instead, the final decision is made by the members of each congregation through a Church Conference.

Here’s how that typically looks in a United Methodist process:

1. Discernment & Planning

• The Unification Team and its Working Teams pray, study, and draft a plan for what unification would look like.

• This includes mission/vision alignment, governance, finances, property, staffing, and ministry strategy.

2. Presentation to the Congregation

• Once a clear plan is in place, it will be published and presented to both churches.

• Members will have opportunities to ask questions, give feedback, and pray over the decision.

3. Church Conference Vote

• Each congregation will hold its own official Church Conference (called by the District Superintendent).

• All professing members of each church have a voice and vote.

• Both congregations must approve the plan by majority vote for unification to proceed.

4. Implementation

• If both congregations vote to unify, the new structure takes effect, and we move into the implementation phase.

• If one congregation votes against unification, the churches remain separate, though they may continue cooperative ministries. description

• Formation of a Unification Team
  
  

• A combined group of leaders from both churches was established to guide the process.   They met on Sunday afternoons over the summer with Rev. Dr. Alissa Rothschild, Regional Developer for the Southeast District of the North Georgia Conference. 

• The Unification Team discerned this call statement:

“Believing we are better together, we are called to unite as one parish,
honoring our shared faith and unique histories to boldly serve our community.”

• Their Role:  Prayerfully discerning, studying, and drafting a plan for what unification looks like by establishing Working Teams that will report findings and action items for inclusion in a final plan that will be presented to the congregation. 

• Covenant & Structure
  
  

• A covenant for the Unification Team and Working Teams has been established and was voted on September 7, 2025.

• Working Teams have been identified and are established, and the first meeting was held on  September 7, 2025.

• The Unification Team will develop a projected timeline and keep it updated, as it is subject to change.
  
  

• Congregational Input
  
  

• A survey has been shared to gather feedback from the wider church family.  (August - Sept)

• Members and Leaders are being asked to pray intentionally, seeking to be open to God’s will and curious about what the future may hold.
  
  

• Working Teams
  
  

• Sub-groups that will focus on specific areas, including Prayer, Communication, Finance, Staffing, Facilities, Worship, and Ministries.

• Their Role:  Ask questions, find answers, and bring back insight and recommendations to the Unification Team.
  
  

• Communication & Transparency

• Updates are being shared through a linked website and bulletins, small group meetings, and church communications, so the process is open to all. 

• Unification Listening Sessions have been set.

  • Wed, Sept 24 at 6:00 PM — Marvin Sanctuary after Wednesday Meal

  • Sun, Sept 21 — Lewis Sanctuary Immediately after worship

  • Sun, Oct 5 — Marvin Sanctuary, immediately after worship

• Once a full plan is drafted, it will be published for the congregation to review. description

Under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, all local church properties are held in trust for the benefit of the entire denomination. ¶2501 states:

“All properties of United Methodist local churches and other United Methodist agencies and institutions are held in trust, for the benefit of the entire denomination, and ownership and usage of church property is subject to the Discipline”.

This “trust clause” has been part of Methodist polity since 1797. It means that while the local church—through its Board of Trustees—holds title to the property and is responsible for its care and use, it is held in trust for the mission and ministry of the whole United Methodist Church.  The Trust Clause was not a recent invention but was established by those who first shaped the Methodist expression of faith. For hundreds of years, it has served as a safeguard—ensuring that the work begun by those who came before us would continue faithfully into the future. It is a reminder that the mission and witness of the church are larger than any one generation, and that each of us carries both the privilege and the responsibility of stewarding what has been entrusted to us for those who will come after.

So, practically:

• Local churches (like Lewis Memorial and Marvin) hold and manage their property. They do so under the Discipline, in trust for the wider denomination. The North Georgia Conference and the bigger UMC are the owners.

• Any major decisions (such as sale, transfer, or merger) must follow procedures outlined in the Book of Discipline and be approved through the appropriate church and conference bodies. description

• Be informed. Stay connected and involved as information is shared. If you have questions, share those with your leaders. There are certainly things we do not fully know yet, but we want to help you to be as informed as possible.
  
  

• Be positive. We know change is not always easy, but we believe this unification is a win-win for God’s Kingdom. Be a positive presence and an encourager during this time. It is exciting to expand our mission and vision as we work together! Let’s lead the way by being open and positive about what God wants to do through us together.
  
  

• Be in prayer. We believe God wants to do “immeasurably MORE than we could ask for or imagine” through this unification. Pray for the leaders, staff, and ministries of both churches to grow through this unification. Prayer is the most important thing we can do as we trust God to grow our impact for God’s Kingdom together. description

Please submit all questions here. Church Staff and Unification Leadership Team will work to answer questions and will continue to update FAQ.