Our Church Community
Evergreen United Methodist Church is a rural connectional church of the Burlington District, North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church (NCCUMC), of the international United Methodist Church. The Church was founded in 1988. The church building was built in 1995 and an additional facility, called “the Grove,” providing classroom and meeting space for church and community service agencies has been added.
Rev. Hannah Pinckney McManus is the ordained pastor appointed by the NCCUMC. The developing church has a membership of about 100 persons and others who regularly participate. Average Sunday worship attendance is currently approximately 45 persons. Volunteers and employed nursery staff provide the multiple church operations and services. As the church has evolved, Sunday worship has become a contemporary worship celebration.
A Place to Gather…
Those who gather at Evergreen appreciate and demonstrate diversity, coming from various backgrounds and economic levels, and with varied experiences in church (or not) and out. Some are natives of the area and others have come from various parts of the country. Some are singles, some young families with children, and some are retirees. Although most live in Chatham County, some come a distance to gather as Evergreen. So, people of diverse backgrounds are invited “ to gather with us, to grow with us, and to give in missions and service with us.”
Evergreen’s atmosphere is fairly informal, settled amongst the trees just off busy US Highway 15-501, and with simple furnishings. People are invited to “come as you are;” people dress as they feel comfortable—some very casual, some “business casual,” some in more traditional “church” clothes. The goal at Evergreen is to be friendly and welcoming but not “smotheringly” so, providing an opportunity to build supportive relationships as people feel comfortable to do so. There is time during the worship celebration to greet one another, to offer reminders of Christ’s peace, and to share concerns and joys and request prayers of fellow worshipers.
A Place to Grow….
At Evergreen, “to grow” in understanding and Christian faith is a continuous effort: through worship, Sunday School classes and Bible studies for all ages, book studies, guidance for individual study and prayer, and through group prayer, ministry, and administrative groups.
A Place to Give….
“To give” is an expression of the intent to be a missional church. It includes serving God through finances, service, and presence. It includes supporting each other but is focused on “beyond Evergreen.” As a part of the international United Methodist Church, Evergreen shares in support of global projects. As a member of the North Chatham County community, Evergreen joins with five other churches to provide ecumenical support for the needs of families in the immediate area, the Northwood School District, through the “Take and Eat” Food Pantry hosted at Evergreen, and through “Take and Wear” clothes hosted at a partner church. The church actively provides volunteer support for Chatham Habitat for Humanity and Chatham Literacy Council and has hosted representatives of Chatham churches, schools, service and governmental agencies, as they continue to pursue ways to collaborate for serving the needs of the greater Chatham community.
