Our Cooperative Parish

Overview

Here, the Methodist Church is part of a cooperative parish. The United Methodist Church (UMC) concept of a cooperative parish is a model that allows two or more churches to work together in a formal arrangement to share at least one staff member and strengthen the ministry of all participating churches. This model is not limited to rural settings but is also suitable for suburban and urban areas, as well as arrangements involving churches from different settings.

Cooperative Parish Ministry demonstrates good stewardship, features gift-based ministry, and is an ideal training environment. It enhances the stewardship of participating churches and can lead to more ministry per dollar of investment. The staffing is built around the gifting of the Director and involves people with complementary gifts, encouraging the laity to discover their spiritual gifts and form teams for ministry. This model is Christ-centered, God-honoring, and outreach-focused, and is formed by a Cabinet; our group of District Superintendents, along with the Bishop.

Mt. Zion - Willisville Chapel UMC Cooperative Parish

Under the leadership of Pastor James Page, Jr., our cooperative parish includes the congregations of Mt. Zion UMC in Hamilton, Willisville Chapel UMC in Upperville, and Mt. Zion UMC in Leesburg.

We have Cooperative Parish Ministries where we strive to work with one another to offer and deliver support and events for our church community and the greater community.