THE GRACE UNITED Methodist Church in Norway has changed its name to Grace Methodist Church. Members of the Future of Grace committee are, from left, Greg Vargo, Kathy Groeneveld, the Rev. Irene White, Christine Spence, Jeff Bilski, Suzanne Pollard and Rick Fila.

NORWAY — Grace United Methodist Church of Norway has announced its official name change to have Grace Methodist Church, a congregation of the Global Methodist Church.

The Global Methodist Church is the newest Methodist denomination and has joined a list of other Methodist denominations rooted in the Wesleyan tradition.

“Grace Methodist Church believes that when we accept the unconditional love Jesus Christ has for us, our focus will not be on our sinful nature but will be on pleasing Him and letting Him reveal to us how He wants us to live in this world,” said Greg Vargo, members of the Future of Grace committee.

“We are very excited for this new opportunity to put into practice our mission which is ‘… to strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, witness boldly, and to share the love and life of Jesus Christ in our community and the world,'” he said.

Grace Methodist Church will continue to support the community with the mission work they have been known for, including the coat closet, community meals, food pantry, backpack program and mobile food pantry.

The coat closet is still a place to come for those in need of children’s winter clothing. Those in need can contact the church.

The food pantry, for those needing supplements, is open from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.

Each weekend during the school year, students from Holy Spirit and Norway Area School District take home packs with food from the pantry for weekend meals.

The monthly community meals will continue to be served every third Sunday. Meals can be ordered for pick-up or delivery by calling 906-282-9752.

The Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry will continue to operate from Grace Methodist Church as a joint community effort of the Dickinson County Community Foundation, Bethany Lutheran Church, Community Bible Chapel, Norway Evangelical Covenant Church, Faithorn United Methodist Church and St. Mary and St. Barbara Catholic Churches. These local organizations contribute the funds and a lot of the volunteers that make it possible to bring a truck loaded with 15,000-plus pounds of supplemental food to distribute to people in need six times a year. The mobile food pantry also provides a great opportunity to volunteer to serve.

For more information about these ministries, contact Grace Methodist Church at 906-563-8917.

“As a local expression of the Global Methodist Church, we are excited to continue to partner with God’s people,” Vargo said. “Please consider joining us so that we can continue to grow together and use each other’s gifts to serve and love our community and neighbors around the world.”

Worship times are at 10:45 a.m. Sundays or at 7 p.m. Wednesdays for a joint service with Bethany Lutheran.

Grace Methodist Church is at 130 Odill Drive in Norway, behind the Jake Menghini Museum.