A Humble Beginning
Before the church facility was built, the congregation met in a dentist’s office, a school, and even in camp chairs on the church property in the midst of weeds, gophers, and snakes. At that time, the road was only dirt and gravel. Built on the original Smoky Hill Trail, the church folks chose the covered wagon as their symbol.
The original pioneers traveled on the Smoky Hill Trail in wagons, circling up at night to keep each other safe. Each wagon housed a community member with his/her skill – the blacksmith, the gunsmith, the teacher, or the tailor. Each family supported the community for the “good of the whole” and, also, received aid from the community. The people of Smoky Hill UMC came to see each other as participants in such a wagon train, using their gifts to serve the community and to care for the community. It is this western spirit that has served Smoky Hill well over the years.
Today, Smoky Hill stands as a United Methodist Church in the Mountain Sky area. Our bishop is Bishop Karen Oliveto.
An Inclusive Bunch
Smoky Hill UMC affirms that God’s grace is available to all. We prayerfully seek to openly welcome all of God’s children regardless of Christian perspective, education, economic condition, race, gender identity, national origin, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons independent of society’s regard. God blesses us all so that together we can be God’s instrument of blessing to the world.
A Call to Action
The United Methodist Church’s vision is to make disciples for the transformation of the world.
Smoky Hill United Methodist Church’s vision is to:
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Connect to God in worship and prayer
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Be transformed into fully mature followers of Christ
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Serve God in our world and in our church
Smoky Hill’s vision forms the core of who we are as a congregation. Our identity comes from our acts, thoughts, and prayers as we embrace those values.