Welcome to the newest church in Muncie! It is all about newness at Community of Hope. On November 28, 2021, members of the former Riverside and College Avenue United Methodist Churches embarked on an adventure. Bringing our respective century-long histories in the Muncie community, we began a new chapter – a new book, really – to form a Community of Hope. Yes, we are the product of a merger, but in merging, we long to create something new – a new culture with a new identity. While respecting and honoring our heritage, we also embrace the new thing God is doing in and among us.
Welcome to Community.
All are welcome, no exceptions
We Welcome You
We are a people of scripture.
At Community of Hope, we seek to shape our lives by the teachings of the Bible. While we take the Bible seriously, we do not take it literally. Our sacred texts are ancient, human responses to their experiences with God. We are inspired by them and allow them to shape our experiences with God too. In worship, we hear multiple readings from different parts of the Bible with a sermon grounded in these texts. We also study the Bible together in our various small groups and discipleship groups, allowing the Bible to strengthen our commitment to living the legacy of Jesus in the world today.
We are a people of tradition.
Our worship services honor the longstanding traditions of Christianity. Our worship is inherently experiential, meaning you are a crucial part to making it happen! Worship is not a performance or an entertaining event. It is a communal experience with God. Together, we lift our voices in singing the best of sacred music from the earliest days of our faith to inspiring modern hymns. Our singing is accompanied by our beautiful pipe organ and piano and features flutes, trumpets, handbells, chimes, and even a Djembe (drum)! We also celebrate Holy Communion bimonthly, inviting all who desire a closer relationship with God and neighbor to receive this sacred meal. Some may call our worship style “liturgical” or “high church.” And we are! But we promise, it’s not “stuffy” or “unfeeling”. Many folks remark there is a palpable, sacred energy in the sanctuary as we worship together that leaves us feeling inspired and uplifted as we enter a new week.
We are people of reason
God gave us brains and expects us to use them! Community of Hope is not a place where you must check your brain at the door. Blind faith and unquestioned answers are not tolerated here. We are a safe place where people can bring their questions and doubts. While we won’t promise answers, we can promise honest discussion and dialogue.
We are a people of experience.
Community of Hope believes each person brings unique, personal experiences that point us to God and shape who we are today. We celebrate each of those individual experiences as we share our common experiences as a church family. At CoH, you will find your experiences honored and treasured. You will be invited to share them with us, so that your Christ Light may shine on ours.
Community of Hope strives to be today what the United Methodist Church of tomorrow should be. We are an inclusive, open, and affirming faith community.
We welcome ALL people (no exceptions!). No matter your age, abilities, race, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, you are welcome here! We strive to be a safe place where people from all walks of life celebrate and share in God’s all-embracing love.
Our United Methodist heritage reminds us each person is of sacred worth. Each human being bears the image of the Divine, a spark of Christ Light. We invite you to share your Christ Light with us as we gather to worship and to be the Light of the World.