About LAUMC
We are a Changemaker church, committed to following Jesus’ example of having compassion for all people and celebrating God’s gift of diversity. We strive to create a church home where people of every gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, immigration, and socioeconomic status can unite in the mission of God’s love.
All are welcome here!
Our Mission
Global
Los Altos UMC is a member of the United Methodist denomination, which defines its mission and purpose as the following:
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor. The United Methodist Church affirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Lord of all. As we make disciples, we respect persons of all religious faiths and we defend religious freedom for all persons. Jesus’ words in Matthew provide the Church with our mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (28:19-20), and “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. . . . And you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (22:37, 39).
Local
Local churches provide a significant place of resource and acceptance for anyone, anywhere on their spiritual journey. In our commitment to that role, the community of the Los Altos United Methodist Church defines our vision as:
“Connection. Compassion. Courage. That all may flourish.”
It guides what we do as a church.
Reconciling Church
We believe all persons are children of God, and we welcome ALL, regardless of age, cultural background, disabilities, ethnicity, financial circumstances, gender identity, marital status, religious tradition, or sexual orientation.
Picture provided by Freepik.
Our History
In 1950, the United Methodist Conference appointed Charles W. Cox to begin a church in the city of Los Altos on some beautiful property, owned by the Conference, across the street from Rancho Shopping Center on Fremont Avenue. In August of that year, 80 people were gathered under the oak trees alongside the creek (approximately where the church office is situated today), a pulpit was built and, with folding chairs, they began services. As it became colder, services were held in the Los Altos Theater on Main Street.