This is a wonderful and amazing community of faith. The pastor puts in a great deal of time preparing her sermons, she always makes it relevant to the situations in our heart and the nation. Shalom read more

Being Greek Orthodox and living in SLO county in the '80s meant church only every other week when the visiting priest would come to preform liturgy. Mom decided that we needed a second church to take part in on the off Sundays, and being that she is Methodist we stumbled upon Estero Bay's UMC. Mrs. McCullaugh was our Sunday school teacher that first visiting Sunday. We did sooooo much before communion it was amazing: from bible study to singing to projects to more bible study and more singing, it was great!! As my sisters and I got older we became the church candle lighters at the beginning of each service and in 8th I took part in a select bible study that earned me my own bible and recognition upon graduation. We took part in countless coffee hours, were part of the summer bible school program (I also took part in Co-teaching these classes during high school and eventually taught my own classes during college). This church community of mainly older individuals at the time took in my sisters and I as their adopted grandchildren - of which I still am to many who have seen me through not high only my high school and college years but continued to support me throughout graduate school and now constantly check in with how my first years of teaching are going. I took part in various plays and performances, participated in food drives and alternative Christmas gifts. The church has been through a number of reverends, all of which who've contributed very positively to the parish. Two have even retired to Morro Bay after their service to the Methodist Diocese ended. This Methodist church in particular is great at building a community within the parish. Prior to the actual service there is praise for about half an hour if one wants to come early. During the service there is time for Joys and Concerns - each parishioner is given the chance to share these, after which each highlight and low-note is reflected on and prayed over. The community within the walls of this church is strong in love for one another, as well as reaches out to all visitors in a way that not only welcomes them into the building, but makes them part of a new family setting. I'm grateful to my mother for choosing to attend this wonderful church and create for my sisters and I a second family. read more

I attended Christmas Eve service here last year. One of my family members attends here regularly. My children were threatened that they HAD to take part in the Christmas/manger scene. They never signed up or attended practices. We just showed up to honor our Lord, and to be respectful to my family member. Paula, the church's pastor stated crossly to my children that if they did not participate, they would not receive a cupcake for Jesus' Birthday celebration. I sat in the pew in disbelief as she avoided eye contact with me and firmly told my children this repeatedly. The church lacks a solid youth following and I completely understand why. I was saddened to think this is probably how my children were treated here on the days they attended with my family member, as I worked. I spoke up and told her that we don't need your cupcakes and they don't have to participate. What a joke! The church later ended up singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. And we wonder why "Christians" get a bad reputation. I hope she knows that Christmas has a pagan origin anyway and it's a complete marketing scam. God bless! We won't be returning this year, hope she doesn't bully some other kids into playing the part of Mary, the wise man and a sheep. Lame! read more