An Unapologetically
Jesus-Centered,
Inclusive Church

Launching Fall 2026 in Leland, NC

Plan Your Visit Now
Group of people seated at an outdoor picnic table under a pavilion, holding paper leaf-shaped cards, with food and drinks on the table.
A man and woman smiling outdoors on a sunny day, standing close together with arms around each other's shoulders. The woman is wearing a sleeveless patterned top, black shorts, and sandals. The man is wearing a striped polo shirt, shorts, sneakers, and colorful socks. There is greenery and a tree with red leaves in the background.

Unapologetically Jesus-Centered

We see everything through the person of Jesus: his life, teachings, death, and resurrection. We believe that when we look at Jesus, we can look beyond the categories offered by our world and into new possibilities. 

Inclusive

We believe that inclusivity is more than a buzzword: it is the way of Jesus. We strive to be a community where all people– regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, political persuasion, or socioeconomic status– can flourish. LGBTQ people are joyfully welcomed to participate in every aspect of church life and leadership. All people seeking a closer relationship with Jesus are welcome to receive Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church.

Relationships First

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, and love requires a relationship! We believe that the church should be a place where people who might not usually interact can become good friends, so we seek to build meaningful relationships with people of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. 

Two women standing inside, smiling, in front of a banner for the Grove United Methodist Church. The banner has a stylized tree logo in green and orange. Outside the window are green trees and shrubs.
Three women standing outdoors on a sidewalk, holding bags of popcorn, with several large bags of popcorn placed on the ground in front of them. The background features a building with a blue metal roof and a grassy area.

Our Central Story

Our central story here at the Grove—and the inspiration behind our name—is the story of a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who took advantage of his neighbors to make himself rich. He was wealthy, but he was also a social outcast with few friends and many enemies. When he heard that Jesus was coming to town, he wanted to see him, but he was too short to see over the crowd. So he climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view. 

When Jesus saw him, he called him by name and invited him to dinner. That experience changed Zacchaeus' life forever. He repaid everyone he had cheated and gave away half of his possessions to the poor!

We want to be a sycamore tree for Leland- we want to help people see Jesus. We know there might be a lot blocking your view. Maybe you’ve been hurt by the church before. Maybe you have questions about faith you’ve never been allowed to ask. Whoever you are and wherever you’re coming from, we want to help you see Jesus. 

Plan Your Visit Now
A paper tree display with green and orange paper leaves attached to a cardboard trunk. Each leaf contains handwritten statements about personal feelings of belonging, with some referencing specific moments when the person knew they belonged.

What does The Grove UMC look like?

People sitting around a table in a bright room with large windows. They are eating and writing, with papers, snacks, and drinks on the table.

Worship

We will be launching weekly worship services this fall in southwest Leland! Our worship experience is rooted in tradition but presented with a fresh energy. Join us for inspiring music, preaching that helps you apply Jesus’ teachings in your life today, and Holy Communion every week. Kids are always welcome throughout the service, and we will also offer a nursery and a dedicated kids’ church time.

Six people sitting around a conference table engaged in discussion, with notebooks, phones, papers, and snacks on the table in a meeting room.

Interest Events

You don’t have to wait until the fall to get involved! This summer, we’re organizing interest events across Leland. These casual gatherings will provide an opportunity for you to meet others who are interested in a Jesus-centered, inclusive church in Leland and to learn more about the vision of the Grove UMC.

Five women standing in front of a purple wall with a large bear paw print logo, holding packs of popcorn, smiling at the camera.

Launch Team

Want to go deeper? Come to a Launch Team meeting! This leadership group will play a crucial role in launching the Grove UMC through attendance, invitations, and hands-on support. Our meetings are two hours: we spend the first hour studying a Bible passage, and the second hour planning and preparing for upcoming events. We invite you to join us and learn about the vision for the church and how you can be part of this exciting journey!

Discover a Welcoming Community and Inspiring Worship at The Grove United Methodist Church

Where are you located?

We are a church for Leland, North Carolina. We do not yet have a building or a permanent location.  In the fall, weekly worship will be held in southwest Leland. Right now, the Grove UMC exists wherever our people are!

Are LGBTQ people welcome here?

At the Grove, we celebrate and affirm all aspects of who God created you to be. We believe in transparency—there’s no bait and switch and no limitations on leadership. We fully embrace and celebrate our LGBTQ siblings in all aspects of church life and leadership. We believe our worship and witness is richer and more complete when you are here!

Do you have a weekly worship service?

We will launch weekly public worship in October 2026, but you can get involved now! Join us for interest events across Leland to meet others interested in a Jesus-centered, inclusive church and learn more about the Grove UMC's vision. Want to go deeper? Come to a Launch Team meeting! In these two-hour sessions, we spend the first hour studying a Bible passage and the second hour planning future events. We invite you to join us and be part of this exciting journey!

What does the United Methodist Church believe?

Methodism began on a college campus as a revival movement within the Church of England. At the Grove, we live out that legacy by following Jesus using our hearts, our heads, and our hands. We seek to connect with God through passionate worship that helps us experience God’s grace and love. We will never ask you to check your questions at the door- we believe God gave us our brains for a reason and wants us to use them! Our personal faith motivates us to make a positive impact in the public sphere through acts of service and a commitment to social justice. You can learn more about our beliefs, mission, and organization using this resource. 

A woman serving food at an outdoor buffet table while a young boy in a green shirt and black pants watches. In the background, two women are also serving food, with trees and grass visible.
A family gathering in a living room with three women, five men, and four children, smiling for a group photo. The children are seated on a sofa in front, and the adults stand behind them. The room has a cozy, lived-in feel with a wooden coffee table and a white wall.

Follow Along with The Grove on Social Media

Come worship without the pressure of church clothes, indoor voices, or quiet feet! Join the Grove UMC this Sunday for an all-ages pop-up worship service at Westgate Nature Park. We’ll meet at the entrance of Westgate Nature Park (1260 W Gate
Maine. New York. Florida. Puerto Rico. New Jersey. Ohio. Virginia. Western North Carolina. Michigan. California. And now… Leland, NC! At our “Where I’m From” Potluck this week, we shared stories and food from the places we&rs
Unapologetically Jesus-Centered: that’s our first core value and the basis of everything we do. We’re trying to follow Jesus- will you share the journey with us?
We 💚 Leland! This weekend we cared for on our neighborhood by picking up litter and talking about what we love about this community. What do you love about Leland? Let us know in the comments! Thank you to @capefearriverwatch for giving us the tool
What a night! Sunshine + meaningful conversation + queso = the perfect evening at our Party in the Park. We asked everyone to finish this sentence: “a time when I knew I belonged was…” Let us know your answer in the comments!

Since we're a brand-new church plant without a permanent home yet, social media is where it's all happening right now! We're hosting interest events all over Leland, and the best way to keep up with what's next, where we're meeting, and how to get involved is to follow along online. Give us a follow so you never miss an event, a launch update, or a chance to connect. We can't wait to see you there!