Radical Hospitality in Action

Weatherford FUMC’s congregation gathered to eat breakfast in the SWOSU Wesley Foundation campus ministry building. The fellowship hall is occupied by the Liberty Foundation, so the Wesley Foundation welcomed FUMC’s congregation for monthly breakfasts. Submitted photo.

Oklahoma church hosts another congregation

When Liberty Church, an independent congregation in Weatherford, found itself temporarily without a home, Weatherford First United Methodist Church saw a unique opportunity to practice radical hospitality. Liberty Church’s original building sold before their new building was completed. This left the church in need of a place to meet.

Weatherford FUMC invited Liberty Church to share their building during the transition.

Both congregations worship in the FUMC building at the same time on Sunday mornings, with the Liberty group meeting in the fellowship hall, and both congregations sharing the nursery.

Members of Weatherford’s Liberty Church gather before worship in the FUMC’s fellowship hall. Weatherford FUMC is hosting Liberty’s congregation while the guest church’s building is being finished. Submitted photo.

The SWOSU Wesley Foundation, located next to the church, allows Weatherford FUMC  to hold monthly fellowship breakfasts in its building, and Liberty’s youth group uses the Wesley’s building on Wednesdays. Some of Weatherford FUMC’s members had never been inside the Wesley building. “By loaning the facilities to Liberty, it’s helped bind a closer tie between the church and the  Wesley,” said Rev. Chuck Horton, pastor at Weatherford FUMC.

The two congregations shared a Christmas Eve worship service, and some of Liberty’s congregation attend FUMC’s evening healing prayer training.