New to GUMC

We worship every Sunday at 9:45 AM. Our service features many choirs, so music varies each week. However, we regularly have congregational singing from a hymnal accompanied by organ or piano.
 
While our service starts at 9:45 AM, music prior to worship is played starting 5 minutes before that. We don’t want you to feel like you’re late, so we suggest arriving about 15 minutes before the service begins to allow yourself enough time to park and find your way into our worship space.
 
We have a coffee and fellowship time every week from 10:45-11:00.
 
Christian education follows our worship service at 11:00 AM (From September – May). We have classes for everyone from pre-school through adult.
 
Nursery care is available during the worship service and the Christian education hour.
 
Worried about how you should dress? We have a variety of styles. Some still wear their “Sunday best” while others come in jeans and a tee-shirt. Join us in whatever you feel most comfortable in. What’s most important to us is that you join us.
 

Our Core Values & Vision

Core Values:
1. We value LOVE because God is love (1 John 4) and calls us to love everyone.
2. We value FAITH in God who created us, Jesus who saved us, and the Spirit who guides           us because without God we are lost.
3. We value COMPASSION because Jesus taught us to value and help everyone.
4. We value JOY because when we see true joy we know God is there.
5. We value CONNECTION because the Gospel is spread by working together.
6. We value DIVERSITY because God created everyone and loves us all.
 
Vision:
Joyfully reaching out to share God’s love and faith in Jesus with everyone.

Our Staff

Rev. Nick Berlanga – Pastor
Pastor Nicolas grew up in Mundy Township. He earned a B.A. from Alma College and entered the business world where he worked in Human Resources, Payroll and as a Payroll Software Consultant. In 2012, Nick took on the role of part-time pastor for Melvindale New Hope UMC, and in 2016 he became a full-time member of the clergy at Plymouth First.
 
In addition to his B.A. from Alma College, Nick has an MBS from Walsh College and a Masters of Divinity from the Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio. He has served as a member of the clergy at Melvindale, Plymouth, Ann Arbor First, Canton Cherry Hill and Ypsilanti St. Matthews.
 
Along the way he met Lisa, they married and had three children, Victoria, Zane and Marisa. All three are now young adults and have given Nick three grandchildren with a fourth on the way.
 
Sadly, after 31 years of marriage, Lisa passed away from ALS in late 2020. Nick continued to serve as a member of the clergy for another year after Lisa’s death, but finally decided to take a leave of absence to allow his spirit to heal. During that time, he worked as a substitute elementary school teacher. His time with children rekindled his love of teaching, mentoring and uplifting people.
 
While on leave Nick also reunited with his college sweetheart, Tara. Despite not seeing each other for 35 years, they instantly reconnected and recently married. Tara is a college professor and published author but retains her small-town Michigan roots.
 
Pastor Nick is excited to be returning to the area of his youth and looks forward to seeing what God has in store for him and the Goodrich church as they journey into their next chapters together.
 
Jeannine Page-Tear – Office Administrator & Youth and Sunday School Director
Jeannine is a long standing member of Goodrich United Methodist Church. As Membership Secretary, Jeannine organizes and compiles the Sunday bulletin weekly. She also tracks Sunday worship attendance and follows membership of the congregation. Jeannine is also the Sunday School Superintendent and has been involved in Christian Education most of her adult life. She, as Sunday School Superintendent, helps to create a fun and safe learning environment for children. Jeannine holds an Associates degree in Applied Science from Baker College. Jeannine enjoys shuttling her three children to their various activities, reading, and is an avid card player.
 
Rick Martin – Custodian
Rick started in his role in 2017 and has done a great job given his many years of experience in school systems. Rick grew up in the area. He loves his job and helping people he meets on the job. He really enjoys everyone he runs into and feels a part of the GUMC family.

Our History….

As early as 1836, circuit riders traveled this region holding class meetings in homes and schoolhouses. It is believed that the Methodists were the first to hold religious meetings in Atlas Township. The “Old Stone Church” was part of the Goodrich circuit and may have been part of the original Goodrich class.
 
In 1844, a class of 12 members began holding meetings in the Village of Goodrich at the schoolhouse and the Goodrich Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. In 1852, the first church building was built for the sum of $3,000 on an acre of donated land on the present site of the Goodrich Apartments. Dr. Wheelock purchased the land and building in 1914 in order to build Goodrich’s first hospital.
 
The Methodist Episcopal Church on the corner of Hegel and South State Road (M-15) was built from stone and brick bought from an abandoned church in Metamora, Michigan and torn down. Teams of horses and wagons hauled the materials to Goodrich. This brick structure had stone trim. The stained glass windows were removed and stored for future use before the building was sold.
 
The Goodrich Congregation decided to leave the circuit and support a resident Pastor in 1920. The first parsonage stood where the Wheelock Auditorium in Reid Elementary now stands. The house was dedicated on February 5, 1922, with all indebtedness covered with pledges in the form of notes.
 
The Christian Education and Office unit was constructed in 1960 on 6 acres purchased in the 1950’s on the east side of M-15. The parsonage at 10407 Hegel Road was purchased in May 1965. A dedication and mortgage burning ceremony took place on October 23, 1966.
 
In 1969, plans for a new worship center began. Six years later the groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 26, 1975. The cost of the new worship center, service kitchen and Fellowship Area was $205,000. It was completed in 1976.
 
The East Education Wing was built at a cost of approximately $375,000 and was in use by November of 1994, giving children expanded areas in which to learn and grow. A new building committee was formed in 1999 to begin the work of making the dreams and vision for a Family Life Center become a reality. On May 5, 2005, ground was broken for the long-awaited building.
 

The 30,000 square foot Family Life Center construction was completed in March 2006 at a cost of $2,100,000. The facilities include a full-size gym, restrooms (with locker room space), five classrooms, a fully licensed kitchen and dining room, two large storage rooms and a second-floor walking track. In the future, an elevator will be installed. Over 9,000 square feet of additional space on the second floor remains.