Community Volunteer Awards 2022 Honoree

Distinguished Service by a Faith Community

United Methodist Church of Rancho Cordova

There’s a tried and true saying that “faith makes things possible, not easy.”

That would certainly apply to the United Methodist Church of Rancho Cordova’s longstanding “Christmas Card to the Community” – their Live Nativity – which marked its 40th anniversary last December.

Every year since 1981, the flurry of activity to create a stable strong enough to hold a teenager dressed as an angel, recruit actors, round up live animals and craft costumes takes hold on this small-but-mighty congregation as they scramble to make a visible statement of their belief that Christmas is about more than gift cards and eggnog -- it’s about the birth of Christ.

The vision of early congregation member and force of nature Alice Haas, the mantel has passed to her daughter Stephanie to make the magic happen on three December evenings. That’s when their Zinfandel Drive grounds are transformed into Bethlehem, and the first chapter of greatest story ever told is re-enacted.

In 2018, United Methodist was invited to take their show on the road to the Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting. They obliged and it is now a highlight of this Rancho Cordova holiday tradition.

Founded in 1963, with both Mather Air Force Base and Aerojet bursting at the seams, the initial attendance of United Methodist was a stunning 2000. The church purchased property across from Mitchell Middle School and put up a small chapel with plans to build much bigger. But changes at both Mather and Aerojet soon followed, and ever since, the chapel holding 200 has proved sufficient for the congregation. 

United Methodist has been part of the community history in a variety of ways. Many will remember congregation member Chuck Myer, who would bring his guitar to gatherings as the city was formed, leading one and all in rousing renditions of his “City Bells,” a shameless rip-off of the holiday favorite “Silver Bells.” Chuck was the leading advocate for opening Rancho Cordova City Council meetings with an invocation, a rare tradition in California, but one that continues until today in this city, thanks to him.

United Methodist has long hosted a monthly community meal called “Be Our Guest,” and when pandemic-triggered hunger reared its head, they joined with St. Clements, Cordova Baptist and the LDS churches to open the “People’s Pantry,” which today still caters to 110 families each month and includes COVID testing and vaccines. They open their church to both HART and Family Promise – responses to homelessness in Rancho Cordova.

United Methodist of Rancho Cordova is a “Reconciling Congregation,” an intentional statement welcoming all persons regardless of ethnicity or sexual orientation to all church activities.

UMC is led by the Rev. Elizabeth Brick. The congregation has a long history of female pastors – another representation of a culture of inclusiveness that dates back decades.

Pastor Brick recalled that in recognition of the 40 years of Live Nativity presentations,

congregation members had fun telling stories surrounding the effort, including that time the goat escaped, scampered across Zinfandel Drive and onto the fields at Mitchell, with a bunch of shepherds – and presumably three kings -- in hot pursuit.

But she also highlighted the friendships and fellowship which grow from such endeavors – something we could use more of these days.

Congratulations to United Methodist Church of Rancho Cordova, the little church that could. As we said at the top, faith does not make things easy, just possible. Thank you for 40 great years of your Live Nativity --we look forward to 40 more.