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    Common Cup History

A Common Cup Ministry History
(Submitted by Robert McDowell - Former Senior Pastor of Faith Community UMC when the Common Cup ministry was formed)

The “Common Cup” is a ministry of several United Methodist Churches in the greater Xenia and Wilmington areas who are making disciples of Jesus Christ together while retaining our unique identities as local congregations.

The Common Cup ministry began in 2001 when the laity and pastoral staff of Faith Community began providing pulpit supply for Eleazer UMC.  Due to the success of this arrangement, both churches sensed a calling to begin networking with additional churches.  On January 12, 2003, at Faith Community, a large gathering of several area United Methodist Churches was held.  This Common Cup launch event included ministry displays from each church, a meal, and a program that featured a dramatic portrayal of how Methodism came to this area of Ohio.  We also celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Communion together.

In September 2003, our Wednesday Common Cup Food Court/Growth Group program began and is held weekly at Faith Community from September through May.  This program attracts approximately 250 people per week from our various churches and communities and is a visible expression of our unity in Jesus Christ.  

Our Common Cup ministry also involves a shared Habitat for Humanity ministry, mission trips, joint worship services, and several other shared ministries and programs.  Common Cup booklets, which contain information regarding each church and our Wednesday Food Court/Growth Group program, are available and updated each year.

The Common Cup ministry is guided by a Common Cup Council (CCC) in which pastors and lay people from the churches meet regularly to plan shared ministries.

The Common Cup ministry continues to strengthen each church so that we can more effectively make disciples of Jesus Christ.  Together we are “one body in our one Lord.”

   

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The common cup has long been a symbol of our unity and our willingness to accept each other for fellowship and support in the local church. ("The Eucharistic Way" , John Baycroft)

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