We all share a faith in Jesus Christ, but the United Methodist Church encourages us to think for ourselves, so we don't necessarily share the same opinions about every faith issue or social concern.  And there are lots of us:  8.5 million United Methodists live in the U.S., and 1.5 million more worldwide, with the largest growth in membership ocuring in Africa dn the Philippines.

The Island Heights United Methodist Church was founded as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1882. The present sanctuary was built in 1925. The town of Island Heights started as a Methodist camp meeting site, long before the congregation was established., The original meeting ground and a number of the "cabins" are just east of our building, across the street on a bluff overlooking the Toms River. We hold a sunrise service there every Easter Sunday, as a reminder of our historical roots.