New Gospel of Grace Methodist Church opens in Avon

The new Gospel of Grace Methodist Church in Avon, a branch of the Clarks Bethel Methodist Church in Salvo, has opened its doors, and the congregation, led by Bertie K, Midgett, wants the community to know that everyone is welcome.

“We are currently meeting at Howard’s Tap Shack, and we begin service at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings,” said Midgett. “Come as you are – we have coffee and snacks and water, and we want everyone who doesn’t have a home church, or who is looking for a church, to come in and worship and enjoy fellowship with us.”

Gospel of Grace officially launched in the spring of 2025 after several members of the Clarks Bethel Methodist Church noted that it would be easier to have a gathering space a little further south.

While the location may seem a bit unusual, it’s a perfect fit for the group of roughly 12 members and counting, who meet every Sunday morning.

“Howard [of Howard’s Tap Shack] has been so gracious to let us use his facility free of charge,” said Midgett. “It’s in a bar, yes, but Jesus didn’t always go into temples and synagogues; he went to where the people were.

“Eventually, we’ll probably need to look for a new location, but right now, Howard has given us the freedom to be there,” added Midgett. “So, we’re currently meeting at Howard’s, right on Highway 12, and wherever God leads us is where we’re going to go next.”

Midgett leads the Sunday services, as she has been a laity at Clarks Bethel for 20 years and is currently taking seminary classes through Wesley Biblical Seminary. The new church was accepted into the Global Methodist Conference in late June, and the group has slowly grown, with visitors also attending on a weekly basis.

“We just tell everybody to ‘come as you are.’ Who cares if you dress up? A lot of people come on vacation and don’t bring along dress clothes, but who cares? We certainly don’t.”

Marked with a sign out front every Sunday, and located at 40618 N.C. Highway 12 in Avon, Midgett and the fellowship at the new Gospel of Grace hope that word will spread, and the group will grow in the months to come.

“We are trying to get established and we do have regulars,” said Midgett. “We’re just waiting for God’s people to come and join us.”

For more information, visit the Gospel of Grace’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574484255747

The post New Gospel of Grace Methodist Church opens in Avon appeared first on Island Free Press.