1. Their beliefs as a Christian (include the sacraments) As a Christian, I believe in a Triune God - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit -, and they are consubstantial "of one substance or 'one being'. God the Son is eternally “begotten” from the very being of God the Father, just as God the Holy One eternally “proceeds” from God the Father. Therefore, we recite the Apostles or Nicene Creeds, not because the UMC is a creedal church, but because it helps members come to our own understanding of the Christian faith. As a Methodist, I recognize two sacraments, baptism and communion, why two? Because Christ himself only participated in these two sacraments. Baptism is when, through immersion, sprinkling, or springing water, one dies in Christ and is resurrected with Christ into new life as a new creature. This is the beginning of a lifelong journey as followers of Christ. It is at this point that the person unites with the Trinity, becoming not only a member of the whole church, but also a participant in the body of Jesus - the local congregation -. The decision to be baptized is not a human desire in itself, it is because prevenient grace first reaches the person, and we also respond with grace, asking for forgiveness of our sin . (Web Page)Communion, as people gather at the table, giving thanks to God and sharing the bread and the cup together in the community of faith, we commune in love with Christ and with one another . Communion is very important because the bread and wine become the blood and body of Christ through the Holy Spirit, not only nourishing us, but also sustaining us on our journey as followers of Christ. Wesley advocated celebrating it “as often as possible.” (Anderson) Baptism and communion are ways in which God meets us, works in us, and sustains us in merc...... middle of paper ......blings; then I have my adopted sister (we adopt each other) and share a father, then I have my family here in the US, my close friends and extended family in Peru. I have no small children to take care of, my daughter is old enough and fends for herself, which means I am free to serve the Lord with all my time, my soul, my body, my spirit and my strength. My closest family supports my call to serve, especially my daughter who always remembers my call. I am very grateful for the support in many ways from my extended family in Peru. They are excited and awaiting my ordination, and my mother and siblings believe that my father's "legacy of ministry" in the Lord will soon become the truth. They want to support me not only as a family but also materially. We plan to build a church – a body of Christ – there as part of our legacy to our neighbors.