Rev. Jerry Smith, district superintendent in the Great Northern District of the United Methodist Church, will visit Lake County, Calif., from Tuesday, September 13, through Thursday, September 15, 2011. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County United Methodist pastors and congregations will host United Methodist District Superintendent Rev. Jerry Smith from Tuesday, Sept. 13, through Thursday, Sept. 15.

Rev. Smith serves the 102 United Methodist Churches which constitute the Great Northern District – one of four districts which in turn make up the California Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Lake County is home to seven United Methodist congregations which are situated in Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Upper Lake, Lakeport, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Middletown.

During his visit, Rev. Smith will meet with all the pastors of these churches and their congregations in order to encourage, unify and support their mission and ministries, which together aim to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“I am pleased to return to Lake County, one of the most beautiful areas in Northern California,” stated Rev. Smith. “Several of my former congregants from the Windsor United Methodist Church have moved to this wonderful county and are active in your Methodist Churches. God’s spirit is growing in your County and I support your efforts to bring the light of Christ to all in need of His love and forgiveness.”

As disciples of Jesus Christ, United Methodists seek to serve this community with open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

Anyone interested in meeting Rev. Smith and learning about the United Methodist Churches of Lake County will be welcome to do so on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Lower Lake United Methodist Church, 12:30 p.m.; Clearlake United Methodist Church, 3 p.m.; or Upper Lake United Methodist Church, 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Rev. Smith will be at Lakeport Christian Parish at 6 p.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 15, he will be at Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. and at Middletown United Methodist Church at 5 p.m.

One hundred and fifty years ago, one fifth of the United States population identified themselves as Methodist. In 1968, one of the largest Protestant churches in the world was created, with approximately 11 million members, when the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, both of whom had had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world, created the United Methodist Church.

Varied though Methodists may be, they practice open hearts, open minds and open doors led by Christ Jesus.

Phone 707-349-2324 for more information.