A part of your community since 1964
Our Pastor
Dr. Sidney Chapman
Rev. Sid Chapman, Ed.D. is a bi-vocational Pastor in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Dr. Chapman is also a 32 year veteran Georgia educator with a background of teaching and leadership. Sid holds a Doctor of Education from Walden University, Master of Education from Mercer University, Bachelor of Science in Religion from Emmanuel College, and is a graduate of the United Methodist Course of Pastoral Studies from Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Beyond ministry and education, Sid is active in numerous civic and social organizations.
Latest Sermons
Worship Services
Faith UMC in Riverdale offers one adult Sunday School class and one Sunday service. Due to the advanced age of our members, and the prevalence of Covid-19 in our community, we request that members and visitors alike wear masks and practice social distancing during all services. Thank you!
9:45am – Sunday School
Every Sunday the members who participate in our Sunday school class gather in our fellowship building, Liber Hall, for doughnuts and coffee before moving into a classroom to discuss that week’s lesson. Due to our small size these sessions are very interactive, with great discussions.
11:00am – Sunday Service
Our Sunday worship services begin soon after Sunday School and are held in our sanctuary chapel, adjacent to Liber Hall. The church can comfortably seat 120 people, so there’s room for you!
Online Services
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic we have gone digital, with our services and music moving to an official YouTube page and this website, where we can share audio of our services and information about our church.
Our Missions
Faith is small, but dedicated to supporting our local community in a variety of ways in which we are able.
Samaritans Together
This long-running local charity provides financial assistance to residents of Clayton County who need help paying utilities. The members of Faith are proud of our relationship with this vital lifeline.
Incubator for Small Churches
Faith has supported a variety of young churches over the past 30 years by sharing our facilities with their vibrant and diverse congregations, bridging generations and cultures along the way.
Missions and Special Sundays
Our congregation support many Conference-selected special Sunday offerings throughout the year, including: Homeless Offering, Wesley Woods, Murphy-Harpst, Wellroot Family Services (formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home), Aldersgate, and Action Ministries.
Faith and the UMC North Georgia Conference
Faith United Methodist Church in Riverdale, Georgia, is church #1211 in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Comprised of nearly 800 churches, more than 1,300 clergy members, and approximately 340,000 lay members, The North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church seeks to develop principled Christian leaders, to engage in ministry with the poor, improve global health, advocate for justice, respond to disasters, and fulfill the mission of the denomination: “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Currently, it is the largest United Methodist Conference in the United States.
Structure and Leadership
The North Georgia Conference is a regional body of The United Methodist Church. It includes 12 smaller geographical divisions called “districts.” The North Georgia Conference is overseen by Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. The Conference is headquartered in Atlanta. Every year, typically in June, laity and clergy of the North Georgia Conference gather for business and worship at an event called the North Georgia Annual Conference.
Related Organizations
In the state there are two United Methodist theological schools (Candler School of Theology and Gammon Theological Seminary) and nine United Methodist-related colleges and universities (Andrew College, Clark Atlanta University, Emory University, LaGrange College, Oxford College, Paine College, Reinhardt University, Wesleyan College and Young Harris College).
The North Georgia Conference has an active camp and retreat ministry, including Glisson Camp and Retreat Center in Dahlonega and Grow Day Camps hosted at various United Methodist churches. Related agencies include Action Ministries, Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers, Wellroot, North Georgia Conference Housing and Homeless Council, Wesley Woods Senior Living, Aldersgate Homes/Collinswood and others.
About the Denomination
The United Methodist Church is an 11-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world. John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today. Find more about The United Methodist Church at www.umc.org.