Methodist Church counts a century in Simi

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers UNITED FRONT- The Rev. Lewis Fry (inset) preaches the importance of "good works" every Sunday at the United Methodist Church of Simi Valley, 2394 Erringer Road.

Editor's note: This is the second installment of a biweekly series highlighting different Simi Valley houses of worship, exploring the beliefs held by different faiths,their practices and their views on life and salvation.

Questions of Faith (answered by Rev. Lewis Fry):

What is the purpose of life?

"To praise God and serve one another."

What must humankind do to get into heaven?

"We follow what Jesus said as a result of our faith but we don't earn our way into heaven. We are saved by what God has done and is doing. You respond to that with good works. God is the first actor in this situation and we simply respond to that."

What is the role of the church in the community?

"The role of the church is to be a mirror to reflect God's love and to be God's hands and feet in the world and express God's love."

What is the church's view on gay rights and abortion?

"As a denomination the church does not recognize gay relationships with any sort of marriage or liturgical affirmation. We do not appoint self-avowed gays or lesbians to our pulpits. Our churches are open to gays and lesbians and anyone else to worship in our congregations.

"Abortion is not one of the major issues our church gets divided over. We have some people who are pro-choice or pro-life. Our church doesn't take a highly visible stand on the issue."

Women's role on the church?

"We have women in all positions of leadership. The bishop in our area is a woman and so is our district superintendent.

"We have women clergy. Women exercise all levels of leadership in the church." United Methodist Church

of Simi Valley

Rev. Lewis Fry and

Rev. Malyong Yi

2394 Erringer Road

(805) 526-6231

Founded: 100 years in Simi Valley, 40 years at

current location Size of congregation:

500

Denomination:

United Methodist

Service: Sunday 9 a.m.

and 10:30 a.m.

Foundation of beliefs:

"Scripture, tradition,

experience and reason are the four pillars of our faith," according to Rev. Lewis Fry.

Fun fact: The church hosts "Holy Humor Sunday," on the Sunday after Easter to

celebrate "the joke God

played on the devil" by

raising Jesus from the dead.

A lighthearted service is punctuated by laughter, jokes

and anecdotes.