A Congregation with Deep Roots in the Wyoming Hills
Friendship United Methodist Church has been gathering for worship in the greater Lockland and Wyoming area of Ohio since 1836. What began as a small group of Methodists meeting in a Lockland schoolhouse grew into the Lockland Methodist Episcopal Church in 1843, then moved to South Wayne Avenue in 1874, where it became Wayne Avenue Methodist Church by 1941. In the late 1950s, church leaders relocated the congregation to its present home at 1025 Springfield Pike in Wyoming, and the name Friendship United Methodist Church took hold. The facility was expanded in the 1990s and again in the early 2000s, and today the church welcomes hundreds of members for services and programs each week.
The church's stated mission is simple and scriptural: "To Be Disciples; To Go And Make Disciples," drawn from Matthew 28:19-20. Senior Pastor Rev. Vicki Robinson describes a vision for the congregation that "loves boldly, serves joyfully, and leads courageously." A single accountable leadership team oversees staff, finances, property, and ministry goals so that the church can focus on equipping disciples in a unified way.
Sundays at 10 a.m.: Worship That Travels Far
Weekly Sunday worship is held at 10 a.m. and is offered both in person and through livestreams on YouTube and Facebook. The service draws a mix of longtime members and first-time visitors, and each week opens with a benediction from Romans 15:13: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Josh Lisner serves as Director of Worship & Music, shaping a blended style that incorporates both traditional and contemporary elements.
Children are a central part of Sunday morning. A growing PreK through 4th grade Sunday School meets at 10 a.m. alongside worship, with gifted and dedicated teachers and volunteers leading the program. CK Club extends the welcome to children from PreK through 5th grade, and a Teen Youth Kickoff opens the youth ministry year with regular gatherings for older students. The nursery has recently been converted into a flexible Family Room near the parking lot, sanctuary, and church office, available for meetings and gatherings of all ages.
Discipleship for Every Age
Friendship takes its name seriously, building a wide circle of small groups so that every member can find a place to belong. Two adult classes meet before the Sunday service: an Adult Bible Study from 9 to 9:45 a.m. in the Family Room with Sharon Freyhof, open to anyone from seasoned Bible readers to those just starting out, and an Adult Bible Discussion Class from 8:45 to 10 a.m. in the Training Room with Jennifer Kirsch, which runs from Labor Day through Memorial Day and works through sermons and discipleship topics together.
Midweek gatherings give adults more ways to grow. A Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. The Women's Group gathers on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 a.m. in the Narthex for coffee, a devotional, and shared joys and concerns, also led by Sharon Freyhof. The Men's Study Group meets Thursdays from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Family Room and on Zoom, hosted by Neil Notestine, who invites men to "build some meaningful relationships and strengthen our faith community at Friendship."
The whole congregation comes together on the second Sunday evening of each month for a free Dinner and Game Night in the gym from 6 to 8 p.m., complete with prizes. Monthly Prayer Breakfasts, held on Saturdays with donuts and coffee, add another touchpoint for fellowship and learning.
PB&J, Pumpkins, and a Heart for the Neighborhood
Missions at Friendship are rooted in hands-on, neighborly service. The signature outreach is PB&J (Partners in Bringing Joy), held on the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers gather in the gym at 9 a.m. to fellowship and assemble sandwiches that are then distributed to local charities. The work is intentionally family-friendly so children can learn the joy of service early.
Seasonal projects fill out the calendar. The Pumpkin Patch turns the church grounds into a fall marketplace of pumpkins and gourds each October, serving as both a community gathering spot and a major fundraiser for the church's charitable missions. Trunk or Treat, held on the Sunday before Halloween, transforms the parking lot into a kid-friendly tailgate where families hand out candy from decorated cars. At Thanksgiving, the church organizes a Basket Project providing turkeys, canned goods, and holiday meal essentials to families in need. In November, a Christmas Giving Tree appears in the Narthex; members choose tags, purchase gift cards, and return them so local children can receive a gift from Santa.
The church's stated mission in this area is to "build partnerships that meet people's needs and bring joy to the community around us," and Discipleship Director Paul Schultz helps coordinate these efforts alongside the pastor.
Sharing Space with Wyoming City Schools
One of the most distinctive things happening at Friendship right now is its role in the Friendship School Project. For the next three years, the church is serving as the temporary home for students from Hilltop and Vermont elementary schools while Wyoming City Schools undertakes renovations. The partnership is described as "more than just sharing space - it's living out our calling to welcome, support, and care for our neighbors."
Adjustments have been made to accommodate the schools. Thomas Family Hall is now called "the gym" to keep communication clear across school, church, and community users, and a cozy Family Room (converted from the former nursery) is available for meetings of all ages. For safety during school hours, the south and southwest entrances and the gym door are inaccessible from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The congregation sees this as a hopeful, Spirit-led season, and the church has invited neighbors to share questions and concerns as the project unfolds.
A Preschool on Site and a Building That Welcomes the Community
Friendship also maintains an on-site preschool, linked through a separate site, serving as another doorway for young families into the life of the church. Beyond the preschool, the church building itself is open to the wider community. Groups can request use of the facility for community meetings, private events, seminars, and other gatherings by completing an online request form and emailing the office.
Giving in Every Shape
The church offers many ways to support its ministries. Online giving is available through Breeze, with one-time or recurring options, and donations can also be made through PayPal, with the option to designate gifts to the general fund, missions, the endowment, or a specific memorial by emailing the financial secretary. Checks can be mailed or processed through a bank's bill pay system, and recurring gifts can be set up using a downloadable First Fruits Offering Form. Stock transfers are handled through Vanguard Brokerage Services, and memorial or honor gifts are welcomed. The church also participates in Kroger Community Rewards, so everyday shopping can become a quiet stream of support. An annual Pledge Commitment invites members to support the mission, ministries, and outreach of Friendship for the coming year, and an Endowment Fund helps sustain long-term impact beyond any single budget cycle.
Visiting Friendship
The church is located at 1025 Springfield Pike in Wyoming, Ohio, with the phone line (513) 821-5725 answered Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Pastor Vicki Robinson, ext. 3; Main Office, ext. 1). Sunday worship begins at 10 a.m., and visitors are invited to join in person or online. Anyone wanting to learn more can subscribe to the weekly Worship Blast newsletter for news about upcoming services and activities, or follow the church on Facebook for ongoing updates.