Walking into a new church can be difficult.
Reading our whole website from start to finish is fine, but the best way to see if we’re a good fit for you is by visiting us! We love guests, and we will try to help you feel as comfortable as possible. We know that walking into a strange church the first time can be daunting. Here are some answers to questions you may have as you consider a first visit.
How do I get there and where should I park?
It would be best to get onto Third Street, turn south on Woodscrest Drive, and then take the first right; the church will be right in front of you. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m.; nursery care is available beginning at 9:15 a.m. September thru May and beginning at 10 a.m. June thru August.
What should I wear?
You’ll see everything from casual suits and dresses to t-shirts and jeans. Wear whatever makes you comfortable.
What will happen when I arrive?
If you come in by the main sanctuary entrance, you will be greeted and cordially welcomed by church members. We will not ask nosy questions, make you stand up, or anything like that. We would, however, appreciate it if you fill out one of the visitor cards handed to you by one of the ushers. You can give us as much or as little information as you please.
What is the service like?
Fairly traditional but with a lot of interaction and an informal feel. We are here to be in the presence of God and discover God’s call in our lives. You will get a paper bulletin so you can easily follow the order of worship. An offering is taken during the service; while you are certainly welcome to contribute, a financial donation is neither required nor expected.
Where should my kids go on a Sunday morning?
We have excellent childcare facilities staffed by caring and professional adults. If you’re coming for choir warm ups (about 9:45 a.m. late August thru early May), we’d love to welcome your children to the nursery where they can play until worship starts. As mentioned above, the nursery (ages birth through four) is open and available from 9:15 a.m./10 a.m. to noon on Sunday mornings. During worship, children are invited up to the front for a special story and are then invited to Children’s Learning Time (CLT) classes (ages four/five through fifth grade). On Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of each month), children are invited to begin in CLT at 10:30 a.m.; they will then join the rest of the congregation to celebrate communion toward the end of the service. Children of any age are always welcome in worship. (And, yes, we know that kids make noise!)
What’s your theology?
We are a Progressive Christian community and encourage each person to thoughtfully engage in asking the big (and smaller) questions of life as we travel this journey of faith together. We are not very creedal, so nobody will cross-examine you about your beliefs. We take our Bible seriously but not literally. We appreciate advances in science that help us to better understand and care for the natural world and one another. We are a Christ-centered church, and in the spirit of Jesus, we welcome everyone into fellowship as we attend to the still-speaking voice of the divine.
More questions? Do you want to be in conversation with a real person before your first visit? E-mail one of our staff members! We love meeting guests (in person or online) before their first visit.