What Newcomers Want to Know
What can I (and my children) wear to church?
Wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing! Children may have art projects or outdoor activities. They should dress so they can actively engage in the program.
Is there childcare/Sunday school during the church service?
Children remain in the service for the first 15-20 minutes for a gathering song and story. Then they go to classes for the remainder of the hour. Children’s classes address matters such as ethical decision- making, world religious traditions, and developing a reverence for the mystery of life. Childcare for infants and toddlers is always available.
If my child doesn't separate well, can she or he stay with me in the service?
YES! There are quiet activity kits available at the back of the sanctuary. If you find that you need to step out, there is a speaker in the adult library where you can continue to hear the service. Or, you may choose to attend class with your child if that works best at first.
Are you genuinely welcoming to all people?
We often begin our services with the following statement: "We are a home of free faith and religious diversity. We gather to worship honoring our differences in age, race, gender, ability, class, sexual orientation, and national origin. May the unique and beautiful qualities that you bring, today, be celebrated and appreciated."
Saying so doesn't make it so, of course. But an important reason we come together is to remind ourselves of what we value. And because we value human diversity, we include the voices and dreams of all people – in our readings and music, our leadership, and day-to-day operations.
What goes on during the worship service?
Our format may feel familiar; but you may be surprised with the message. We address a wide range of social, ethical, and inter-personal issues from different points of view. And in the end, you are left to make up your own mind. You are not just free to do so; you are responsible to do so.
But if it seems unsettling to go to a church which provides more questions than answers, know too that if you invest yourself in our community, you will find a strong network of support from fellow seekers.
Back to the question: Sunday Services involve singing, and listening to music, meditations, readings – from just about any source imaginable – and reflections by our minister and/or members of the congregation.
The Sunday Service lasts about an hour. Afterward we have coffee and snacks. While some prefer the one-on-one of coffee hour, others gather for a 15 minute discussion – an opportunity to share personal reflections on the theme of the service.
The description above is typical, but in no way definitive. Every month we have an "alternative" service – maybe the sharing of music, and poetry, or a service led by members of the congregation, by visiting ministers, or by other local speakers. Altogether our Sunday Services are a mix of tradition with openness to change. They reflect our acceptance of the joyous and painful mysteries of life, and our unflagging efforts to make life meaningful.