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1905 Edmondson Avenue
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: 410-744-5014
Email:
welcome@Immanuelucc21228.org
Website:
www.Immanuelucc21228.org
Pastor:
The Rev. Beth Cantrell
1. Worship at Immanuel can be described as traditional, but not stuffy. We sing out of the New Century Hymnal. Our choir sings modern sacred music. We follow the basic order of Christian worship including some congregational responses. All aspects of congregational participation are printed each week in our bulletin. Even if you haven't been to church in ages (or never before), it's an easy service to follow
However traditional our worship forms are, we aren't uptight. When it comes time for concerns or celebrations, all folks are welcome to chime in - including children!
Our church service begins at 10:30. We have a few folks who always come in late, so if you're running behind, we'll feel like you're family.
2. We're not a big church. Right now we're probably averaging about thirty in worship. If you visit, some folks will want to shake your hand and have a short chat. We won't make you stand up or make you feel weird at any point in time. We won't pin you with a gigantic mum (for all of you who remember that wonderful episode on Designing Women when Mary Jo visits Charlene's and Julia's church and gets pinned with a gigantic flower!) It's a warm, but not overbearing place.
On the second and fourth Sundays of each month, we pass the peace of Christ with everyone. A song plays softly in the background as we greet each other. This interactive element in our worship is time when we circulate and approach each other. Even our introverted folks can negotiate this time without being overwhelmed!
3. Several years ago Immanuel intentionally went through a discernment process concerning the congregation's views on homosexuality and the church. As a result of this experience, IUCC voted to become an open and affirming congregation. The open and affirming designation means that we fully support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people as brothers and sisters in Christ. We seek to embody this commitment in a variety of ways including overt inclusion in our worship, through our participation in the Chesapeake Open and Affirming Taskforce Team, and through new invitations of hospitality to the LGBT community in the wider Baltimore area.
If you are or if someone is in your family is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, you are welcome here. Please see our Open and Affirming statement elsewhere on the website.
4. IUCC is a place where heart and mind can be engaged in worship. It's not a place that subtly mandates a specific creed or political affiliation. Nor are we uncritical of all things Christian. We're a place where your views and opinions are deeply respected and taken seriously.
5. We don't care what you wear to church. Some of our men wear ties every week; many don't. Some of our women wear skirts and dresses every week; many don't. We have a few who show up in jeans, tennis shoes, and T-shirts. That's all OK. We're not fussy. We just want you to be here.
6. We offer communion on the first Sunday of every month. Sometimes we pass the communion to each other while we remain seated in our pews. Other times we go forward to the front of the church to receive communion.
Because communion is a sacrament that embodies God's grace to all of God's children, all people are welcome to participate in communion. Children are encouraged to receive communion as well because they are integral as part of the body of Christ. Even if children don't know what communion means intellectually and theologically according to standard definitions, children intuitively understand God's grace as given and received in the act of Holy Communion.
7. The reception of members into this fellowship coheres with the basic requirements of the United Church of Christ. If you are already baptized, you may join the congregation through confirmation, profession of faith, or letter of transfer. If you seek baptism or have questions about baptism, please contact the pastor. She will be glad to schedule a service for the sacrament of baptism or to help you if you are considering being baptized.
If you wish to join our congregation, please contact the pastor. At our mutual convenience, we will arrange for a special service for the reception of new members. We hold this service from time to time upon request from the new members.