Am I welcome here?
Yes!! All of God’s children are welcome here.
Yes!! All of God’s children are welcome here.
But we know a lot of places say you’re "welcome here" without giving you the details you need, so let’s answer a few questions you might have.
~ I have a lot of questions about faith, the Bible, and what I believe. Sometimes I’m not sure that any of this religion stuff makes sense. Am I welcome?
Yes. We love questions because they help us all think deeper thoughts about our faith. We find the discussion to be more valuable than any particular answer.
~ I want to check out your church, but I’m not sure I want to commit. Am I welcome?
Yes. Come worship with us. If you love it, great. If it’s not a good fit, we trust God is calling you onward to a place that is a good fit for you. If you want to only come occasionally or only to certain events, that’s fine too. Life is busy and full of expectations. We trust that you will do what’s best for you.
~ I have kids. They cry/squirm/act like kids. Are we welcome?
Yes. We don’t have many children and we don’t do separate childcare during worship. We invite you bring your children with their toys, wiggles, and talkative nature into worship with us. We are also open to providing child appropriate activities if there is a need – just talk to us.
~ I have trouble with stairs. Am I welcome?
Yes. Our building is on two levels. To avoid the stairs, we invite you to drive down the hill and use the side door to enter the worship area. Please call ahead (304-927-4342 the first time you come so we can make sure the lower entrance is unlocked.
~ I have a disability. Am I welcome?
Yes. If you have a disability and are not sure whether you will be able to participate, please contact us. We would be happy to see if there are creative ways we can make our worship service work for you.
~ I am LGBTQ, or my child/parent/neighbor/friend is. Am I/Are they welcome?
Yes. We welcome LGBTQ into our church, and if desired, to full membership and leadership roles. We are happy to perform your marriage and baptize your kids. We invite you and your family into full relationship here.
~ I am trans*. Am I safe and am I welcome?
Yes. This is a safe place to worship. We have non-gendered single stall bathrooms. We don’t have many times when we divide by gender, but when they come up you are welcome to go with the group you feel is most appropriate. We are happy to use the name and pronouns you prefer – just let us know.
~ I am single/married/living with someone/divorced/widowed/its complicated. Am I welcome?
Yes. Relationships are complex and change over our lifespans. We have members at various stages. Some of us come to church with our partner, others of us don’t have a partner or have partners that choose not to worship with us. We do not have any life stage specific groups and you’re welcome to participate fully, regardless of your relationship status.
~ I am under 50. Are there any other young people?
Yes. We have a mixture of ages and life stages in the church. Some of us have experienced the pressure that being the only ‘young person’ in a church can create and we are happy to welcome you in a low pressure way.
~ I am a woman. Am I welcome in leadership roles?
Yes. Woman are welcome in all leadership roles in the local, regional, and national church – and are frequently in those roles.
~ Am I welcome at the communion table?
Yes. This is God’s table; all are welcome. We believe our experience and understanding of communion changes over time. You (and your children) are welcome at this table that God has prepared, regardless of your beliefs and/or where you are in your journey.
~ I am gluten-free and/or do not drink alcohol. Can I take communion?
Yes. We use non-alcoholic grape juice for communion instead of wine. We have gluten free options available upon request. We are happy to work with any other allergies – just let us know what your needs are.
~ I am looking for a location to get married and/or a pastor to preside over the wedding. Can you help me?
We do not have a traditional sanctuary – we worship in a multi-purpose room with folding chairs. You are welcome to contact us at 304-927-4342 to come see if our space fits your vision. We need 2 weeks’ notice and suggest a $100 donation for use of the space. If you are looking for a pastor to perform your wedding, please reach out to Rev. Julie Hitsman at [email protected] . She needs 4 weeks’ notice and we suggest a $200 donation.
~ I am looking for somewhere to baptize my child/grandchild. Can you help?
We believe God loves all people, especially children. Baptism for us is a way of the church claiming a child as a part of the community and promising to help raise the child in the faith. We are happy to baptize any child or adult who is a part of our church community. If you are not a part of our church community, we can not baptize your child or grandchild because we cannot claim them as part of the community if we do not know them. We fully recognize all previous baptisms from all Christian communities. We do not re-baptize.
~ I am looking for a location to hold my event. Can I use yours?
Our space functions as a day care during the week and is used for worship on Sundays. If your event is on an evening, Saturday, or afternoon/evening Sunday we may be able to help. Please contact 304-927-4342 with 2 weeks advance notice. A small donation is appreciated but not required.
~ I am looking for a location for a funeral and/or a pastor to preside over the funeral. Can you help me?
Please contact us at 304-927-4342 to see if the space is available. If you are looking for a pastor, please reach out to Rev. Julie Hitsman at [email protected].
~ I have a lot of questions about faith, the Bible, and what I believe. Sometimes I’m not sure that any of this religion stuff makes sense. Am I welcome?
Yes. We love questions because they help us all think deeper thoughts about our faith. We find the discussion to be more valuable than any particular answer.
~ I want to check out your church, but I’m not sure I want to commit. Am I welcome?
Yes. Come worship with us. If you love it, great. If it’s not a good fit, we trust God is calling you onward to a place that is a good fit for you. If you want to only come occasionally or only to certain events, that’s fine too. Life is busy and full of expectations. We trust that you will do what’s best for you.
~ I have kids. They cry/squirm/act like kids. Are we welcome?
Yes. We don’t have many children and we don’t do separate childcare during worship. We invite you bring your children with their toys, wiggles, and talkative nature into worship with us. We are also open to providing child appropriate activities if there is a need – just talk to us.
~ I have trouble with stairs. Am I welcome?
Yes. Our building is on two levels. To avoid the stairs, we invite you to drive down the hill and use the side door to enter the worship area. Please call ahead (304-927-4342 the first time you come so we can make sure the lower entrance is unlocked.
~ I have a disability. Am I welcome?
Yes. If you have a disability and are not sure whether you will be able to participate, please contact us. We would be happy to see if there are creative ways we can make our worship service work for you.
~ I am LGBTQ, or my child/parent/neighbor/friend is. Am I/Are they welcome?
Yes. We welcome LGBTQ into our church, and if desired, to full membership and leadership roles. We are happy to perform your marriage and baptize your kids. We invite you and your family into full relationship here.
~ I am trans*. Am I safe and am I welcome?
Yes. This is a safe place to worship. We have non-gendered single stall bathrooms. We don’t have many times when we divide by gender, but when they come up you are welcome to go with the group you feel is most appropriate. We are happy to use the name and pronouns you prefer – just let us know.
~ I am single/married/living with someone/divorced/widowed/its complicated. Am I welcome?
Yes. Relationships are complex and change over our lifespans. We have members at various stages. Some of us come to church with our partner, others of us don’t have a partner or have partners that choose not to worship with us. We do not have any life stage specific groups and you’re welcome to participate fully, regardless of your relationship status.
~ I am under 50. Are there any other young people?
Yes. We have a mixture of ages and life stages in the church. Some of us have experienced the pressure that being the only ‘young person’ in a church can create and we are happy to welcome you in a low pressure way.
~ I am a woman. Am I welcome in leadership roles?
Yes. Woman are welcome in all leadership roles in the local, regional, and national church – and are frequently in those roles.
~ Am I welcome at the communion table?
Yes. This is God’s table; all are welcome. We believe our experience and understanding of communion changes over time. You (and your children) are welcome at this table that God has prepared, regardless of your beliefs and/or where you are in your journey.
~ I am gluten-free and/or do not drink alcohol. Can I take communion?
Yes. We use non-alcoholic grape juice for communion instead of wine. We have gluten free options available upon request. We are happy to work with any other allergies – just let us know what your needs are.
~ I am looking for a location to get married and/or a pastor to preside over the wedding. Can you help me?
We do not have a traditional sanctuary – we worship in a multi-purpose room with folding chairs. You are welcome to contact us at 304-927-4342 to come see if our space fits your vision. We need 2 weeks’ notice and suggest a $100 donation for use of the space. If you are looking for a pastor to perform your wedding, please reach out to Rev. Julie Hitsman at [email protected] . She needs 4 weeks’ notice and we suggest a $200 donation.
~ I am looking for somewhere to baptize my child/grandchild. Can you help?
We believe God loves all people, especially children. Baptism for us is a way of the church claiming a child as a part of the community and promising to help raise the child in the faith. We are happy to baptize any child or adult who is a part of our church community. If you are not a part of our church community, we can not baptize your child or grandchild because we cannot claim them as part of the community if we do not know them. We fully recognize all previous baptisms from all Christian communities. We do not re-baptize.
~ I am looking for a location to hold my event. Can I use yours?
Our space functions as a day care during the week and is used for worship on Sundays. If your event is on an evening, Saturday, or afternoon/evening Sunday we may be able to help. Please contact 304-927-4342 with 2 weeks advance notice. A small donation is appreciated but not required.
~ I am looking for a location for a funeral and/or a pastor to preside over the funeral. Can you help me?
Please contact us at 304-927-4342 to see if the space is available. If you are looking for a pastor, please reach out to Rev. Julie Hitsman at [email protected].