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brian231
Posts:1
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| 11/06/2006 10:53 PM |
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Can someone give me an idea of what a UCC is like? I haven't been to church in over 20 years and I'm just feeling some general anxiety about going. I'd just like to get a better idea of what I can expect being a visitor to set my anxieties at ease. I was raised catholic but I have absolutely no intention of ever returning there. The UCC sound's like it would be a good fit for me. I've read a number of books on the various denominations, non-denominations, and congregations and I've narrowed it down to either the UMC and UCC. I just find myself being pulled to the UCC for some reason. After much praying and thinking I just feel like God has been guiding me to the UCC for some reason.
I've been wanting to return to church for quite some time now but I just keep coming up with one excuse or another not to go. I keep "chickening out" basically. It doesn't help that I'll be going by myself and that I suffer from depression and panic attacks. I've made the decision that I'm going this Sunday no matter what and I'm not backing out. One way or another I'm going to force myself to go. I would probably feel a lot more comfortable if someone could give me a general idea of what the worship service is like and how churches welcome visitors. I'm just trying to get a feel for what I can expect to put my fears to rest. |
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baronsabato
Posts:78
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| 11/07/2006 1:54 AM |
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Hi Brian!
I'm glad God is helping you find a church you'll feel happy in, whether it be UCC or UMC or any other denomination. I just hope you can find a good fit where you can worship God and commune in fellowship with other Christians. I also hope it will not be a negative experience and that you will be welcomed. I know that it took a long time for me to go back to church as well- it took me three years before I finally took that extra step and walked into a UCC congregation.
One thing about the UCC is that every congregation can be different- there's no prescribed order of service that must be followed, and lots of congregations do different things. My experience is that there's a lot of quiet time and prayer, as well as an open communion table, meaning that anyone can take communion as your conscience dictates. Oftentimes, the services may be very traditional in liturgy and hymnody, but again, this differs.
At my church, we welcome all visitors at the door, and ask during service for visitors to introduce themselves as they wish. Of course we won't force anyone to introduce themselves if they don't want to, and I like to think that everyone feels like they are welcome regardless of how active they want to be on their first visit.
Anyway, I'm sure other people have even better advice for you, but I just hope that your first visit will be a pleasant one. I will pray that God be with you regardless of where you eventually end up and also be with you in your time of need.
Please let us know how your experience goes!
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"the whole irreducible point of the faith,
God thrown in human waste, submerged and shining.
We have grown used to beauty without horror.
We have grown used to useless beauty." |
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ball
Posts:37
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| 11/07/2006 2:00 AM |
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| I'm sure it varies a lot by congregation and probably within the same church depending on when you go - what type of service you attend. The church that I attend (not as frequently as I would like) has a communion service on the first Sunday of every month. This week, I was struck by how much of the litergy is common with the Roman Catholic church (I'm not Catholic, but I've worshipped with them in the past). There are doctrinal differences and some procedural tweaks, but if you're familiar with the standard-issue Mass, you would probably have found your way around our communion service without feeling too bewildered. There's no pressure to take communion, but you would have been welcome to. The host and wine came to us in the pew, rather than having a queue at the front. I wouldn't be surprised if that varied by congregation. That counts as a "traditional service", but many churches offer a contemporary service too, which is bound to be quite different. I've not been to one yet so I'll let someone else describe those. The people are great, with a warm welcome right from day one and a genuine concern when I've been missing for a week or seven. I hope this helps a little. If not, you're welcome to ask some more specific questions. If you feel like God is steering you towards the UCC, it might be best to heed that (I've learned the folly of not listening ;-) If the first UCC congregation you attend doesn't work out for you, don't give up! There may be another that's not too far away. I haven't been to any ordinary UMC services, but I understand that they're another good mainstream reformed church. Wherever you end up, God's going to be there with you. It would be nice if you could come back and let us know how things work out though! :-) |
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ball
Posts:37
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| 11/07/2006 2:02 AM |
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baronsabato snuck in while I was typing! ;-)
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baronsabato
Posts:78
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| 11/07/2006 2:21 AM |
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Oops, well, the more input the better, right? :-)
The contemporary service offered by my church, a jazz, rock and gospel service, is very interesting- it has some traditional-style liturgy intermingled with jazz and gospel songs, which allow for a great mix of old and new. What's great is it allows so much freedom- you can be up and dancing in the aisles, or sitting and enjoying the music more quietly.
Again, ball makes a great point- even if one UCC congregation doesn't fit what you're looking for, another one might be completely different. That's the benefits of a congregational church structure! |
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"the whole irreducible point of the faith,
God thrown in human waste, submerged and shining.
We have grown used to beauty without horror.
We have grown used to useless beauty." |
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