How can finding a home to worship be so difficult?
I have been comensing my looking on-line, scouting local churches by demonination, beliefs, and music programs. I have learned that if any congregation complains that they aren't growing with members, they certainly should up date their website! Make sure the site at least include when your service(s) start and where parking is located. From what I can gather, Vermilion is mostly Lutheran, Baptist, and Congregational. I'm not sure my own beliefs align with any of these denominations.
We tried a Methodist church a few weeks ago. Our first impression was that it was so small! Both the church and the congregation were small. There also was no nursery available in the summer and no handbells. We liked that they were using some of the more modern music, but were concerned about the size. I also noticed that they were locking / unlocking the doors to the sanctuary for everyone. I was disturbed that they felt the need to lock people in while worshiping...it was a bit odd.
We tried an Episcapal Church this week...well, we attempted to attend the church. We got there and it took two passes to figure out which parkinglot belonged to the church and not nearby businesses. And then when we tried to go in, the church was locked! We had the right time (and that time was on the sign out front) but no one was there...absolutely no one. I have no idea why a congregtion just decided not to hold service that morning.
We had a passed another church on the way to the episcapal church so we back-tracked to that one. I didn't recognize the symbol on the sign so I don't know what denomination it was. Again, I couldn't figure out where to park...and we didn't know what time the service was! There was a huge lack of signage.
At this point, I was getting fustrated and the boys were getting restless. I headed north towards home and said we would stop at the Presbyterian church (PCUSA) if it was holding service currently. It was and we were only a smidge late. But, no nursery so the boys had to sit with us through service. This was a bigger church than the Methodist, but at a glance, fairly traditional (no contemporary service/ or hymnal). We did talk with the leader of the choir, who practically begged Brian to join, and he did mention that they bring in quite a bit of theatrical music when they can. They did have handbells (3.5 octavies). However, their language was still very patricarical and not inclusive, which was have become very used to with our last churches. We liked the musical prospects, but were quite concerned about the lack of kids and young people.
So what is left? There is another Presbyterian church west of us that I want to try. Brian suggested asking the cousins where they worship (at least we'll know there are kids).
