Visitors

We invite you to visit our Sunday services if you are interested in a liberal, welcoming church. Here’s more about planning your visit.

Physical location: We are located at 6380 Valley Pike, Stephens City, VA 22655. Google Maps

Sunday services: Sunday services begin at 11 am each Sunday either in-person and / or online.

Mask requirements: Depending on COVID conditions, all attendees may be required to wear masks. This requirement will be established by the Church and when masks are required, there will be signage. Currently, masking is not required.

Accessibility: Our facilities are handicap accessible.

Arriving: To welcome guests, the church has designated guest parking places near the Sanctuary entrance. Guests are welcomed by Greeters who can answer questions. There is generally a printed Order of Service that provides details about the service.

Introductions: There may be an opportunity for guests who wish to do so to introduce themselves to the congregation. This is not a requirement; guests may do what makes them comfortable.

Singing: There may be one or more songs in which congregants are invited to stand and sign. Hymnals are available to be picked up as people enter the Sanctuary and are returned at the end of the service.

Sunday service: Services are generally held in-person starting at 11 am each Sunday. They generally last about an hour, followed by a social “coffee hour” in which you may meet other congregation members.

Social hour: After the service, there is usually a coffee hour with coffee and tea and light refreshments. This is a time to meet members, lay leaders, and the minister.

What to wear: Dress as you feel comfortable. Attire is more on the casual side.

Sunday services are generally led by the minister three or four Sundays each month. Other Sunday services could be lay-led or have a guest speaker or alternative arrangements such as all music.

Elements of a typical Sunday worship service may include:

• Words of Welcome by a lay member
• Lighting of a flaming chalice, a symbol of our faith
• Music, both instrumental and vocal and in a variety of styles
• A multigenerational segment, such as a “story for all ages”
• Readings from a variety of sources by a lay member
• A meditation or quiet reflection
• A sermon given by the minister a guest speaker or a member of the congregation
• Lifting up of joys and concerns of the congregation
• An offering to support the work of the Church
• A special part of the offering to support social justice work or community programs

There may be holiday celebrations, longer musical performances, ceremonies to commemorate life’s passages, or other services to connect with the congregation.

The minister may also conduct child dedications, weddings, memorial services or funerals.

To facilitate an inclusive and accessible worship experience, our services are live streamed and recorded. The primary focus of our cameras is the minister, speakers, and worship leaders. However, attendance in the sanctuary may result in your image and/or voice being included in the live stream and on recordings, which are archived on our YouTube channel and on Zoom. We take care to protect the identities of children. Parents should notify the Technology Committee Chair, Robert Hurt,  of any media permission restrictions for children attending in person.