What Do We Believe?
We are an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ, a mainline Protestant denomination. The UCC was formed out of four streams of reformed Protestant churches over fifty years ago. In this part of the world, many of these churches were Congregational churches. Each church calls its own pastor, owns its own property, and determines its own bylaws, in covenant with other UCC churches locally, statewide, and nationally.
UCC churches are generally “non-creedal,” which means that you do not need to ascribe to any specific sets of beliefs as a test of membership. Our Christian faith and beliefs are formed over time and in community as we ask questions and wrestle with tough issues. Bring your questions, bring your doubts, bring your true self–and meet God and your neighbors here.
Who Are We?
We are a congregation of people from many different backgrounds, faith traditions, and histories. We are farmers and executives, musicians and students, nurses, retirees, lawyers and artists. What brings us together is our faith, our families, our desire for community and our love for God, our neighbors and this church. We seek to serve, feed, and clothe–to be God’s hands in the world. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
When Do We Meet?
For worship, Sundays at 10:00 a.m. followed by coffee hour or lemonade on the lawn. We also meet throughout the week to knit, sing, cook, eat, study the Bible, make crafts, attend to the work of the church, make sandwiches for a soup kitchen, go on youth group field trips–there’s so much going on. Be a part of it.
What About My Kids?
SBCC loves kids of all ages! Nursery care is available on the lower level of the Parish House beginning at 9:50 for children three-years old and under. Older children, pre-K through 8th grade, begin with us in worship and then are escorted to Sunday School, also on the lower level of the Parish House. Parents or guardians pick children up from their classrooms after worship. Children can be enrolled in Sunday School at any point in the year.
Youth groups for middle and high-school kids combine fun, faith and service. Confirmation is held every two years for 8th-10th graders, but all are welcome, including adults. We believe that church is a place where all generations come together, so we have plenty of opportunities for people of all ages to worship, work and have fun together (you have to see our all-church, all -ages Christmas pageant!).
Where Do I Park?
Spaces that are accessible for people with limited mobility issues are located to the left of the Meetinghouse and outside the Parish House. A ramp makes the Meetinghouse accessible to people with wheelchairs. Others are invited to park across Route 172 (South Britain Road) in the church parking lot. Please use caution when crossing the street!
What About Restrooms?
Our meetinghouse was built in 1825 and has no running water (we do have heat in the winter and the summer too, for that matter). Restrooms are in the Parish House to the left as you enter the hall, and downstairs near the Sunday School rooms.
How Should We Dress?
What makes you comfortable and ready to worship God? You will find some folks in suit and tie at SBCC on a Sunday; some in jeans; and kids in Sunday dresses or soccer uniforms. Come as you are, or as you would like to be!
What To Expect
Expect a lively worship service with a variety of music–choir, church band, bell choir, soloists, organ and piano. Greeters at the door or others may introduce themselves to you, but we’ll try to give you space, too. People of all ages will be leading worship, laughing, sharing joys and requests for prayers; you’ll find a real community that welcomes all.
A printed bulletin will guide you through the various parts of the service; our hymns are generally found in the blue hymnals in the pews. We stand for some parts of the service (indicated in the bulletin) and sit for more of it. Communion is served the first Sunday of each month. Trays of bread and juice are usually served in the pews, and all are welcome to receive communion, including children.
