Description of Congregation

PEOPLE. We're a group from all socio-economic strata and of diverse educational backgrounds. Few of the adult regular attenders were raised in a Mennonite church. Dress is varied and informal. All are welcome.

We are people who find that interacting with Jesus (he touches us through the Bible, through his people, through his Spirit within us) moves us toward emotional wholeness and maturity from which we are able to reach out to others.

We tend to think deeply about life and our faith (though any depth is limited). We are concerned to do the truth as well as know it (here we are even more limited). With God's help we seek to relate to each other and the world in the same loving, forgiving way that Jesus practiced. The love and mercy we receive from God spills over into love and service to God's creation.

You are welcome to join us in this journey -- enjoy exploring this website, and visit us in person if you are in Corning!

TYPICAL SUNDAY SERVICE (10:30am-11:50pm).

singing (hymns or worship choruses, a cappella or with guitar, piano)

church life (announcements, sharing joys/needs, prayer, offering)

singing

sermon

response (words of personal application or confirmation, open altar, singing)

GROUPS. We emphasize relationships, drawing strength from each other and from God as we love family and neighbors. Several "care groups" of 6-10 adults meet during each week. Care group life flows in three directions: inward as members encourage one another, upward in encounters with Christ, outward as members reach out to serve others.

Over the summer every other Wednesday all the church's small groups combine for an evening of fellowship--a picnic, a work project, an evening of inter-generational games.

A senior high youth group is active, as well as a middle school group.

Sunday School classes (9:30-10:30am) are offered for all ages.

JOY. We find much joy in our God and in each other. An unchurched couple who attended our annual Sweetheart Banquet many years ago marveled that a group could have so much fun without alcohol. (They later became members!) Each of the two adult Sunday School classes constantly get distracted by hearty laughter emanating from the other one. Even congregational business meetings are punctuated by good-natured laughter.

STRUCTURE. Two PDF documents describing the way we structure our congregation:

- Statement of Organization. We don't call it a constitution since it is a servant, not our master; its purpose is to communicate "various common understandings and patterns of relationships which are now present."

- Job Descriptions of our Elder Team, Ministry Council and various Coordinators, etc.