COMMUNITY OF RECONCILIATION  CHURCH

We know it can be intimidating to walk into a new church for the first time. 

 

Here's what to expect if you join us for worship at

Community of Reconciliation Church:

 

How to find us:  We're located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and N. Bellefield Avenue in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood.  You'll see a stone belltower on the corner, and there's a banner over our entrance on N. Bellefield.  Our church occupies part of the Bellefield Towers building - you'll see our mural through the glass wall that runs along our worship space.

 

Parking is available along N. Bellefield Avenue or on Fifth (it's free on Sundays), or in our parking garage.  To use the garage, turn into the first garage entrance driveway just past our door on N. Bellefield (it will say "Lease Parking Only", but it's fine for church visitors to use). 

 

When you arrive:  You'll be welcomed by a greeter and invited to sit in the sanctuary.  Our sanctuary (or worship space) is open, with chairs facing our communion table.  Our worshiping congregation is usually 40 to 50 people.  If you arrive early, you're welcome to stop downstairs for coffee or take a look at the mural showing our church's history.  Our church spaces are accessible, and there's an elevator available.  Don't hesitate to stop someone and ask questions!

 

Worship starts at 11 a.m. and usually runs between an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.  Our service follows the pattern of many Protestant churches -- prayer, the reading of Scripture, a sermon, and then our responses through a time of offering and sharing opportunities for service.  Our music is a mix of traditional and contemporary hymns. 

 

Early in the worship service, we get up and offer one another the peace of Christ (seen in the picture at the top of this page).  People will greet you, but you are free to be as active or quiet as you like!  We won't point you out as a visitor or make you stand up and say anything.  Feel free to enjoy worshiping and interacting with our congregation in the way most comfortable for you.

 

Dress is usually casual -- some of our members like to dress up, and others wear jeans.  Feel free to wear what is comfortable for you.

 

Communion is held on the first Sunday of every month (and more often before Christmas and Easter).  We maintain an open table, which means that anyone who wants to be in closer relationship with Christ is welcome.  It doesn't matter if you're from a different church or no church at all.  In order that all make eat from God's table, our communion bread is gluten-free, and our cups contain grape juice.

 

Children are welcome in worship and welcome to receive Communion.  On Sundays from September through May, we host a time of children's worship.  Before the sermon, we invite children to go downstairs for a time of learning and crafts.  You are welcome to join them, or if you have a younger child who needs a quiet moment, you may bring them down to our nursery space.

 

Other questions?  Let us know by sending us a message through the "Contact" link above.