My family and I are visiting ashland for the week and this church is just down the street from our hotel, Lithia Springs Resort. I kinda knew what to expect from the traditional church building and church service time published on the standard lettered sign out front.
First impression was honestly very off-putting; one of the choir members out front in a purple robe (very official, wasn't sure if he was clergy or what with the robe as a first time visitor) taking a drag on a cigarette while greeting people (children!!!!). I've been working through how much of that is my own baggage about smoking - and how much is actually a problem. [Personal conclusion: at least take off the damn robe if you insist on smoking out front!]
We took seats in a squeaky wooden pew in the back because my kids are always a variable. They enjoyed the music (words were projected on a screen and offered with a hymnal page number), the choir in the robes, the organ music, and the novelty of being in a more traditional setting. I loved the way the pastor effortlessly explained things without sounding condescending and also he invited EVERYONE to take communion ("all means ALL!") and how even the super old people around us didn't seem phased by my four year old crawling under the pew and even letting out a long fart during a quiet time in the sermon. Thanks old ladies!!! And they have a charming holding hands benediction song at the end of the service that made me feel the deep community of a people tied together with something more than themselves.
Overall I'd recommend this church! It's full of a mix of ages, and seemed very open to newcomers without being too overbearing. read more
