Finding a New Community

LatchKeyKid

How do you find a new congregation when moving to a new district?

In May I will be living in Queenslan, in a place 160km (100 miles) from where I live now.

I meet with the local Friends at the moment, but I never think of myself as belonging to a particular tradition. There is no Friends Meeting where I am going.

I suppose I am looking for a community to be part of, where my "progressive" (hate that label) approach won't be jarring.

Cheery Gardener

Like many things in life, it's a case of being flexible and deciding what's most important to you. I think it's easier moving from a small to a large district as there may be more options, and fewer if you are going the other way.

Are you looking for regular worship opportunities? Do denominational labels matter to you? Have you already sussed out what your community looks like from visiting, checking out websites and even which community groups are active in your new home?

A friend who has moved back to my city was put off by their closest church as they were pounced on, offered welcome packs and almost pressed into filling out a contact form. They have now decided to return to their former parish and travel across town to do so. If you can't find an automatic fit straight away, are you able to travel slightly further afield? I can see though that the next village or town could be some distance away and not possible.

Good luck with finding your tribe!

ChastMastr

In my own case, I’d check on all the Episcopal churches in range for me, first by looking at their websites to narrow things down, and then possibly to call them or maybe visit. Their theology (at least what the priest teaches/adheres to) matters a lot to me but so do other things. If it’s Trump-focused (which is rare in the Episcopal Church) then it’s a deal-breaker.

mark_in_manchester

Find a web page for the online-iest busiest looking church where you are moving to, and send them a message saying 'I don't think I'll fit with you but I don't know who else I might be approaching; what can you suggest?'. By a process of Chinese whispers you might get somewhere. I'd perhaps not start with anyone who calls themselves 'The one true church of the holy redeemed international thingumybob', or a pastor called who calls themselves 'Rev Dr' or 'bishop' unless, you know, they seem to check out

Jengie Jon

Actually, ask at your meeting who they know that you might like to link up with. If you get names, make contact. People who are friendly with one group of liberal Christians are quite possibly in contact with others.

Boogie

There are only two churches in our village so I went to both of them, and still do to some extent.

I found the best way to get to know people was by volunteering.