Coffee & Community IF YOU GO

By Spinelle, Jenna

Marietta’s English Presbyterian Church launches monthly coffeehouse, where all are welcome, to foster a sense of community. JENNA SPINELLE

Its 26-member congregation may be small, but the sense of community at English Presbyterian Church in Marietta is large.

And it’s still growing, thanks to “The Gathering,” a coffeehouse event held at the church on the first Friday of each month.

The idea for a coffeehouse was initiated by Nan Best, director of transitional ministries for the Presbytery of Donegal, after she saw the church’s Grove Chapel.

“Nan walked in here and said, Wouldn’t this be a great space for a coffeehouse?’ ” Kathy Taylor, church pastor, said in a recent interview.

The Grove Chapel is a large two-story room inside the church. It has a stage in front and plenty of room for tables.

Taylor, along with musician Mark Unger and several church members held their first planning meeting in June, and the first coffeehouse was held in October, with about 50 people attending.

The next coffeehouse will be held tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the church, 133 W. Market St., Marietta.

Tonight’s event will feature children’s programming, a sing-a- long with the house band and a performance by singer Amanda Wells.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted and given to needy families in the Marietta area.

The New Day Cafe in Marietta provides the free coffee for the event and other free refreshments are provided by church volunteers.

Unger said one thing that makes this coffeehouse different from others in the county is the children’s activities held from 7 to 8 p.m.

“We really wanted to make this a family event,” Unger said. “We bring in a storyteller and have music geared specifically toward kids.”

Another difference is the mix of secular and Christian music at the coffeehouse.

“It’s a sing-a-long format and everyone is welcome to sing,” Unger said. “There is a decency requirement, but we’ve already done songs by Van Morrison and Bob Dylan.”

And the chapel’s high ceiling provides great acoustics for musical acts at the coffeehouse, Unger said.

Taylor said the main goal of the coffeehouse is neither to increase the church’s congregation size nor to proselytize, but to foster a sense of community and create a place where people can come and openly express their thoughts and feelings in a comfortable environment.

Taylor said she would like to see the coffeehouse eventually grow and branch off into a young adult ministry.

“I could see inviting everyone to a shared lunch and then holding an informal service afterward,” Taylor said.

Church member Sally Claar said the small congregation was quick to embrace the coffeehouse idea, supplying food and helping to make decorations for the chapel. Others volunteer their time to set up and tear down equipment.

After the event’s break in December, Taylor said she hopes to hold a coffeehouse on the first Friday of each month starting tonight.

“We want this to be a place where everyone feels welcome and where they can experience the love of Christ with the community,” Taylor said.

For more information about The Gathering, call the church at 426- 2220 or visit www.englishpresbyterian.org.

To perform music at the coffeehouse, e-mail thegatheringinmarietta@comcast.net.

What: The Gathering at English Presbyterian Church

When: Tonight, doors open at 6:30. Entertainment begins at 6:45.

Where: English Presbyterian, 133 W. Market St., Marietta

Cost: Free. Donations accepted

Featured musician: Amanda Wells

Caption: Marty Heisey, New Era – English Presbyterian Church Pastor Kathy Taylor (above) poses in the church’s Grove Chapel where its coffeehouse is held on the first Friday of every month. The church (right) is located at 133 W. Market St. in Marietta.

(Copyright 2008 Lancaster Newspapers)

(c) 2008 Lancaster New Era. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.