Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

What time does the service start?

Sunday Worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Will Ravenswood Fellowship still hold services during the COVID 19 pandemic?

UPDATED 3/20/20. The Coronavirus pandemic has presented new challenges for worshipping communities. And now, more than ever, we need to remind each other of God's promised hope. Join us in doing that during worship online (or by phone) at 10:30 AM on Sunday.

Join Zoom worship by going to this link at 10:30 AM on Sunday: https://zoom.us/j/806489040.
Or call in at 1-312-626-6799 (Meeting ID: 806 489 040).

And where two or three are gathered in the name of God, the Holy Spirit is present also (Matt 18:20).

Where are you located? How do I get to your Church? What about parking?

We are located at 4511 N. Hermitage Avenue in Chicago at the corner of Sunnyside and Hermitage. See the Contact Us page for directions by car, train and bike as well as a map.

What style of worship can I expect?

Traditional and informal. We sing hymns with gusto. We pray often and authentically. We pray the Lord’s Prayer and sing the Doxology every week in worship to our God. Our congregation is multi-generational and multi-ethnic and our worship is beautiful. Our sanctuary has a traditional feel with a beautiful piano and working organ and our community feels welcoming and inviting.

I’ve never been to your church — will I be able to follow along?

Each week there is an easy to follow along bulletin published for participants. We offer a large print bulletin upon request.

How should I dress?

God doesn't have a dress code and neither do we. Dress how you feel comfortable and we will be delighted to see you.

How long is the worship service?

Forty-five minutes to an hour.

Can I bring my children? What is there for my kids?

Jesus welcomed children into worship and so do we. After a few songs of worship, children are invited to go to Sunday School with our volunteer children’s ministry leaders. All volunteers with children participate in routine background checks and our children’s ministry follows the guidelines of Safe Gatherings.

And little babies? Babies are invited to stay in worship with the adults. Our All-Gender restroom has a changing station and there are high chairs upon request for use during meal and snack times.

Are LGBTQ+ welcome?

We take pride in welcoming all people, including LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Our mission statement says we are a place that values social justice and celebrates diversity and we mean it! We welcome and celebrate people inclusive of their age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, and more because all are beloved children of God.

What is a Reconciling church?

Ravenswood Fellowship is a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network of the United Methodist Church. Reconciling congregations are dedicated to the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both policy and practices of United Methodist Church.

What does accessibility look like?

There is a designated loading/unloading area on Hermitage in front of the glass doors of the church. There are no stairs to enter through the glass doors. Once inside there are chair lifts available or about 15 stairs to climb to get into the sanctuary, gym, and all-gender bathrooms. The all-gender bathrooms off the gym are wheelchair accessible. Our sanctuary is fitted with a hearing assist (Hearing Loop) system and every week we provide large print bulletins upon request.

Communion

When do you practice communion?

The communion table does not belong to a pastor or congregation. It is Jesus Christ’s table and Jesus welcomes all at Jesus’s table. Therefore, we welcome all to participate in communion. We celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month. The communion elements include grape juice in solidarity with our siblings in recovery and gluten free bread. If someone is unable to move around our space easily or get up to receive communion that morning, communion servers will bring the communion elements to them.