Life On the Vine Christian Community

I wanted to do something different and new today so I headed here with my husband for their 10:15am service. This church was mentioned in a book I read recently and I wanted to check it out. As we drove up, we saw a small church tucked away in the trees near an old barn and some children’s play equipment. The scene conjured up the feeling of a friendly, small town. Thankfully, that’s exactly what it felt like inside.
Tea and coffee was available on a table in the hallway. Several women greeted us, and after learning we were new, gave us some information and asked/​answered questions. We immediately felt very welcome. In the main room, several rows of chairs are arranged in a circle around a table with candles. This set-​up, where everyone is able to see everyone, allows for more connection and communication with others. Half of the time, it didn’t feel like we were at church, but rather, some large meeting.
The service was very unique. It was a little bit of tradition sprinkled with some modern aspects of worship, several prayers, communion, a sermon, and contemporary worship with lyrics on a projection screen. I couldn’t tell who the pastor was — several people led the service. Because of the circle arrangement, these people stood at different points in the room. Children were also included as part of the congregation; they were dismissed to their own group prior to the sermon and came back in before communion. The congregation was a great mix of ages: babies, kids, teenagers, young adults, parents, and the elderly. Everyone fit in.
After attending a mega-​church for awhile, this close-​knit community church was a breath of much-​needed fresh air. We left the church in a great mood. If you’re looking for a unique, connected, spiritual community, try this. You might see me there.