Christ Church | Archive

Finding the right church
can make a difference in your life.
In the search for personal growth and a
fulfillment of spiritual needs,
many people reach a point in their lives
when they want more than
traditional answers.

Christ Church in Summit, NJ, is a fellowship of such people -- people searching for a fuller understanding of their spiritual needs and resources; people serving each other and the world at large; people following in the way of Jesus Christ. Like the stained glass windows that line our sanctuary, Christ Church has many facets, each contributing equally to the whole. We invite you to get to know us better to join us in our pilgrimage of faith.

A Diversity of Spirit, a Unity of Purpose

We are an interdenominational congregation, with members from many different Protestant denominations, as well as Roman Catholic, Jewish and other religious backgrounds. We encourage diverse and original thinking good questions, not pat answers. We emphasize what binds us together today over what may have separated us in the past.

These are exciting and challenging times. At Christ Church, we strive to make our faith relevant to this modern era. We have embarked on a pilgrimage together, and our community of spirit empowers us to address the questions and stresses we encounter every day. We want to explore new ideas about what the church should be, to search for more meaningful ways to fulfill our obligations as Christians. We think of Christ Church as an extended family that nurtures us, comforts us, and calls us to live out the implications of our most deeply held values.

What sort of spiritual nourishment are you looking for?

Worship. Our worship services begin at 9:30 am and 11:15 am on Sundays. In addition to thoughtful and provocative sermons, our worship service reflects the wonderful variety of talents present in our ministers and our congregation. Whole services given to music or musical theater, dramatic performances by our members, guest lecturers, and programs developed by our youth groups punctuate the worship calendar and enliven and enrich traditional worship services.

Christian Education. At Christ Church, we feel strongly about the value of Christian Education for all ages. For children through 7th grade, we offer an exciting and innovative Sunday School program that runs from September through June. Children in 8th grade attend worship services, but also participate in a Confirmation program of education and exploration in Christian ethics. Children ages 3 and up attend the first part of the worship service, and leave for Sunday School after the Childrens Sermon. (Our nursery is available free of charge throughout the service for children through age 2.) Our Adult Education Committee sponsors Bible study groups, prayer groups, speakers, film series, and panel discussions on current issues.

Youth Programs. We have popular programs for middle school and high school youth. Both age groups participate in weekly meetings with various service projects and social activities, including ski weekends and outings with groups from other area churches.

Music. Our outstanding music program welcomes participants of all ages. Our Chancel Choir, men's choir, women's choir, children's choirs, and adult and youth bell choirs provide a forum for a wide variety of musical talents. Those not able to commit to regular practices are still welcome to participate in special events such as our Christmas services. In addition to our participative programs, we offer occasional special performances, by our renowned Directory of Music and by other professional musicians. Lile Hall, next to our sanctuary, has recently been renovated to provide a superb setting for recitals and small concerts.

Philanthropy and Social Action Projects. We believe strongly that even a few people can make a big difference. In a typical year, our Board of World Fellowship distributes more than 15% of our revenues to organizations serving the needy in our community, nearby urban areas, and throughout the world. Through other organized efforts, we deliver bag lunches, clothing, and blankets to comfort New York City's homeless; we ship containers of goods and clothing to Nicaragua; we offer food and shelter to New Jerseys homeless; and we build housing in Newark with Habitat for Humanity.

Nurture. We are a caring community, reaching out through our deacons to offer physical or spiritual support to members who are ill or in crisis.

Let Every Voice Be Heard

Christ Church belongs to that branch of Protestantism that historians call the "free church." While we maintain administrative ties to both the United Church of Christ and the American Baptist Church, we are an autonomous congregation, responsible for our own programs, management, and finances. For the on-going administration and management of our facilities and activities, we elect officers and board members each year; however, for important agenda items such as passing a budget or calling a minister, the congregation as a whole votes on the decision. In a free church, as in any democratic organization, active participation by the members is essential to its existence. At Christ Church, we want every voice to be heard.

Please Visit Us

There are as many ways to describe Christ Church as there are members and friends. We welcome a visit from you, and hope well have a chance to meet you and answer any questions you have. Feel free to participate in any of our programs that spark your interest. We extend our warmest invitation to you.

Christ Church
561 Springfield Avenue
Summit, New Jersey 07901
(908) 273-5549
http://ChristChurchSummit.org

An Open and Affirming Congregation