How We Worship

Sunday worship is an open, accepting space to bring ideas and questions. While we firmly value our Anabaptist identity, we strive to create a safe environment that celebrates the diverse traditions and voices inherent in an urban context. Dress is casual and comfortable.

Atmosphere

Our tone is usually informal. The “feel” can range from celebratory and free-flowing, to traditional, to more contemplative. Worship leaders enjoy the freedom to innovate or to remain on a more familiar path.

Style

A healthy mix of our members regularly take turns leading the services, planned in conjunction with the morning speaker.

Leadership

The pastors deliver the morning message about three weeks a month, drawing from the Revised Common Lectionary or series themes. Other Sundays, members or guests preach, or share stories and reflections from their own lives.

Preaching

Shalom sings a wide variety of songs from our denominational hymnal and from one digital collection (projected). Many musicians contribute to our rich tapestry of music, from four part unaccompanied hymns to spirited ethnic rhythms. Our African choir leads the congregation in songs from the Congo.

Music

A regular feature most Sundays is a communal space for spoken response or contemplative silence. The Word comes to us in many ways!

Hearing assistance and interpretation into Kiswahili and Spanish available. Interpretación en español disponible. Tafsiri katika Kiswahili.