A young, active church congregation?
Liz emails:
I am looking to join a new church, and truthfully, one thing I'm really looking for is a congregation with a healthy number of members in their 20s and 30s who are active with the church and get together for fellowship activities (and fun). Can anyone recommend a church that skews a little younger or has an active group of younger congregants?
It's a bunch of years since we've had a church question, and it sounds like Liz has something specific in mind.
So, got a suggestion for Liz? Please share!
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Comments
I'll reiterate what at least one person said in response to the prior post that Terra Nova seems to have a young, vibrant spiritual community - from my sporadic interactions with them.
... said Danielle Sanzone on Oct 29, 2014 at 1:22 PM | link
^What she said^ Or Grace Fellowship (My personal recommendation).
... said Rich on Oct 29, 2014 at 6:57 PM | link
Trinity United Methodist on Lark Street. There's quite a few young people and young families - lots of graduate students and some young professionals (teachers, lawyers, professors).
... said Paul on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:05 AM | link
Perhaps a slight word of warning: While this might or might not matter to Liz, it seems that some of these churches with younger congregations might not always be progressive at the same time.
For example, Terra Nova seems to be a bit behind the times on SSM:
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Terra-Nova-church-combines-art-and-religion-4224655.php
There are older congregations with more progressive stances in the area such as both 1st Pres churches in Albany and Troy as well as the Universalists.
... said James at 46 or so on Oct 30, 2014 at 8:42 AM | link
I have run into the same problem that James at 46 mentions. The churches with younger congregations tend to be fundamentalist Christians which does not fit with my more liberal values. Right now I am exploring the Unitarian Universalists in Schenectady but there are definitely not a lot of young people. If you are more fundamentalist-leaning NorthStar church in Clifton Park has a lot of young people and a very vibrant pastor.
... said C on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:06 AM | link
As far as Roman Catholic churches, St Vincent de Paul's on Western Ave. has a very diverse and vibrant congregation - and as far as Catholic churches, they are very progressive-minded, much more so than many other Catholic or even Protestant churches in the area.They seem to be right in line with Pope Francis's more open-minded (and open-hearted) conception.
... said Mike H on Oct 30, 2014 at 11:59 AM | link
I really appreciate this thread - this is such a struggle and I don't understand why it is so hard to find a church that is liberal in its stance on issues and have young families! I have been searching for over 4 years now with no luck. At some point I am either going to have to give up and teach our daughter myself, bite my tongue on some of my issues or go to Vermont to church....
... said Jin on Oct 31, 2014 at 5:54 AM | link
Not sure what area of the captial region Liz is looking to find a church, but for folks in the Niskayuna area, I've been happy to discover Niskayuna Reformed Church on Route 7. It's more progressive theologically/socially but with a more traditional worship style, as with most of the old world denominations. I'm most familiar w/ Presbyterian churches and this seems very similar in style and substance.
As to the desire for a church that skews younger. There is a healthy number of younger folks, families, and kids at this church (they just built a great new playground this year on the property!), though there are plenty of older folks too. It feels like a church that isn't catering just to "young people" but is also not dying off because there are no younger adults with families bringing their kids up as part of the church. Everyone wants something different, but in my opinion, I don't want a church full of people my age, but I do want a church that seems well-represented across the board, with people at all stages of life. Just something to think about to those who are looking..
... said laiskiainen on Oct 31, 2014 at 9:12 AM | link
I'm also interested in a young, progressive church, but I've been turned off by UU churches in the past. The congregations tend to be older. I grew up in a young, active, fundamentalist church, and I'd love to find something more liberal and open-minded. Any suggestions? I'm beginning to think that people in their mid-twenties who think the same way I do just don't go to church!
... said Katie on Oct 31, 2014 at 11:16 AM | link
We love our church, the Albany Church of Christ. There are a lot of families with young kids, and lots of caring, loving people. It's one thing to talk about the love of Jesus and another thing altogether to see it carry your couch up the stairs. :)
http://albanychurchofchrist.org/
... said Rose on Nov 2, 2014 at 9:02 PM | link
Having attended Terra Nova, I loved the church, but many of the others mentioned here are solid as well. Best of luck, Liz! Glad to see such thorough answers here on this thread.
... said innae on Nov 2, 2014 at 9:24 PM | link
Check out Christ's Church Albany. The church started a little over a year ago and is full of folks in their 20s & 30s, as well as young families. My family attends this church and we love it as the focus is on loving Jesus, loving each other, and loving the world. Stop on by some Sunday and see for yourself. http://christschurchalbany.org/
... said Brian on Nov 3, 2014 at 3:33 PM | link
I will preface my comment with a caveat - I have never actually been to this church - but when I read the question, I thought of the same church Brian mentions, Christ's Church. I know a number of young families who have joined, included a couple of families that used to belong to the UU church in Albany. They don't have a building - they meet in the Elks Lodge behind The Point and Juniors on Madison Ave. As a resident of that neighborhood, I will say that I have been impressed with this church actually doing what Christ teaches. They are new but have already served the community in a number of ways. I have been to a couple of events that they have put on or sponsored in the community, and the minister and parishioners have always been very welcoming, but there is no prosletizing beyond them announcing where they are located and when their services are.
... said Susan on Nov 4, 2014 at 11:33 PM | link
I have gone to Grace Fellowship for a number of years and there are a lot of young people there, but they can be a bit hard to find as there is currently no young adult ministry (though there are plenty of other areas to get involved). Grace Fellowship has a location in Half Moon that has a monthly young adult meeting that you may be interested in.
... said Carly on Nov 5, 2014 at 1:46 PM | link
City Harvest Family Church
... said Sonya on Sep 18, 2018 at 10:51 AM | link