WEST PARISH FAQs
WORSHIP SERVICES
In-Person worship services are held in the Sanctuary at 10am. Virtual, Live-Stream services are also available. Services are approximately 1 hour long.
ur worship services blend tradition with innovation! Our hour long services vary, but typically include a scripture reading, reflective thoughts from Rev. Katrina and prayers of joys and concerns.
Yes! We welcome everyone – whether or not you have been to a United Church of Christ (UCC) church before. You are welcome if you haven’t been to church in a long time, if you used to attend a different type of church, or if you’ve never been to church at all! You are welcome if you’re not sure what you believe, or if you are seeking deeper connection.
On a typical Sunday at West Parish, you’ll find folks in jeans and sneakers, along with those in sport coats, slacks and dresses. On Sundays in the Fall, you’ll also find people proudly wearing their Red Sox, Patriots or other sport team jerseys! Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in!
We are located at the intersection of Route 133 and Reservation Road in Andover. We recommend you park in the lot in front of the church at 129 Reservation Road, and then enter the church thru the front doors by the steeple.
The bulletin details the order of the service. For example, it will detail the scripture and prayers we'll say together. It varies by week, and also contains information on church events.
Please sit in an available pew. Please ask an usher if you have any questions.
Yes! Infants are toddlers are always welcomed in our worship services. Also - our nursery is open and staffed by vaccinated high school students.
Absolutely! We have a fantastic choir who gather for rehearsals in the Sanctuary on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
We welcome everyone to join us in a casual coffee hour after church outside. You can casually chat with folks or Rev. Katrina. People typically stay for 15 to 30 minutes, and it is a lovely way to get to know members of the West Parish community.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Yes! Sunday School resumed in-person in September. For the latest details, please access our Kids and Families page.
Yes! Meetings are full of games, sharing, discussion and service. Special actives are held throughout the year, such as mission trips and more! All youth are welcome to attend – and to bring a friend!
Yes! Infants are toddlers are always welcomed in our worship services! Also our nursery is open and staffed by vaccinated high-school students.
Children, youth and adults of all ages may be baptized at West Parish Church! For more details on baptisms, please talk to Rev. Katrina.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
West Parish believes that God loves all people! We believe that we are called to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people of faith, or in search of faith, without regard to age, marital status, race, national origin, gender, economic condition, physical or mental challenge or sexual orientation. We invite all people to West Parish!
The flag highlights West Parish’s commitment to welcoming all people. Rev. Katrina recently noted “The flag signifies the welcoming stance the church supports. It's about welcoming all people – including LGBTQ folks - and its about love. It's just an expression of what we believe.
West Parish is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) showe mission statement is "United in Spirit and inspired by God's grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.". For more details on the UCC, visit the UCC Website.
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. We believe God’s communion table is open to everyone! You do not have to be a member of West Parish or be baptized to take communion – and no matter where you are on your faith journey – you are welcome to join us!
No! Membership is optional and an individual choice! Everyone is always welcome to be part of the West Parish community!
At periodic times throughout the year, the opportunity to join West Parish will be announced. Rev. Katrina will then meet with the individuals interested in joining the church, and then a service will be held where the individuals
West Parish is committed to be stewards of the earth and pledge ourselves to help preserve God’s creation. We strive to
- Worship in ways that celebrate and foster care for Creation
- Educate adults and children in ecological issues and sustainable
practices
- Green our buildings and grounds
- Promote Earth-friendly lifestyles at home and at work
- Advocate and support caring for the environment in our
community and the world
In-Person worship services are held in the Sanctuary at 10am. Virtual, Live-Stream services are also available. Services are approximately 1 hour long.
ur worship services blend tradition with innovation! Our hour long services vary, but typically include a scripture reading, reflective thoughts from Rev. Katrina and prayers of joys and concerns.
Yes! We welcome everyone – whether or not you have been to a United Church of Christ (UCC) church before. You are welcome if you haven’t been to church in a long time, if you used to attend a different type of church, or if you’ve never been to church at all! You are welcome if you’re not sure what you believe, or if you are seeking deeper connection.
On a typical Sunday at West Parish, you’ll find folks in jeans and sneakers, along with those in sport coats, slacks and dresses. On Sundays in the Fall, you’ll also find people proudly wearing their Red Sox, Patriots or other sport team jerseys! Please wear whatever you feel comfortable in!
We are located at the intersection of Route 133 and Reservation Road in Andover. We recommend you park in the lot in front of the church at 129 Reservation Road, and then enter the church thru the front doors by the steeple.
The bulletin details the order of the service. For example, it will detail the scripture and prayers we'll say together. It varies by week, and also contains information on church events.
Please sit in an available pew. Please ask an usher if you have any questions.
Yes! Infants are toddlers are always welcomed in our worship services. Also - our nursery is open and staffed by vaccinated high school students.
Absolutely! We have a fantastic choir who gather for rehearsals in the Sanctuary on the first and third Wednesday of the month.
We welcome everyone to join us in a casual coffee hour after church outside. You can casually chat with folks or Rev. Katrina. People typically stay for 15 to 30 minutes, and it is a lovely way to get to know members of the West Parish community.
OUR FACILITIES
Fellowship Hall is our gathering place! It is located all the way down the hallway from the sanctuary, and home to our coffee hour, along with many of our outreach events including the Chocolate Fair, Church Dinners and Yard Sale.
During these unprecidented times, rentals are limited.
However, if you are interested in more details, please contact our office at 978-475-3528 or westparishchurch@verizon.net for more information. Note: Renting may include the need of maintenance services for setup and/or cleanup.
From the magnificent, traditional West Parish Church setting, to the historic intimacy of the West Parish Garden Chapel, both settings are available for weddings. For details on getting married at West Parish Church, contact our office at 978-475-3528 or westparishchurch@verizon.net for more information. For details on getting married at the West Parish Garden Chapel, please visit this page.
During these difficult times, West Parish can work with loved one to arrange memorial services at either the West Parish Sanctuary or within the Garden Chapel. Pplease contact our office at 978-475-3528 or westparishchurch@verizon.net for more information.
Yes. There are ramps from the parking lot into the sanctuary for those in need, and also to the door near Fellowship Hall. Also, an accessible restroom is available in the hallway between the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Adult education, worship and coffee hour are all on this main level – Sunday School classes are downstairs, and there is a lift available.
The incredibly beautiful and historic West Parish Garden Chapel is located in the West Parish cemetery next to West Parish church. The Chapel was built in 1909 and contains breath-taking Tiffany stained glass windows. You can experience the beauty of the chapel when West Parish occasionally holds services there.
COMMUNITY
West Parish is committed to helping our local, national and global communities through a wide range of outreach activities. These include College Scholarship Fundraisers for Lawrence Youth, a Permaculture Garden that donates all its produce, the Green Team, Prayer Shawls and much more! You can find more details on these outreach activities here.
A ministry team is a group of individuals who work collectively in an area of the church. These ministries include Christian Education, Worship, Stewardship, Green and many more. In late Fall, new individuals are invited to join these teams via bulletin and newsletter announcements.
Whether you have an hour a month or an hour a day - all individuals are welcomed to join a ministry or outreach activity. Talk to others at Coffee Hour or call the church office to help you find an activity that best fits your time availability and desire to help others.
From knitting prayer shawls, raising money for college scholarships for youth in need and more - West Parish has lots of volunteer opportunities! For more details visit our Outreach page.
For over 8 years, the West Parish Men's Group has been dedicated to raising schoalrship funds for the Greather Lawrence Boys and Girls Club. To find out more details, visit our schoalrship fund.
MISCELLANEOUS
Yes! We welcome everyone – whether or not you have been to a United Church of Christ (UCC) church before. You are welcome if you haven’t been to church in a long time, if you used to attend a different type of church, or if you’ve never been to church at all! You are welcome if you’re not sure what you believe, or if you are seeking deeper connection.
The Smith Purdon fund has provided West Parish Church with a unique opportunity to respond to requests from numerous organizations in the Merrimack Valley, providing grants to programs directly impacting children, youth and family life. Over the years, seed money from the Smith Purdon Fund has benefited a variety of startup programs. For more details - including how to apply for a Smith Purdon Grant, visit our Purdon Fund page.
For information and inquries about the West Parish Cemetery or the Chapel at West Parish, visit the West Parish Garden Cemetery Website.