HI - check out cityline church. Its really good. It's not humongous but the worship/praise is awesome.

Also if you are up to a long bus ride or a pretty fast lite rail ride you can check out antoher church on 51st and kennedy boulevard. The name escapes me at the moment but I have to tell you that next to Times Square church where the worship/praise is earth shattering, this would be a close 3rd!

Or if you can go to the city check out times square church in the heart of times square -- 50th and 8th ave. the worship/praise is earth shattering. the Word from the pulpit is pure.

God bless you and blessings on your hunt for a "home" church.

hi yall

i'm looking for a church to attend in JC with a good sized congregation that has excellent traditional music- choir, organist, etc. i was raised in a church of christ but I am open to other denominations as the music in worship is the big factor for me. does anyone know of anything like that in jersey city?

I used to attend the Journey NY (previously mentioned on this site) and enjoyed it. The only reason I left is that it was too big for my taste. It meets in the Manhattan Center, so easily accessible from the path. I also tried the Journey Jersey City but didn't like it so much.

I currently (though not as frequently as I would like to) attend the Village Church, in Greenwich Village on W. 11th St., meeting in a 7th Day Adventist Church. It's presbyterian, youthful (people in the 30s are probably the average, but college kids as well as grown families abound). Id' recommend it.

I've been in your shoes. WHen I first moved here I tried congregations in JC and Hoboken and was sadly dismayed.

checkout www.nyjourney.com and then click on the jersey city link...they meet in the movie theatre in the newport center mall on Sunday mornings. Great service with a live band/singers every week.

Can anyone recommend a local Presbyterian or other Protestant church in downtown? Thanks.

Quote:

I agree. A Unitarian church would be a perfect fit for
someone seeking religious fulfillment without all the
trinitarian stuff and the weighty christology that you find
in so many protestant settings.
All Souls Unitarian on Lexington and 80th is a
wonderfully stimulating religious and intellectual
congregation. I worked close to them for many
years and often dropped in on their special
holiday services. One year their Good Friday
service consisted of a complete playing of
the symphonies of Mahler on tape -- only the music,
no liturgy or yada yada from the ministers.
Very moving and an inventive way of doing
church.
In the Unitarian tradition, all are welcome
and are invited to participate to the extent
that is personally comfortable.

There are some very interesting Zen
congregations in the city also -- one being
the Village Zendo on Broadway and Prince.
i attended there for many years and
found it to be an enlightening and rewarding
group, with a wonderful teacher in residence.

Quote:

How would you define liberal, in this sense, and why would Grace Van Vorst Church not meet that definition?

One more idea for those out there seeking a liberal church:

You could try a Unitarian Universalist location.

Even the slogan right at the top of UUA.org's homepage says: "Representing Over 1000 Liberal Religious Congregations."

That said, I think their closest locations to Jersey City are in Manhattan or Brooklyn.

Or in New Jersey, they have locations in Essex County, Bergen County, etc.

Quote:

I don't regularly attend any sort of services myself, but years ago I knew a very liberal minister based in Virginia who was affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

While its congregations can vary greatly (in terms of beliefs, ethnic makeup, etc.), it's my understanding that one way to identify the congregations that are liberal is to see if they are part of UCC's God Is Still Speaking program or Open and Affirming (ONA) program.

The church that ECH mentions above, Judson Memorial Church, is located in the Greenwich Village and, according to its website, it has its roots in "free church, Baptist and United Church of Christ traditions."

It sounds like that also could be a good fit for you (if you're willing to head into Manhattan for church).

Quote:

Yes, JCase, the heavenly gum from The Journey was peppermint-flavored.

Not to get too far off topic, but something about the image you posted above reminded me of an new product that Dasani is marketing.

It's a trio of lip balms in three flavors: raspberry, lemon and PURE WATER!

Since when is PURE WATER a lip balm flavor!?!

For your viewing pleasure, an image of the product is below and its bizarre description can be found here (once you click and scroll down).

There are no liberal or progressive churches is JC.
Those that purport to be so are merely practicing
toleration ( in some cases very grudgingly) in order to sustain a viable congregation
and cash flow.

For a progressive protestant environment, you need
to go to Judson Memorial in the city, or Madison
Avenue Baptist, perhaps Marble Collegiate.

The churches around here just sort of dumb down
the gospel and put on services that remind you of
hippie musicals like Hair and Godspell.
This is not an intellectually or spiritually
stimulating experience for an educated
adult;
ok for kids, but gownups want more, it
seems to me.

Someone seeking a mature and evolved
theology would do well to look into Judson or
Madison Ave. If you are just looking for
neighbors to have coffee and cake with on Sunday
mornings, then going to church around here
should be sufficient.

Liberation theology is dead. Amen!

Quote:

Maybe this is available in a chewing gum now. Was it pepper-minty?

I've done some digging around The Journey's website as well as a little bit of Googling.

From what I can tell, this church has its roots in a conservative evangelical Christian tradition. But it embraces new technologies and has a modern look to its services.

The church provides all kinds of freebies at its gatherings (coffee, donuts, other foods, screenings of just-released movies, etc.).

And it also offers a free gift via its website -- a book by Andy Stanley.

Andy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, which Wikipedia says is an Atlanta-based megachurch.

What's kind of wild is North Point's official website looks more like a rock concert than a stereotypical church service. And each time you reload its homepage, a different image of Northpoint's rock concert-like services will reveal itself.

It's definitely not my cup of tea, but the images are still interesting to view nonetheless.

In any case, it's my impression that this church is NOT liberal, but you may want to dig deeper if you think it may be up your alley.

Quote:

I find this posse a tad bizarre...

I got a free pack of chewing gum and a postcard from them a few weeks ago when I was walking past Bryant Park.

I'm all for free snacks and gum, but it's strange getting a surprise treat on the street from a stranger who is promoting a church.

It felt like a mini-bribe to attend their services.

Quote:
Exactly how liberal are we talking? This church is REALLY liberal. I don't know if they have a parish in JC but if they do I'm sure it's downtown somewhere. They might want you to wear a goathead suit which might be uncomfortable in the summer months.

I got a granola bar and a card for this church. It may also fill your needs.

http://www.journeymetro.com/jc/

St. Matthews is a liberal church and they are all also very nice there. The congregation is quite small so everyone notices you if you are new at the service. Also, if you are interested, All Saints Episcopal in Hoboken on Washington is liberal too. They have three services every Sunday. We have been going to All Saints over St. Matthews mostly b/c we like the music more and also like that if you want to be noticed at All Saints you can be, but if you just want to go to church and not be singled out that's okay too.

True about Matthew Broderick. He came to speak there during a JC Friday a year or two ago. Saw him ... Looks just like a brother of mine, even in person.

Yep -- St. Matthew's is definitely liberal (when compared to some of the churches out there).

They feature the Lutherans Concerned/North America logo prominently on their website.

I wasn't sure what that was, but I just clicked on it and read all about it.

It has to do with their "Reconciling in Christ" program, which is "a Christian ministry affirming God's love for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities since 1974."

More information can be found at LCNA.org.

Good luck to you!

Quote:

I just checked out StMatthewsJC.org, the website of St. Matthew's Church. From what I've read so far, they are inclusive and liberal. They're located next door to the Barrow Mansion at 83 Wayne Street in Downtown Jersey City. Their phone number is 201-432-9319.

Here's their mission statement:

"The mission of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church is to love, welcome, nurture, and serve all people by following the example of Jesus Christ.

The mission of St. Matthew's is to reach the people of downtown Jersey City with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ and to integrate them into our growing family.

We are a community where people of diverse backgrounds and orientations develop friendships, worship God and grow spiritually. Our aim in spiritual growth is a more loving person, a more caring community, and a better world."

Here's their "affirmation of welcome" statement:

"Reconciling in Christ is a program for Lutheran communities of faith to answer the inclusive call of the gospel by welcoming gay and lesbian believers.

As a community of the people of God, we are called to minister to all people of our world, knowing that the world is often an unloving place. Our world is a place of alienation and brokenness. Christ calls us to reconciliation and wholeness. We are challenged by the Gospel to be agents of healing within our society.

We affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. We acknowledge this reconciliation extends also to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same gender.

Because gay and lesbian persons are often scorned by society and alienated from the Church, we wish to make known our caring and concern. It is for this purpose that we affirm the following:

- That gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God

- That gay and lesbian people are welcome within the membership of this congregation upon making the same affirmation of faith that all other people make

- That as members of this congregation, gay and lesbian people are expected and encouraged to share in the sacramental and general life of this congregation."

Hope this helps!

My partner and I having been going to Grace Church for the last year. Very modern sermons which is great. I would highly recommend Grace Church. Also the service start time of 11:00 am gives you time to relax at home on a Sunday.

THanks I think I am going to check out Grace Church. It sounds cool.

a) Is St. Mathew's Lutheran Church on Wayne liberal? It seemed pretty liberal when I took my daughter there for the playspace that used to be there.

b) Temple Beth-El, a synagogue near Kennedy and Communipaw, and B'nai Jacob, a synagogue a few blocks from the West Side light rail stop, are pretty liberal. If you aren't Jewish but happen to like Jewish services, for whatever reason, you could just go there on Friday evening or Saturday morning and enjoy the service. No one would be trying to convert you; you'd just hear a lot more Hebrew than you would in a typical church.

Another interesting tidbit: The rector is Reverend Janet Broderick, actor Matthew Broderick's sister.

I hear that NYC residents Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker attend services from time to time.

Quote:

I'd start with Grace Church Van Vorst -- I've heard good things about it.

They're at 39 Erie Street in Downtown Jersey City. Their phone number is 201-659-2211.

I pulled this from their website:

"The community at Grace Church mirrors this diversity:

Performing and visual artists; professionals and tradespeople; straight and gay; Asian, Black, Latino, Indian, Filipino, and white successfully combine in a progressive, inclusive, urban congregation.

Creativity permeates all aspects of church life ? from innovative multi-media worship to the use of our landmark building as a center for recreation, education and performance.

Community, diversity and creativity are the hallmarks of parish life."

Does anyone know of a good liberal church in Jersey City?

Riverside Assembly is a great church. They're affiliated with Assembly of God, Inc.

Sunday morning worship starts at 1030a. Hope to see you there.

I'm not a member, but I get involved at GRACE Episcopal Church from time to time. Erie and 2nd. They do loads for the community and are very arty.