Home   At a Glance   Monthly Newsletter   Christian Education   Church Schedule / Activities   Community Service   Denominational Links   Bible Study     Map   Open and Affirming Statement     Pastor's  Message   Contact Us   Pictures   1905 Edmondson Avenue   Catonsville, MD 21228   Phone: 410-744-5014   Email:   welcome@Immanuelucc21228.org Website:     www.Immanuelucc21228.org Pastor: The Rev. Beth Cantrell
				Immanuel United Church of Christ All are welcome in the name of Jesus, God with us! We invite people of every age, race, marital status, sexual orientation, means, national origin, ability, political affiliation, spiritual tradition, and economic circumstance to join with us in the love of God and neighbor. At Immanuel we seek to honor the presence of God and follow the teachings of Christ through worship, loving fellowship, mutual ministry, dedication to education, and commitment to service. In a spirit of Christian love, we welcome you!
						Pastor's Greeting Hello reader, It is my greatest hope that Immanuel United Church of Christ is as welcoming a place as my favorite pizza joint back in Chapel Hill, NC. Let me explain. My favorite restaurant in this world is Pepper's Pizza in Chapel Hill, NC.
			Pepper's is just a hole in the wall on ChapelHill's Franklin St. Its exterior is undistinguished except for a small chalk board which may announce the day's specials or make a random observation about the world. When you enter the restaurant, you'll find a small bar. Across from the bar there is a wall full of pictures including photos of former staff weddings, photos of Halloween parties of years gone by, and a picture of Dean Smith holding one of his grandchildren. As you approach the host station, you'll see a headless mannequin, a poster of a shirtless Al Green, and other cheesy (or cool, depending on your perspective) paraphernalia. The seats in the booths are old. When you sit in them, they slide around. The food offerings include (great variety), salads (yummy and fresh) and calzones (big as your head.) Pepper's Pizza is a special place because of its interesting and uniquely dressed wait staff. They're very funky, often with tattooed arms and piercings sticking out of unexpected places. Whether you look funky, drab, preppy, business casual, or tacky, you're treated as if you're the coolest person on the East Coast when you go to Pepper's. They advertise themselves as "a sunny place for shady people." I avoided Pepper's Pizza for my first two years of college because I thought I wasn't cool enough or edgy enough to go there. When a new friend took me to Pepper's my junior year, I found a place where I belonged and a place I soon came to love. Perhaps we lack the personal style of the staff at Pepper's, but Immanuel UCC is a sunny place for shady people. We try to be a church where God is worshipped with integrity and truth and where all people feel genuinely welcome. You may be single or married, old or young, rich or poor, gay or straight, clumsy or coordinated. You may be doubtful about organized religion, you may be open to a fresh Word of God in your life, you may be mad at the world, or you may just want a Christian place where you don't have to check your mind at the door. Immanuel is a place where all belong, where all individuals are loved, where individuals' gifts are affirmed, where faith finds room to grow, where genuine differences of opinion are respected, and where many find genuine comfort and support in this family of Christ. If you're looking for a place of spiritual growth, of sanctuary, and of genuine welcome, Immanuel United Church of Christ may be a great place for you. Hope to see you soon. In Christ's Peace, Beth