WhatYouCanExpectWhenYouVisit - Summit Congregational United Church of Christ

What You Can Expect At Summit

Summit is a small, older congregation with a long history in Dubuque. The church is committed to teaching and learning. The congregation is very flexible and open to new ideas.

There is a cry room for people with infants so they can see and hear the service. We use a keyboard and sometimes a guitar for music. We use visuals including art, pictures, and words for the service and sermon.

Sermons are short and practical, and delivered in an informal, normal tone of voice. Sometimes they are accompanied with visual arts to help us understand. The church service lasts one hour.

Early in the service you will find yourself greeted by most everyone in the worship space. At the end of the service, this friendly group will grab your hand as we all link together to say the Lord's Prayer (we use the words "debts" and "debtors" in the prayer).

The church is positioning itself for the future by looking to its grand history. "Preserve the core, and stimulate progress" has become a motto lately. Based on the writing of business consultant Jim Collins (Good To Great), the motto says a lot about Summit's commitment to ongoing learning for the sake of meeting the unique challenges of our 21st century.

Are you interested in church with a progressive, open-minded approach to faith and life? Are you looking to be involved on your own terms without pressure? Do you want to get in on the ground floor of a church that's going green, affirms diversity, and wants to make a difference in today's world? Are you interested in the visual arts, social networking, and how today's technologies can expand knowledge and stimulate social awareness? Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to re-invent church in the 21st century with a congregation that's been around a while?

Summit is worth a visit....or, we'll come to you and chat about what your interests and concerns are. Email the pastor directly (Mike Bausch at mgb103@hotmail.com) for immediate contact.

MEDIA ARTS AT SUMMIT

Do you enjoy movies, films, and video? Do you have an interest in these arts and the religious issues they raise? For example, recent films like "Gran Torino" and "Slum Dog Millionaire" each had references to religion, one to Christianity, the other to Islam and Hinduism. What were the references? Why were they important to the film? What do they say about life today? Summit is ripe for a film discussion group, so if you're interested in something like that, contact us!

What of photography, painting, and sculpture? Fabric arts? Digital media art? All of these have a place in the life of a vibrant church. We're looking to match up artists and our space for shows, conversations, and receptions. Let's talk about the interface of art and faith!

What of live music? Do you play an instrument? Are you interested in playing or singing in a church? We're open to all kinds of music. Let's talk.

Contact our minister, Mike Bausch, at mgb103@hotmail.com to open the conversation.

LEARNING GROUPS AT SUMMIT

There are currently three Bible discussion groups at Summit Church, one on Sundays at 8:45 a.m., another on Mondays at 10:30 a.m., and still another on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. These groups are reading out of New Testament passages now, just following along various stories about Jesus and talking about them. The groups are led by church members.

The children's Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings and includes lots of art projects, stories, and music. A "one room school house" that welcomes youngsters from pre-school to the 6th grade, everyone gets involved.

In fall 2009 we'll have a confirmation class with two boys in 7th and 8th grades. More are welcome!!

A MISSION-MINDED CHURCH

Summit is a mission-minded church with connections to Dubuque Area Congregations United, the Dubuque Rescue Mission, and the Food Resource Bank. Members have helped build homes in Mississippi, and give generously to national and global mission projects of the United Church of Christ, our denomination.