Informal Family Service

Informal Family Service - Overview

Welcome to the page for the Informal Family Service. We'd love to have you join us for a worship service. Here's what you can find on this page:

March 17, 2024 - Rev. John Odhner
"Easter Story with Marionettes"

This service is held in the Cathedral Council Chamber (above the Undercroft). We will celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection telling the Easter Story with marionettes.  The service will include more Easter hymns before the marionettes and a discussion afterward.

You can watch the service using the video above or go to BoxCast to access the video directly and view past services.

Zoom Discussion

Join Our Sunday Zoom Conversation, every Sunday at 11:30am Eastern time. (Note: This is half an hour later than it used to be.) Join the meeting.

 

About Informal Family Service

Timing

We recommend aiming to be parking around 10:10 am, giving you 5 minutes to walk from your car to the undercroft where, at 10:15, we begin with 10 minutes of music. At 10:25 there is a welcome and opening prayer. Then there is an interactive talk involving readings from the Bible and the teachings of the New Church for about half an hour. At about 10:55 the children will be invited to go up to the Ezekiel Tower for some refreshments. Then there will be about 10 minutes of discussion of the service with the adults (and any children that choose to stay for it). Following that the service will close and there will be time for refreshments and fellowship in the undercroft.

Location

As of January 2024, the Informal Family Service happens in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral undercroft. The undercroft is at the south end of the cathedral, on the lower level (below the Council Chamber). The entrance is through the door in the archway under the Ezekiel Tower.

Exterior View of the Undercroft (click the image to view a larger version)

Interior View of the Undercroft (click the image to view a larger version)

Parking

Parking Options for Undercroft (click the image to view a larger version)

The best place to park is on Quarry Road below the cathedral and walk up from there. (The green route on the map.) You are only allowed to park across the road from the cathedral, perpendicular to the road. And you are only allowed to park here on Sunday morning.

The next best place to park is in the upper lot between the cathedral and Cairnwood Estate. Then cross the road and walk around the east side of the cathedral. (The yellow route on the map.) The entrance to this lot is opposite the main entrance to the cathedral.

You can also park in the main lower lot and then walk around the west side of the building. The downside to this choice is that there may be less spots available because of people parking there to attend other services. (The purple route on the map.)

If you need handicapped parking, you can use the driveway off of Alnwick Road and drive right up next to the undercroft and then walk in through the big wooden doors at the end of the room. (The teal route on the map.)

Music

This service features Contemporary Christian music led by a varying team of musicians often including guitar, piano, and bass. On a given Sunday, most or all of the music is sing-along. Get in touch with Graham Bier (graham.bier@brynathynchurch.org) if you'd like to get involved.

How to Get Involved

There are a bunch of different ways that you can help support the Informal Family Service: participating in the weekly planning meeting on Zoom, helping on Sunday (greeting, refreshments, set up or clean up, acting, music, etc.), or contributing financially. Please contact Nina Dewees (nina.dewees@brynathynchurch.org) to discuss how you'd like to get involved.

Planning Meetings

Our weekly planning meetings are held every Tuesday morning at 10:00 on Zoom meeting. In these meetings, you would have a chance to help the minister prepare for the Sunday service by discussing the Biblical story and the doctrine, and then brainstorming examples, stories, applications, and relevant music choices, as well as discussing ways to reach all age groups, and planning for the activity or process.

Stay Up to Date With What's Going on for the Informal Family Service

The best way to stay up to date is to join the email list for the Informal Family Service. We generally send an email about once a week.

You can also request to join the Informal Family Service Facebook group.

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