While The Gathering meets inside First United Methodist Church, the congregation sits in chairs, not pews; there are discussions not sermons; a band instead of a choir; and at the end of the service, a free meal is available.
And don’t worry about wearing a dress or suit. Wear what’s comfortable.
This isn’t your mother’s church.
The Gathering, which was “birthed” at First United Methodist Church in Middletown, is about to spread its wings and fly away. But not too far. By the first week in March, The Gathering plans to open a new church in an undisclosed downtown location.
Until then, The Gathering will use space within First United Methodist Church. Church begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
The Gathering caters to the homeless and urban residents who live downtown, within walking distance of the church. Many in the congregation, which ranges from 40 to 70, live at Hope House or The Center of Hope — the city’s two homeless shelters — or in one of the downtown apartments.
Four years ago, Meghan Howard, then youth minister at First United Methodist Church, 120 S. Broad St., noticed the aging congregation didn’t reflect the downtown population.
So she opened Cafe 7:07, which combined a coffee house feel with contemporary music and a fellowship meal focused on bringing the message of hope to the streets of Middletown.
Howard has left her position at the church, and the Rev. Carrie Jena — a former professional golfer — is leading the congregation.
The new church will be partially modeled on an innovative model developed by The Church for all People United Methodist Church of Columbus that seeks to serve the needs and issues of urban people, said the Rev. Dean Penrod, senior pastor at First United Methodist.
The message — delivered in a more conversational way than traditional church — is hitting home, Penrod said.
He said some members of the congregation have shown “an amazing transformation.”
He added the church offers them “stability in their lives.”
Jena, who joined the staff in 2006, took over The Gathering in 2009. The goal: create discipleships by opening Bibles, creating growth and changing lives.
“People out there need friendships, a way to make connections with people,” said Jena, 52.
By not adhering to a dress code, Jena believes The Gathering breaks down some of the barriers associated with traditional church.
“If you don’t wear the right clothes, people can be a little judgemental,” Jena said. “Here, we don’t care about those things.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
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