We know it can be a little un-nerving to step into a new thing, especially when you’re not sure about the details. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the church. They might address things that are important to you. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact us by email or phone and someone will get back with you as quickly as possible!

What should I wear?

At Grace, you’re welcome to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You’ll see people in jeans and t-shirts next to people in ties or dresses and anything in between. There is no dress code. Just be you!

What does the church look like?

Grace UMC’s first building opened in 2000. It is a beautiful multi-purpose worship center with nurseries, classrooms, offices, kitchen, and ministry and fellowship space. The room feels worshipful, but the chairs are moveable. We can use it for other large gatherings and dinners. We entered our second building in Fall of 2009, which includes a family life center, recreation and ministry space, classrooms, youth center, and cafe. Our entire building is designed to be fully accessible to anyone with mobility needs.

What will the service be like?

Both of our services are a warm and unique blend of the old and new, the traditional and contemporary, the liturgical and casual. Our 8:30 service is led by our Praise Band and the 10:45 service by our Choir. We do lots of styles of music, and worship services regularly include drama, visuals, and other creative arts. We celebrate communion monthly and at special services. Everyone is welcome at our communion table, too … everyone! The people are warm and hospitable and there are people of all ages. It’s a very diverse group so you’ll fit right in.

To listen to a sample sermon, click last week’s sermon.

Will I be singled out?

No. We do not ask you to do anything except make yourself at home. We do invite you to leave some information about you, so we can stay in gentle contact with you by mail and email. We don’t ask the visitors to stand (or sit while everyone else stands) or anything like that. But of course you will meet people who will enjoy socializing, and greeters will help you with anything you might need.

What about my kids?

We have professionally staffed, clean, safe, quality nurseries during both worship services and Sunday School. Copies of our Safe Sanctuary Policies are available. You are welcome to bring your child into worship if you feel more comfortable with that at first.

“Children’s Church” is provided at the 10:45 service after the kids come down front for Children’s Time. It’s for all kids ages 4 through 2nd grade. We have lots of activities for children, youth, and adults to participate in during the week in addition to 9:45 Sunday School for all ages. There are “busy bags” and children’s bulletins for your kids during worship too. Here’s the running joke, too … Don’t drink the water unless you want to have a baby. We have lots of kids and they keep coming!

Do I have to believe like everyone else in order to attend?

Of course not. We’re all seekers on a journey. Methodists are a people of open minds, open hearts, and open doors! While core Christian beliefs are our foundation, we respect diversity. In fact, we like it. We believe in the comprehensive, never-ending grace of God and our free will to respond to it. We delight in the mysteries of spiritual life, and seek to follow as disciples who live a life of growing in love. We believe in the balance of meeting God in scripture, but also tradition, the use of the mind, and personal experience. Most of all, we believe God’s not finished with us yet! There are a couple of links to sites about Methodist beliefs on home page if you’d like to find out more.

How do I get there?

We are conveniently located right next door to the Providence K-8 school in Monrovia, near Madison in the greater Huntsville, Alabama area. You can turn off of Highway 72 to the north on Providence Main Street by all the car dealerships, then take a left at the “roundabout.” You’ll see the church on the left just past the school.