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Health & Fitness

Church Search

A parishioners quest for a local congregation.

As a Lutheran in Greenbelt, I haven't felt like I had many choices of places to worship. There are Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian and Baptist churches within walking distance. There's also a synagogue. I love the idea of the community church, but it's not what I grew up with. Oh, and there's a Missouri Synod Lutheran church across the way but I can't get on board the whole "women don't count" thing.

A Google search comes up with a few churches that are 10 - 20 minute drives away in College Park, Riverdale, or Beltsville. Then, at the bottom of the list there is this little non-descript church with a kind of weird name: Good Samaritan Lutheran Church. It really doesn't look like much from the outside, and it's easy to miss as you are driving by. 

If you are persistant and wind up going in and attending a service, you will be enveloped in warmth and authenticity, rather like in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." It has a modest nave with wood paneling on the ceiling and art deco-esque windows along one wall. The pews have these cool wooden pockets hidden by doors along the top that are used to store hymnals and bibles. 

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I have only attended twice so far, but I've been more comfortable than at any other church I've been to in the D.C. area. They play the right music, the GOOD music. They introduce themselves to you, but don't overwhelm you. And, they generally wait until after the service to do the recruiting part. (I had a microphone thrust in my face upon visiting one church near Takoma Park and, Oh My, was that an uncomfortable moment.) 

I'm a bit of a cynic usually. I have never been terribly good at attending church. My faith is a mish-mash of my own creation, and I usually don't like going to church as I'd rather worship in my garden or a nearby forest. But this was nice. Really nice. I recommend you try it out. I really enjoyed myself and I WILL be going back. 

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