Worship Gatherings

What Happens at a Gathering?

We begin our gatherings by welcoming people to the Hearth and blessing the threshold as we cross from ordinary awareness into the blessing of intentional sacred space.

We share prayers and stories, make time for silent grounding, and enjoy deep fellowship.

Our gatherings last from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on attendance and how much conversation we share.

Who is Welcome?

Our Hearth is open to everyone seeking spiritual comfort and community.

As long as you come with openness and wonder and treat people with respect.

You are welcome.

Abusive behavior and cruelty will not be tolerated.

At our Hearth, places of honor belong to those who have been most oppressed and pushed to the margins.

How Do You Care for People Who’ve Been Hurt by Churches?

We take religious trauma and harm caused by churches very seriously.

The Chapel of the Open Hearth became possible only after considerable personal healing by Pastor Zeb and many of our founding leaders. We know that people may come to us carrying violated trust, painful memories, and understandable caution.

Early in each gathering, we offer a communal confession that plainly acknowledges Christianity’s role in perpetuating injustice—including racism, homophobia, transphobia, and the protection of people who cause harm. We apologize. We ask God for the clarity to name these harms honestly and for the courage to work toward repair.

You will not be pressured to disclose your experiences, participate before you are ready, or offer trust that has not been earned. Your questions, boundaries, and need for space will be respected.

We are deeply grateful to anyone willing to risk entering a church again in the hope of finding spiritual nourishment and caring fellowship.

We hope that, through humility, accountability, and our actions over time, we will prove ourselves worthy of that trust.

Can I attend if I’m not Christian?

You are absolutely welcome to attend if you are not Christian.

As a Christian Heathen community, we draw inspiration from many different sources.

We respect and learn from religious traditions and philosophies that encourage people to care for creation and work toward collective liberation.

We do pray to Adonai as our Abba, parent. We seek inspiration in following the Way of Jesus and discuss the Way throughout our gatherings.

We understand the Way as not requiring certain beliefs about the nature of Christ, but seeking a path of wonder that cares for the least of these.

We welcome views, insights, and fellowship with people who hold different views than us, provided we are grounded in wonder, compassion, and solidarity with the margins.

If you’re not Christian, but resonate and would like to attend a community like this, we’d love to see you at a gathering.

We won’t try to convert you.

Are Children Welcome?

Absolutely!

Part of this community's dream was to have a worship place where kids could run around, talk, and play while we worship.

Pastor Zeb is a parent of a toddler and felt the lack of a contemplative and prayerful space that treated the presence of children not as a disruption to solemnity, but as fellow souls who need spiritual community too.