We know that visiting a new church can be scary. Entering a community where you may not know anyone or much about them is a vulnerable and courageous thing to do! We want to make sure that your first visit (and every visit after that) is full of welcome and care for you.
Please feel free to contact Pastor Ryan with any questions you may have prior to your visit. Below are answers to some common questions that may help you as you plan your first visit to Emory:
Frequently Asked Questions
Emory is part of The United Methodist Church and shares in its rich theological heritage, witness, and mission around the world. We claim the core beliefs of the UMC. (You can read about the UMC’s beliefs here) At its core, the UMC has a commitment to social holiness, with a strong focus on putting our faith into action, striving to live out its vision “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Emory is part of our large and diverse connection of United Methodist Churches locally and around the world. We are a part of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and the Baltimore-Suburban District in the Baltimore Region.
Emory’s worship has traditional elements that you will find at many United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and other churches. We pray together, sing hymns, read from the Bible, and hear a scripturally-based sermon every Sunday. We also utilize creative and contemporary elements, depending on what we are focusing on in worship. There are no assigned seats in the sanctuary, so please feel free to sit wherever you like.
Our Sunday mornings are laid back and light-hearted, full of warm and friendly people. Every Sunday, there is a time for people to voluntarily share their joys and concerns in the worship service, which helps keep us prayerfully connected with one another.
Holy Communion is served every first Sunday of the month during worship. All present welcome to receive Holy Communion at Emory. If you are a member of Emory UMC and would like to receive Holy Communion at home, please contact us.
People come to Emory wearing anything from dresses and suits to jeans and t-shirts and flip-flops. There is no dress code. You are welcome as you are!
Emory are right off of Ady Road (MD 543) at 911 Cherry Hill Rd in scenic Street, MD. Sunday morning worship is located in the sanctuary, which is just to the left as you come in the main double doors.
There is plenty of free parking available in the lot around the church. Our front entrance will lead you to the lobby where a greeter will be happy to point you to the sanctuary to your left.
Our building has wheelchair accessible entrances, exits, and bathrooms. To access the sanctuary, enter from the double doors on the side of the church facing Cherry Hill Road.
Emory wheelchair-accessible entrance off Cherry Hill Road.
All children are invited to participate fully in the worship service. We welcome children as they are and do not expect them to be quiet or still in the worship service. Please know that it does not bother us if your child squirms, roams or cries in worship. You are welcome to sit wherever you’d like.
We have a staffed nursery and Youth Church for kids of all ages. Younger kids stay in worship until the Children’s Message, when they are invited to come forward and are then dismissed to Youth Church or back to the pew with their adults.
At Youth Church kids enjoy fun activities, faith-nurturing teaching, and a snack. All volunteers who work with our children must go through Safe Sanctuaries and pass a background check.