Looking for a Church to Attend

How about trying a new type of church altogether? You could do an interdenominational church together on a Friday or Sat. evening, and if one wants to attend a traditional Mass or service on Sunday, go for it! Evergreen Community church meets at Lakeville High School in the auditorium I believe. There are tons of young families from that area and south that attend. You might want to try something like that. Then you don't need to choose between "his" and "hers" but you can start doing an "ours." We did that for a long time, and I would attend Mass on holidays and for stations, and things like that that I missed about the Catholic church. I know your husband doesn't want a "modern" church, but he might just try to see. We ended up at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, which is pretty large. The advantage of attending a large church is that there are a variety of service "styles" to choose from...traditional with a choir and organ, contemporary with a group of singers and a few instruments, "the Gathering" for the 20 something crowd, a service that meets at a restaurant. Plus they have a variety of times and days so if your child is sick or you can't get going, you have lots of choices. Of course, they don't have the liturgy in the same way, but there is an "order" to the services. You might just have to "church shop" like the other person did...pic 5 churches and go to each one 2-3 times and see which one would be the best fit for your family!! I do miss some Catholic stuff, but I can always go anytime I want and get my "fix." Can't hurt to try something different!

I know exactly what you mean. We just moved to Mn. and are in the same situation. Tonight we tried Hosana in Lakeville. I think we are going to really like it. They have a new worship singer who is returning to Hosana from my home town. I already feel a connection after going just one time. I also know they have a huge children and youth ministry. Good luck hope to maybe meet you there. M. A.

My husband and I have the same issues. I searched forever trying to find a compromise. There is a Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville. Also, there is a Grace Church which is Lutheran in Apple Valley. What we ended up doing is sometimes we go to his church (St. Ed's in Bloomington), and other times we go to my church (Christ Presb. in Edina). It's not the best solution because of the commute from the south metro, but those are the churches we like. Our daughter has been baptized and 1st communion Catholic. However, she goes to vacation Bible School at my church. She's getting exposure to both teachings. I tell her that if people ask what religion she is, she just should say 'Christian'. It's the truth, and beyond that it's what works for our family. Good luck to you!

I go to Hosanna! Lutheran in Lakeville. It is not traditional but I researched Lutheran churches in the area and was given the name of

Ascension Lutheran Church
1801 Cliff Road
###-###-####

When your children get older and want a fun spiritual experience there are programs at Hosanna! they would enjoy. Like this weekend there is Ignite for 6-9 graders on Friday night.

May God lead you in your choice.

A couple more to try as far as Lutheran churches would be Shephard of The Valley in Apple Valley (across form Falcon ridge middle school) They have traditional and contemporary service. I do a bible study there.
I belong to Easter church in Eagan. Again different services offered. We have two locations, the lake is more contemporary and the hill which is traditional. Look them both up online. Good luck!

You really are in a tricky situation..I know because we have also been faced with this since having a child 4 yrs. ago. We went "church shopping" for over a year and a half to varying places that also happened to be kid friendly. I have practiced many different "religions" in Christianity, and my husband only Catholic. In the end, we realized there would be no PERFECT church, but for the sake of our child, we needed to settle on something. What ended up making the decision for us was this particular priest. I have never found a Catholic Priest to be so incredibly warm, loving, and truly spiritual. I must say though, this IS a newer church, but with an old congregation. That was something my husband also did not want, but being that we went Catholic, that's where he compromised. The church is called SEAS, or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Hastings. It's not particularly convenient for us either, but we really feel we get 'fed' very well there. It is also very child friendly and the members themselves are quite remarkable -- VERY warm. Unusual in my experience. I love it there! There is one other church in Eden Prairie (I'm not sure if it's Catholic or Episcopalian - "Catholic Lite") or what, but (and the name isn't coming to me at the moment either!) is an old, huge church right off the freeway that was on our list to check out. I hope this helps! It never hurts to start somewhere! I wish you the very best - blessings to you and your family :-) J. in IGH

Good Shepher Lutheran Church in Burnsville. It's right off of 35E and County Rd 42. It's a great church. My husband and I have been members for almost 4 years now. I grew up in a very traditional Lutheran church and my husband was baptized & confirmed Catholic, and like your husband, his family was only "holiday church goers". It was important to me to find a good church and attend regularly. At first my husband was resistant, but after going to Good Shepherd for a few months, my husband agreed to take the class he needed to join. It is a pretty traditional Lutheran Church it's a WELS branch (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). I invite you & your husband to just come and sit in on a couple of services and see if it's what you're looking for. Services are on Sunday 8a.m. and 10:45a.m. Hope this information was helpful. Any other questions, let me know.

J.,

I attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with my family. My husband was raised Catholic and also had some issues with the doctrine, then began attending our church as a teenager and found many questions answered and finally found the "fit" he was looking for.

We are a Christian church (4th largest in the U.S.) with 13 million members worldwide and a very friendly and family oriented congregation in Lakeville at 18460 Kachina Court (corner of 185th and Kenwood Trail, near Super Target.) My congregation starts at 1:00pm, but there are also congregations that start in that building at 9am and 11am if those times are better for you.

I love my church for many reasons, the most important being that it helps me build a personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. It also helps me to be the best wife and mother I can be. There is a phenominal children's program starting at age 18 months and a youth program for teens that just as fantastic. I went through these programs as a child and as I look back, I am amazed at what they did for my self image and how they kept me out of so much trouble as a teenager. :)

There is also a group for women called the Relief Society. It has been around for over 150 years and is one of the oldest and largest in the world, supporting women and providing opportunities for them to serve in the community.

I would love to invite you to come to church with us and see for yourself. Feel free to contact me. You can also visit our website at www.mormon.org

Thanks,
S.

Hi J.,
We attend Crown of Life Lutheran church www.crownoflifelcwsp.christianchurchesonline.com which is a WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) Lutheran church. It is located in West St. Paul and they have a great elementary school affiliated with it. I believe WELS is the most conservative of Lutheran churches. We believe in what the Bible says and www.wels.net explains more about our beliefs. I think Good Shepherd church is closest to you that is also WELS. They are located in Burnsville off of Cty Rd 42. Good luck!

I have been going to St. John's Lutheran Church in Lakeville since I was a little kid. It's ELCA which is the more traditional Lutheran Church. If you want to go Lutheran, ELCA is the way to go. They just built a new church about a year ago. Pastor Helland is the pastor and he is awesome. They have nursery during the church service and then also Sunday school. It's a very friendly church and I enjoy going. Good-luck in your search. One more thing, they have a website if you want to check it out. It's www.stjohnslutheranchurch-lakeville.org

I think Church of the Cross in Hopkins might be a good one to try. I know it's a little bit of a drive from Lakeville, but it is an Anglican church that is very family friendly. Its service is liturgical, like the Catholic church, but their theology is a little more Lutheran. Check out their website at www.ofthecross.org

J., Have you considered a Missouri Synod Luthern Church? They are more concerative. You could look in the phone book for one near you. You could also try googling it to find more info on that denomination. My experience is that no one church will be competely "right" for you at all times so choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Also, remember that it is the people, pastor and activities/services offered that make a church a home
Good Luck