:The Laurel Outlook:Community News

St. Alban's Church will be worshipping in a new home - the chapel at The Crossings, Laurel's new senior living facility. The first service at the new location will be at 9 am., Sunday, Jan. 27.

St. Alban's is not new to Laurel. The congregation has been part of the community since the 1960s. However, the congregation (part of a regional cluster of Episcopal churches) had dwindled in recent years, until only a remnant remained.

“Those people are not ready to give up though. Instead, energetic and trusting in God's leading, they made the decision to sell their building and surrounding property and to start over. They consider themselves to be starting a new church on old foundations of faith,” the Rev. Jane Schmoetzer said.

“We spent a lot of time praying and planning before we made the choice to move,” noted Schmoetzer, who pastors the congregation. “We see it as an opportunity to begin again, and to spend our time and energy on being the church, rather than in just maintaining. We believe in resurrection, you know.”

“The church is not the building,” added parishioner Mary Field. “It's us.”

Even though they consider themselves as a new church, their roots run deep. Another parishioner, Ruth Weinfurter, noted proudly that she is a fifth generation Montanan, and the Episcopal Church has been part of the history of the state since Bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle established the first mission congregations in the 1860s, back when the state was still a territory.

Today, the church uses a blend of ancient traditions (some dating back to the earliest days of the Christian faith) and contemporary expression in their worship.

“Because The Crossings is part of St. John's Lutheran Ministries, they have a real commitment to caring for both the residents and the community. This commitment is part of the reason that they have been eager to welcome St. Alban's. They see it as one way of supporting faith and Christian witness. The Lutheran (ELCA) and Episcopal Churches are also in full communion with one another, which makes the cooperation a good fit,” Schmoetzer said.

“The Crossings has been so welcoming. It will be a wonderful place to worship. We're looking forward to new opportunities to reach out to the community from a new home, and to see where else God might be leading us,” Rev. Schmoetzer said.

The Crossings is located at 600 Roundhouse Drive. The building also faces East Maryland Street, and is just north of Laurel Middle School. Anyone is welcome to share worship and fellowship each Sunday morning at 9 am.

“All of God's people are welcome at God's table,” Rev. Schmoetzer concluded.

For more information, you can call Rev. Schmoetzer at 425-1371, or visit the regional website: yellowstoneministries.org.