I am going to visit Ellensburg United Methodist Church. Church is a place where people gather to spend time with God and with one another. People come to church for many different reasons. Some people like to sing. Some like to listen to stories. Some like to pray or think quietly. Some come because they enjoy being with other people. I am invited to come just as I am!

At Ellensburg United Methodist Church, the congregation celebrates that God welcomes all kinds of people! I do not have to look, act, think, talk, or move like anyone else. I am a beloved child of God, and there is a place for me here.

Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. When I arrive, I can enter through the front door, where a greeter will welcome me. There are stairs leading up to the Sanctuary, which is the room where people gather for worship. If I need or prefer to use the elevator, that is an option, too. A greeter can help me find my way if I'm not sure of where to go.

When I get to the Sanctuary, another greeter will give me a bulletin, which is a piece of paper that tells us what will happen at different times during the worship service.

There may be people talking to one another before worship begins. There may be sounds from people walking, moving into the long wooden benches called pews, or getting ready for the service. I might see people I know, or I might see people I have never met before. I do not have to talk to anyone if I do not feel ready.

People choose to wear many different kinds of clothes to church.  Some wear jeans and comfortable shoes in the colder months, or shorts and sandals when it's warm.  Others wear dresses, slacks, or other clothing.  I can wear clothes that feel comfortable to me.

I can choose a place to sit. If I need help finding a comfortable spot, I can ask the greeter with the bulletins. There is open space at the back of the Sanctuary where people can stretch, stand, or move around if sitting still for a long time is difficult. There is a table with space for kids to read, color, or fidget.

The Sanctuary is a special room where we worship together. There are chairs or pews where people sit, and there is a screen at the front of the room. The screen shows the words to songs and prayers so that people can follow along.

There is a piano and a pipe organ in the Sanctuary. A pipe organ is a large musical instrument that can make very big, powerful sounds. It can be beautiful, but it can also be pretty loud. The sound might surprise me or feel uncomfortable in my ears. That is okay.

The first Sunday of every month is Low Sensory Worship Sunday. On that Sunday, the pipe organ will not be played. This can be a good Sunday for me to visit if I would prefer worship without the organ. On other Sundays, I can bring headphones or ear protection if I want to. I can cover my ears if a sound feels too loud. I can also take a break if I need one.

Sometimes the piano or organ plays music, and sometimes people sing. A choir may sing, too. There may be traditional songs and newer songs. I do not have to sing if I do not want to. I can listen, hum quietly, move along with the music, or simply enjoy the sounds in my own way.

The worship service lasts a little longer than one hour. That might feel like a long time, especially if sitting in one place is difficult for me. I do not have to do everything perfectly. I can take things one part at a time.

The bulletin shows the outline of the worship service, so I can look at it to see what comes next. Sometimes something unexpected may happen, or the order may be a little different than I expect. If I am unsure what to do, I can watch what other people do, ask my grown-up for help, or simply keep doing what feels comfortable for me.

The pastor or another person will welcome everyone. We may sing songs together, say prayers, and listen to Bible stories or readings. Sometimes the pastor will tell a story, share thoughts about God, or talk about how we can care for one another and the world.

People may stand up for some parts of worship and sit down for others. Sometimes people say words together. The words may be shown on the screen, and I can follow along if I want to.

I do not have to know all the words or understand everything that happens. I am learning, and learning takes time. If I want to join in, I can. If I would rather watch and listen, I can do that, too.

Sometimes the congregation will pray together. Some people close their eyes, bow their heads, or fold their hands. Other people keep their eyes open or sit in a way that feels comfortable. I can pray in my own way, or I can simply sit quietly while other people pray.

I may hear people laughing or see people smiling. Church can be a place for serious thoughts, but it can also be a place for joy, friendship, and laughter.

Sometimes my body needs to move. Sometimes I feel wiggly, tired, restless, worried, or overwhelmed. These feelings are okay.

I do not have to keep my body perfectly still to belong at church. I can stretch, stand up, or move around in the open space at the back of the Sanctuary. There is also a children's area at the back with a rocking chair, a small table and chairs, books, coloring pages, and other activities.

If the room feels too loud or busy, I can ask my grown-up for help. We can decide whether to move to a different spot or take a break. If I need to step out for a little while, that is okay, too.

I can use words to tell someone what I need, if I can. I can also point, use gestures, or communicate in another way that works for me. My needs matter, even when I have trouble explaining them.

Taking a break does not mean I have done anything wrong. It means I am taking care of myself.

Every worship service at Ellensburg United Methodist Church includes something called Holy Communion. Communion is a special time when people remember Jesus and share a meal of bread and grape juice.

The pastor will help everyone know what to do, and will share the story of Jesus' last supper with his friends. People will come forward to receive Communion.  Some people choose to eat and drink when they come forward, and others take them back to their seats to eat there.  I can either eat the bread and drink the juice, or there may be another way to receive it. I can watch what other people do and ask my grown-up for help if I am unsure.

Everyone is welcome at the Communion table. The bread for Communion is gluten-free, and grape juice is used instead of wine.  The gluten-free bread might taste a little bit different than the bread I'm used to. If I have a food allergy or sensitivity, my grown-up can ask the pastor about the ingredients and how the bread and juice are prepared and served.

I do not have to eat or drink anything if I do not want to. I can talk with my grown-up about what feels right for me. I can also stay in my seat if I would rather not participate.

Communion is one way people remember that God's love is for everyone. I do not have to earn that love. I am welcome whether I receive Communion or not.

From September through June, elementary-aged children can participate in a short Sunday School lesson after Communion.  At Sunday School, the kids and teachers will play some games, learn more about the Bible story, and do an activity or craft. If I want to go, I can line up at the back of the Sanctuary with the other children. My teachers will lead us downstairs to the Sunday School room. My grown-up can come with me if I'm unsure, and they will need to complete a registration form the first Sunday I attend Sunday School.

While the kids are at Sunday School, the worship service will continue in the Sanctuary. There will be an invitation to donate money to support the church, the choir or guest musician will sing, announcements will be shared, and the congregation will sing one last hymn.

I do not have to go to Sunday School if I would rather stay with my grown-up during worship. I can talk with my grown-up about which choice feels best for me. If I start Sunday School and decide I would rather be with my grown-up, I can tell a teacher. They can help me figure out what to do next.

When the service is finished, people may talk with one another and get ready to go downstairs to the Fellowship Hall for something called Coffee Hour, even though it isn't actually an hour long. This is where people gather for coffee, light snacks, and conversation after worship. The grown-ups will come down to meet the kids who went to Sunday School.

I can join them for the Coffee Hour if I want to. I can have something to eat or drink if my grown-ups say it is okay, and there are even options for gluten-free and with allergens noted. I can leave when my grown-up is ready to go.

There may be lots of conversations happening at once in the Fellowship Hall. People will probably introduce themselves to me, and ask me a little bit about myself. If that feels like too much, I can stay for just a little while or skip this part of the morning.

It is normal to feel nervous when I try something new. I might feel excited, curious, worried, or unsure. I might feel several things at once.

I may enjoy some parts of worship and not enjoy other parts. I may like the music but find the room noisy. I may enjoy listening to a story but find it difficult to sit for a long time. I might want to come back another Sunday, or I might need more time to decide how I feel. All of these feelings are okay.

I do not have to speak, sing, sit still, make eye contact, or participate in every activity to belong at church. I can be myself.

The people at Ellensburg United Methodist Church want to create a welcoming place where everyone can connect with God and with one another. That includes me.

I am welcome here. I can take my time. I can ask for help. I can take a break. I can participate in my own way.

And when I walk through the church doors, I can remember this: I am a beloved child of God, and there is a place for me here.