About Immanuel

Immanuel United Church of Christ, Catonsville, MD

“Where progressive theology meets traditional worship.”

We are a small congregation of dedicated Christians who seek to embody the love of Jesus inside and outside the church building. We are retired elders who raised our children at Immanuel and have been part of the community for decades. We are young families navigating life, work, faith and raising kids. We began as a working-class, German-speaking immigrant church in Baltimore. We love Americana hymnody, spirituals and community singing. We are activists and mystics and love to explore different expressions of worship and spirituality. We are dedicated to prayer, service and education. Whoever who you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here! Immanuel is a place where heart and mind can be engaged in worship. It's not a place that subtly mandates a specific creed or political affiliation. Nor are we uncritical of all things Christian.  We're a place where your views and opinions are deeply respected and taken seriously.

Our service begins at 10:30 a.m. Feel free to dress casually or wear your Sunday best. Upon When you arrive, you will be greeted with a handshake offered a bulletin so that you can follow with the service. Seating is open and you can choose where you want to sit. As the service opens we share the peace of Christ with one another through handshakes, hugs, fist bumps or whatever is most comfortable for you. On the first Sunday of every month we offer communion, which is a sacrament that embodies God's grace to all of God's children. At Immanuel, we observe an open table which means that all people are welcome to participate, including children.

In 2001 Immanuel intentionally went through a discernment process concerning the congregation's views on homosexuality and the church. As a result of this experience, the congregation voted to become an open and affirming congregation. The open and affirming designation means that we fully support LGBTQQIP2SAA+ people as siblings in Christ without hesitation or restriction. We seek to embody this commitment in a variety of ways including overt inclusion in our worship and in all aspects of the life of our church.

In 2026 we are discerning how to work in solidarity nad partnership with our immigrant neighbors, particularly those impacted by brutal policies and ICE terror. We are educating ourselves and growing towards being more active in area rapid response and mutual aid.

Receiving new members into this fellowship coheres with the basic requirements of the United Church of Christ. If you are already baptized, you may join the congregation through confirmation, profession of faith, or letter of transfer. We also recognize active participants, defined as people in good covenant with the church, participating in worship and giving of treasure, time and talent. Both can serve in church leadership positions when elected by the congregation.

If you seek baptism or have questions about baptism, please contact the pastor. She will be glad to schedule a service for the sacrament of baptism or to help you if you are considering being baptized.