Visiting Heidelberg
We recognize that a first visit to any church can be a bit daunting, but we want you to feel welcomed and comfortable at Heidelberg. Folks of all walks and ways of life have made Heidelberg their spiritual home, and we invite you to do the same.
What to Expect
Come as you are to Heidelberg – in your Sunday Best or in jeans and a t-shirt. We’re a flexible, casual bunch and we want everyone to feel welcomed and comfortable.
You’ll be greeted at the door and given a worship bulletin to guide you through the morning. There are also copies of the monthly bulletin and assisted listening devices located here with the bulletins that your greeter can give you as well if you’d like. The greeters can point you to the coffee bar or to a bathroom, or answer any questions you might have.
There are gendered bathrooms located in the basement, a gender neutral bathroom in the vestibule within the front doors of the church, and another gender neutral bathroom connected to the nursery, though this one is geared more towards children as everything is set lower than normal.
You’ll be invited to make a name tag if we see you attending for multiple weeks. We all wear them and it really helps in learning names.
Our Sanctuary is half pews and half plush, cushioned chairs. (We recommend the soft furniture!) There are no assigned seats, so make yourself at home anywhere you find yourself feeling most comfortable. We tend to chat with one another right up until the service begins.
Our worship is eclectic…always sacred, but not formal. Every week you’ll hear contemporary music from a our piano, pipe organ, acoustic guitar, recorded audio tracks, or even some talented soloists from within our congregation. In an ever-changing number of ways we tell stories, read poetry, laugh, sing, converse, and soak up the presence of the Holy One who is in and among us all. Our worship runs for what we call “a Heidelberg hour.” That’s an hour, give or take, depending on what’s happening that day.
We celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion with a table open to absolutely all on the first Sunday of each month.
Our Associate Pastor, Clare Twomey, brings us stories to reflect on every second Sunday of each month
SNAG and Fellowship Times
At 9:30am, before the service, we invite you to SNaG (Spiritual Nurture and Growth) group. We gather in our auditorium and explore Christian life and spiritual journey through interactive activities and discussion. We have recently explored themes such as spiritual gifts, cultural competency as people of faith, and healing from trauma. More information can be found in the monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin as well as the weekly Heidel Happenings E-newsletter each Thursday.
Our fellowship time happens after worship, back in our auditorium, where the coffee is always ready. We serve our own “HeidelBrew,” roasted for us by a local coffee shop. Teams of our members and friends take turns providing a variety of snacks and we linger to visit with one another, enjoy the art in our gallery which features a rotating roster of local artists thanks to the HeidelGallery ministry.
What about children?
We love children and we’re ready for your visit. Most children join their families for worship. We have a children’s play area in our sanctuary and joyful noise is fine and welcome. We also have tote bags filled with coloring pages and toys to provide entertainment. Most weeks there is a children’s message or a story as part of our service. For the youngest ones, or any child not comfortable joining worship in the sanctuary, we have a nursery connected to our auditorium where they can play and enjoy the service via the YouTube livestream in a less overwhelming, calm area. We have dedicated and qualified caretakers to watch them both in the nursery and at the play area in the sanctuary.
Is Everyone Really Welcome?
You bet. We’re an Open and Affirming Congregation and we take seriously our call to widen the welcome to all. All members of the LGBTQIA+ community are welcome into full membership and participation at Heidelberg. We have been proudly Open and Affirming (ONA) since October 14, 2012.
Directions and Parking
Heidelberg is located at 47 West Philadelphia Street in downtown York, Pennsylvania, directly across the street from York’s Central Market and up the street from the White Rose Bar and Grill.
There is street parking on Philadelphia Street and ample parking in garages on either side of the church.
The rear entrance of the church is on W. Gas Ave. and most folks park in the parking lot located there which can be accessed from Beaver Street, a right turn just past the church. Fortunately for us and surrounding churches, this parking lot is free on Sundays, but be mindful, you will be required to pay during the week Mondays through Saturdays from 6am-7pm.
Handicapped accessible parking and a ramp entrance is located at the rear of the church as well. The ramp door and the middle front door are open until the beginning of each Sunday service, 10:45am. After service begins, you will need to ring the doorbell at the other back door with the stairs or knock on the front middle door and someone will be by to welcome you in.
