Where is the Church?

The Congregational Church in Cumberland, United Church of Christ is in Cumberland Center, Maine. Our physical address is 282 Main Street at the intersection of Blanchard Road, Cumberland. Our postal address is PO Box 247, Cumberland, ME 04021.        

Which door do I enter?

Good question!  Our church building has three sections and each section has an entrance door, but every section is connected inside by an upper level and a lower level hallway...so you can get from one end of the building to the other no matter where you enter the church. Looking at our building from the street: The LEFT SIDE of the building contains the Parish Hall and has two levels. When you open the double doors of the entryway, you will see a staircase leading to the upper level.  The Parish Hall, up the stairs to the left, is a large gathering space where we hold church and community events. The kitchen, church office, pastor’s office and library or Farwell Room are also on the upper level. On the lower level, down the stairs, are the Maine Street Children's Center, Sunday School classrooms, bathrooms, and offices for the Music Director and Church School Director. The MIDDLE SECTION of the church is called The Connector.  Entering the middle door will allow access to the ELEVATOR or to another set of stairs that will take you to the upper level or down to the lower level. The Connector houses our elevator, the Chapel, and a bathroom on the upper level, and a classroom and utility rooms on the lower level, which also has an exit out to the parking lot in back of the church. The RIGHT SIDE of the building contains the sanctuary, and the entrance doors on the left-hand side below the steeple will take you directly into the area where the church service takes place.  The lower level of the sanctuary contains two bathrooms, the nursery, and the rooms of the Cooperative Nursery School.  

What is the worship service like?

Check out the worship service online to get a feel for it!  The “worship service” page here Insert link also includes information about the service.  Once arriving at church, you will receive a Church Bulletin at the entrance to the sanctuary. The Bulletin gives the order in which various parts of the service will happen. Feel free to ask questions of those sitting near you should you have questions.  Folks will be happy to help!  

Must I be a member of the church to take part in Communion?  

Communion is the sharing of bread and cup--remembering Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.  We typically share communion on the first Sunday of the month.  Jesus invited all to come and share at the table with him, so all are welcome whenever we share communion!  Additionally, as Jesus welcomed all, we welcome children to the celebration of communion. At parents’ discretion, children may receive bread and cup or receive a blessing from the minister. Juice and gluten-free wafers are available.  

What should I wear? 

Please come however you feel comfortable!  You’ll find a range of attire from casual to more dressy to shorts in the summer.   

How early should I arrive for service?

The church service starts at 9:30AM, and arriving five to ten minutes early is often helpful.  

What opportunities/resources are there for kids on Sunday mornings? 

Children often stay with their parents/families until the “Time for the Young at Heart” which happens 10-15 minutes into the service.  At that time children are invited to the front of the sanctuary to participate in a short, fun, meaningful lesson/conversation with the minister.  They are then invited to go to Church School (see Grow for more info.) At the end of the service, parents can meet their children in their classrooms. In order to feel comfortable, please feel free to go with your children to Church School or come a little early to meet our Youth Programs Director or Nursery provider.  And please know that kids are also always welcome to stay in worship!  Any changes in the Church School schedule (such as on Communion Sundays when children typically go to their classes during the first hymn) are generally announced at the beginning of the church service or indicated in the church bulletin, which is available when you arrive.  Nursery care for children 3 and under is provided in the room below the narthex (the entryway in the back of the sanctuary.)  We have experienced Nursery providers and also have another room (the Chapel) where there is a live video feed.  We are also happy to have baby sounds and nursing moms in the service!  During the summer months we invite children to stay in worship with their families, and we provide special activity sheets.   

Who's welcome at our Church?

You!  Everyone is welcome at CCCUCC!   No matter where you are on your faith journey, you are welcome here!