General Information

• The open houses will be Friday, November 21, 4-8pm and Saturday, November 22 10am-2pm

• You will sign up for all of the one-hour slots that you are available to host an open house. Once sign-ups have closed on October 19th, we will create a schedule and route based on the availability and locations of participating churches. We will let you know the time of your open house by October 26th, and it will be posted to this website as well.

• During the times of the open house, you will need to remain open for the full hour.

• Please provide a short explanation of your beliefs and/or a tour of your building if applicable (no more than 15 minutes total) to share with those who come.

• We suggest having multiple people provide the explanations to accommodate multiple groups that will be arriving at any time during that one-hour block. 

• Be prepared for visitors to stay longer and ask questions

• We will provide advertising several weeks before the event and ask that you also encourage members of your congregation to participate. 

• We will also provide a location sign to put outside your open house location with the time and day that you will be hosting your open house

• We will also be creating a website with information about all of the churches that are participating and basic information about beliefs and worship times

Here are a few things to consider including in your explanation of beliefs: 

• Explaining traditional clothing worn during services and/or ceremonial clothing worn for special occasions, and the significance and symbolism

• Explain special customs, holidays, or traditions and their meaning

• Explaining what happens during your services, their meaning and significance, and what participation is expected from the congregation

• Explain what behaviors are suggested to show respect during services and what, if any, behaviors or actions to avoid

• Explaining terminology, church structure, and appropriate titles for religious leaders

• Explaining the basic doctrines and their sources (sacred texts)

• Show and explain any vestments

• Walk attendees around your place of worship, if applicable, and explain the different purposes of each area

• Explain ways you reach out to the community and support families (youth groups, children’s activities, community outreach)

• Explain how members worship at home or during the week away from the church