There are 284 Christian churches and several Jewish congregations in Manatee County. There also are several Buddhist organizations and a Muslim mosque in the area. There’s probably a place of worship to suit just about every taste in the Manatee and Sarasota area. The question for a newcomer might be, “How do I find the one right for me?” Christian churches run the gamut from evangelical to Catholic and everywhere in between.
FINDING A CONGREGATION
One way to get an overview is by consulting the Manatee County Ministries Association, an organization that serves as an umbrella for many churches. “For many people, the location is critical, that it be close to their home, and the Association offers a directory of all the churches,” said The Rev. Bill Pierson, president of the Ministerial Fellowship of the Gulf Coast and the pastor of J.O.Y. Fellowship. Another way of getting information on local congregations is to call Lexie Taylor, director of Manatee Religious Services, at 752-4850. “Lexi is an excellent source,” Pierson said.
For those seeking a Jewish congregation, the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation in Sarasota can be a big help, said Sharon Kunkel, a Federation spokeswoman. The federation’s Web site, www.smjf. org, lists all 13 congregations and any affiliations that apply. Kunkel’s advice for choosing a Jewish congregation could pertain to other faiths as well. “I think they should meet the rabbi because they are the spiritual leaders,” Kunkel said. “The leader has a great impact on the new member’s comfort level and how much at home they feel.” Kunkel then recommends a visit to a service. “They should introduce themselves to members, look around and see who their fellow congregates are,” Kunkel said. “Again, you ask the question, ‘Is this where I will meet friends and feel at home?’ ” Rabbi Larry Mahrer of Bradenton’s Temple Beth El, says that there are three major considerations for picking a congregation. “I think the first consideration should be what is their previous Jewish background,” Mahrer said. “The area has congregations from the very Orthodox to the very liberal. “Next, evaluate the quality of the religious education program that the organizations offer for children. “And thirdly, evaluate if they feel comfortable from a religious and social point of view.”
TRUTH AND LOVE
While location and denomination are important, more important are truth and love, said Pastor Dan Witte of Risen Savior Lutheran Church which meets at 10 a.m. every Sunday at McNeal Elementary School on Lorraine Road. “I think people should look for a church that teaches everything that Jesus Christ taught,” Witte said. “What Jesus taught was truth and love.” One of Witte’s mentors, John Jeske from Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., taught him that there are some churches that are, “straight as a gun barrel and just as cold.” “A church that has truth, but not love, is hollow and cold,” Witte said. “And a church with love and no truth is no good either. “People should look for a church that teaches everything Jesus taught and is filled with love.”
Faith in Manatee :
Christian churches: 284 For an overview, newcomers can consult the Manatee County Ministries Association website, www.mcmafl.com. On the website’s home page there is a church and ministry directory tries to list every church, pastor, address, phone numbers and, in some cases, email addresses. Another source for information on Manatee churches is Manatee Religious Services, 752-4850.
Jewish congregations: 3 Temple Beth El 4200 32nd St. W. (Reform), 755-4900 Chabad of Bradenton & Lakewood Ranch 11509 Palmbrush Tr., No. 101, 752-3030 Congregation Ner Tamid 3817 40th Ave. W., Bradenton, 755-1231. A good contact for Jewish information is Sharon Kunkel at the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, 941-371-4546, ext. 117.
Buddhist groups: 2 Kadampa Meditation Center Florida 2016 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, 373-1600. Soka Gakkai International Contact David Ruben at 342-9948. Islamic congregations: 1 The Islamic Society of Sarasota & Bradenton is located at 4350 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, 351-3393.
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