Hyde Park United Methodist

 I am really surprised that nobody has rated Hyde Park UMC yet. Maybe after more people hear today's NPR story on churchrater.com they will! I used the church's own motto in the summary above: "Making God's Love Real." I do think that Hyde Park does this. It is a large, influential church in the community. However, they have good methods of helping newcomers get connected--someone can meet you outside the sanctuary before worship, and they have a connection table in the courtyard with information on all kinds of classes, small groups, and service opportunities. As a young (30-something) single person without children, I don't feel out of place here. There is an active young adult group, but I don't feel that I have to belong to groups of only my demographic--the church is big enough to offer me lots of ways to get involved, but small-group oriented and very friendly. I like that the sermons challenge me intellectually as well as spiritually, that the church is progressive-minded (making efforts to be sustainable in their operations), and that they try to help people find the ways that their individual gifts can best be put to use in the mission of Making God's Love Real. Not to mention that they have a great website. I have experienced God's love in a real way at Hyde Park church!