A Movement for Wholeness in Lafayette
Lafayette Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) sits at 584 Glenside Drive, on a tree-filled campus in the city of Lafayette in Contra Costa County. Founded in 1959, the congregation marked its 60th anniversary in 2019 and now describes itself as "a movement for wholeness," a phrase that captures both its theological openness and its long history of community engagement in the East Bay.
The church is part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a mainline Protestant denomination that traces its American roots to an 1832 movement to unify Christians around a New Testament faith. The Disciples tradition emphasizes respect for diversity of opinion and inclusive community, and it holds just two ordinances: weekly communion open to all who believe, and adult baptism for mature believers. Within that wider family, Lafayette Christian Church belongs to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Northern California region, while maintaining its own autonomy.
Sunday Worship at 10:00
The week's center of gravity is the Sunday morning service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. The gathering is described as a "casual blend of traditional and contemporary styles" and features a sermon, music, meditation, and Scripture. Communion is offered each week and is open to everyone present who wishes to participate. Visitors are invited to "come as you are" and to expect a warm welcome.
For those who prefer to join from home, services are also accessible by Zoom, and recordings of services are available on the congregation's Facebook. The Sanctuary offers both a Masks Required section and a Masks Optional section, with N95 or KN95 masks recommended for those who choose to mask.
Open and Affirming Since the 1970s
Lafayette Christian Church declared itself an Open and Affirming congregation in the 1970s and remains one of the most visible affirming churches in the region. Its Open and Affirming statement affirms women, men, non-binary, and LGBTQIA people in membership, leadership, baptism, youth participation, communion, ordination, and marriage. The congregation was the first Disciples church in its region to ordain gay and lesbian clergy.
The invitation reads: "Come as you are - every color, age, gender, sexual orientation, people of all gifts and abilities are welcome to journey with us." Members include people who identify with other faith traditions, and the community consistently values relationship over being "right."
Music That Spans Classical to Contemporary
Music is one of the defining ministries of the congregation. The LCC Chancel Choir sings every Sunday except during the summer, drawing on sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses and performing everything from classical choral works to contemporary arrangements. Rehearsals take place Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with a brief Sunday warm-up at 10:30 a.m. before worship. New singers are always welcome. Rita Lilly serves as Music Director.
The Faith Alive! Choir gives children and youth their own place in worship. Rehearsing at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings during the church year, just before Sunday School, this children's choir adds a joyful celebration by young people to the service several times a year.
Each summer the church hosts Summer Concerts in the Grove, an outdoor concert series held on its shaded campus.
Faith Formation for Every Age
Faith Formation ministries at LCC are designed to nurture spiritual growth, exploration, questions, and commitment across the lifespan. Three Sunday morning programs run alongside worship:
- Sunburst Surprise at 10:15 a.m. is a brief time during the worship service when children in kindergarten through fourth grade hear a special message.
- Bible Alive! from 10:20 to 11:15 a.m. is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and focuses on faith stories and basic Christian practices that help young followers of Jesus share God's love in the world.
- Adult Christian Education (ACE) from 11:15 a.m. to noon offers a variety of adult learning opportunities for thinking, questioning, conversation, and community.
Children and youth frequently participate as worship leaders and as "teachers of wonder and mystery" throughout the year.
Women's and Men's Ministries
The Women's Third Thursday Group is an intimate gathering of about ten women who meet to discuss spiritual books and share their hopes, struggles, and wisdom in fellowship. The group has been led by longtime LCC member Rev. Kathy Cramer, co-pastor of the Fisherman's Chapel By the Sea in Bodega Bay, and the current book of discussion is David Whyte's "Consolations."
The Women's Book and Conversation Group started more than 30 years ago as a support group after a church member lost a daughter to suicide. Today the group reads a mix of fiction, nonfiction, bestsellers, and classics, with conversation that the members describe as running nearly unchecked.
Each year in late spring the women of LCC gather for a weekend retreat at the Ralston White Retreat Center on the slope of Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley. The retreat is led by one or more of the church's member/pastors and welcomes female friends and family of members.
The men of LCC meet on the first Saturday morning of each month for a Men's Breakfast of coffee, a home-cooked breakfast prepared by volunteer chefs, and a guest speaker, often drawn from members' own wide-ranging experience in healthcare, social justice, the arts, and beyond. On the third Tuesday of each month, the Weather the Storm Men's Discussion Group gathers in the Sanctuary for an open-format conversation that ranges from the personal to the global, with plenty of hearty laughter and pie. The group takes its name from a song by Benjamin Scheuer from his one-man play "The Lion."
Compassion and Justice Beyond the Walls
The Compassion and Justice Ministries team organizes the congregation's outreach. Guided by the parable of the Good Samaritan and described as "united by gratitude and called to follow the Way of Jesus," the team collaborates with a wide network of partner organizations serving Contra Costa County and beyond.
Local and regional partnerships include the Winter Nights Program, which provides shelter and supportive services for homeless families in Contra Costa County; Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley; Hillcrest Community Church, where LCC members donate to and volunteer in food and clothing rooms and a layette program; the Contra Costa/Solano Food Bank; the Extended Family Program of Walnut Creek United Methodist Church and Shelter, Inc., which furnishes homes for families moving out of homelessness; the Multi-faith Action Coalition's jobs and housing task force; STAND, supporting victims of domestic violence; the Oakland Peace Center; the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary; local interfaith refugee support work; and PFLAG Oakland-East Bay.
Internationally and denominationally, the church partners with the Mexico Mission, building homes in Tijuana with Amor Ministries; the CROP Hunger Walk through Church World Service; and Week of Compassion, the disaster relief, refugee support, and sustainable development ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The congregation also participates in Witness Our Welcome and United in Spirit, which host a worship service celebrating God's inclusive love and walk in the San Francisco Pride parade with Unity of Spirit.
A Teaching Parish
Lafayette Christian Church is a Teaching Parish for Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, hosting students in formation for ministry. The congregation describes itself as combining "the roles of personal responsibility and faith with social and global responsibility," reflecting a progressive theological outlook grounded in "healing ministries" and intentional openness to the wisdom of all faith traditions.
Becoming a Member
In the Disciples tradition, anyone ten years old or older may become a member. While classes are offered for young people seeking membership, classes are not required for adults. The church extends membership to all, regardless of sexual orientation, and the community includes members who identify with other faith traditions. Those interested are invited to speak with the minister, Rev. Faye Orton Snyder.
Worship Leadership and Staff
Keith Watts, Jr. serves as the church's Worship Architect. A worship leader, songwriter, and liturgist, Keith came to the East Bay from San Diego. A 2014 UC Berkeley graduate in Music (Classical Voice) and Religious Studies (Judaism), he co-founded Second Psalms, an artist fellowship reimagining sacred music and stories for today, and volunteers at KALX radio. Rita Lilly directs the music program. Diana Silva has served as the congregation's bookkeeper since 1993 and was LCC's organist for 32 years before retiring from the organ bench in 2019. Kelley Lawton has served as Office Administrator for 20 years.
Visiting Lafayette Christian Church
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. at 584 Glenside Drive, Lafayette, California. Parking is available on the shaded campus. Visitors of every background, families with children, and those joining by Zoom or watching on Facebook are equally welcomed. The church office can be reached at 925-283-8304 or at office@lafayettechristianchurch.org.