Yesterday, the Follen community came together for a joyful and meaningful worship service to close out the regular church year, featuring our beloved Bridging Ceremony to honor important milestones in the lives of our children and youth. We then capped off the day with a heartfelt celebration for our retiring director of religious education.
As we begin to transition to our summer schedule, we wanted to share important information with you and provide answers to a few questions that some of you newer to our congregation might be wondering. To help you feel at home and in the know, we’ve put together this Summer FAQ with everything you need to know about what’s happening over the next few months.
Summer at Follen: Your Questions Answered
Will there be worship services this summer?
Yes! Every Sunday from June 15 through Labor Day weekend, we’ll gather in-person for summer worship led by a wonderful mix of guest speakers, talented Follen lay leaders, and our own ministerial intern, Nathaniel Clark. Our assistant music director will be coordinating the music—always a treat!
Services will start at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. These services are a bit shorter and smaller in attendance, offering a more relaxed, cozy atmosphere. It’s a great opportunity to connect with folks you may not know yet.
Please note that we will not be livestreaming on Sunday mornings for our summer worship services.
What about Coffee Hour?
Absolutely! After each service, we’ll enjoy lemonade and cookies—in the Community Center.
Is there childcare during the summer?
Yes again! Childcare will be provided each Sunday for children who want a more playful experience. Older children and youth are always welcome to join us in the Sanctuary. Our formal Religious Education program takes a summer break and will return in September with lots of energy and fun.
Will staff be around?
Yes… and a little less than usual. Most of our staff shift to part-time schedules in July and August, so email is the best way to get in touch. You’ll receive an auto-reply letting you know when they’ll next be in the office. Check out the staff vacation calendar.
Two exceptions:
- Our parish minister, Rev. Claire, will be on sabbatical starting this July and will return in December.
- Our congregational administrator will be working her usual year-round schedule (except for vacation time). For general questions, Angel is a great person to contact: admin@follen.org
Does the newsletter continue over the summer?
It does! Our communications coordinator will be keeping the Follen for You newsletter going strong. It’ll land in your inbox every Thursday by 2:00 PM. To submit content, please use the online submission form. The deadline for submissions is still Wednesdays at 5:00 PM. Keep an eye out for notices about early deadlines in August; she’ll be on a road trip and working limited hours.
Looking for even more ways to stay connected? Join our Follen Members and Friends Facebook Group to keep up with all the latest community happenings.
Are there important dates I should add to my calendar?
Mark your calendars for these upcoming summer events—with more details to come in the newsletter!
- June 26: Theology on Tap
- July 10: Summer potluck at the home of Gordon and Alice
- July 30: Theology on Tap
- This is a date change!
- August 7: Summer potluck at the home of Sarah and Austin
When does the regular church year start up again?
We’ll return to our usual schedule—and welcome sabbatical minister Rev. Carolyn Patierno to the pulpit—on Sunday, September 7, 2025 for our Ingathering Service.
We hope you’ll stay connected and come be part of our joyful, grounding, and inspiring summer worship. Whether you’re here every week or drop by when you can, you’re always welcome.