Size: Middling (Say, 100 capacity)

Architecture: Worthy of note. This is a beautiful rustic 'church' set on a large treed oasis. Very pastoral, woodsy, and peaceful.

Amen Factor: 0 or 10, depending on your point of view. SEE: 'Order of service'.

Diversity Factor: 0 Lots of Reed College whitebread, tweed and blue jeans here.

Music: Well, this is just a mystery. The one hymn I remember was titled something like "The Family of Man" and if the religious right every wanted a poster child for the dreaded Secular Humanism, they need look no further. I swear I couldn't find a reference to God anywhere in it.

Order of service: Loose. Very loose. The sermon was so entertaining it draws all attention. Not because of what was said, which was something that expressed no conviction or beliefs whatsoever, but because of something that more (real) churches should do: The 'pastor' engaged the congregation in conversation, inviting anyone who wanted to just, well, talk, to do so. And, other parishioners could debate either the pastor or each other. It was great! At least, it was a great concept. The only problem was what they were debating about, which had something to do with UFO's and one of the parishioners accusing the UFO guy of 'having gas.'

Personal notes:

Perhaps it was just a phase this place was going through, but there was no there, there. The leader seemed open to all spiritual possibilities. I recall going on a 'spiritual weekend' with this bunch many years ago, searching for that elusive 'something' I could never seem to find. The weekend was memorable for three reasons: I lost a bunch of money in the nonstop poker games. I had a hangover from drinking too much beer with the other spiritually disinclined folks during the poker games. And, the 'pastor' announced he was leaving to found some completely new kind of church based on something or other, perhaps involving crystals. No one knew or cared what.

This would be an ideal setting for a church that rocks.