Congregational Church of Guerneville

The Community Church (www.gcc-ucc.org) is truly part of the community here in Guerneville, a town of around 1000 people in western Sonoma county, among the grapevines and redwoods. Besides being church, our grounds are host to many community groups and events:

• We host the local food pantry twice a month.
• We house KGGV, a low-power non-commercial community radio station (www.kggv.blogspot.com).
• We house The Empowerment Center,  (http://sonoma.networkofcare.org/ph/services/agency.aspx?pid=CommunityFamilyServiceAgencyRussianRiverEmpowermentCenter_181_2_0) a peer-operated, self-help drop-in center for people who identify as having mental health challenges. They offer various groups, field trips, workshops, volunteer opportunities and resource referrals.
• Our sanctuary has wonderful, warm acoustics, and is a popular concert venue.
• What would any church be without at least one AA meeting?

The Community Church has been in Guerneville for 120 years, through floods, droughts and earthquakes. We respond to emergencies in our community. Last winter, during an extended cold snap, we opened an emergency shelter for ten days, giving shelter and warmth to around two dozen folks who had no where to turn. In the late 90s, our church housed DRI, Deluge Relief Interfaith. This non-profit (staffed by a church member) helped folks who had had their homes damaged or destroyed in the 1995 flood navigate FEMA and insurance intricacies as well as deal with contractors, clean-up, lifting and rebuilding their homes.

We are a small church. We are an aging church. We are an over-reaching church. Because of the radio station, our church service streams. Our shut-in members can stay connected, whether they can pick us up on the radio or the net. Friends listen in Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire as well as Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

We try to embody and share God's extravagant love, with everyone. No exceptions. Paving is another way of welcoming folks who might have trouble navigating the gravel. We will become more welcoming for everyone who uses our facility - the food bank, the Empowerment Center, the radio station, concerts- a true center of the community!

Thank you!