New Here? Welcome to Downey!
Downey Avenue is an open-minded, inter-generational congregation with a shared commitment to work for social justice, care for creation, and celebrate the rich diversity of Gods’ people. Our shared mission is to be “Transformed by God’s radical love to build a welcoming church, a just community, and a sustainable world.”SUNDAYS – What To Expect…
We worship every Sunday morning at 10:15 am, with Sunday School classes, Small Groups, and fellowship for children, youth, and adults of all ages. Our blended worship style offers a fresh worship experience within one of historic Irvington’s most beautiful sanctuaries with inspiring sermons and a wide range of beautiful music. Come just as you are – you will find all kinds of caring people, some wearing suits and dresses and others in t-shirts and shorts. Our nursery is open every Sunday from 9:00am until after worship for those who want a safe, nurturing environment for young children.
Regardless of who you are or where you’re from, you are invited to join us this Sunday! All who attend are invited to participate fully in our worship service; communion is celebrated each week in worship and is open to ALL to people.
If you have any questions at all when you arrive, we invite you to stop by our central “Welcome Center” you’ll pass right on your way into the Sanctuary – feel free to stop by to get to know one of our friendly greeters who can help you feel at home and/or show you where to go (plus get your free gift bag full of all sorts of goodies!).
Right now, our after-service Fellowship options are more limited than they once were before the pandemic. We are looking forward to resuming our regular weekly Fellowship coffee time after church – it’s a great way to get to know Downey over coffee, tea, and snacks!
Our ministers also host occasional “Downey 101” luncheons for those who would like to learn more about our church, denomination, and ministries.
We are located on the east side of Indianapolis in historic Irvington. The church is just off Washington St at 111 S Downey Avenue (on the corner of Julian Ave or Hibben Ave — coming from Washington St., we are behind Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church). You can find visitor and handicap parking in our attached lot on the south side of the building (on Hibben Ave) or general parking across Downey Avenue in our larger parking lot.
The Sanctuary can be easily found from any entrance, particularly through the double glass doors on Downey Avenue which will lead you directly to our Welcome Center on your right and Sanctuary on your left.
If you’re new, we’d love to meet you! Feel free to introduce yourself to the greeter.
Right now we’re wearing masks indoors, to best protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Thanks for understanding, and masking up with us.
OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES
As a Disciples of Christ church, our members hold a wide variety of beliefs and understandings about faith. We celebrate our diversity and do not use creedal statements to divide up Christians who wish to worship with us; as our founders were fond of saying, we have “no creed but Christ.” Instead, we welcome all to the open communion table and believe that our faith is made stronger by learning from people who have a different understanding than our own. Our congregation has chosen to embrace the following progressive values and commitments to reflect our active commitment to social justice:
We are the CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST), a denomination that celebrates our diversity and different understandings of faith! It also means we unite in Communion on a weekly basis and welcome ALL to God’s Table. For more information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), visit our denomination’s website at http://disciples.org/our-identity
We are an OPEN AND AFFIRMING congregation, which means we welcome all people who seek to have a relationship with God and with a congregation, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, past experiences, or current situation.
We are a GREEN CHALICE congregation, which means we believe God has called us to be good stewards of the Earth and we do our best to conserve energy and waste. We also work to inform the community on environmental issues. Our church recently installed solar panels on the roof, providing more than 15% of our total energy usage!