Religion

To observe the culmination of Hanukkah and begin 2017, Conifer’s St. Laurence Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth Evergreen hosted an interfaith spiritual renewal celebration on Dec. 31.

The celebration, which was at Congregation Beth Evergreen, was an opportunity to resolve, recommit and renew before the new year.

The Rev. Nancy Malloy and Rabbi Jamie Arnold said the two congregations had been trying to coordinate a join ceremony, and said the last night of Hanukkah and New Year’s Eve “thematically fit together.”

Risen Lord Lutheran Church is snuggly tucked away in an office building along Conifer’s Sutton Road near Dallman Drive. The interior is humble and unassuming — basic windows, modest furniture and kitchen utilities, and blue skies and white clouds decorating some panels in the ceiling.

Instead of a large altar, the church has a plain circular table around which worshippers gather for the sacraments.

In its own way, this worship space feels a bit like a home away from home.

And that’s really the point, says Pastor Teri Hermsmeyer.

Congregation members and the community now have had a chance to see the new Bergen Park Church at 31919 Rocky Village Drive in Evergreen.

A two-day open house on Saturday and Sunday included refreshments, crafts for the kids, chances to win entertainment tickets, and tours.

"It's a pretty big deal for us," said Pastor Jim Demolar.

The new 11,000-square-foot church cost almost $2.8 million to build. The congregation pledged about two-thirds of the building cost; a bank loan covered the rest.