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Q: Our family just moved to the area, and we're looking for a church on the west side of Akron. I've never been to a Methodist church before, but I would like to see what your meetings are like. Would you mind if we just dropped in for Sunday services?	A: Welcome to the neighborhood! We're glad that you're interested in Woodland Church. Visitors are encouraged to feel free to attend any class or service that interests them. Our congregation enjoys having the opportunity to welcome new people to the neighborhood. If you'd like to find out more about the services, click the services button to get the details.

Q: I am single and live in the apartments near your building. I've been thinking that it would be great to be able to go to a church so close to where I live, but I don't know anyone there. I think that I might feel out of place.	A: Don't worry; we'll do our best to make you feel at-home in our facility. We understand that it isn't easy for people to know where to go and what to do in unfamiliar surroundings. We are used to having people drop in for a visit, and our members are always willing to help you find your way around. This website is designed to help you learn more about us before your visit. If you need help when you arrive, any church member will be glad to assist you.

Q: My wife and I love our children's local school, but we're concerned that the kids are not getting any religious guidance like we did when we were their age. At school, they sometimes see other children behave in ways that we don't want them to emulate. Though we talk to them about what is ok and what is not, my wife thinks it would be good to have some additional re-enforcement. Do you think your church could help?	A: Your concern is certainly valid. Many parents are realizing that their children are missing out on a vital part of their education when they don't attend church. Learning about God and Jesus Christ is important for young children. It enriches their understanding of the world around them and helps them to see why they should treat others with respect and kindness. In addition, the things that they learn about at Church can help them gain awareness of the fact that some people do not follow God's path and their choices may not be the best to emulate. Woodland Church has a wonderful Sunday school program that teaches children lessons from the Bible and helps them see how God's word applies to their lives. The messages they receive each week will help to re-enforce your efforts to steer your kids in the right direction. Click the services button to find out more.

Q: I brought my baby to services at my old church once. I couldn't keep her happy and quiet through the entire service, so I just stopped going to church. Do you have child care available during your services?	A: Yes, Woodland does have a nursery for both infant and toddler care during our services. The adults that staff the nursery are church members who volunteer their time to help out. If you'd like to take advantage of this free service, just ask our main entrance greeters or any member, and they'll be glad to direct you.

Q: We used to take our children, who are school age kids, to church from time to time. They liked the songs, but the message was really aimed at adults, and they couldn't follow it very well. Even though I enjoyed the service and thought that it was great, we eventually stopped going. Is there any kind of alternative program for kids during your services?	A: Some children enjoy attending services with the adults and others do not. For the latter, we provide an alternative at Woodland. Our children's Sunday School starts at the exact same time as our worship service. This allows children to attend at the same time as the adults, but receive a message that is designed for their age group. At Woodland, we've worked to transform going to Church on Sunday into a weekly event that the whole family can look forward to attending.

Q: My mother is elderly and in a wheelchair. Are there any stairs to navigate in your church?	A: Yes, we do have stairs that lead to the children's Sunday School rooms, the pre-school wing, and the basement, but the main entrance provides easy, single level access to most of the facility. The Sanctuary, where our services are held, and the main lobby are both on the ground floor. In addition, you also have direct access to the chapel, church offices, the parlor, the kitchen, and the dining hall.

Q: I've never attended a church, but I'm kind of curious about yours. Do I have to be a church member to attend your services?	A: No, you don't have to be a member to attend our classes or services. We enjoy having visitors, and we hope that you'll like it enough to come back again and again.

Q: I'm going to be doing some work for a local company over the next few weeks, and I'm planning to stay over on the weekends as well. Would it be alright if I sat in at your services for the next couple of Sundays?	A: You are welcome to join us. Even though you will be here for only a few Sundays, we will be blessed by your presence.

Q: At our old Church, my wife and I were not very comfortable with the way things were done. We don't like public speaking, but we were sometimes called upon, without prior warning, to speak in front of the entire congregation or to lead a prayer. So, before we can really think about attending any church, we would really want to know if that kind of thing is likely to happen there.	A: At Woodland Church, our prayers are usually led by the Pastor or lay person in charge of the service or class. We understand that some people are not as comfortable as others about speaking in front of groups of people. If there were a need for you to speak publicly, a private request would be made in advance of the occasion, and you could feel free to decline.

Q: My husband and I like discussion groups. Do you have any at your church?	A: The Church has several Bible study groups that meet regularly each week. The groups meet on different days and are open to anyone who would like to attend. They are separate groups that cover their own topics. So you don't need to attend all of them to keep up, but you are certainly welcome to join any that you desire.

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Q: What kind of programs do you have for kids?	A: In addition to Woodland's excellent Sunday School Program for children, we have a youth group that usually meets a couple of Sundays each month to bring together neighborhood teenagers. During the school year, we have a Kid's Club that meets on Wednesday afternoons. Our Vacation Bible School is a major event for kids during the summer. Children also sometimes are asked to participate in small plays for special worship services.

Q: My work schedule doesn't let me attend church on a regular basis. I can, however, occasionally get my employer to arrange the schedule so that I can make it to church. Are there any special weeks that I should try to attend?	A: We always have very special services for Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. Details on those and other special events can be found in the Woodland News section, and announcements for upcoming events will be in the Broadcaster when they are scheduled. We also have special event services throughout the year that are preceded by a breakfast or followed by a luncheon in our dining hall. Also check the Broadcaster for our summer bonfires and picnics.

Q: I used to love singing in the choir of my parents church. Do you have a church choir?	A: Yes, Woodland has both a regular Chancel Choir and a Hand bell Choir that performs on special occasions. Both are a significant part of our worship service. If you would like more information, click the button labeled Contact Us, or you can feel free to stop in and speak to our music director after a Sunday service.

Q: I'm an amateur musician who can play musical instruments and sing. I was wondering if there might be anywhere at Woodland that I could volunteer to help out musically?	A: Thank you for volunteering. We sometimes have guest musicians and vocalists at our services. Depending upon our current needs and the instruments that you play, we'll see what will work with our programs. Please contact us, so we can discuss where you might be able to be of assistance.

Q: I've always attended traditional worship services. What makes your combined service different from your traditional service?	A: The combined worship service delivers a similar message to a traditional service, but the presentation differs a bit. Some songs are lead by our Rock Solid band, which uses keyboards, guitars, and other instruments to incorporate contemporary Christian music into the worship service. Various types of media are used to compliment the presentation of the message, which is delivered in a condensed, one hour time frame. For more details, click on Services.

Q: In the church that I attended in my old neighborhood, we had a women's group that met periodically. Do you have one too?	A: The United Methodist Women have regular meetings each month. Look in the Broadcaster, for the meeting times.

Q: I would like to find out more about Woodland Preschool. Is there any information on this site about it?	A: Woodland Preschool and Pre-K is a service that Woodland Church enjoys helping to bring to the neighborhood. It operates as a separate organization within our facility. We have a button on the Home page to link to the preschool site, or you can obtain more information by contacting them directly. The school is open on weekdays, and you can reach them by phone at (330)867-4311.

Q: Can you tell me how to get to your building?	A: Akron's Market Street runs all the way across town from west to east, and since it's one of Akron's primary streets, we'll direct you to the church from there. On the west side of town, West Market street and Exchange street intersect with North Hawkins Avenue. This area of Akron is commonly called Wallhaven. From this intersection, if you follow Hawkins to the north and continue a few blocks past the railroad crossing, you'll find Woodland Church on the left side, next to the Army National Guard facility. Press the button labeled Contact Us to link to a map of the area.

Q: I usually ride the bus. Are there any stops near the church?	A: Yes, in fact there are stops on Thurmont, beside the church, and on North Hawkins, in front of the church. Click on the bus to check for schedules at the Metro website.

Q: Your church appears to have a lot of exterior doors. Which one should I use if I attend Woodland's worship services?	A: Our parking lot is tucked behind the church, so just about everyone enters through the main double-doors on the back of the building. During the winter, the vestibule at the rear entrance also serves as a buffer to the frigid outdoor weather. Since the main doors at the rear are the most heavily used, these doors are always unlocked for Sunday morning services.

Q: Where are the worship services held in your church?	A: The combined worship service is held in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. From the outside, you'll recognize the Sanctuary as the tall part of the building with the steeple. Be sure to arrive a little early so that you can stop and enjoy some coffee and a pastry in the Narthex before the service begins. You can enter the church at the rear of the building. Proceed to the Sanctuary by going through the large double doors on the right.

Q: If my daughter wanted to go to the youth group meeting, where should she go?	A: The church youth group often meets at Woodland church in the youth room or the church dining hall, but it also occasionally meets at other locations for special activities. We recommend that you call or e-mail the church to find out the time and location of the upcoming meetings. Be sure to provide your name and phone number, so that our Youth Directors can keep you informed if there are any last minute changes.

Q: I work on Sundays, so I can't really attend any service that doesn't let out until noon. Do you have anything early for people like me?	A: Our combined worship service is designed to help people like you, who have commitments during the day but would still like to attend church. The service starts at 9:00 AM every Sunday morning and ends a little before 10:00 AM. The children's Sunday School classes meet at the same time as the contemporary service, and are designed to be convenient for the entire family.

Q: I'm planning to drop my kids off for Sunday School on Sunday mornings. What time should I bring them there and what time should I pick the up?	A: The Children's Sunday School classes start at 9:00 AM and end at 10:00 AM. Before you drop the children off for the first time, please call or e-mail the church. Their Sunday School teacher will be able to prepare for the additional students and look for them to arrive.

Q: When does your Youth Group usually meet?	A: The Youth Group normally meets two Sundays each month in fall, winter and spring. They usually only meet for special activities in the summer months. Their meeting times vary to accommodate their activities, so you should contact the church to confirm the time of the next meeting. Also give them your name and number, so you can be notified if there are any last minute changes.