Decades ago, Sunday was a unique day of the week: “The Lord’s Day.” Often, stores were closed, families prepared elaborate meals or visited others and people expected to attend church services. In fact, some states observed “Blue Laws,” which restricted or banned many Sunday activities.
Today’s situation in the Bay Area is quite different, and Sunday often seems the busiest day of the week. Most retail enterprises do a thriving business on Sunday, and families with children are often rushing around delivering them to sports activities.
Some may speculate that this is one cause of the declining rates of church attendance in the United States. As people fall out of the habit of going to worship services, they establish new habits that don’t include religious observances.
The leadership of Gilroy’s The Foothills Church (8355 Church St.) seeks to address this problem in an innovative way. On Sundays, their building is used to capacity and the parking lot is full, so they have come up with an idea of how to welcome residents to connect with God and other Christians by holding services at another time: Wednesday evenings.
Since Sept. 3, a “third service” as been held at 7:15 p.m. each Wednesday. It duplicates the two services held on Sunday mornings (at 9 and 10:30 a.m.) with the same music, message, announcements and youth activities. And it lasts only one hour, so participants will be back home early on a school or work night.
The staff of The Foothills Church hopes residents of South Valley who work or are otherwise busy on Sundays will try this exciting opportunity to again join with others to live out their Christian faith on a regular basis.
This church is also known locally for the many innovative ministries offered to the community. In the past I have written about groups devoted to hunting and motorcycling; another interesting opportunity offered is surfing.
Kevin Ratliff, one of the church’s pastors, developed a passion for surfing while a student at Life Pacific College in San Dimas. A regular on the waves at Huntington Beach, he brought his hobby with him when he moved to Gilroy eight years ago.
Every Thursday morning, rain or shine, Pastor Kevin meets at the church with whoever would like to participate. They carpool the half-hour it takes to reach the Capitola Hook, a beach in Santa Cruz at the end of 42nd Avenue.
This is a valuable time for important conversations about life, God, the Bible or whatever topics seem important that day—a time to connect with God and others.
There is a core group of 10, but attendance fluctuates. Newcomers do not need to know how to surf because instruction is gladly given; boards and wet suits are available to borrow. The emphasis is on fellowship among people who enjoy the waves.
Members of this surfing ministry play a key role once a year when the church holds a Family Beach and Surf Day and as many as 60 people enjoy surf, sand and a picnic at Manresa Beach.
For more information about Foothills Church’s new third service or the surfing ministry, call (408) 848-3100 or visit thefoothillschurch.org.
