Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you, and how do I get there?
Glading Memorial is at the corner of Loretto and East Cheltenham Avenues, on the West side of the Oxford Circle on the Roosevelt Boulevard (RT 1).  We are just behind the Sunoco station at that Western corner of the Circle, and there is a huge Roman Catholic Church (St Martin’s) across East Cheltenham Avenue from us. 

If you have a GPS System, enter the church address, 1267 East Cheltenham Avenue, Philadelphia PA, 19124.

A map is available.

Where do I park?
Glading is a neighborhood city church.  Much of our parking is on-street in the neighborhood. 

Also, just behind the church and contiguous to it, at the corner of Loretto and Oxford Avenues, is a parking lot which the local bakery allows us to use on Sundays.  Also at that intersection is “Pagano’s Circle Deli”.

When I get there, which door do I enter to get to the sanctuary?
Like most churches, we have a lot of doors from which to choose.  All of the doors into the church proper are RED.

Our church is a corner property.  It is surrounded by a black wrought iron fence.  There are three open iron gates in that fence.  Two are off of Cheltenham Avenue, and one is off of Loretto Avenue.

Off of East Cheltenham Avenue, either go through the black, wrought iron gate close to the corner and go up the broad steps to one set of double red doors, or enter the second gate closer to the Sunoco station onto the walkway that leads to the breezeway between our church and our gym.  When you get to the breezeway, take the set of double red doors to your left.  Enter and go up the steps; the sanctuary is straight ahead.  Notice the chair lift on the stairway as soon as you enter.

Especially if you park in the lot at Oxford and Loretto, you may want to enter the iron gate off of Loretto.  If you do, you will take the walk (the sanctuary will be on your right, and our education building will be on your left) to the broad stairway on your right.  If you go up those stairs, you will find yet another double set of red doors.  If you enter here, you will go directly into our sanctuary. 

Is the sanctuary accessible?
Yes.  There is a chair lift on the stairway discovered by going through the red doors under the breezeway (see above).

What is the worship service like?
On the one hand, our service is relaxed and participatory.  On the other hand, we have a clear sense of being in the Presence of the Holy.  We do not use a formal liturgical style.  There is a lot of music.  And central to our worship is the reading, praying, enacting and preaching of the Word. 

How do I need to dress to feel comfortable in the Glading worship service?
During the fall and winter, many of the members wear neckties, jackets and comparable clothing.  But scattered throughout the congregation are worshippers wearing decidedly more casual attire. 

As far as the pastor is concerned, he would far rather folks be in worship than at home, regardless of what is worn.  If jeans are what you have, then wear jeans.  As the grand old hymn says, you are welcome just as you are.

In the summer months when worship moves one hour earlier to 10:00 AM, most worshippers wear very comfortable clothes.  The pastor, for example, sheds his accustomed robe and usually wears chinos and short sleeve golf shirts.

What do my children do during worship?
Church School is held at 9:30 AM for children and at 9:45 for adults. Worship is at 11:00.

Children are welcome in worship.  They may sit with their parents or may spend the service in the play and praise area in the back of the sanctuary annex.  That area is supervised and has new and fun toys with which children may play.

The pastor is one of those folks for whom child noise in a sanctuary is viewed as a blessing.

If I have questions about God and faith, or if I have personal or family questions, or even health issues, may I talk to the pastor?
Yes, indeed.  The pastor always has time for anyone who needs pastoral care.  Drew is one doctor who makes house calls!  And no, one need not be a member of Glading to have time with the pastor.

Do I have to be a member to participate in church activities?
No!  Everyone is welcome to share in any part of church life at Glading.