Church services on vacation?

[gsjr77 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gsjr77]

I did a search on this topic with no luck so I thought I'd bring it up. For those who attend church regularly... How many- if any actually attend, or seek out a service in their vacation area. My family is heavily involved in our church and it is a normal part of our lives. This past memorial day weekend, we had planned to attend church in kissimmee somewhere near our resort. Wondering if this is a normal occurence among churchgoers.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Some resorts even have a Church on site, Sky Valley resorts in GA has a Chapel on site, We were in the Mayan palace during Ash Wednesday and they set up an outside chapel tent on the beach.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Yes, it certainly is a normal occurence for us. Whenever we are away, we check out the unit directory as well as online before we get there and pick a church to attend.

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

We are regularly involved in church also and have found some great churches when on vacation. One of our favorites was in Acapulco. We are in Mazatlan right now and our church has streaming video of the Sunday services, and since we have WIFI in our unit, we watched from the living room in our timeshare unit the past 2 Sunday's. That was a new experience for us, but kind of nice since our Pastor has been doing a sermon series and we will not have to 'catch up' when we get home.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

I feel it is important to attend church where ever you are. Home,away, take God with you on vacation too !

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

I love to visit different church on vacation. It gives you a new perspective on God's family.

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

I usually try to attend services on vacation - even in Las Vegas!

I like to feel connected to the global community and many churchs showcase beautiful art and music.

Maria

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

We try to visit churches when we are away, even if it's a different denomination. I play guitar and occasionally we will have an informal family worship during the week also. Helps remind us how blessed we are to have family, friends (who often travel with us) and a wonderful, safe vacation.

[GeoPatSK Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeoPatSK]

We too we in Orlando for Memorial Day. In fact we were there for two weeks, May 23rd to June 6th. The first week we were on the east side of Disney at HGVC at Sea World and attended mass on Saturday at 6:00 at Mary Queen of the Universe on Vinland Rd.
The second week we stayed on the west side of Disney at Westgate Vacation Villas and attended mass on Saturday at 5:30 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Celebration Ave. For what it is worth Corpus Christi Church is new and beautiful.

[wwomant Member Find all posts View Profile Close wwomant]

While at home we almost never miss church on Sunday. On vacation it's a different story. We have small children. Trying a new church with small children is very difficult. Mine are too antsy to sit through the adult service, but for me to leave my children in childcare at a place I'm unfamiliar with is difficult. And my children aren't likely to want to stay in childcare at an unfamiliar place. In addition Sunday is often a travel day for us. Thus, since we've had children we usually don't visit churches on vacation. Pre-kids, we did.

[gsjr77 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gsjr77]

pleasant surprise

Nice surprise seeing all the replies. I had wanted to respond much sooner, but I'd been locked out of the site since I originally posted this thread. wierd. Anyways, I like longtimer's idea of having an informal session. I play piano, so maybe on our next vacay, I'll bring a small keyboard. Our kids love it and my daughter likes to imitate the coreographed dances our church has.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Every resort we have gone to had a list of local church services. If it is an important part of your life you should have no trouble finding an appropriate service to attend.

We are not believers yet have attended church services when vacationing in other countries to get a better understanding of the local culture. The iron bloc countries of Poland, Romania and Chech Republic (before he fall of the Soviet Union) were particular interesting compared to our US Catholic churches. We also visited local fundamentalist churches in the US in the southern states for a different take on the Christian faith. I think Christians should seek out churches beyond their comfort zone when on vacation. It can really make you think instead of just following a doctrine out of habit. Try it sometime.

[gsjr77 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gsjr77]

At the risk a being to spiritual in a non-spiritual forum...

... instead of just following a doctrine out of habit. Try it sometime.

This is exactly what my church preaches. 'Let's not do it* out of tradition/religiousity, do it because you truly love God.'
(*it being following God, walking in faith, serving the Lord.)

[mas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mas]

Finding a local church and mass times can be a challenge. I use masstimes.org for this. It can be a real a real task when on a cruise, unless there is a priest onboard who willing to organize a place and time. We were lucky enough to find this on our 14 day Panama Canal cruise this last winter...couldn't do it for my recent Western Med. cruise last week.