Seeking Activities for Newly Relocated Sahm/looking to Make Some Friends

I would not let the denominations get in the way. I always have told people that I am a follower of Christ. If you can meet more families in a Lutheran church, go for it. All the main and recognised denominations follow Biblical truths. We are all followers of Christ. The different denominations differ in how the church politics are run. I have been to many different denominations and we all had a love of Christ in common. I have always settled with the church that was the best fir for me when I have moved. Find a church with an active youth ministry, and you are destined to find alot of moms and women's groups to help support you and your family. I am now a member of First Presbyterian, but I have worshipped with Catholics, Methodists, First Reformed, Lutheran, and Wesleyan. Remember, when we get to Heaven someday, all who have accepted the gift of Christ's love will be there, it will be One church. What a wonderful day that will be!

Welcome to MN! I am not near your area, but wanted to wish you well with your adjustment to MN. One suggestion for meeting new friends is to go on the KARE11 website for moms. It is called Moms Like Me. You can join the group in your area and meet people close to your area.

I am not in your area, but wanted to say welcome to MN! We are a cold people - so don't take it personally when we don't extend ourselves - it's not that we don't like you, it's just that we're from Minnesota. :)
Welcome and good luck!

As a Lutheran minister's wife, I will address some of your questions about finding a church home. One thing about most Midwestern Lutherans - is that we seem a LOT more "uptight" than what your husband would find coming from a Southern Baptist background, don't let that scare him off. There are various Luthern denominations and plenty of other church denominations in your area, so you should check out what each church professes to believe and teach, and then go with the one that you find to be best for your family. Martin Luther, the "founder" of Lutheranism, was a former Catholic monk - most likely, you will find a lot of similarities in the worship service to what you knew growing up in the Catholic church. God's blessings on your search!

I too was born and raised Catholic. However when I moved I found the Catholica church was too far away so at times I've gone to the local Luthern Church. For the last year I have joined by boyfriend at his Luthern Church. I found there is not that much difference between the two. Yes there are some diferences, however the Luthern Church because it broke with the Catholic Church is the closet I've found to the teachings of the Catholic Church. There are two Luthern Churches in my town and foynd I did not care for the first one I went to. The only way you will know is to try.

The best of luck to you and I'm sure it will work out.

Welcome to MN! I would check the following:
-momsclub.org for a MOMS Club in your area--there should be one, and if the site doesn't list one, just send them an e-mail and they'll connect you with the nearest chapter. MOMS Club is a GREAT network for SAHMs. I've met some of the most special women through my local chapter. It's more than just social--sometimes it's a lifeline!
-Check with your local school district on ECFE (Early Childhood Education) classes near you. They are often a great way to entertain your children while connecting you with other moms.
-If MOMS Club isn't an option for you, check into other groups like MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) or Moms and More.

Good luck!

You could look to see if there is a MOMS club in your area. www.momsclub.org. I found it a helpful way to meet other moms near me when we relcated to MN.

Welcome to Minnesota! I just wanted to suggest you check out an Evangelical Covenant church. Our family attends one and it is great! I grew up Lutheran and my husband grew up Christian Reformed. Our church is something of a melting pot of people from all denominations. I do know of a number of members who grew up Catholic (and Lutheran and Mennonite and Baptist...). If you'd like to know more about it and find a church in your area, you can check out the website at www.covchurch.org.

I'd recommend an Evangelical Free Church. We moved to the area about 6 years ago and started attending this church because it was close to our home. We feel completely at home there. There are MANY young families. Despite it being a big church we found it very easy to get to connected. They have Life Groups that you can join to meet people your age and in the same stage of life. We found so many dear friends there. It was such an easy way to get connected and form friend ships. It's also very welcoming to people of all backgrounds. In fact our pastor was raised Catholic. This might be a good fit for your family.

Another suggestion is at your kids activities look for other moms and be friendly with them. You obviously have a few things in common since you are both there watching your kids. The hard part is bridging the gap between chit-chat at soccer practice and forming a real friendship. My advice is to just be the one who initiates. Chances are she is longing for friendship too.

See if there is a MOPS group in own

Hello--my name is K.-and I live in Shawano WI. Not sure where you are located but thought I would drop you line to find out and see if I can be of any help. I myself was born Catholic but later joined a Methodist church--until my recent move. When I moved we found a non-denominational church. It has proven to be a very inlightning experience. It's foundation is Baptist but that is only the foundation. Any and all denominations are welcome and the only name to the chuch is Hope Community. No per say title--which makes it really nice and very welcoming---wanna chat some time I can be reached at oladyo3 at yahoo dot com. Hope you have blessed day and a great Easter.

Lutheran has several similarities to Catholicism so you may feel comfortable with the Lutheran faith. If you enjoyed the Methodist church do a search on the internet. The Methodist Church is pretty strong in the midwest, I grew up in the Methodist Church even though my parents grew up in different churches. I have looked up churches in the area that I live in and just picked one to go to on a Sunday to see how I would like it. Try that... you may be surprised.

Along with the suggestion of momsclub.org (there should be one in your area) you can also check out meetup.com and search for play groups of SAHM groups close to you. A lot of churches seem to be very family friendly/orientated. I am sure if you just start checking out some near you it won't be long before you are able to find a "church home". Please post in what party of the cities you are located and you'll probably be able to get more specific suggestions for moms groups and churches near you
Welcome to MN! K.

I was raised Lutheran and have been to many different churches with friends through adulthood. I felt like Methodist and Presbyterian were pretty close to Lutheran beliefs. Catholic and Southern Baptist are pretty strict from what I know, much different than the others. There are two types of Lutheran churches, I don't remember the names but one is typically more traditional than the other. Meet some moms you like and ask where they go, or try going to a few different ones to get a feel for the congregation and type of services.