A Family-Focused Methodist Church on Washington Avenue
Christ Church sits on Washington Avenue on Racine's west side, a United Methodist congregation that has built its identity around the idea that a congregation should serve every generation at the same time. From its infant child care center to its young adult gatherings and its women's and senior fellowship groups, the church describes itself as intentionally intergenerational, family friendly, and outward facing. Lead Pastor Rev. George Kafer, who writes the weekly message to the congregation, frames the church's purpose simply: to love God, love and serve others, and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
The building houses both the church and Christ Church Child Care Center, a state-licensed early education program with a 3-star Young Star rating. Worship is held in a single Sunday morning service that is livestreamed, while a praise band warms up beforehand and the choir rehearses in the half hour before the service begins.
Sunday Worship at Ten
The Sunday schedule is organized around a 10:00 am worship service. The Praise Band rehearses at 8:30 am and the Choir at 9:30 am, so the musical elements of the service are prepared on the spot each week. Children's Church meets during the service from 10:15 to 11:15 am, and professional child care is available for infants through age 3 during the same hour, making the morning workable for families with very young children.
An adult Bible Study follows the service at 11:30 am, and the Youth Group gathers in the evening from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. The Sunday rhythm gives members a full morning of formation and fellowship on site, with choir and bell choir rehearsals continuing the music program on Tuesday evenings. The 10:00 am service is livestreamed, and a worship archive keeps previous services available for later viewing.
A Building of Music
Music is one of the clearest marks of Christ Church. The Music Ministries span four distinct groups: the Praise Band, the traditional Choir, the Hand Bell Choir under Bell Director Robyn Meredith, and the Audio/Visual team led by Riley Albright. Choir Director Brenda Trumbauer oversees the choral program, which rehearses September through May and features individual special music during the summer months.
The combination of a contemporary praise band with a traditional choir and a hand bell ensemble gives the congregation a blended musical identity. Bell Choir and Choir rehearsals both meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm, and on Sunday mornings the Choir warms the room up at 9:30 am and the Praise Band takes the stage at 8:30 am. Members who want to sing, ring, or play can find a place in any of the four groups regardless of experience level.
Growing Up at Christ Church
Christ Church organizes its formation work by life stage. Preschool ministry (ages 3 through 5K) is led by Alexis Zielinski, Elementary ministry (grades 1 through 5) by Sam Nelson, and Youth ministry (grades 6 through 12) by Daniela Orlyk, who carries the title Next/Gen Family Minister across all three age groups. A separate Young Adults group serves those from about 18 to 30, and the church maintains parent contact lists so families receive text and email updates about programming.
Adult formation includes Sunday morning Bible Study, a Women's Group that operates under the United Women in Faith banner, and a variety of Fellowship Groups built around shared interests and outings. Couples and parents have their own resources and gatherings, and Right Now Media is promoted as a tool for faith formation at home, with monthly suggestions across kids, youth, and adults.
Christian Child Care on Site
The Christ Church Child Care Center is a working ministry of the church, not a separate business. It is a state-licensed program with certified staff and a 3-star Young Star rating, open Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm and serving children from 6 weeks through 12 years old. Director Marianne Burks and Assistant Director Lindsay Willis run the program, which offers a Christian atmosphere, a weekly chapel program, and W-2 acceptance for working families.
Curriculum is age segmented: the infant and toddler rooms provide nurturing care with certified infant teachers, while preschoolers through age 5 follow age-appropriate work that builds toward Kindergarten readiness. Families can schedule a tour, review tuition rates, pay online, and follow the center's own Facebook page for updates.
Feeding the Neighborhood
Outreach at Christ Church centers on food. The church runs three ongoing food ministries to fight hunger in the greater Racine area and maintains a Change for Change program that collects loose coins and designated donations each month for mission support. A Community Partnerships track coordinates collections and volunteer hours for partner organizations, and a Current Opportunities page lists one-time and ongoing volunteer needs for anyone who wants to help but does not want a long-term commitment.
Members and visitors can give financially to support this work online, by mail, or in person during weekday business hours, and the church also encourages giving through its mobile app. The Out & Service page frames giving itself as an act of worship and gratitude.
Beliefs and What Matters Here
Christ Church holds to classical Wesleyan beliefs about God as creator, Jesus Christ as the source of salvation through his death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit as the guide who shapes believers into the image of Christ. Members are expected to connect with God in worship and with God's people in fellowship, grow through study and groups, serve with their time, talent, and resources, and go forth as daily witnesses to the faith.
The congregation lists seven guiding values: extravagant welcome, devoted discipleship, impactful generosity, empowering and appreciating people, intergenerational ministry, and a family, youth, and young adult focus. These values, along with a stated desire for authenticity, humility, joy, and love, shape both the Sunday morning experience and the wider program of outreach and formation that meets on Washington Avenue.