Eagle Correspondent

SARVER -

Everyone may not know your name at The Gathering Place, but if you go often enough they might just know how you take your coffee.

Walking into The Gathering Place is similar to walking into a bistro or coffeehouse.

Tables are covered with paper convenient for doodling and handwritten updates on sandwich specials, which range from meatball to ham barbecue to cheese steaks for a donation of $2 or less.

Couches, candles and artwork add a homey feel, and the tables are set up for Scrabble tournaments and other games.

Patrons snack on complimentary cookies, biscotti, chips, baked breads and other foods as they listen to live music that is featured

monthly.

"The music varies every month, depending on the style of the guest artist," said Kelly Leggens, the choir director at Zion United Methodist Church and entertainment coordinator for The Gathering Place. "The bands have ranged from acoustic folk style to hard rock. Clockwise Scarlett opens the GP each month with a set of our originals to promote our upcoming debut CD release. Then we usually have a karaoke segment. The rest of the night is dedicated to the guest band or artist.

"Attending contemporary worship services, workshops and coffeehouses in the local and Pittsburgh areas, as well as playing with various contemporary worship bands, I came to the realization that folks of all ages seem to enjoy and have the yearning for a new style of Christian music, as well as time to relax and have some fun," explained Leggens. "The Gathering Place meshes the two concepts quite nicely.

"Our mission is to provide a night out in a friendly relaxed atmosphere suitable for all ages, along with good refreshments, games, and karaoke to involve the patrons who like to sing, and primarily to promote Christian bands of all genres," she said of The Gathering Place, which opened last October.

Lois Smith, who makes the coffee - six different kinds - each week enjoys the fellowship."I get to sit and chat with people I know and those I don't. I would say 60 percent of our attendees are not members of our church. We don't use this as an opportunity to push our church. There is Christian music, and if people make connections and want to come back on Sunday they are welcome to, but it is really a laid back atmosphere," she said.Much of the credit for the endeavor Leggens gives to her husband and the members of her band, Clockwise Scarlett, which includes Scott Herbst on bass and Tim Danehy on drums."Todd and I had the vision of a café-style room to promote and encourage the local contemporary Christian music scene," explained Leggens, noting the contributions of others make it all possible."We have various crews at the GP, and these three men assist in every aspect of each one. The crews consist of food and beverage, set-up, teardown and concepts. The GP would not be possible without them and all the crew members who give their time," said Leggens.The Rev. Howard Greenfield II, senior pastor at Zion, said he thinks the group has been successful in accomplishing that mission."The Gathering Place is a relaxing place to gather and enjoy good music and friends in a Christian setting without being preached at," said Greenfield. "Zion United Methodist Church has loosened up to offer this alternative to the bar scene by inviting people to come as they are and have a great evening."I have personally been refreshed by the Gathering Place, in that I can just be one of the guys, and be there with my family without having to be on duty as the pastor," he added.

<B>WHAT:</B> Performance by ANVAH, a Christian rock and punk band from Meadville.<B>WHEN: </B>7 p.m. Oct. 8<B>WHERE:</B> The Gathering Place coffee house at Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, Sarver<B>COST:</B> Donations<B>INFORMATION:</B> 724-353-1720 or http://www.clockwisescarlett.com.