Avon Lake United Church of Christ (ALUCC) is one of the most active churches in the area. Founded in 1896, it is the oldest church in Avon Lake. It considers itself a community church and hosts a number of groups including the Avon Lake Women's Chorus, Girl Scout, Cub Scouts, music and theater groupsand three weekly Alcoholics Anonymous groups. "We think of ourselves as a caring church family – a church for people who like to think for themselves," Pastor Kelly Brill said. "We care for one another through parish nursing programs and our Stephen Ministry program.We have Christian Education opportunities for all ages. Our full-time youth director organizes year-round service and learning activities for youth in fifth - 12th grade." Brill noted that the church's communion table is open to all. The church offers adult education courses including book and film discussion, Bible study and support groups. It also maintains two adult vocal choirs, a bell choir, and a children's choir. ALUCC manages the Good Neighbor Thrift Shop on the corner of Lear Road and Electric Boulevard. The long-running store, which sells quality resale items,is an outreach ministry. The church is active in hands-on mission work and helps with Haven Center homeless shelter in Lorain, St. Paul's Community Church in Ohio City and the Family Promise Interfaith Hospitality Network.It alsosponsors a mission hospital in India. The church prides itself on its members heavy involvement in the church as well as the community. In 2010, the church beganconstruction on a new youth center, calledthe Buoy.