Parking

Free PARKING FOR Parishioners

On Sunday mornings, parking is available in the lots north and south of Palmer’s campus and along the Palmer side of Main Street.

The newest option for parking is the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza parking garage, which Palmers can now use on Sundays at no charge to them. It’s located across Cambridge Street from the church at 6400 Fannin Street. Palmer has purchased this additional parking and, for the sake of hospitality, is absorbing the cost to provide it to parishioners and guests. Entrances to this garage are located on both the Main Street and Fannin Street sides of the building. Note that the parking available to us is not the basement parking to which we used to have access years ago but rather the upper level parking. Simply bring the ticket you receive when entering the parking garage to the Welcome Table by the front entrance of the church. Then validate your parking ticket by using a machine located on that table. If for some reason you do not receive a parking ticket, or happen to misplace your ticket, please notify a parking attendant by pressing the button on the ticket machine as you exit.

Most of the times that you use this parking garage, your license plate will be scanned upon entry and then when you exit, the ticket machine will automatically assume that you need to pay and will also know how long your car has been in the garage. That’s why a specific dollar amount will appear on the screen of the ticket machine. When this happens, simply press the “cancel” button. Then insert your validated parking ticket into the ticket machine, and the gate will go up right away. Again, if you need assistance, please notify a parking attendant by pressing the button on that ticket machine.

Parking is also available across Main Street at Rice University, which invites our guests and parishioners to park on campus at no charge on Sunday mornings and on Christmas Eve. Here is how you can take advantage of this wonderfully gracious offering:

1. Enter the Rice campus at Entrance 2 on Main Street south of Sunset Boulevard and north of the Palmer Church property (see campus map at https://www.rice.edu/maps/Rice-University-Color-Campus-Map.pdf).

2. At the first intersection inside campus, turn left to the Founder's Court (FC) parking lot.

3. At the entrance kiosk, press the intercom button. PLEASE BE PATIENT: It may take several rings for the operator to answer.

4. When the operator answers, say you are there for Palmer Church; the gate will be opened for you.

5. When leaving, press the intercom button again and tell the operator you were at Palmer Church.

Please note that this arrangement is for Sunday mornings and Christmas Eve only. And please be careful crossing Main Street.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE THE CROSSWALK AT THE CAMBRIDGE STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT.

Parking For a Fee Also Available

Rice University’s Cambridge Office Building parking garage ($12 maximum daily), which is across Main from the church and accessed by continuing from Cambridge Street, or turning from Main at Cambridge, into the Rice campus and taking the first right to drive around to the right side of that building to enter the parking garage.

Where is the church located?

We are located at 6221 Main Street, immediately north of the Texas Medical Center and across the street from Rice University. We are bordered to the east by Hermann Park.

Where do I park?

To park on the south end of the campus, enter from Fannin Street; to park on the north end of campus, enter from Main Street. On Sunday mornings, we have additional parking on the other side of Main in the Founder's Lot at Rice University. Click on the "Parking" button above for instructions on how to park there and where to cross the street to get to the church.

What should I expect when I get inside?

As you enter the main doors of Palmer church, an usher will hand you a worship leaflet. This booklet contains all the words of the liturgy and hymn numbers for hymns and other music in the blue hymnal in the pew racks. If you aren’t sure what to do, don’t hesitate to ask a fellow worshiper for help or watch and follow others’ lead.

Where do I sit?

You can sit anywhere that you feel comfortable. If it’s crowded, the ushers will help you find a seat. If you arrive once the service has begun, an usher will be happy to walk you to a seat.

How long will the service last?

The services generally last about an hour.

What if I have children?

While it may not seem that they understand all aspects of worship, they do experience the rhythm and beauty of the building and the liturgy. Liturgy Preparation (Liturgy Prep) is offered each Sunday as an integral part of the 10:00 AM worship service. The children are led out of church behind the children's cross during the Gospel hymn and return at the exchange of the Peace. During this special time, the children have an opportunity to worship and learn about the gospel lesson for the day. This special time is spent singing together, praying together, and talking about the gospel. Liturgy Prep is offered to all children.

How do I take Communion?

All baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord’s Table. Come forward to the altar rail as the ushers direct you and take the next available place. You may kneel or stand. If you wish a blessing instead of communion, please indicate by crossing your arms across your chest. For those coming for communion, receive the bread from the priest in your open right palm. You may choose to receive the wine directly from the chalice by gently guiding it to your lips as the Chalice Bearer presents it to you, or you may “intinct,” or dip the wafer into the wine. If you choose not to receive the wine, simply cross your arms across your chest after you have received the wafer. You may then return to your pew following those around you.  For the benefit of those who require gluten-free bread and/or those who prefer grape juice, we offer both. For either, please go to the altar rail in front of the baptismal font, which is the left side of the church when facing the altar, and state to the person offering the bread or the chalice your preference.  If it is physically difficult for you to come to the altar rail, please indicate this to an usher and a priest will bring communion to you where you are seated.

May my children receive Communion?

Children are welcome at the Lord’s Table at their parents’ discretion.

How do I receive a blessing?

If you, or your child(ren), would like to receive a blessing from a priest at the altar rail, come forward just as you would to receive communion and cross your arms across your chest, and/or instruct your child(ren) to do the same.

How do I find out more about Palmer?

As our guest we encourage you to ask questions and seek information. Please fill out a Welcome Card, which can be found in the pew racks, and place it in the offering plate so that a member of the staff may contact you. Also, be sure to stop by our Welcome Table outside the front doors of the church on Main Street before and after services. There you can pick up a seasonal brochure and ask questions of our greeters. Of course, we also invite and encourage you to introduce yourself to our clergy and staff.  We’ll be happy to see you.

How do I become involved in the Palmer community?

Palmer is a large and diverse community that brings together people of different backgrounds, ages, and interests. Some are simply involved on Sunday mornings, others come for programs during the week, and still others choose to envision and plan new programs and directions for Palmer to grow and to reach out to our neighbors in the City of Houston. Whatever your desired level of involvement, whatever your interests, we invite you to talk to members of our community, browse the pages of this website, subscribe to our upcoming events e-news, and ultimately, to find yourself at home at Palmer Church. We’re glad you’re here!

A Joyful Place for Children!

At Palmer, we rejoice in the presence of children and the holy joy they bring with them. We have seen a growing number of children and families participating in Sunday worship. Their energy, curiosity, and delight are signs of life among us.

Some may wonder why children—especially very young ones—are invited into worship. Bringing children to church is much like inviting them to the table for a shared meal. Over time, through presence, patience, and a kind word or smile, children learn how to participate in our shared rituals in ways that are meaningful to them. Until then, they belong here simply because they are part of us.

Children giggle, squirm, whisper, and occasionally turn a bulletin into an airplane—because they are children. And yet, they also sing, pray, listen, and watch. They absorb far more than we might imagine.

As children worship alongside us, they are learning important and lasting truths:

• That gathering with other believers is part of their faith heritage
• That they are part of God’s family and are welcome in God’s house
• That the sights, sounds, and rhythms of worship shape us, even when we don’t fully understand them
• That they are invited to respond—to sing, to pray, and to offer their gifts alongside the whole community

Thank you for offering a smile, a gentle word, and a spirit of welcome. At Palmer, children are free to be children—and to know, deeply and truly, the love of Christ.

Nursery Care

For families who would prefer it, Palmer also offers loving nursery care during Sunday morning worship. The nursery is a safe, calm, and welcoming space staffed by trained caregivers who delight in caring for our youngest members.

The nursery is available as a support for families—not as an expectation. Children are always welcome in worship, and families are invited to choose what best meets their child’s needs on any given Sunday. Some weeks that may be staying together in the pews; other weeks it may mean time in the nursery. Both are faithful and good choices.

Our hope is that every family feels supported, welcomed, and free to worship in the way that is most life-giving for them.

If you have questions about nursery care, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Questions?
Please contact Roger Hutchison, Director of Children's and Youth Ministries