Jackson Free Press

If one thing you're worried about is where to worship, don't be. Jackson is a diverse city and has many different places to be part of a vibrant faith community. Here are a few.

Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi (173 Vernon Jones Ave., Brandon, 601-992-3331)

The Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi's website says it is a congregation of cultural and religious experience. The architecture of the building itself, like all Hindu temples, represents an attempt to bind the physical world with the "eternal self." The temple celebrates major Hindu festivals such as Holi Mela, or the Festival of Colors, in April, and has regular and individualized services that priests perform for the religion's various dieties. For more information, visit htsm.org or find the organization on Facebook.

New Jerusalem Church (5708 Old Canton Road; 1285 Raymond Road; 183 Noel St.; 601-371-6772)

New Jerusalem Church is a Christian ministry "walking in kingdom authority," its website says. This church has a ministry for children, women and men, along with a monthly weekend men's retreat where the senior pastor, Dwayne Pickett Sr., teaches a Bible study designed to develop and encourage African American male evangelical leaders in Mississippi. For more information, visit njc-ms.org.

Beth Israel Congregation (5315 Old Canton Road, 601-956-6215)

Beth Israel, which has been around since the late 1800s, serves the area's Jewish community. Along with Shabbat services on Friday and Saturday and a Torah study on Sunday, it also has groups such as Sisterhood, which sponsors many temple dinners throughout the year, and events such as the Jewish Cinema Mississippi film festival in January. For more information, visit bethisraelms.org.

Galloway United Methodist Church (305 North Congress St., 601-353-9691)

The Galloway United Methodist Church website says the church is rapidly becoming the youngest (demographically) of the large United Methodist Churches in Jackson. As the congregation continues to grow each year, young families and young single adults make up a larger and larger percentage of it. The church has worship services, Sunday School and a student ministry, which includes college students in its age ranges. For more information, visit gallowayumc.org.

Unitarian Universalist (4866 N State St., 601-982-5919

Unitarian Universalism is a religious tradition that embraces many different beliefs. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson strives to give its members an open and caring community where they can explore their theological, philosophical and spiritual ideas. It has an 11 a.m. service for adults. The church also supports issues such as racial justice, justice for LGBT communities and voting rights. For more information, visit uujackson.org.

Mississippi Muslim Association (1465 Highway 51, Madison; 2533 W. McDowell Road; 6100 Floral Drive; 601-856-5755)

The Mississippi Muslim Association is a place where "peace (Islam) and people meet," the website says. The organization has three sites of worship: the Mississippi Islamic Center in Madison and Masjid Omar and Masjid Muhammad in Jackson. For more information, visit mmaic.org.

The Word Center (105 E. Pascagoula St., 601-665-5555)

This church, led by Pastor Rich, seeks to impact "the World through the Word," the website says. The church has ministries such as a health ministry, which gives emergency medical attention during services and raises awareness about health issues in the community, a nursery ministry and a children's church, and The Word also does outreach in the community such as feeding and clothing people in need. For more information, visit thewordcity.com.

Fondren Church (3327 Old Canton Road, 601-208-0800)

Fondren Church focuses on the gospel of Christianity, community-building and mission. The church has a college ministry composed of college students from campuses across the Jackson metro area that meet weekly to engage in the community. It also has opportunities to give and serve, such as tutoring, afterschool programs and serving opportunities during services at the church. For more information, visit fondrenchurch.com.

St. Alexis Episcopal Church (650 E. South St., 601-944-0415)

St. Alexis Episcopal Church's website says it seeks to serve as a place of refuge for those who may have felt alienated from the church in the past, or as a place where those who struggle to believe in anything at all. It serves in an urban setting, and the community is diverse in age, race and circumstance. It has services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Jackson Zen Dojo (4308 Old Canton Road, 601-291-9309)

The Jackson Zen Dojo is a formal Zen practice group in Jackson. It offers zazen (seated meditation), periodic sesshins, or retreats, and some Introduction to Zen Buddhism workshops. This dojo requires that you first attend an orientation, which is conducted the third Sunday of every month at 9:30 a.m. Zazen practices are Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Anderson United Methodist Church (6205 Hanging Moss Road, 601-982-3997)

Anderson UMC has many ministries that focus on a person's interests and talents such as a visual arts ministry and a dance ministry. It also has outreach ministries such as a prison ministry, which works with people who are or were incarcerated and their families; and a status and role of women ministry, which ensures that women fully participate with equal responsibility in the church. For more information, visit andersonumc.org.