AUBURN -- Since last June, SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church has held a monthly service on the first Saturday evening of the month, where participants discuss a specific topic that is positive and inspiring.

An alternative to a traditional service, "The Light" allows people to reflect and meditate, as well as discuss some scriptures, said the Rev. Doug Taylor-Weiss.

Roseanne Demaria, of Otisco, attends the monthly service because it's more fun than a regular service, she said.

"It's a service but yet you can discuss it. It's not all just one-sided, where you just hear what the minister has to say," Demaria said.

Her favorite part is getting to commune with the other people who attend.

"Here we can talk, give our ideas about the spiritual messages and get a better understanding of it," Demaria said.

Saturday evening's topic was miracles. Taylor-Weiss discussed the definition of a miracle and asked the participants to define what a miracle means to them. The group also looked at and discussed various scriptures in which miracles took place. After, they went to pray and take communion.

Charles Smith, of Auburn, attended the service for the first time Saturday. Smith, who participates in the gospel choir, decided to come because he "wants to find a way to serve God and find a way to do God's will instead of my own."

After the service, Smith, who is not a member of SS. Peter and John, said the discussion made him think about miracles and the blessings God gives people in life.

"I could see this being a regular part of my worship, in addition to where I practice my faith," he said.

Debra Taylor-Weiss has been coming to monthly services since the program first started last June. She comes to assist her husband, who is the pastor.

For Debra, getting to know the people who attend the alternative service is the best part. She believes it is important to have a different option for people who may not want to attend a more traditional service.

"I think there are a lot of people that may have been raised in a church or have a need to go to church but they don't want to go to a regular, traditional service," she said. "And that's what this is trying to provide."