I don't want to bring up or debate religion, but for me the church was a great way to meet new people, and there was a good chance that these people were decent enough... I used to go to a bible study group of a church I don't even belong to, not for the rhetoric, but just to meet some people. I did meet some wonderful people there that have become my friends. Being new in such a group does have an advantage in that people will be curious about you, and here you must be brave and allow yourself to enter into a conversation with people. I used cue cards for the first few times with questions and topics on them and I studied them to make sure I didn't get stuck in an awkward silence. Don't be afraid to invite some for coffee later etc...