Reimagining Worship
Over the last several years, church council and members of the staff have been monitoring various aspects of community life such as worship attendance trends, the desire for many to worship virtually, and declining rates of volunteerism.
Our church leaders have been in a season of listening as they learn about these shifts and have sought to address them by reimagining worship and considering how we gather in our ever-changing world. Various church meetings, conversations with youth and families, brainstorming sessions with staff, and meetings with individuals have been taking place over the course of this year to better understand the needs and realities of our congregation. We invite you to add your voice to this important work using the form at the bottom of this page. |
An Overview and Notes from Meetings
Throughout the Lenten soup suppers, attendees were invited to reflect and discuss their worship experiences and the significance of those experiences on their faith and sense of community. Then on March 3rd, the congregation was invited to a conversation regarding what vibrant worship means to them. They reflected and responded to worship attendance trends. They also shared joys and challenges to staying connected as a congregation. Comments and questions from that conversation are available below.
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On April 21st & 28th, families of children and youth were invited to a facilitated conversation around their experiences in worship, education, and community life. They also shared their experiences of connection within the congregation. Earlier in March, youth and confirmation students discussed their experiences and ideas for worship. Comments and questions from those conversations are available below.
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On May 5th, the congregation was invited to attend facilitated small group discussions. These conversations focused on the current worship and education schedule and sought ideas for possible changes. Church leadership prepared one worship and education schedule alongside the current model for small groups to respond to. That proposal was based on feedback generated on March 3rd, April 21st, and April 28th. Comments and questions from those conversations are available below.
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Worship & Education Schedule Proposal
As we listened to the diverse experiences and ideas within St. Michael's, we heard how these conversations expanded beyond the worship service to wonder how we gather as community and create meaningful connections to one another. Visitors and new members also shared their experiences in the conversations from this spring, bringing a deeper awareness to how essential worship and education opportunities are to relationship building and community life.
Taking those learnings into account, a draft proposal for worship and education was discussed by the church council in April and presented to the congregation on May 5 to generate feedback and ideas. That proposal is below:
Taking those learnings into account, a draft proposal for worship and education was discussed by the church council in April and presented to the congregation on May 5 to generate feedback and ideas. That proposal is below:
This proposal is one option that is being considered by church leadership and was presented with the understanding that any change would be assessed throughout the year and reviewed at the end of a one year trial.
The above schedule should be seen as a framework with possibilities to add additional ministry opportunities as our congregation grows such as: a parent-specific group during the children's Sunday school hour rather than assumed interest in Religion in Life (after tracking consistent sparse attendance of parents in Religion in Life), Bible studies/support groups on Wednesday evenings (after receiving feedback for more small group ministry for specialized interests or experiences such as divorce support groups, grief groups, etc.) It also reflects feedback we've received from conversations such as:
The church leadership also wants to emphasize that the curiosity of changing worship/education is not motivated by financial stress or staffing concerns but are a response to the desire to build on the vibrancy and connection of the congregation, attendance trends, and volunteerism.
The above schedule should be seen as a framework with possibilities to add additional ministry opportunities as our congregation grows such as: a parent-specific group during the children's Sunday school hour rather than assumed interest in Religion in Life (after tracking consistent sparse attendance of parents in Religion in Life), Bible studies/support groups on Wednesday evenings (after receiving feedback for more small group ministry for specialized interests or experiences such as divorce support groups, grief groups, etc.) It also reflects feedback we've received from conversations such as:
- Having intergenerational service projects intertwined into children's Sunday School hour
- Ability to attend full Religion in Life sessions for those who participate in adult choirs or volunteer with Sunday School
- Different/diverse worship opportunities outside of a Sunday morning
- Later start times for high school youth group
- More opportunities to connect as a visitor or new(er) member of the community (noting how challenging it is when visitors are at a lower attended service and are not able to get connected to the larger community or see people who are in similar stages of life as them)
The church leadership also wants to emphasize that the curiosity of changing worship/education is not motivated by financial stress or staffing concerns but are a response to the desire to build on the vibrancy and connection of the congregation, attendance trends, and volunteerism.
Next Steps
Summer is a critical season of planning and preparation for staff and committees. It is essential to give staff and committees this time to implement any changes that will be made as well as properly communicate those changes to the congregation. Therefore, the church council will gather in June to discern changes to the worship and education schedule for fall. Please provide your feedback or ideas by the end of May.
Look out for church communications throughout this summer!
Look out for church communications throughout this summer!