Proposed New Sunday Evening Worship Service

Dear St. Patrick’s,

Grace and peace. As you know, the traditional view of religion has changed dramatically since the 1960s. The evidence of these changes is that fewer people join mainline Christian denominations like the Episcopal Church. This is unfortunate because the spiritual practices passed down from our ancestors through the Church deepen our spiritual fulfillment and provide a path to explore the meaning of life as it relates to God. A cultural tide is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. That does not mean that we cannot continue to fulfill our mission at St. Patrick’s in different ways that address the core causes of the decline in membership. If we don’t, we will cease to exist or become so marginalized that our ministry together will be insignificant in the face of the great need that faces future generations.

One core cause, I believe, is that we practice the traditions of the historical Church, but we don’t understand why they are powerful and transformative experiences. Instead, we hold onto the traditions because they are traditions. When we cannot express the purpose (the why) of what we do, we cannot persuade those who are new to the traditions (or those on the margins)
to get on the path of deeper meaning in relationship with God. In other words, we cannot express the truth at the heart of our practices, so we have set up a barrier for entry of those new to faith. In a culture of question, doubt and a search for why, a barrier like this can be the end of the path for many.

And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ (Matthew 28.18-20)

As I said, our faith and the practices of the Church are powerful and transformative. I would never propose giving them away, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t lower the barrier for entry by sharing our faith in a way that allows someone new to explore God with us. This is what Jesus called us to do in the Great Commission (Matthew 28.18-20) and is at the heart of a mission-centered community.

Lent is a time of taking on new practices and growing in spiritual discipline, so I am proposing a worship experiment on Sunday evenings beginning on February 26 through Easter Sunday on April 8. At that time, I will reflect with those who participate about the viability of continuing and, if so, how we might need to adjust what we are doing to be open to new seekers of God’s path and those who want to explore it again.

There will be many differences from our Sunday morning services:

1. We will draw from resources other than the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
2. The service program will include a description of why we do certain practices and how the entirety of the liturgy leads us along a Godly path.
3. Music will be simple a cappella singing that will be repeated every week during the season of Lent.
4. The service will be held in the Great Hall around an altar. A centering image will be projected on the wall.
5. Silence will be integrated throughout the worship.
6. The sermon will be in the form of a discussion rather than a prepared speech. Participation from those gathered will be expected and doubt and questions will be addressed throughout the service.
7. Readers, Eucharistic ministers, prayer leaders will be tapped as the community gathers. 

What can you do to make this work for St. Patrick’s? I would appreciate your participation, if possible, and spreading the word through the community. We won’t have Sunday School, but those young people who are willing to participate and ask questions will enjoy a service like this. I see it as teenager friendly. Let your neighbors know and even invite them to join you for a Sunday evening at St. Patrick’s. There will be a Eucharist, a sermon, and fellowship so plan to be with us. If you are interested in being a leader and advisor with me for this experiment, please email me today.

What I need from you right now is to help me decide the time of the service. I can see benefits of 5:00, 6:00 or 7:00. Any of these times work for me. Our neighboring churches have services at 5:00 and 6:00. That may be because they found, years ago, that these were the best times. Please take this one question survey about the best time for St. Patrick’s Sunday evening service. I will announce the time this coming Sunday.

Blessings,

Kurt