Sometimes you have an idea and hope it works out. This past Sunday, as we officially unveiled the new worship space in the Parish Hall, I breathed a sigh of relief. Our plans worked out beautifully. The new setup, with a platform, new furniture, and new sound system transformed the Parish Hall into wonderful space for meaningful worship. The feedback after the service was overwhelmingly positive, even from people who will still prefer to worship in the Church.
The Vestry and I, with help from the entire congregation, had engaged in some creative thinking and prayerful discernment about how we might address the opportunities for growth at Christ Church, particularly in light of the spatial challenges of our physical spaces. This past Sunday marked the first step towards addressing those challenges, nearly a full year after our Vestry retreat last year. It was at that retreat that we created a plan for sharing opportunities and listening and learning from the congregation through town hall meetings and surveys.
After all that work, we came up with a two-fold, short-term plan; add a service at 9:15 in the Parish Hall, and make a little more seating at St. Ignatius. The latter is still on hold as we try to find an appropriate and honorable home for our historic organ that moved from Christ Church to St. Ignatius some time ago, but is no longer played. That will happen at some point and we’ll move forward with our St. Ignatius plans as well. The Parish Hall service, a long time coming in terms of preparation, is here.
What we learned in the survey process is that most people did not like the idea of worshipping in the Parish Hall given its former configuration. It was not conducive to an efficacious worship experience. Sitting on metal folding chairs is not most persons' first choice, the acoustics were bad, the noise from the compressors in the kitchen was distracting, and it had the feel of a piecemeal effort with our tasteful but eclectic gaggle of liturgical furniture. Once we identified that the 9:15 hour was a key decision point for people’s preferences and that there was not time to squeeze another service in the church, we knew we had to address the Parish Hall’s physical makeup. Many of you have seen those results.
Beginning this week, we will offer two services at 9:15; one in the Church and one in the Parish Hall. They will be very similar, and yet each will have its own unique flavor, which is largely driven by the spaces themselves. In preparation for the two services I have answered some common questions we’ve been asked below. I will also ask that those of you who are willing to serve in any liturgical capacity let me know. We can use more help at ALL of our services, not just at the 9:15. You can find a description of liturgical ministries in this week’s News You Can Use and at the end of this Rambling.
Remember, as we begin this new service in earnest, it is as though we are planting a congregation within a congregation. It will take some people who want to help “seed” the new service by attending regularly or occasionally. If you are a regular 9:15 attendee, consider going to the Parish Hall once a month to help get that service going, and to make more room in the Church!
Here are some answers to some common questions I’ve been asked as we begin this service:
Are you expecting families to worship in the Parish Hall?
No. The new service is not a “family service” any more than our other services are. We hope families are welcomed at all our services. Both 9:15 services will allow young children to go to Kidurgy during the opening hymn and return in time for communion with their families. Each family can choose what works best for their family.
Is the new service going to be a contemporary service?
No, at least not according to the common meaning of “contemporary service.” The liturgy in both spaces will be nearly identical. There will be a slight difference in the music because some hymns do not translate well from organ to piano, however, the majority of the hymns will be the same. There will usually be an ensemble of singers to support music in the parish hall, while the church will normally have the full choir.
Is the 9:15 service an overflow service?
No, it is a service in its own right. Having another service offers variety in space and worship environment, and increases our overall capacity for seating. Some will prefer the historic feel of Christ Church, while others will prefer the airy, bright space of the Parish Hall. We will offer both services year-round.
Who will preach and preside in the Parish Hall?
Like the rest of our services, our staff clergy will rotate in and out of the Parish Hall Service. With two Eucharists and Kidurgy at the same time each week we have also engaged some local priests to assist us. This spring, in addition to Fr. Tom and Mtr. Becky we will see Fr. John Thomas, Fr. John Butin, and Fr. Tommy Townsend assisting in our Sunday liturgies.
Who will lead music in the Parish Hall?
We have hired George Ingram to be the Assistant Organist and Choirmaster at Christ Church. George will work to support Kathleen Turner in our overall music ministry and will be the regular lead musician at the 9:15 service, directing an ensemble of singers. Kathleen, like the clergy, will also rotate through the 9:15 service as well. The adult choir will primarily sing in Christ Church, but will, on occasion, sing in the Parish Hall. Choristers and Trebles will sing both places on occasion, and the Bell Choir will play both places on occasion. We will also have various ensemble configurations, soloists (including Brad Hamil), and instrumentalists who will continue to offer occasional music at all services apart from the 8:00 am service.
Tom+
Quiet our minds, O God, and gladden our hearts; that, as we come together to worship you, we may be open to your presence and find that this place is the very gate of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Liturgical ministries for which we can use help:
Acolytes: These persons serve at the altar to help processions get to and from the altar, bearing the Gospel, and helping serve at the Lord’s Table. We tend to assume that young persons serve as acolytes, but adults can and often are acolytes at Christ Church. Contact: Mtr Becky or Fr. Tom at becky@ccfssi.org or tom@ccfssi.org
Altar Guild: This group sets up the altar area and cleans up afterwards. The Altar Guild’s ministry is to care for the physical instruments we use in worship, including communion vessels, candles, hangings and vestments and more. It’s a ministry of humble service to serve at the Lord’s Altar. Currently the Altar Guild is organized around teams who serve together, one month at a time. Contact: Nancy Zell at nzell@bellsouth.net
Eucharistic Ministers: These persons wear vestments, lead the Prayers of the People, and assist with the administration of communion. Contact: Mtr. Becky or Fr. Tom at becky@ccfssi.org or tom@ccfssi.org
Flower Guild: This guild arranges flowers for the Church and the Parish Hall. Training is provided by experienced guild members. Contact: Annabelle McCaskill at abmcf@att.net
Greeters: These persons, often couples and families, greet all who arrive at the Litch Gate and the Parish House. It is an important ministry of hospitality. Contact: Fr. Tom at tom@ccfssi.org
Lectors: These persons read scripture during worship, sitting in the congregation and coming forward to read. Contact: Mtr. Becky or Fr. Tom at becky@ccfssi.org or tom@ccfssi.org
Musicians: Anyone with a musical gift they would like to share can work with Kathleen to offer that gift in an appropriate way. Contact: Kathleen Turner at Kathleen@ccfssi.org
Sound Board Operator: We have recently upgraded the sound system in both Christ Church and in the Parish Hall. For the best results we need persons who can adjust the levels as a service progresses. If you have an interest, we can train you! Contact: Brad Hamil at brad@ccfssi.org
Ushers: These persons assist people with bulletins, collection of the offering, and the flow of people during communion. This is also a ministry of hospitality and order. Contact: John Killgallon at KillgallonJohn@gmail.com