Mendalla
Children's/Intergenerational services
Posted on: 12/16/2013 12:38
Yesterday was my UU fellowship's annual "Intergenerational Holiday Service". Think White Gift Service but with stories of giving from three different sources, none of them specifically Christian.
The service was entirely put on by the kids, with the RE teachers and administrators watching and prompting from the congregation. One of the service leaders, a boy who was born around the time I joined (so 10ish years old), did an excellent job and he's a kid I never would have pegged to lead a service (when younger, he was rather wild and it was a struggle to keep him from being disruptive in services, a role his little brother seems to have taken on now
). The chair of RE put together a Powerpoint for the service with the song lyrics (only one song was from the hymn book), illustrations for the stories, and other elements for the service that complemented what was happening beautifully all in the right order so the sound booth just had to advance the slides at the right times. They even had one of the kids play clarinet for the prelude and postlude. It was a perfect example of an intergen service done right and I found it both enjoyable and meaningful as worship.
However, I would say/guess that most in attendance were parents/relatives or RE teachers. Many regulars who do not have children or grands in RE did not come. I am finding this rather disappointing. I know we've had dust-ups over children in church but those were years ago when I first got involved with worship and I thought it had faded. What about similar services in your churches? Does the congregation support children's/intergenerational participation in church or does it tend to fade away and leave it to the adults who have a connection to the kids?
Mendalla
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somegalfromcan
Posted on: 12/16/2013 18:03
It sounds like your children led a wonderful service - it's too bad some people missed it! Our congregation also had an excellent service that was created and led by the young people yesterday (with some adult help/actors, but no ministerial guidance). Our service was also about giving - with an alternate theme of the meaning of Christmas in this era. I would say that a vast majority of our regular congregation members were there, with a few extra folks who came to support the actors - so the pews were quite full.
Hilary
Posted on: 12/16/2013 18:34
On one occasion following a similar service, an empty envelope was found in the offering plate - one that normally would have contained a cheque - with these words written across the back: "No sermon, no money."
Most people in our (UCC) congregation enjoy these services, but there will always be a couple of grinches in the crowd. I'm certainly glad that you enjoyed the service at your fellowship.
somegalfromcan
Posted on: 12/16/2013 19:48
Ouch Hilary! I hope that the minister had a conversation with that person.
crazyheart
Posted on: 12/16/2013 20:36
ahhhhhhhhh Hilary.
Pinga
Posted on: 12/16/2013 21:28
Mendella, one of the things that I found when i was arranging the youth program was that many folks stayed away as well.
Here are some of the reasons, and what I did to work around them
Choir: When the kids take the service, it is our Sunday off -- "we get to sleep in". When the choir isn't there, often their friends will take the day off too..and their families. In our church, that can be a big number!
What I did: Ensured the choir had an anthem piece to sing with the kids
Another challenge: Worship folks
W&M committee: The minister is away/busy: Can the kids take the service?
What I did: Sure, but, we would like to ensure the minister is there & participating when we do the service, it is important for the youth to feel their worship is understood & appreciated. Plus, they sometimes participate. We could also use W&M's wisdom at such items as offering. Would you mind assigning someone to coach & work with the youth?
Mendalla
Posted on: 12/17/2013 11:51
Choir wouldn't be an issue in our case. Ours is small and doesn't sing every Sunday (once a month, maybe twice). Many of them were there due to involvement in RE, too.
I agree with what you are saying about youth involvement and worship. We actually used to have the RE coordinator (or chair) come to Worship meetings to coordinate with us on things like Intergenerational services. We pretty much have 3 or so fixed Intergenerational Sundays on our calendar so always know well ahead of time when the kids are doing or involved in a service. They are generally "on" Sundays where the minister is present and normally involved as well (this one was an oddity in that they didn't actually leave him with anything to do so he got to sit in the congregation). For his off Sundays, we would generally have an adult lay leader or a guest speaker.
Mendalla