Proposed Second Worship Service — News and Discussion

Have you looked around the sanctuary lately?  It is full … really full!  That’s a good thing, but it’s also a bad thing.  It’s good because it means that we have something special at First Parish and others are trying to join and share with us.  However, it’s bad, because it is difficult for new people to feel welcomed and comfortable when there is not extra space in the sanctuary. 

The Diaconate has been aware of this situation for quite some time; and has been working to find a solution that makes sense for our congregation.   You may recall that a second service was offered on Sunday evenings for two years, but was not well attended due to the timeframe.  At the Diaconate’s request, an ad hoc committee consisting of our Pastors, our Music Director, and representatives from the Board of Music Ministry and Diaconate has been working for several months to work out the details of offering a second service. 

As the members of the Second Service Committee, we’d like to share our current thoughts and plans with you; and seek your thoughts and ideas about the service.  Our goal is to offer a second service at 8:00AM on Sunday morning beginning in September.  While the details of the new service are still being considered, it is anticipated that it will be no longer than 45 minutes in length and will be similar to the 10:00AM service.

We arrived at the above goal after discussion and consideration of a wide variety of issues.  We feel that offering a second service in this timeframe and format will provide the following benefits.

• A second service will reduce the strain on the sanctuary and make it more welcoming to newcomers.
• Sunday morning is a time when many of us are accustomed to attending a worship service; and one that may allow Church School teachers and/or families with children who participate in Sunday sports events to attend worship.
• The 8 to 8:45AM Sunday timeframe will allow participants at that service to cross paths and visit with individuals who attend the 10:00AM service (perhaps over a cup of coffee in Currier Hall).
• Having a similar worship format that includes the same sermon at both services, will allow individuals who attend either service to share thoughts with each other about the week’s message.
• A shorter, more quiet service will address the desire for a less busy time of worship that has been expressed by some members of our congregation.

We want each of you to have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas for the service with us.  To facilitate this, we are hosting short, informal discussion meetings after church on March 25, April 15, and April 29.  However, we also hope that you will chat with any of us or any member of the Diaconate at any time.

Yours in faith,
Lucy Alexander, Ray Crowell, Lee DeBell, Sue Handy, Alice Ling, Pat Plouff, Tom Sipe