Change to Three Sunday Morning Services/RE Beginning September 2011
Give us your feedback on the new schedule!
From Diane Reynolds, President
The Board of Trustees, after consideration at its April 26 meeting, approved by unanimous vote
- that we change to three Sunday morning services beginning with the next church year.
- that the start times be 8:30, 9:45, and 11:15 a.m.
- that nursery and early childhood be offered at 8:30, full RE at 9:45, and almost full RE at 11:15.
- that the Forum be offered in Max Otto Hall during the second service.
Following the recommendation of the Vision 2010 Tune-Up Task Force of last church year, the Board created the Three Sunday Morning Services/RE Task Force. This task force was charged to investigate the possibility of going to three Sunday morning services instead of continuing the current pattern of two Sunday morning services and a Sunday evening service, together in each case with appropriate RE programs. Growth is one of the primary foci of Vision 2010. Our two morning services are at capacity (at about 160 adults each) while the 4:30 p.m. service attendance is stagnant at best after four years’ experience. Consequently, our capacity to grow as a congregation and to serve those looking for our kind of a church is presently stymied. Our capacity to continue growing, therefore, might be enhanced by having a third morning service, especially since there is considerable evidence that “Sunday morning is the time when America goes to church.”
The Task Force conducted a congregational survey to help determine the schedule most likely to bring us the best balance of attendance both upstairs and in RE. Your strong response to the survey (362 households (64%) completing the survey) gave the Task Force a solid sense of the church members’ preferences.
The Task Force presented the results of its survey and its analysis of the wisdom of changing to three Sunday morning services, along with appropriate RE programs, at a Breaking Bread, Building Community event held in early April. The 70 BBBC attendees participated in facilitated breakout sessions to share and discuss opportunities and challenges that would be provided by such a change. The comments were collected by the Task Force after reporting back to the larger group. The Task Force then presented its recommendation to the Board at its April 26 meeting.
Moving to three Sunday morning services, along with appropriate RE programs, provides us the best opportunity we currently see to pursue our Vision 2010 goal of growing our church. The Board notes that attendance may not jump immediately as a result of the schedule change. Growth may not be immediately visible but we have hopes it will be steady.
Information on RE, specific programs, etc. will follow in the upcoming months in preparation for the change to three Sunday morning services, along with appropriate RE programs, beginning with the next church year. Please note that beginning Ingathering Sunday in September 2011 our Sunday service times will be 8:30, 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.
