Worship Associates

 

 

Worship Associates are lay leaders who contribute significantly by conducting major portions of our  Sunday services throughout the year. Volunteers typically commit to a three-year term of working with the ministry team, and occasionally with our Director of Religious Education, to assist with our Sunday services. The Worship Associates Program is by application only. 

 

 

Each of the Worship Associates shares in conducting our Sunday morning services about once every 4-5 weeks. Primarily this involves welcoming everyone,  reading the chalice lighting words, lighting the chalice, introducing the hymns, leading the responsive reading, introducing pulpit guests when Dena McPhetres, our Associate Minister, and I are not present, and extinguishing the chalice at the end of the service. 

 

Dena and I typically light the Candle of Life to announce births, adoptions, and deaths, and we typically do our own readings, reflections, and closing words. 

 

Following the service, the Worship Associate welcomes our guests and newcomers at the Guest Table in the Common Room.

 

In our absence, Worship Associates are in charge of taking the lead in conducting the service with the pulpit guest. Consequently, the Worship Associate is expected to meet the pulpit guest before the service, orient him or her to the sanctuary, double-check the expectations for who does what, introduce the guest from the pulpit, etc.

 

Worship Associates are also asked to share in the responsibility for the service setup. While most of this should already be in place (by one of our Facilities Assistants), Worship Associates arrive about 20 minutes before the service to do some last minute sound checks of the microphones, make sure the chalice has been filled with alcohol, etc,. Dena and I are often around to help with this. 

 

The training for this commitment typically consists of one session (sometime late in August) for about 1-2 hours plus your first Sunday morning or two when Dena or I will coach as needed. Additional training is being considered.   

 

As long as you continue to be willing and interested, we invite Worship Associates to serve up to three years. Sometimes the terms are slightly longer or shorter to enable staggered terms. Naturally, however, you are always free to step down if things change in your life or it is no longer a good fit.  

 

There are two teams of Worship Associates,  Team One is responsible for the first two services and the first Coffee Hour Guest Table duty.  Team two is responsible for the third Sunday morning service and the third Coffee Hour Guest Table duty.

 

We look for poise, for a diversity of age and ethnicity, and for people with public speaking ability or experience. We also look for people who are deeply committed to the church and its ideals, and for people with an outgoing and friendly demeanor. Finally, all Worship Associates must be members of the congregation. 

 

Please speak to Dena or me and/or a current Worship Associate if you have questions or to find out more about this important ministry.