Has anyone asked the people who attend the 8:30 a.m. service what they want? Can you really imagine the attendees (most of whom are older) sitting around in a circle having a discussion forum? We suspect they want a REAL worship service. At least that's what we want. Just speaking for ourselves, if the 8:30 a.m. service changes from a worship service to a round-table discussion group, we'll be finding another church to attend.

Thanks for the feedback. There isn't a proposal to change the early service to be a roundtable discussion. There is a proposal to change the orientation of the seating for early service such that it is more of a human, face-to-face experience, through the "in the round" experience.

The time will still be a worshipful and spiritual experience, and also not just a "junior version" of the 10:45 service. It should have and develop its own identity. And with feedback from congregants regarding what is good, bad, or in between, the early service can and will establish its own identity.

Will there be a bible reading, hymn singing, sermon, communion, etc., or will it be more like a study class? We're still unclear on exactly what changes (other than seating arrangements) are being made. Can you elaborate?

Dear Anonymous, the point is that not a lot of changes will be made. It will be a worship service with scripture readings, hymns, prayers, sermon, and the Lord's Supper. What will be different, is that the different seating arrangement will allow different ways of, e.g. serving communion: serving one another in the round, rather than walking to the front of the chapel.
At this point in the process, no changes have actually been proposed, and the words "roundtable discussion" don't appear anywhere in the report. Our goal is to create a unique worship format for both services, and for the 8:30 service this means being "intentional about exploring new and different ways of preaching, praying, and sharing the meal" rather than doing the "junior" version of the 10:45 service.

We had a lively discussion before the start of early church this morning. A comple of members were upset when they realized the pews were going to be removed from the chapel. But what upset them the most was that their imput was not directly sought out. Although there were meetings, no one sought them out personally to ask what they thought about the changes to the service they have attended for several years..

A couple of members asked Thomas what was going on, and he was vague (other than explaining that removing the pews was going to allow for more "flexiability".) One member said he could not sit in a chair because he uses the pew in front of him to get up and down during the service.

We have another question. Are there other groups in the church wanting to use the chapel for their meetings? Is that the real reason for changing the seating arrangmment? It doesn't really make sense otherwise, espeically given the fact that the worship service isn't changing that much. With regard to communion, that can easily be passed from one person to another, without the need to walk to the front of the chapel.

In sum, it was a little sad today to see these good people who have supported this church for so many years being upset and feeling as if their opinions do not matter. When Thomas was asked if the "committee" spoke with anyone who attends early service about what they wanted, Thomas responded, "No, not directly." The member's response -- "Well, you should have" -- said an awful lot. We really hope you'll consider how these people feel and what they want and need before you implement any changes.

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We have another question. Are there other groups in the church wanting to use the chapel for their meetings? Is that the real reason for changing the seating arrangmment? It doesn't really make sense otherwise, espeically given the fact that the worship service isn't changing that much.

I haven't heard anything about groups wanting to use the Chapel space for meetings. That did not factor into the Worship Task Force's recommendation to change the seating arrangement for early Worship.