Worship Weblog
Grants
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Birmingham, MI
Betsy Steele Halstead, Resource Development Specialist for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, was invited to speak to a group of leaders from several congregations as a part of the 2008 Worship Renewal Grant awarded to First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, MI. Worship leaders, artists, pastors, Christian educators, and musicians gathered to learn about ways that visual art and worship space supplement and enhance or distract from worship. Betsy encouraged participants to begin by evaluating their current worship space to discover what it communicates about priorities in faith and worship. She reminded artists of their role as servants of the community and the importance of disciplined creativity. Using photos of many churches, she described the importance of the visual connecting to Scripture, music and movement. Participants indicated that they were eager to return to their congregation to further explore what had been learned.
This morning was a part of the grant leadership team’s year long process to expanded use of visual and dramatic arts in worship. While it is their hope that the learning will bring renewal to their congregation, a priority for their work is also to collaborate in learning with neighboring congregations.
Workshops in November and March will continue the learning. In the congregation, on the second Sunday of each month, conversations are hosted by a member of the grant leadership team and clergy on the topic Worship Alive: Making Connections which offers participants the opportunity to ask questions about worship. Education for children in the congregation during the grant year is also focused on worship.
Following the workshop we met with Cynthia Merten, project director, and the grant leadership team to discuss the project and their hopes and prayers for worship renewal.
The King’s University College, Edmonton, AB
Report by Betty Grit:
On Monday morning The King’s University College is bustling as students and faculty begin a week of study and learning. Julianne Gilchrist, campus chaplain, and Melanie Fehr, a third year student who serves as the Student Worship Assistant, met with me to reflect on the fruits that are evident since the Worship Renewal Grant of 2006.
Julianne reported that there is an increasing intentionality to mentor student worship formation teams. On Sunday they had gathered for a retreat to learn together and develop the teams. Julianne reports that attendance at the Symposium on Worship in 2007 and resources gathered during the grant year serve as a foundation for the learning. Paul Ryan, Coordinator for Christian Formation through Worship at Calvin College, traveled to King’s in 2007 to offer a workshop and continues to serve as a resource for questions or challenges they encounter.
Through the 2006 grant the leadership team was introduced to Vertical Habits. Those habits continue to provide guidance and formation for training leaders and for worship planning.
Julianne reports that the number of students expressing eagerness to participate in leading worship is growing as is the number of staff and students coming together for worship.
We are grateful for the priority King’s has given to the worship life of the community and for the ways staff and students serve the community throughout Edmonton.
Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton, AB
Report from Betty Grit:
The congregation of Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, a few visitors, and some students from The Kings University College gathered for an all day retreat as the first step in a year long process of worship renewal. The day began with worship led by members of all ages. Roy Berkenbosch challenged us to celebrate and remember our baptism in all of life.
The 2008 Worship Renewal Grant project will help them review and assess past worship practices in the congregation and renew worship through liturgies that demonstrate congregational values of inclusivity, collaboration, creativity and social justice. Following worship we engaged together in round table discussion related to questions developed to help the congregation explore these topics. Youth were present at almost every table and were encouraged to voice their ideas. Prayers were offered for personal and corporate renewal and thanksgiving for the enthusiastic participation of worshipers of all ages in this process. We concluded the day with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and our unity in Christ.
A conversation with the grant leadership team on Saturday evening provided insight into the congregation. They have chosen not to have a pastor but to invite guest preachers each week. Members of the congregation plan the liturgy and provide pastoral care for each other. Together we made plans for the retreat and prayed for the process of renewal that is beginning.
Sunday evening the leadership team again gathered to reflect on the day. Facilitators at each table recorded highlights of the discussion. Project director, Rebecca Warren, expressed gratitude for the extensive input and information gathered in such a short amount of time. She later wrote, “There is so much here, we could spend the rest of the grant year just processing this info and moving on some of the ideas.”
We are praying for wisdom and encouragement for this congregation and all who are engaged in worship renewal.
The River, Edmonton, AB
Report by Betty Grit:
Pastor Bruce Gritter served as project director for grants to The River, a new church plant in Edmonton.
As we met for breakfast on a Saturday morning, Bruce told us that the congregation has just completed its fifth year, that it brings together between 400 and 500 people each Sunday, and is in the process of planting its first church. Because they meet in a school, much of Saturday will be spent preparing the space for worship.
Currently The River is offering a seven week series called Break Free. Sermons, drama, dance, visual art, and a journal for small group discussion have been created to help worshipers identify those things that rob them of life and to break free so they can experience healing, growth and wholeness through their relationship with God. Pastor Bruce reports that this series has opened the hearts of many people to begin a life transformed by the Spirit.
The River and Pastor Bruce had partnered with us to first explore and give a name to Vertical Habits. We are grateful to learn how the congregation has built on that concept to reach out in the community and help people grow in a relationship with God.
Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church, Edmonton, AB
Report from Betty Grit:
Elaine Chu, project director for the grant to Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church, met us at the church on a warm Friday evening. She explained that there are 3 worship services in the church on Sundays, one in Cantonese, one in Mandarin and one in English The Cantonese congregation is mainly made up of immigrants from Hong Kong, the English congregation is mainly the 2nd generation of the Cantonese group, and the mandarin congregation is mainly newer immigrants or students from mainland China. Located in the heart of Edmonton, the building also offers worship space to Arabic, Sudanese and Reformed Jewish congregations.
The Worship Renewal Grant was awarded to support the Heart and Art Worship and Music Training offered by the Edmonton Chinese Christian Choir, created to bring together members of the sixteen Chinese congregations scattered throughout the city. More than 100 participants from 19 congregations in three cities attended the recent ten day workshop featuring Marva Dawn. To continue learning and growing together, the congregations will explore innovative use of Scripture reading in corporate worship, creative prayer and utilization of visual art and worship space.
Five members of the grant leadership team met with us to reflect on the workshop and develop plans for the coming months. These leaders bring a rich variety of experiences and gifts. One participant excused himself to lead a 9:30 PM choir rehearsal which is scheduled on Friday evenings to accommodate the schedules of young people in the intergenerational choir. We are grateful for the passion of these leaders to bring renewal to the congregations.
Related Resources
Featured Grant: Edmonton Chinese Baptist
Edmonton Chinese Baptist Church’s website
Hillside Community Church, Calgary, AB
Report from Betty Grit:
A conversation with Melonie Michaud and Melanie Presland of Hillside Community Church in Calgary provided an opportunity to reflect on the work of their 2006 Worship Renewal Grant. The congregation brings together people of diverse backgrounds for worship, learning, and fellowship.
Fruits of the grant continue to grow through a worship curriculum that was initially developed during the grant year. A thoughtful process of studying the materials by worship leaders and small groups is helping them grow in their understanding of worship. They are evaluating and revising the resource to assure that it will be long-lasting in their congregation and are considering sharing it with others.
“Body talk,” a curriculum to teach children how to engage their whole body in worship, continues to be used with the many children in the congregation. Following our conversation, a rehearsal was scheduled in preparation for Sunday. The congregation worships in a Community Center and rehearsals are held in their office space.
A worship series, Your Work Matters, has been meaningful for people living in Calgary. The enormous growth in the oil and gas industries has brought workers to the city, which has led to exponential increases in housing and other living expenses. This economy has produced unique challenges and opportunities for individuals and the church. We are grateful for our partnership with Hillside Community Church and for the privilege to continue to learn from them.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Grant recipient featured in VMC newsletter
Read this article(pdf) about one of our grant recipients, The Table, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, from the newsletter of the Virginia Mennonite Conference.
Grants • News • Worshipping Communities • (0) Comments • Permalink
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Visit to First Union Church in Cedarville, Michigan
(click for larger photos)Report from Betty Grit:
On a warm, sun-filled Saturday evening in early August, twelve people gathered with me at First Union Church in Cedarville, Michigan, to talk about worship renewal. Pastor Jeff Meyers and three others from the congregation had attended the Calvin Symposium on Worship and were interested in the projects of worship renewal that had been described by a panel of church leaders. They invited me to Cedarville to discuss what worship renewal might mean in their congregation.
In this gathering I learned that many families have vacationed in the Les Cheneaux area for generations. Throughout the summer they gather at family homes and worship at First Union Church. Others worship for many months of the year in Cedarville and minister in warmer locations during the winter. The church is home to professional musicians, artisans and people with rich and diverse gifts. We spent the evening exploring how a grant might build on the strengths of the congregation to engage in an intentional year of worship renewal.
Sunday morning the congregation and visitors gathered for two worship services. As we sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” in this space surrounded by water and wooded islands, the words “all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea” had new and richer meaning. On this baptism Sunday Pastor Meyers focused our attention on Matthew 28:19 and 20. He reminded us that this afternoon we would witness baptism. We were challenged to consider what it would mean to develop a concrete plan and practice to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that Jesus commanded. Invited into communion through the words of institution spoken by a father and young son, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper.
Later that afternoon we gathered on the shores of Lake Huron for the baptism of 9 adults and children. As each person confessed faith in Jesus as their Savior and promised, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to follow the commandments of God, we prayed that all of us would have a growing awareness of what it means to be a disciple. What would we sing and say and do if we were truly to obey the Great Commission?
As the congregation of First Union Church consider s how a worship renewal grant might help them answer these questions, we are praying for them and for all congregations who are developing proposals to be submitted by the January 10, 2009 deadline.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Grants Colloquium ‘08 Update 3
Update from Grants Colloquium:
One of the highlights of every Colloquium is the poster session. Here’s a look at some of the posters and conversations from this afternoon:
Colloquium concludes tomorrow morning with worship and reflections. We pray for safe travel and vital worship and ministry among all our grant recipients as they return to their worshiping communities.
Update: Read Chris Meehan’s report on grant recipients from the Christian Reformed Church.
Grants Colloquium ‘08 Update 2
Update from Grants Colloquium:
Worship this morning ended with this benediction from Jude 24-25:
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling,
and to make you stand without blemish
in the presence of his glory with rejoicing,
to the only God our Savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
be glory, majesty, power, and authority,
before all time and now and forevermore.Amen.
Bless the Lord.The Lord’s name be praised.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Grants Colloquium ‘08 Update 1
Update from Grants Colloquium:
For me one highlight of the day was the passing of the peace after opening worship:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Workshop and Worship at Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church in Providence, R.I.
We were grateful to get this note and these pictures from Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church in Providence, Rhode Island, one of our current grant recipients, and share them here with permission.
We had a glorious, Spirit-filled Pentecost that touched everyone involved.
Over 20 people attended the Saturday afternoon workshop that Jorge led. At
its conclusion at 4 PM, many people asked, “Can’t we just keep going?” We
learned to think more thoughtfully about style versus content, sacred
moments and memories and how to attempt to facilitate the holy.
Jorge continued the singing and teaching at our Pentecost potluck for about
90 people, including some new Cambodian refugees.
Sunday morning was glorious with Jorge both leading music and preaching. We
sang new music and experienced a new beautiful sung communion. We had a
powerful sense that this weekend was a turning point for the church in terms
of worship renewal and that we now moving forward with greater joy,
enthusiasm, fuller conscious participation and awareness of the Holy Spirit
in our worship and in our lives.
Learn more about our Worship Renewal Grants Program
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Report from National Ministry Summit
From Betty Grit: This past weekend’s Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership National Ministry Summit in Orlando, Florida, provided a unique opportunity to meet with old friends and introduce others to the work of CICW. One pastor told me that he is on our website frequently. He finds insights and resources valuable for sermon preparation. Another stopped our CICW exhibition table to say that she knows several grant recipients and appreciates what has been accomplished through Worship Renewal Grants. Dolly Sokol, project director for grants to the Office of Worship and Christian Initiation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, thanked us for the grants and said that she is “spreading the word” about the grants. We were grateful to talk with Bill Johnston, a member of the Worship Renewal Grants Advisory Board. He had sent us information about this conference and encouraged us to be here to introduce conference participants to CICW and the grants. A highlight of the conference was a conversation with Father Tom Willis, project director of the 2007 grant to the Diocese of St. Augustine Office of Liturgy. This project brought together 18 parish musicians to study music and liturgy. Father Tom told me that the first time the group gathered for a retreat and learning, some participants were in conversation with Kathleen Harmon, the facilitator, until 3 AM. The eagerness to learn has been evident throughout the year. Pastors reported to Father Tom six weeks later that already there was evidence of renewal in worship. The participants have now met with Kathleen twice and recently gathered to reflect and celebrate. Father Tom notes that the learning process has been marked by trust and affirmation. Participants have shared newly composed music and made revisions based on thoughtful input by other participants. A final workshop of the grant year is planned for May. An extensive evaluation process will include participants, pastors and others in the congregation such as choir members. The leadership team is eager to assess the learning that has spread throughout the parish. We are most grateful for the vision and leadership that is creating a model for training local musicians in liturgy and music. Previous Report: Visit to El Buen Vecino Presbyterian
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Report from El Buen Vecino Presbyterian
From Betty Grit:
It was Sunday morning and the leadership team of El Buen Vecino Presbyterian Church had gathered in their new worship space in Kissimmee, Florida, to tell me about their grant year. Led by Pastor Sandra Luciano-Andujar, they had offered classes in music, dance, visual arts and drama for worship. The previous week participants and members of several congregations had come together to see what had been learned, to celebrate, fellowship and worship concluding with the Lord’s Supper.
The leadership team includes adults and children with many gifts. One young girl, Lauren Marie, told me that she loves being involved in drama and visual arts. We were shown a video of the learning workshops as well as pictures of the recent celebration.
Later today the congregation will worship in a nearby church. Some of the learning through the grant year will be a part of this service that will include a baptism. It is their prayer that construction permits will soon be in place to allow them to worship in their new space.
We are reminded of the privilege of partnering with this young congregation as they develop the gifts of their members for worship. Should we have the opportunity to visit again in four or five years, it is our prayer that we would find fruits of the grants flourishing to provide vital worship in this growing Hispanic community.
Next Report: Report from National Ministry Summit
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Grant recipient reaches out to robbers
Crescent Hill United Methodist Church, in Louisville, Kent., a 2007 Worship Renewal Grant recipient, was featured in this story on WHAS-TV earlier this month:
Louisville, Ky.—Copper thieves have hit another local church. Now the church that got ripped off is reaching out to the thieves. They are hoping to stop more stealing, and give an offering of help.
A note posted on their copper drain spouts reads: “Friends: If you came back to steal more of our gutters, please don’t. Our walls and basements will flood if you do more damage. If you need financial help, please come by when we are here and we’ll talk about it.”
The offering from the church to potential thieves comes after 15 of their copper drain spouts went missing Sunday night. This is the second time the church has dealt with copper theft. But it’s the first time the church administration is hoping the criminals step inside.
“[We want to] talk to them about how a church can help them,” says Michele Hundley, executive director of Crescent Hill United Methodist Church. “Do they need physical help, do they need drug rehabilitation? Do they need housing? Do they need transportation? We are a great resource for those kinds of things.”
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