Thursday, November 01, 2007
Report From Grants Tour ‘07
Betty Grit has just returned from a driving tour of various current and former recipients of Worship Renewal Grants in Ontario and the northeastern United States. Here is her report on her travels. (More information)
Redeemer University College
Ancaster, Ontario
Syd Hielema, chaplain of the college, enthusiastically reported the many ways college faculty, students and staff are engaging in the grant project based on “the kingdom is like yeast” (from Matthew 13) model of ministry. Retreats, a luncheon and worship education desserts have provided opportunities for discussion of worship and prayer. Book reading groups are being formed that will offer fellowship and learning about worship. Syd is grateful for the strong student leadership at Redeemer and for the interest of faculty and staff to make worship a central focus of all campus life. He is interested in further exploring ways to connect worship with the curriculum. He observes that it would be helpful to meet with other chaplains at Christian colleges to encourage and learn from one another.
First Christian Reformed Church
Hamilton, Ontario
Project Director Beth Terpstra introduced us to Pastor Andrew Zantingh and members of the worship team. This inner city congregation has opened its doors to a Laotian and an African congregation. A synergy is developing as together they come together to pray and lead worship.
The artists and musicians in the congregation are partnering to help the congregation honor their traditions while seeking to be relevant to the unique culture of the community. As a part of their Worship Renewal Grant project they recently invited members of the congregation to bring small items that are meaningful to them. While musicians provided music on the mandolin and accordion, artists placed these items in hot bees wax within small frames. A time of worship in which people were invited to tell why they chose the item they submitted and a fellowship meal concluded the afternoon.
The completed art work now is displayed in the front of the worship space. Beth reports that the art served to draw people from different generations and backgrounds together which has resulted in a new sense of peace and unity. Outside the grant project, the congregation is developing a secondary campus so that they will be a church worshipping in two locations under the same leadership. Beth and the leadership team are enthusiastic about a workshop that will be led by Syd Hielema to help families connect worship on Sunday with daily life in the home.
City Fellowship Church
Lower Manhattan, New York
Nestled in a large housing and commercial complex along the banks of the Hudson River in Manhattan, the apartment of Steve and Dana Wolma exudes warmth and hospitality. Gathered with Ben and Christy Spalink, we discuss what God is doing in the development of City Fellowship Church. Already people have been drawn to partner with them in developing a Christian worshiping community. In late October, weekly fellowship worship gatherings will alternate with small groups that will discuss the messages. Focusing on the book of Acts, they seek to identify the values and build ownership that will shape City Fellowship Church.
Following Law School and the successful beginning of a career in corporate law, Steve and Dana recognized that God was calling them to ministry and church planting. More than a year ago they moved with their children, Jonathan and Chloe, to Manhattan to begin a new church. They observe that in New York City, most urban professionals have everything they had hoped to attain – a career, status, material goods. Many do not acknowledge a need for God or for his grace. Steve and Dana dream of developing a Christian congregation where dialogic worship will help people reenact the Gospel and acknowledge sin and God’s mercy and forgiveness.
We give thanks for the vision God has given to the Wolmas and Spalinks and look forward to continued learning from them about church planting in a busy metropolitan city.
Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
Brooklyn, New York
On Sunday morning we were warmly welcomed to a gathering of the grant leadership team which met between the 8:00 and 11:00 services. The conversation, led by Alicia Bailey and Kevin Taylor helped us understand about the Pray Shops (Sunday morning workshops focused on James 5:16) that were held in the month of August and the 24 hour Prayer Convocation held on September 29. They report that this focus on prayer has created a new spirit of unity and renewal in the congregation. A decision has already been made to continue to offer Pray Shops four times a year. We are grateful to Pastor David B. Cousin Jr. and Project Director Valerie Cousin for their leadership in this year long process of worship renewal.
We learned that the grant has opened opportunities for engaging worshipers through music, art and drama. The worship service opened with a powerful invitation to follow Jesus demonstrated through the Unspoken Words Spiritual Mime Ministry. The United Voices in Praise Mass Choir and the Hanifah Children’s Choir led worship through a variety of music that challenged and encouraged us. Rev. Cheryl Auguste preached and the service concluded with the baptism of two young children. We give thanks for the warm welcome extended by the leadership team of Bridge Street AME and for the privilege of partnering with them through this year of worship renewal.
Asociacion para la Educacion Teologica Hispana
Our Sunday afternoon conversation in both English and Spanish was a reminder of the challenges of bilingual communication. Representatives of the churches who engaged throughout the grant year in the process of worship renewal expressed gratitude for the encouragement and learning the year provided. Following the meeting we worshiped with the congregation during the third service of the day.
View Asociacion para la Educacion Teologica Hispana’s project poster
Bridgeway Christian Reformed Church
Haledon, New Jersey
Bridgeway partnered with Good Shepherd CRC for a 2006 worship renewal grant. Jacie Sytsma and Claudia Cortes described the multiple ways the grant has encouraged the churches in worship renewal, especially in music and visual art. They are currently involved in a series to teach Vertical Habits. Banners created by Midland Park CRC for that project are now hanging at Bridgeway. When grant recipients partner to support and encourage one another, we are reminded of the many ways the grants connect congregations and their leaders. Claudia reports that she is using the Vertical Habits as devotions with students in her classroom at Eastern Christian High School
View Bridgeway’s project poster
Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church
Providence, Rhode Island
This is a new multi-site church, the result of a merger of two historic congregations. The church is located in a culturally and ethnically diverse, urban neighborhood and the congregation is becoming increasingly multicultural and multigenerational. The building is used by many community organizations including a large food distribution. On Monday evening, we gathered for pizza and salad to meet with worship leaders and learn about their 2007 Worship Renewal Grant Project. We are grateful to Pastor Duane Clinker and Laurie Cobb for bringing together several of their leadership team – Wendy whose gifts help people knit and quilt items for those in need, Roc whose musical gifts are used here and at Zion Korean Church (a former grant recipient), Socorro, the principal of a key elementary school who translates and is gifted at connecting with people especially those in low income housing for Bible Study and fellowship, Jane who heads a book group, Cheryl the music director, Harry who writes a weekly newspaper column, and Frances who loves working with kids, especially those who have handicaps. They tell us that communion is an important part of worship each week and that Pastor Clinker finds unique ways to connect it with the message.
They report that testimonies are a significant part of worship to allow people to express what God is doing in their lives. One person at the table reported that on Sunday, following worship, she received a call from a coworker who said, “I have heard that the church is hot – It used to be cold.” The group laughs to hear the way the church has been described but all agree that something special is happening here as the Holy Spirit draws people to worship and service. We are eager to learn with them through the remainder of the grant year.
Grace Episcopal Church
Newton Corner, Mass.
This church was the recipient of a 2006 Worship Renewal Grant. Project Director and music director Linda Clark welcomed us and showed how baptism has been highlighted in the worship space. Ed Pease, Education Director and Rector Miriam Gelfer joined us to reflect on the impact of the study of baptism in the congregation. In a workshop during the grant year a senator spoke about the implications of baptism and vocation. They report that it has helped them think about life and baptism in a whole new way. As an outcome of the project, people are asking, “What does it mean to be a baptizing community?” The 2006 grant was focused on baptism and children. A 12 year old girl was a valuable part of the leadership team and a service planned and led by youth during Lent was a highlight of the year.
Through photos we learned about the many ways the young people engaged the congregation in experiencing and understanding significant parts of the life of Christ. In reflecting on the grant year, Linda observed that they have learned that renewal is organic, not mechanical. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Leaders at Grace Episcopal Church continue to be engaged in worship renewal with special focus on baptism and questions related to children in worship. They have found the Episcopal curriculum Journey to Adulthood to be a helpful resource and are seeking other ways to continue their process of worship renewal.
View Grace Episcopal’s project poster
Grace Episcopal’s home page
Wollaston Congregational Church United Church of Christ
Wollaston, Mass.
Wollaston is engaged in a year-long process of worship renewal in partnership with other congregations in the community. The project began with a workshop and worship led by Tom Long focused on the book Beyond the Worship Wars. The evening of our visit members of several congregations joined with seminary students for a discussion of Discerning the Spirits. Discussion questions encouraged participants to consider worship in their congregations, whether it is dialogic and which elements of worship might require the most discernment. The year long project is intended to answer contemporary questions about traditional religious practices and help integrate their relevancy today.
Wollaston’s home page
Gordon College
Wenham, Massachusetts
Gordon partnered with CICW in a special 2003 grant focused on campus worship. Campus Chaplain Greg Carmer, in reflecting on the grant project, reports that the focus of that year on Trinitarian worship and using “sign posts” in worship to help the congregation understand what is done in worship continue to shape worship on campus. He reports that in addition to chapel on Monday and Wednesday mornings, a variety of worship times are held in other venues across the campus. Three times a semester an evening chapel is held which includes instructive teaching and experimental music. Greg observes that there is an ongoing need in college settings to find ways to connect chapel and the curriculum.
Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA)
CIVA has received a 2007 Worship Renewal Grant to encourage pastors and artists to collaborate in a study of worship space. Tyrus Clutter, Project Director, introduced other members of the implementation team. North Shore Chapel, one of the congregations involved in the project, was a focus of the discussion. This church meets in a movie theatre which creates unique challenges. Katie notes that worshipers must enter through a side entrance which requires passing through several doors boldly marked “Do Not Enter”. The project is helping them consider the messages conveyed in their space and creative changes that can be made. North Shore Chapel was a recipient of a 2004 grant which makes it especially encouraging to hear about the continued learning that is taking place. We were grateful to also hear from Barb, Lauren and Tanja about ways that art is connected with worship on Gordon’s campus.
CIVA’s home page
North Shore Chapel’s home page
Eliot Presbyterian Church
Lowell, Mass.
Eliot Presbyterian was the recipient of Worship Renewal Grants in 2000 and 2005. Pastor Ted Zaragoza and lay leaders gathered with us on a Wednesday evening to help us better understand worship in this congregation. The church reflects the multigenerational, multicultural character of its community. Weekly communion draws people from Cambodia, Brazil, Africa, China and other areas of the world together. Three intergenerational choirs help lead worship. “Celebrating Our Life Together” has become an opportunity to tell their stories to one another and to celebrate significant milestones. Reflecting on the grant, the leadership team reports that the grant “allowed us to ask questions.” As a part of the grant project, Michael Hawn “taught us to be more accepting of each other”. They are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the grant year and how the learning continues to impact their life and worship. They note that like a child you have not seen for a long time, a church changes, learns and grows. They remind us of the importance of staying in communication with those who have received grants in the past. We are grateful to continue learning from them.
Eliot Presbyterian’s home page
Photos from Eliot Presbyterian
View Eliot Presbyterian’s project poster
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Kennebunk, Maine
Pastor Richard Horner and Project Director Karen Indorf welcomed us and members of the grant project team to a delicious brunch of homemade dishes highlighting cranberries, apples and other Maine products. In reflecting on their 2006 grant which was intended to help worshipers engage all of their senses in the worship service, they report that the workshops and study gave them the freedom to think in a new way. Pastor Horner reports that while each year he uses the colored leaves of fall for a teaching time with children, this year he invited them to throw the leaves into the air and leave them on the floor. As worshipers came forward to receive communion, they observed that this simple act helped them engage in a new way.
Their 2007 grant will help them begin a third worship service, based on their learning of the past year. People in the community are asking how soon it will begin. Participants in our conversation report that as a result of last year’s grant they are engaged in worship and worship leadership in new and more profound ways. At the 2006 Grant Colloquium they met Jed Mannis and learned about the Outdoor Church in Cambridge. They regularly collect socks and visit about every two months to minister to the homeless. Holy Cross Lutheran Church has plans to teach Vertical Habits to the congregation in the coming months. We give thanks for their commitment to worship renewal.
