|
Second Congregational Church Welcomes Worshippers at the Harbor
 Church Holds Service at Cohasset Sailing Club and Increases Summer Attendance
Most churches see a decrease in attendance during the summer, but the Second Congregational Church in Cohasset actually adds a second service during the warm months.
Beginning Sunday, July 4th, through Labor Day weekend, the Cohasset church hosts an early morning service on the porch of the Cohasset Sailing Club. Dress is casual, the sermon is shorter, music is plucked on the pastor's guitar, and worship is offered "al fresco" with the beautiful backdrop of Cohasset Harbor.
The summer sailing club worship service was launched 20 years ago when some members requested an earlier and more casual service during the warmer months. Someone suggested meeting somewhere other than the regular building and the sailing club was mentioned. At the time, one of the members was the commodore at the club and was able to receive permission to hold services there. The idea sailed.
Thirty to forty people attend this 8:00 am service each week, which is held rain or shine. Some people come to the sailing club because they are early risers, some for the beauty of the location; others come to start their Sunday with worship and then leave on their boats.
"People just love the beauty of the ocean and docks," explained the Rev. Mr. Gary A. Ritts, pastor of the church. "Families love it because the kids can wander around the yard and feel comfortable. And sometimes there are passersby, as well as an occasional boater, who drop in."
Dotty Myers, a long-time member of the church, tries to make every one of the Harbor services. "I love the early service and the casual atmosphere with people in shorts and flip flops," she said. "It seems that people are more relaxed and apt to bring up a concern or joy than during regular worship service at the church."
The pastor returns to the church for the more traditional 10:00 am service where another 30-40 people attend. That total adds up to numbers that exceed their previous one-service summer attendance. Except for choosing guitar-friendly songs that he can play, Ritts says no additional work is needed to run the second service. The only extra expense is the donation that is given to the sailing club at the end of the year to thank them for the use of the space.
Jack DeLorenzo, who has been the church moderator for 13 years, also enjoys the laid-back and tranquil atmosphere. He believes the earlier start gives everyone a chance to attend worship and still have a full day of summer activities. He believes there's great camaraderie among the folks who attend, but he has one complaint: the season isn't long enough. He wishes the service would start before July and extend well beyond Labor Day.
"The harbor service is popular and well loved because it's close to nature," said Ritts. "Just being here is a service in itself."
Myers agrees: "Listening to Gary, looking out over the water, hearing the seagulls, and watching the boats sail out... it all makes you truly feel the serenity of a beautiful Sunday morning."
Pastor Gary Ritts can be reached at the church office at (781) 383-0345 or scc@2ndcc.org.
|
|
Share Your Still Speaking Story
Tell us how God is speaking in and through your church. Have you reached out to the community in unique ways? Initiated a new mission project? Found a new way to minister to those within the congregation? Share your story and help us to spread the good news! Contact Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor, at cochranem@macucc.org.
|
You may reprint this story by including the following line in your article:
"Source: Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, www.macucc.org/spotlight" |
|
|
