New England summer Sundays can be "slow" in the numbers department both in participation and finance. More echoes than people are experienced in cavernous but unfilled sanctuaries. Many churches seek adaptive strategies.
Formerly, our three mainstream congregations in town "consolidated" services to compensate for summer attrition. Services rotated between the three churches, but few participants from the non-hosting church attended. We could count 5-8 of our own people on any given Sunday. This arrangement also required non-hosting churches to be "closed" for as many as 7 of the 10 weeks. The concept, while well intended, wasn't a real solution to the vexing problem.
In 2006, The Congregational Church of Mansfield found an innovative approach to the 'summer off' mentality and embarked upon an experimental program we called "Worship with a TWiST!" Think of an ice cold glass of water on a scorching mid-summer day with that simple twist of lemon or lime. Ah! Refreshing!!! How do we refresh those who come out? How do we re-package worship to make it more accessible while being less formal or traditional? What little spark can we offer that might intrigue people and prove to be invitational to the wider community? We thought about adding a TWiST to summer worship opportunities.
Several members of our Deacons and Worship Team have appreciated exposure to Jazz Worship at the Conference's Annual Meetings and workshops. We have sampled in other settings Praise Style Worship with those who desire to share good news through the instrumentation of a praise band. Others encountered a contemplative/meditative style through Iona or Taizé Worship where re-freshment, re-creation, and re-newal had a profound effect. Folk Rhythms from Appalachia (and elsewhere) via guitar, dulcimer, harp, banjo, and mandolin set the foot in motion, cause the heart to jump, and make the Spirit soar. Our musical TWiST! includes this full range of worship styles throughout our summer schedule.
The Rose Garden Coffeehouse is a monthly folk music venue that has been using our church facility for many years. This connection resulted in a consultation with their coordinator. We inquired whether he knew of folk musicians who might like to share in an alternative worship format. Eight performers with "spiritual roots" were immediately identified who might welcome this creative opportunity. "Worship with a TWiST!" was born!
Now musicians are quite eager to return year after year. Very often the featured musician has a special theme they'd like to explore with all of us. We then set to the task of artfully sculpting a service highlighting their musical gifts while further deepening exploration of the central theme.
Summer worship moves an hour earlier to a 9:00 a.m. slot on Sunday mornings affording time to still 'get away for the day' for all manner of family activity. We gather in the cool of the downstairs vestry where fans whisper a refreshing breeze in our non-air conditioned facility. We set up "in the round" with a central worship table filled with visual symbols, candles, and flowers. The gathering is 'come as you are' -- always casual.
This intimate atmosphere has accommodated 37 to 87 worshippers which varies depending on the specific week and/or performing musician. We arrange the room to accommodate 50 people providing a closer sense of community. And yes, advertising in local and area newspapers has produced returning visitors -- a gentle form of hospitality inspired evangelism.
The guest musician offers an opening piece and later two sets of music lasting 10-12 minutes each. During this time the congregation learns more about the performing artist's journey and insights they have gleaned along the way. It never ceases to enrich all who gather.
We guarantee $150 for our guest musician. This is more than covered by a freewill offering as people enter or depart. Worshippers are thankful for the gift these talented folks bring into our lives and respond with generosity.
Summer has become our creative playground to explore more intimate worship while affording participants the opportunity to worship with outstanding guest musicians. Our "Worship with a TWiST!" engages talent, moves the heart, increases summer participation and inspires ideas that can be employed during the regular course of non-Summer Sundays.
We encourage you to try the "TWiST" at your church: a creative and invitational tool where all may discover new life and renewal during the warming days of summer.
Rev. Ted Newcomb can be reached at the church office at 508.339.4793 or roaminrev@verizon.net
