We are inviting you to join us in this project by playing a part in one component of our overall plan. We will be doing a lot of research and studying on the various subjects related to worship space, and we will invite a few key speakers to provide teaching and activities for us to make informed decisions about worship space. And we will offer classes to our church and the community on the various topics related to worship space. But the real heart of this project will be the part you get to play. We would like you to join us by being a part of one of our “focus groups.” These are groups that will consist of a few people who will specifically focus on one of the topics related to worship space. These groups will then help us determine how best to implement our learning on that particular topic based on our theology and our mission as Unity Church rather than simply on aesthetics or preferences.
The specific topics will include such things as the location, size, and style of the pulpit, the Communion table, the baptismal font, and the music area. Other topics include seating, sound, lighting, and visual elements like multimedia, decorations, and art. In all, we anticipate there will be about ten different focus groups. You are welcome to be in more than one group if you would like. If you already serve in one of these areas (e.g. sound, computer, decorating, etc.), it would be very beneficial to have you work with that focus group. The Worship Grant Team will provide each group with a small packet of readings to help stimulate the discussion and offer direction in making worship space decisions based on theology and mission. Your input will offer extremely important guidance to the decision-making process of what our worship space will look like and what it will communicate to all who enter this place of worship.
Our goal is that as we seek to engage in authentic worship, we would strive to create an environment that communicates who God is and who we are, to forge strong connections between mission and worship, to be welcoming and hospitable to all who enter our church, and to draw each worshipper closer to God. We realize that this is a huge and lofty goal, but we believe that with your support and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can attain this goal.
If you would like to participate in this project, then we ask that you attend a brief meeting on Sunday, September 10th after worship to discuss the next steps of this project. If you have any questions about the project or would prefer not to get involved with it, please talk to Pastor Jeff or one of the members of the Worship Grant Team. We will be delighted to work together with you to reflect on, imagine, consider, envision, and develop a worship space that glorifies God and draws people to Him.
