06/03/2026
9:00 AM Service Discussion Scheduled for June 14
For the last year, the first Sunday of each month has been a ‘Children’s Sunday’ during the 9:00 o’clock hour. On most of those Sundays, members of the Youth Choir have, in addition to singing, provided a corps of greeters, lay readers, intercessors, and altar setting helpers. The response to this initiative has been generally positive.
Your liturgical leadership team (clergy and music director) have been in discussion about how to move forward with this initiative in a way that, on each Sunday of a month, the 9:00 AM service would be shaped and designed to be more accessible to those ages 12 and under. As we look toward the fall, we are praying about how best to balance the needs and desires of those of all ages who normally worship during the 9:00 AM service.
To help with that, a brief overview of this will be presented during the homily at 9:00 this morning, and questions (or seeds) will be planted for reflection. Next Sunday, June 14th, in place of the 9:00 AM service, a facilitated discussion will be held in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, aimed at drawing out the fruit of those questions so that we can be as aware as possible of the needs and desires of those who normally worship at that time.
This exercise will not be one in ‘liturgical design by committee.’ Instead it will be a time when we try to name the values particular to that service, and ask how we can honor those, and offer a service that is accessible and welcoming to children. The 8:00 (Rite I) and 11:00 (Rite II) services will be held as usual, for those who want to attend a celebration of the Eucharist that day, and still be part of the discussion.
Whether you are an occasional or frequent 9:00 AM service attendee, please come this Sunday and next to take part in these important opportunities for discussion and discernment.
