Worship Renaissance Module WELCOME! Worship Renaissance Module renaissance program

Spirit of Life (SLT #123) Spirit of life, come unto me. Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion. Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice. Roots hold me close; wings set me free; Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me. renaissance program

Name and location of congregation/UU community Size of congregation Introductions Name Name and location of congregation/UU community Size of congregation Role Length of time in role renaissance program

Renaissance Program renaissance program Administration Adult Faith Development Curriculum Planning Ministry with Youth Multicultural Religious Education Philosophy of Religious Education Teacher Development UU Identity UU History (online only) Worship UU Theology (online only) Other trainings include: Family Ministry Innovation Leadership for Shared Ministry renaissance program

Reflect: Worship Quotes/Definitions Was there a significant discrepancy between any of these and the definitions you had used for your memory exercise? What do you like best in these definitions? Do they, all together, seem to present diverse, similar, or complementary views? Have any of them helped you understand any of the feelings you had in the recollection/representation exercise? renaissance program

“Unitarians and Universalists and Unitarian Universalists have worshipped together by our covenants on this continent for more than two centuries. We have a common denominator of understanding that worship is done in community. Increasingly we understand that while individuals may have private spiritual devotional practices... renaissance program

...and individuals and groups may have mystical experiences of awe, wonder, and beauty, these are not worship. Worship is a communal and intentional event, constructed from the building blocks of the liturgical arts and intended to be practiced over time.” from Worship That Works 2nd edition, Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz renaissance program

Session 1 Reflection Questions How does my personal “story” regarding worship influence and inform my ability to plan and offer worship experiences for others? How has my understanding of the term “worship” been affirmed, challenged, widened, deepened? renaissance program

Worship Renaissance Module Session 2 Worship Opportunities – Multigenerational, Rites of Passage, Children’s Worship renaissance program

Enter, Rejoice, and Come In (SLT 361) Today will be a joyful day, 2. Open your ears to the song… 3. Open your hearts ev’ryone… 4. Don’t be afraid of some change… renaissance program

Rites of Passage Honor the journey of human life Promote human growth Contribute to personal identity Emphasize the challenge and value of transition renaissance program

Rites of Passage, cont’d Offer the opportunities for reflection Perpetuate the values of identity of a community Recognize the reciprocal ties between individual and community renaissance program

Elementary-Age Children …are not blank slates …are drawn to what is most essential: a single word …are interested in what is real …are filled with wonder and awe …possess absorbent minds …are small in a big world …respond well to both verbal and non-verbal stimuli renaissance program

Guidelines for Worship Module Project Product: 20-minute worship service for a specific audience, e.g. children, youth, adult, multigenerational Presentation: Include a complete order of service followed by a complete worship service or a 20-minute portion of one; include a story Theme: [Selected by leaders] Team: As designated by leaders; one team member to send the product to all module participants/leaders Planning Time: 2 hours during Sessions 3 & 4 Feedback offered after each team’s presentation renaissance program

Session 2 Reflection Questions How has my understanding of the viability of multigenerational worship increased or changed? How has my competency as a leader or co-leader of multigenerational worship increased or deepened? How has my understanding of rites of passage increased or changed? Is there a ceremony or celebration I would like my congregation to add? How has my knowledge of worship opportunities increased or been refined? renaissance program

Worship Renaissance Module Session 3 The Craft of Worship renaissance program

Whoever you are, we welcome you. Wherever you come from, we welcome you. Whomever you love, we welcome you. [repeat twice] * alternate for Come, Come Whoever You Are renaissance program

Come, Come, Whoever You Are (SLT 188) Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving Ours is no caravan of despair Come, yet again, come. [lower part] Though you’ve broken your vows a thousand times… renaissance program

What Does the Minister Bring? Experience with creating/presenting worship Vision and responsibility for congregation and its worship life Specific preaching skills Seminary learning that informs worship content, style, standards Knowledge/relationships with non-staff worship leaders Personal strengths: music, speaking, writing, technology, dance, drama renaissance program

What Does the Music Director Bring? Professional training Awareness of music’s ability to create and sustain a tone/mood Knowledge of wide variety of vocal and instrumental music Choir Ability to lead singing Personal strengths: voice, specific instruments, plus any of the strengths listed for religious educator and minister. renaissance program

Key Components of Worship Gathering/Prelude Opening Acknowledging Giving Centering Receiving Closing Dispersing/Postlude renaissance program

We Worship Thee, God (SLT 285) We worship thee, God, below and above, and gratefully sing thy power and thy love. Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. 4. Though children of dust, as feeble as frail, By thy endless trust, we fear not to fail. Thy wing with its sheltering touch does us mend, For thou art our maker, redeemer, and friend. renaissance program

The Best Worship Space Possible It is clean, organized and cared for. It demonstrates thought and planning of the placement of chancel/stage furniture. It is mindful of the arrangement and care of sacred objects. It is open to new ways of using the space. It welcomes and values all who worship there. renaissance program

Honoring and Respecting Our World’s Cultures How much do I know about the particular tradition this worship comes from? How do I respect it and not misrepresent it? What do I know of the history and experience of the people from whom I am borrowing? Does this borrowing distort, water down, or misinterpret the tradition? Am I changing the meaning of a worship element to suit my service? Am I changing lyrics or words to suit my theology or my congregation’s theology? Why can’t the experience these words or actions convey stand for itself? Am I overgeneralizing this culture? (Any culture can be quite diverse.) What is my motivation for this borrowing? What is being sought and why? How do the “owners” of the tradition feel about pieces of the tradition being borrowed? Do I have any personal relationship with anyone who comes from the culture from which I am borrowing? from Worship That Works 2nd edition, Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz; questions adapted from the work of Jacqui James renaissance program

Guidelines for Worship Module Project Product: 20-minute worship service for a specific audience, e.g. children, youth, adult, multigenerational Presentation: Include a complete order of service followed by a complete worship service or a 20-minute portion of one; include a story Theme: [Selected by leaders] Team: As designated by leaders; one team member to send the product to all module participants/leaders Planning Time: 2 hours during Sessions 3 & 4 Feedback will be offered after each team’s presentation renaissance program

Session 3 Reflection Questions How does the worship team function in my setting? How might the team be strengthened? How might I articulate and increase the religious educator’s role in the worship life of my congregation? How has my competency in structuring and evaluating a worship service increased and deepened? How has my fluency with the language of faith been challenged or confirmed? How has my understanding of cultural appropriation expanded? renaissance program

Worship Renaissance Module Session 4 The Power of Stories renaissance program

Blue Boat Home (STJ 1064) Though below me I feel no motion, standing on these mountains and plains. Far away from the rolling ocean, still my dry land heart can say: I’ve been sailing all my life now, never harbor or port have I know. The wide universe is the ocean I travel, And the earth is my blue boat home. renaissance program

Blue Boat Home (STJ 1064) Sun my sail, and moon my rudder, as I ply the starry sea, leaning over the edge in wonder, casting questions into the deep. Drifting here with my ship’s companions, all we kindred pilgrim souls, Making our way by the lights of the heavens, In our beautiful is my blue boat home. renaissance program

Blue Boat Home (STJ 1064) I give thanks to the waves upholding me, hail the great winds urging me on. Greet the infinite sea before me, Sing the sky my sailor’s song: I was born upon the fathoms, Never harbor or port have I known. The wide universe is the ocean I travel, And the earth is my blue boat home. renaissance program

Personal Story What three people have been very important in your life? What three places have been very important in your life? What three events have been very important in your life? renaissance program

Congregation’s Story What three people have been very important in your congregation’s life/history? What three places have been very important in your congregation’s life/history? What three events have been very important in your congregation’s life/history? renaissance program

Elements: A Good Story… Promotes the worship service’s hopes and goals Affirms what is ultimately worthy Engages the story teller Includes conflict, the unexpected Creates a full, developed experience Speaks to the heart Engages all ages present from A Good Telling, Kristin Maier, Skinner House Books, 2013 renaissance program

Six Techniques of Storytelling Using your voice Using tempo Using movement Developing characters Inviting emotion …and practicing, practicing, practicing! from A Good Telling, Kristin Maier, Skinner House Books, 2013 renaissance program

Homily Writing renaissance program Write what you know. Know what your conclusions will be before you begin. Organize your thoughts. Write simply and clearly; think about what you are writing. “Show,” don’t “tell.” Give yourself adequate time to write, to give the writing time to site, and to edit. Have one major message and support it with two or three main points. Not more. renaissance program

Guidelines for Worship Module Project Product: 20-minute worship service for a specific audience, e.g. children, youth, adult, multigenerational Presentation: Include a complete order of service followed by a complete worship service or a 20-minute portion of one; include a story Theme: [Selected by leaders] Team: As designated by leaders; one team member to send the product to all module participants/leaders Planning Time: 2 hours during Sessions 3 & 4 Feedback will be offered after each team’s presentation renaissance program

Session 4 Reflection Questions How has my understanding of the value of including story in worship been challenged, increased, or deepened? What are my strengths as a storyteller and what are my areas to build or improve? How might I apply my learning about the power of stories and storytelling techniques to my work as a worship leader? How has the session affected my thoughts about and skills in homily writing? renaissance program

Worship Renaissance Module Session 5 The Presentation of Worship renaissance program

Wake, Now, My Senses (SLT 298) 1. Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call; Feel the deep power of being in all; Keep, with the web of creation your vow, Giving receiving as love shows us how. 2. Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new; Join with each pilgrim who quests for the true; Honor the beauty and wisdom of time, Suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime. renaissance program

Wake, Now, My Senses (SLT 298) 3. Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry; Voices of suffering fill the wide sky; Take as your neighbor both stranger and friend, Praying and striving their hardship to end. 4. Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide; Join with all people whose rights are denied; Take not for granted a privileged place, God’s love embraces the whole human race. . 3. renaissance program

Wake, Now, My Senses (SLT 298) 5. Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear; Brighten my pathway with radiance here; Mingle my calling with all who will share; Work toward a planet transformed by our care. renaissance program

Session 5 Reflection Questions How have my skills improved or deepened as a result of creating, presenting, and evaluating several worship services during our module? How has my knowledge of the range of possibilities to create effective worship grown or been refined? This module advocates the inclusion of a religious educator in the worship life of a congregation. What is one action I will take to live/promote this strategy with my congregation, minister, and/or others who plan worship? renaissance program