Exploring Worship and Connection in the Renaissance Program
Dive into the Renaissance Program's focus on worship, spirituality, and community connection through various modules, reflections, and discussions on the transformative power of worship in our lives.
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WELCOME! Worship Renaissance Module renaissance program
SLT #123 Spirit of Life 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
Introductions Name Name and location of congregation/UU community Size of congregation Role Length of time in role 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 module) Worship UU Theology (coming soon) 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
From Chapter 1, A Good Telling: Bringing Worship to Life with Story by Rev. Kristin Maier Many of us come to worship because we are hungry for an experience of wholeness. We hope that through worshipping together we might feel a deeper connection to God, the sacred, each other, or simply our own true selves. When we feel our selves as more whole and as part of a greater whole the effect can be transformative. renaissance program
We may find that in being more connected to our true selves we are able to be more true in the world, to those we love, to strangers, to friends, and to the earth. We may find ourselves reorienting our lives toward our deepest values. We may find ourselves living with more compassion and with a deeper awareness of the sacred. 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
SLT #361 Enter, Rejoice, and Come In Enter, rejoice, and come in, Enter, rejoice, and come in. Today will be a joyful day, Enter, rejoice, and come in. 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, contd 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 will be 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 Whoever you are, we welcome you. Wherever you come from, we welcome you. Whomever you love, we welcome you. Repeat twice * alternate Come, Come Whoever You Are renaissance program
SLT #188 Come, Come, Whoever You Are Come, come whoever you are 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 church 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 Acknowledging Closing Dispersing/Postlude renaissance program
SLT #285 We Worship Thee, God 1. We worship thee, God, below and above, and gratefully sing the power and 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
Brief Guide to Using Cross-Cultural Stories Do your homework Understand your motivation Ask yourself if the story is yours to tell Prepare the story Guide the congregation s understanding Speak with humility, respect and sensitivity Be open to feedback and learning 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/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 your fluency with 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
STJ #1064 Blue Boat Home 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
STJ #1064 Blue Boat Home 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
STJ #1064 Blue Boat Home 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
PersonalStory 1. What three people have been very important in your life? 2. What three places have been very important in your life? 3. What three events have been very important in your life? renaissance program
Congregations Story 1. What three people have been very important in your congregation s life/history? 2. What three events have been very important in your congregation s life/history? 3. 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 renaissance program
Six Techniques of Storytelling Using your voice Using tempo Using movement Developing characters Inviting emotion and practicing, practicing, practicing! renaissance program
Homily Writing 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/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 impacted my thoughts and skills of homily writing? renaissance program
Worship Renaissance Module Session 5 The Presentation of Worship renaissance program
SLT #298 Wake, Now, My Senses 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
SLT #298 Wake, Now, My Senses 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. renaissance program
SLT #298 Wake, Now, My Senses 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/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 been increased or 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
