Traditions! -- Cultivating Fruitfulness Day 11

I am still learning the traditions of Pomme de Terre United Methodist Church as I have only been around for six months.

If there is a tradition in worship that leaves people out, it might be our informalness. We are a congregation that likes to joke and have fun even during worship. I personally do not have a problem with this; however, there may be some folks for whom this is new and uncomfortable. My thought is that this light, fun atmosphere is who this congregation is, so why change it? That is not to say that we don't want new worshippers, but why hide who we are? My personal philosophy is that while there are serious moments in worship, our faith should be fun and enjoyable, so let's embrace our humorous side. We will, however, need to exercise caution that "inside jokes" or "running jokes" do not work to exclude new worshippers.

As we mover forward as a worshipping community I think that we will need to consider the possibility of adding other worship opportunities. I have always been told that when a sanctuary reaches 80 percent capacity, the perception among worshippers -- especially among new worshippers -- is that there is no more room for them.

We are within 20 people of 80 percent capacity right now, and I anticipate hitting 80 percent capacity in the spring when our snow birds return from warmer climes.

What new worship opportunities could we add at Pomme de Terre UMC? Who would be our target audience? When and where would new worship gatherings take place?

I think that we have the opportunity to pursue several options:

1. an early worship gathering at 8:30 a.m.
2. an Sunday afternoon worship gathering
3. Saturday night worship
4. Wednesday evening 6 p.m. prayer and healing service

Wherever we go with worship, I think that new worship opportunities need to be different from our current worship. This might mean that we meet in Fellowship Hall, we use projection, sing to contemporary worship music, skip a sermon in favor of a learning activity. Our possibilities are endless!

In response to the devotion for today, at our Christmas Eve worship, I heard one non-church member comment how she appreciated the 5 p.m. worship since all the other churches had candlelight services at 7 p.m. or later. The earlier time enabled her to join us.