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A View into the “Common Room”: A Story of One Worship Space’s Transformation

Today’s post is by Timothy Weisman, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In many ways, this post is a visual blog with accompanying narration. The photos by Weisman and Keith Perry illustrate how a major renovation of Zion’s worship space has shaped and served their community.

 

On November 18, 2014, at the urging of a parent, the property committee at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts voted to do something quite radical for the time: we voted to create a “Pray & Play” area in our sanctuary where kids could feel comfortable and where young families could worship together with age-appropriate activities. While it might have been the combination of bean bag chairs, ELWs, foam blocks, and books about Martin Luther and Ella Fitzgerald that initially caught a newcomer’s eye, what most people seemed to notice first was that we had removed two adjacent pews in the center of our sanctuary to make room.

Just two years later, we removed the remaining forty-six pews.

In 2017, the people of Zion Lutheran Church, recognizing that our 1892 Neo-gothic sanctuary was overdue for a major investment, completed a $1.2 million project that transformed it into a renewed place for worship and community. While this included adding accessible routes and restrooms, replastering and repainting the walls, replacing all the lighting, and even adding air-conditioning, what most people (still) seem to notice first is that we removed all the pews and replaced them with chairs.

This is my testimony to you: it feels good to worship in a sanctuary in which the seating is more than twenty percent filled. The singing is fabulous when the community worships close together. Need space for a baptism and six confirmations at an Easter Vigil? Just make the open space between the font and the chairs larger. Need space for piano, string bass, and drums for Jazz Vespers, our monthly evening prayer? Just move the altar table back a few feet.

 

 

Because nothing is nailed down, Zion Lutheran Church has been able to host public concerts, theatre rehearsals, interviews, annual meetings, farmers markets, community dinners, and events for children and youth. In our first year, over twelve thousand people have walked through our doors for worship or a community event in our Common Room, the name for our sanctuary.

 

Last year, at an indoor farmers market we host, I was asked with some amount of disbelief, “Wait a second—is this still a real church?” (I replied with an emphatic “yes!”) But I’ll admit that there have been more than a few Sunday mornings when I’ve arrived to worship in a sanctuary that looks more exhausted than sacred. First, I gently remind myself that I don’t always look so good, either—and I remember that in our worship, our hearing of God’s Word, our praying, and our singing, not only are we renewed to serve our community, but so is this Common Room. For that, I give extra thanks and praise.

“In its best sense preservation does not mean merely the setting aside of thousands of buildings as museum pieces. It means retaining the culturally valuable structures as useful objects: a home in which human beings live, a building in the service of some commercial or community purpose.” Lady Bird Johnson in her forward to With Heritage So Rich, a report by the National Trust for Historic Preservation (1966)

Armistice Centennial Raises Cause of Peace

Today’s post is by Philip A. Gardner, Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Sandusky, Ohio. 

It was to have been “the war to end all wars,” but that was a dream that didn’t last long.

World War I began in Europe in 1914.  Two years later, President Woodrow Wilson campaigned under the slogan, “He kept us out of war.” But that was short-lived. The United States entered the conflict in 1917, at a cost of over 100,000 lives before an agreement was reached on November 11, 1918, to end hostilities. Total war deaths are estimated at between 15 and 19 million.

Be it happenstance or serendipity, the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, November 11, 2018, falls on a Sunday. It seems a perfect opportunity for a commemoration of those who served on all sides in one of the most brutal conflicts in human history.  It also offers an opportunity to raise up the hope of peace even as other wars continue, notably those in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan.

Our congregation worships at 8:00 and 10:30 am each Sunday, and I am planning a regular service at 8:00 using the appointed texts for the day (Lectionary 32). But, given the tradition of tolling bells at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” we will offer a two-part worship opportunity at 10:30, with the bell toll in between.

The later service will open with a time of remembrance. Interwoven with Scripture and song will be snippets of the history of the war. Canadian Anthony Hutchcroft has written and performed a marvelous setting for the poem “In Flanders Fields,” having produced a video available on YouTube with dancing choreographed and directed by his wife Lee Kwidzinski. We’ll show the video as part of the war commemoration. Our congregation has also contacted our local American Legion Auxiliary to secure small paper poppies for all who attend.  While in the United States poppies have been more associated with Memorial Day in May, our British and Canadian friends have employed them on and around November 11, which, for them, is called “Remembrance Day.”

Our carillon will offer the sound of a tolling bell for a minute at 11:00 am (done at local time,) joining in a “Bells of Peace” nationwide observance.  See https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/546-events/bell-tolling/bells-of-peace/4558-bells-of-peace-concept.html for more information.

Then, indeed, we will turn to peace, using the texts suggested for “Peace” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 63). We have ordered copies of “World Peace Prayer” by Marty Haugen and Satish Kumar, intending to include it as either a choral or congregational piece.  Likely the single meditation/sermon will take place in the second half hour.  We will likely close with “This is my song.” (ELW 887). A peal of bell sounds from our carillon would be a fitting conclusion as candles are extinguished.

Additional resources for Veteran’s Day are available from the ELCA website. There will also be an interfaith observance on Sunday, November 11 at 10:00 am, at the Washington National Cathedral.  I’m told that the service will be streamed on the Internet, and will likely be available via recording.

Options are many, but the observance seems worthy of our attention as God’s people, particularly as we lift up the One who is our Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Window into Lutheran Summer Music: One Camper’s Story

Today’s post is by Talitha Duckworth. Tali is a member of New Joy Lutheran Church in Westfield, Indiana, and is entering her sophomore year of high school. 

LSM stands for Lutheran Summer Music and it is an extraordinary ministry that I was able to be a part of this past summer. This month-long summer camp was an eye-opening faith experience that I will remember for years. While I was there, I built friendships that will last a lifetime.

I have so many favorite parts of LSM that I would not be able to choose just one. Worship was one highlight. I loved morning and evening prayer every day as it was a calm and optimistic way of starting and ending the day. I also very much enjoyed Sunday eucharist. I was on the Worship Team, so every Sunday I would participate in worship leadership (communion server or assisting minister).

At LSM, a good part of each day is spent in music rehearsals. I was involved in band, orchestra, jazz band and a brass quintet. Each rehearsal was about an hour long; this could sometimes be tiring as I was a  trumpet player. But due to this intense rehearsal schedule, I was able to build my endurance and become a better trumpet player.

I think the coolest part of LSM was it being held at the amazing Valparaiso University chapel. Saying this as a pastor’s kid might be slightly biased, but it was amazing how the space would resonate after the organ played a massive chord or how the sun would be reaching through the stained glass on Sunday mornings. It was a beautiful sight. I had the pleasure of being the assisting minister on the final Sunday, an experience I will always remember. Standing in front of hundreds of people reading prayers and distributing communion gave me a feeling of joy I will never forget.

Both my experience in band and the beauty of the chapel combined in another amazing memory I had: playing Lincolnshire Posy, a piece for wind band by Percy Grainger. Playing this piece moved me and empowered me. If you have not heard this piece, go listen to it after you read this because the second movement gives you chills when it is played just right. I had the privilege of playing the trumpet solo in that movement and playing it in the chapel made it even more special. You could hear the chords ring for what felt like minutes after the release. I had this same feeling when in orchestra we played the final movement from the Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky. The final chords were so epic; it seemed that they would ring forever, giving this sensation at the end of the piece that was extraordinary.

I am glad for this opportunity to share a bit about this amazing experience. You can learn more at lsmacademy.org.

Photos: Tali Duckworth. Above Right:Serving as Assisting Minister for Worship. Above Left:Quintet Performance. Below:With other worship leaders at the Chapel of the Resurrection on the campus of Valparaiso University. 

 

 

Church Musicians Are Renewed by “Hearts, Hands, Voices” Event

From July 23-26, 2018, the “Hearts, Hands, Voices” event was held on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. This continuing education event was a joint venture between the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) and the ELCA. Two attendees of this event, one a first-time attendee from North Dakota and the other, a long-time member of ALCM from Pennsylvania, share with us how these days were formative for their music ministry.

Chad Svenby serves as Director of Worship and Music Ministry at Lutheran Church of the Cross in West Fargo, ND

The Hearts, Hands, Voices event was the first ALCM event I have attended. I came away from the week re-energized for the work that I do as a worship and music director. I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other music leaders about the role and importance of music in worship, as well as our shared challenges and successes.

The group learning sessions were very informative and helpful. My church offers contemporary worship services so I found the inclusion of sessions related to presenting music in that type of setting to be a great addition. Throughout the event, participants were given access to a wide variety of materials and resources related to music leadership and worship planning. There were several that were of interest to me, such as the Musicians Guide to Evangelical Lutheran Worship, that I will be acquiring and using in my own planning.

I appreciated that this conference was tied in to the last week of the Lutheran Summer Music program that took place at Valparaiso University during the month of July. It was a joy to see so many of the next generation of music leaders developing and sharing their talents. A highlight of the week was the hymn festival on Wednesday evening, an inspirational and moving event. The performances reaffirmed in me the power and beauty of music and the impact it can have on the worship experience of an individual or congregation.

I left this event feeling invigorated and proud of the work I and others do as music leaders. I was challenged to develop new ideas and improve upon how music is presented to the members of my congregation. And I left feeling blessed that I am able to share the power and beauty of music with others.

 

Karen Eddinger serves as Minister of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Another conference?  Having served churches as a Minister of Music for more than forty years, what could this event offer other than a break from the day-to-day routine of church work and an opportunity to meet or reconnect with colleagues? From my first step into the Chapel of Resurrection at Valparaiso University, the answer was that this was going to be an exceptional experience. The concurrent programming of this ALCM event with the last week of the Lutheran Summer Music program united the hearts, hands, and voices of several generations of musicians. From the opening Eucharist, through Morning Prayer, Night Prayer, and the hymn festival, these LSM students lifted our worship to new heights as we together praised God through the gift of music.

Group learning sessions both affirmed what was already known and reminded us of what was once learned but perhaps forgotten over the years. Growth happened when we were stretched beyond our comfort zones. How hard is it to play a shaker? In a robust 6/8 tempo, much harder than it looks!  How humbling to be a “trained” musician who just can’t do it! Paperless music (singing without printed scores) is a perfectionist’s nightmare! But from my struggle came the startling insight of how congregational members may feel when asked to sing something new. (For more about the practice of singing “paperlessly,” visit Music That Makes Community).

One of the greatest treasures of such an event was meeting fellow worship leaders. Sharing with one another our varied styles of worship, creative juices begin to flow; a breath is taken, spirits are renewed, and excitement is generated as we make plans for the coming year.  Another conference? Yes, please!

Worship at Camp Mount Luther

Today’s post is by Chad Hershberger, Executive Director of Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania.

Sitting along a lakeshore, enjoying the quiet breeze of summer, kids intently listen to a pastor talking about the reach of God’s love through Jesus Christ. The pastor tells them that sharing God’s love will reach far, just like ripples when a stone is thrown into a body of water. Those words are not just spoken. After being told about how God’s love extends beyond our reach, the kids throw a stone into the lake and watch as their ripples extend to the edges of the shore. The message of God’s word comes alive as they commune with their Creator in this place set apart.

Camp worship has been happening all over the country this summer in 126 Lutheran Outdoor Ministry sites. I am blessed to serve one of them and got to throw my own stone into our lake recently as part of this all-camp worship service. I’ve been around my camp since I was nine years old and for me, camp worship is where God really comes alive and God’s presence is truly felt as I’m surrounded by the beauty of creation.

When we gather together at camp as the people of God and invoke God’s presence, we are an extension of congregational worship. We show campers the connections between camp worship and their home church’s worship. Our staff who plans worship are taught the basic shape of Lutheran liturgy. What I think is a little different at camp is that campers are encouraged to be actively engaged. We don’t treat worship as a spectator sport! It is participatory and God’s message comes alive, through our singing, our moving around doing motions, and when throwing rocks into a lake.

You may think from my description that worship at camp is always loud which is not the case! One of my favorite worship services is what we call “field worship.” Campers and staff sit in our field, usually in the dark, looking up at the sky and listening to music and scripture as they spend some time reflecting on God and engaging in silent prayer. My favorite field worship is when Psalm 23 is recited as we lay in the field and listen to soft piano music. Hearing the words “lying down in green pastures” while actually lying down in a green pasture is powerful. Field worship gives campers and staff time to enjoy creation and experience worship in a different way. Even in the silence, God hears our cries of thanksgiving and praise.

It has been my experience that a camp worship service can be very powerful. But as I write this, describing these worship experiences, I recall the words of one of my predecessors here at Mount Luther. Early in my tenure as director, I sat in the kitchen of Don and Betty Mincemoyer who served here in the 1960s. They related the camp mission to their staff in this way: “Every thought a prayer; every action a worship experience.” Having the chance to give expression to what the whole creation yearns to do—praising God from whom all blessings flow—is what we continually do every day as we swim, make crafts, eat meals, hike, and play games. Camp is a place where we continually make our thoughts a prayer and our actions a worship experience. And because of that worship, both on our lakeshores and in other spots of God’s creation, lives are changed as Jesus Christ is encountered in new and exciting ways.

Drawn In! Moving Out! Part 2: Youth Voices

Today’s post features words of five young people who spent time in Drawn In! Moving Out, the worship interactive learning space at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering.

Last month on the blog, Annemarie Hartner Cook, pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Maple Shade, New Jersey, shared her perspective on the first ever worship interactive space as part of the ELCA Youth Gathering. Over the course of three days, hundreds of youth came to explore this center in a variety of ways. We hope you enjoy hearing about why the event was meaningful to them in their own words.

Sy Shipman (back row, third from left) worships at St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) in Cardington, Ohio.

I really enjoyed how it brought us together…The procession we did was fun, familiar, yet also different. I have never seen streamers on poles as part of a procession and it was neat to see that this could be something we could do at worship in our church some time! This experience started some conversation about symbols in worship and will hopefully continue to open our eyes to the depth of what we do in worship.

Taknowledge Andrew Wagner (below) worships at Augsburg Lutheran Church and Christ Beloved Community Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

When my pastor showed me the “dress up as a pastor” section and I listened to the music they were playing, it was so joyful and I stayed there until I left. I fell in love with that section and it was so fun to be there. When I put on the pastor’s robes it made me feel so much like a pastor; that’s when I said I will stay here until I leave the interactive center. When the people told me I looked so good in the robe, I felt Jesus hugging me. But my favorite part is when I walked around the center with a lot of new friends and it was so amazing to feel welcomed by the new friends.

Courtney Ng (right) worships at Holy Trinity in Bellerose, New York.

I went to the interactive center on the fourth day and it was a very exciting place to be for the day with all the activities and booths going on. As a piano player and growing up to have a passion for music, I was extremely delighted listening to other people play and experience the music section of the center. Everyone was open and great to talk to and it was a wonderful experience.

Natalie DiMundo (front row, second from left in green) worships at St. Paul Lutheran in Santa Monica, California.

The worship interaction booth at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering was one of the most memorable components of the week. The musical area was my favorite, because I love playing music (especially with other people). This interaction booth was so memorable because it helped the group from my church bond and make connections. Because we needed to work together for the “service” or “acolyte olympics” to flow, we were able to become closer friends and fellow worshipers.

 

McKenna Moritz (left in purple) worships at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, Ohio.

The worship station was a fun learning experience for everyone who did it. We experienced an acolyte Olympiad and got to dress up like different members of the church community. I also liked the poster board set out to write prayers for different things around our world. Overall it was a great experience.

Thanks be to God for these young people and all who explored this center and attended the ELCA Youth Gathering! How can you continue to nurture the gifts of the young people in your assembly’s worship?