Worship Associates at First Universalist Church

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Worship Associates

WHAT IS A WORSHIP ASSOCIATE

The role of the Worship Associate is to help nurture the worship life of the church by creating a visible reminder that worship is a shared responsibility, by fostering a variety of worship opportunities in our religious community and by eliciting the sacred voice that is in all of us.

A Worship Associate is a layperson with a deep interest in the worship life of the church- a person who participates with the ministers and others in facilitating worship experiences.

WORSHIP ASSOCIATES’ MISSION STATEMENT

Worship Associates are a group of selected members who have a desire to plan and/or participate in worship services along with the Ministers over a year’s time. Services include regular Sunday Mornings with a presiding ordained minister, guest speaker, or may be lay-led. In addition to Sunday services, Worship Associates plan and conduct other services, such as mid-week worship. Worship Associates will model speaking the sacred voice within, and will encourage, and provide opportunities for others to do so.

MEETINGS

The Worship Associates meet as a group on a monthly basis to check in with one another, review how things are going, deal with issues that may arise, and schedule Sunday and mid-week services. In addition, they meet approximately quarterly for retreats (usually a half-day in length) to explore spiritual growth, longer-range planning and more in-depth issues. Individual Associates will also meet together or with the Minister(s) as necessary to plan services for which they are responsible. The chair of the Council on Worship and The Arts may also attend the monthly meetings and retreats.

COMPOSITION

The Worship Associates will be comprised of nine or more contributing members of First Universalist Church, who have completed an application and may have been interviewed by the Minister(s), Chair of the Worship and Arts Council, and one or more Worship Associates. A WA must have familiarity with or be actively studying the history and traditions of Unitarian Universalism and this congregation. Some of the group must have experience in public speaking or be willing to be trained. The minimum time commitment is one year. It is hoped that several Associates will continue from one year to the next to provide continuity for the congregation and leadership for new members.

This page last updated on 04/08/06

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis

Worship Associates