Paula Sadler
Cascadia District Lay Leader
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Indispensable (Part 1)
A number of years ago, my local church went through the ReVisioning process to help us understand the needs of our community and how to better meet those needs. We met in small groups that used set questions to guide the discernment process. A couple of those questions have stayed with me. The first of these questions is, "What elements are essential for worship?"
During our group discussion, some people named the Bible, others the cross, and still others choir robes as necessary for real worship. I've had some experiences since then which have informed my own answer regarding what is essential for worship.
While attending Annual Conference one year at Willamette University, I decided to attend worship before the day's activities began so that I could properly center myself for the work ahead. The early morning worship was held before breakfast in the chapel on the Willamette campus. When I and my friends arrived that morning, we found the chapel locked. So we waited on the large porch. Soon our worship leader arrived. He contacted campus security and was informed that someone could come to unlock the chapel -- in about half an hour. Worship was only scheduled to last half an hour! So the group had a decision to make: skip worship or carry on as planned without access to the chapel and its resources. Worship happened that morning with the prepared message and only the first verses of hymns, sung from memory. That worship experience stands out in my memory as being especially meaningful and heart-felt.
On another occasion, after a worship service which incorporated all of the tangible resources, including communion, I overheard a participant complain that the screen had been left down during communion so that images of bread and wine could be projected. The participant was unhappy that the cross at the back of the chancel had been blocked by the screen. They voiced their complaint only a few feet from the young volunteer who provided sound and projection support for the service. That young man no longer volunteers to provide tech support. I have often wondered if he overheard the criticism and, if he did, how he felt. It seemed to me that the complaints valued symbols over substance.
When reflecting back on these two worship experiences, I can only conclude that no thing is indispensable for worship. Worship is a state of mind. It is about loving God and each other.
Now as I think about the question of what is needed for worship, I keep in mind what Jesus carried with him during His ministry...only love.
Peace,
Paula
Paula Sadler
Cascadia District Lay Leader
P.S. - Next time I'll reflect on the question: Would the community notice if the local United Methodist Church disappeared?
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