Worship Committee Notes
The Worship Committee met on Tuesday and we had lots to talk about and consider.
- We decided that Ash Wednesday would mark a transition from Holy Communion in the pews to a return to coming forward to receive the elements. Those distributing will wear masks -- those distributing bread will use hand sanitizer, those distributing wine/grape juice will allow communicants to pick up their own glasses from the tray, with cups spaced out. Also, beginning on Ash Wednesday, and continuing through Lent, worshipers will be given the option of kneeling for the confession.
- Becky will lead a review of procedures for Altar Guild members on Friday, February 25 at 10:00 am. Know of someone who might enjoy helping with altar and sacristy things?
- Palm Sunday -- after the announcements, I will invite worshipers to the narthex, including outside if weather cooperates, for the reading of the Processional Gospel and blessing of the palms. Then we'll re-enter the sanctuary singing "All Glory Laud and Honor." Those for whom movement is difficult will be invited to stay in the pews. I was told that Grace hasn't done Palm Sunday this way before, so this will be a new experience. I have used it in all my called and interim congregations.
- Wednesday suppers will resume on Ash Wednesday, but at 5:30 instead of 5:00, continuing this schedule through the following five Wednesdays in Lent.
- Ash Wednesday worship and and five Lenten Wednesday evening services will all begin at 6:30 p.m The five Lenten services will center around Holden Evening Prayer and the theme "Continuing in the Covenant of Baptism." For more info about weekly themes, you can go HERE.
Stewardship Team Evaluates Communications
In my January 28 post, I reported on the Stewardship Team's first Zoom meeting with Mitzi Schafer, leading us in a Storytelling and Communications track. You can read that again HERE. Mitzi spoke of deposits and withdrawals, and you may remember that she said the ideal balance between deposits and withdrawals is 80-20 -- 80% deposits and 20% withdrawals, and that most congregations get that reversed. Our homework was to look at our newsletters, social media, and other communications to the congregation to see where we stand. And, sure enough, ours came out just as Mitzi said most congregations do -- 20% deposits and 80% withdrawals.
At our next Zoom learning event on February 28, Mitzi will teach us how to interview Grace members and write their story in such a way that a "join me" culture is cultivated. Speaking of "join me," could you join us in finding members of Grace who might be willing to interview other Grace members so that we can write these stories? Send us your suggestions, and we'll send them an invitation!
ELCA Video
It's important to tell the congregation how their gifts impact lives at Grace, and by the same token, it's important for us to learn as much as we can about how our gifts for Mission Support (offering sent to synod, half of which is sent on Churchwide for our ELCA sponsored ministries and Outreach. Pastor Henry sent us a link to a 4-minute video that helps to shed some light on the ministry that happens because of our Mission Support.. You can view that video HERE.
Latest Osterholm Update
Dr. Michael Osterholm, founder and Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, continues to deliver solid scientific analysis of the Covid-19 pandemic in his weekly podcasts. The latest episode, posted on Thursday, February 10, is entitled "A Pandemic of Lost Trust." In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the decline in Omicron cases in the US and internationally, what we know about the BA2 subvariant, and the mistakes that have been made in communicating about masks and vaccines to the public. You can listen to or download this episode HERE.
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