|
Alternative
Worship at
Westmoreland Congregational UCC
(Service schedule:
September through June)
On Sunday October 20, 2002 something new and exciting
came to the life of Westmoreland. For want of a better term, we've been
using the descriptive phrase "Alternative Worship." At some churches
this is know as the "Contemporary Service" but, by whatever name, there
are several qualities that differentiate this service from traditional
worship.
One is the setting, both time and place. The time, 6
p.m. on on the Second Sunday evening of the month, is designed to
attract folks who may be away most of the weekend, or who use Sunday
mornings for other things (bagels and the New York Times, golf). The
place, the Social Hall, lends itself to a less formal and more intimate
feeling. It allows for the use of video and movement and it's
child-friendly
A second difference is music: God is praised and our
spirits are lifted by many styles of music. It's been rumored that I
play the banjo, and I'd like to think that if God has a toe, it might
just tap along with mine. I envision employing an eclectic mix of folk,
gospel, jazz, even "new age" and bluegrass from time to time. The main
thing is, it's accessible, upbeat, enjoyable and singable!
A third difference has to do with presentation of "The
Word." Again, I enjoy preaching a sermon, using a well-crafted text
delivered from a pulpit. It's a time-honored tradition especially
effective with literate people, as Westmorelanders tend to be. But more
and more our culture is not made up of oral learners. Folks don't
respond as well to a one-sided bombardment of words as they do to the
visual, the dramatic and the hands-on. So we employ the visual arts,
video, drama and congregational participation in preaching. The themes
are generally the same as on Sunday morning, drawn from the same
lectionary texts, just presented differently.
Finally, I guide the planning team and have a large role
in leading the services, but we will take seriously that liturgy is
properly defined as "the work of the people." That's why we invite your
participation -- your creativity, your talents, your engagement.
In the end, Alternative Worship is not meant to compete
with our traditional worship, but to be just that: an alternative --
another way to worship. It is outreach to folks who are not yet with
us. It is a laboratory, a place to experiment with approaches that
might eventually find their way into our morning services, a way of
keeping them fresh and vibrant.
It's important to remember that today's traditional
worship was once "alternative" itself. What we're currently doing is
very different from the way it was done a century ago. And even the
hymns of Martin Luther, those traditional and staid chorales, began
their life as German drinking songs.
We have a great adventure ahead!
See you in church.
Rich Smith
Click on a picture to get a
larger view.
| Blessing of the
Animals Service. |
|
| Blessing of the
Animals Service. |
|
| Blessing of the
Animals Service. |
|
| Blessing of the
Animals Service. |
|
| Rich and the blue
grass group provide special music. |
|
| The chair of the
Board of Membership and Fellowship, center, introduces new members
joining during the Alternative Service. |
|
| Rev. Rich Smith
baptizing a young girl during the service. |
|
| Communion being
served. |
|
Last updated Wednesday, February 20, 2008
1
Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, MD 20816
301-229-7766
Email the church office: churchinfo@westmorelanducc.org
www.westmorelanducc.org
An
Open and Affirming Congregation
|
