There are many things that stood out to me at our Ingathering Service last Sunday. The announcement of a gift. Being together in person. The milestone of affirming a young person’s chosen identity. Our commitment to social justice despite the neighborhood antagonism against it.
But one thing really stood out to me and I’m sure it’s stood out to many people because it was upfront and very obvious. I love that the children were allowed to be children during worship.
From my advantage point. I didn’t see too many scowls, though I’m sure there were some. I was excited to see coloring and drawing and playing together. Even as we worshiped. Even as we met together in community.
I saw parents playing with kids and some parents how were comfortable enough to let their children go forward. I saw a community that embraced these young people.
Now I know that the children can be distracting. There are many distracting things and worship services. On Sunday could have been the fire in the giant chalice in the middle of the oval. It could have been the sun and its position as we sat exposed. It could have been people moving their chairs to avoid it said sun. It could have been the birds chirping or the planes overhead. Or it could have been the children playing hopscotch in the middle of the service.
One thing that drew me to the fellowship is its commitment to multi-generational worship.
Over the years, multi-generational or intergenerational has had many different iterations. But the most simple definition is that seeks to engage all people across all generations, It’s even just a little bit, on a level that they are.
We see this in our commitment to a monthly MultiGen service, the in-gathering being one or the next one happening on Halloween, then one before Christmas. These services will be geared toward our older adults and our youngest children and everyone in-between. It’s not an easy task to create these services. I’m excited to work with Stearns and Allison to create a professional MutiGen service.
How will we know if it works? Do we let the negative comments sway us? Do we take to heart people who claim about the children being too loud? Or do we see that the children lose interest 35 minutes in and wander off to climb trees? Do we let those things discourage us?
OR do we realize that success is in those small moments? When a 7-year-old remembers our commitment that when we when someone steals our black lives matter flag, we will get two to tell the world who we stand for. When a new family feels like their kids will fit right in. Or when an older member shares in song with those around her.
Anything that you do that is not for one single group, whether that is race or gender or class or age, is not going to feel one hundred percent comfortable. Because it is not a hundred percent our experience.
But I’m so glad that we are the congregation that embraces all of those differences. That sits in the unfamiliar. Whether that’s singing songs in different languages. Or engaging in racial justice alongside folks of different backgrounds. Or being in worship with children.
We continue to be radically welcoming of all people. And I for one very excited to be part of this fellowship