Formation
Story Core: Sharing our stories and getting to the core of the Christian Story
You may be familiar with the series often featured on NPR, StoryCorps, which is the inspiration behind the title of our new Sunday morning gatherings. StoryCorps has committed to the idea that everyone has an important story to tell, and sharing those stories highlights the humanity and possibility in us all. They are not a Christian organization, but their concept has taken root, as good ideas tend to do. An intentional spin on their concept, here’s what Story Core will look like in our context: an opportunity to intentionally connect your story with the core of the Christian story.This fall, beginning October 15, the shape of our time together on Sunday mornings will look a little different. Worship will remain unchanged, as will the offering of coffee in the parish hall following the service. Once everyone has had a chance to get a cup of coffee, you’ll be invited to join a table in the parish hall for a discussion of a scriptural story, and the opportunity to share part of your story. The two are intimately intertwined, and this time of sharing our stories and getting to the core of the Christian story will help us to make these connections explicit.
We’ll spend Sundays in the Fall with stories from the Gospel of Luke, and Sundays in the Spring with the book of Acts. There is no homework, and no need to have participated in conversation the week before. The intention is for this to be an intergenerational conversation, accessible no matter how much time you’ve spent with Holy Scripture. There will be no lecture, but a three-to-four-minute introduction of the day’s text, and three questions to help guide discussion at your table.
The hope for our time together on Sunday morning is not a comprehensive historical analysis of the Biblical text. The hope for our time together is to move these essential Christian stories from our heads to our hearts—getting them into our very bones. In getting to the core of our stories, together, we’ll begin to give shape to the ways in which God’s story is a part of our story, and our story is a part of God’s story.
Being formed for our journey—heart, soul, and mind—is at the core of our purpose as a Christian community. I hope you will join us for this next exciting chapter of our life together!
Children’s Worship
Our new offering for children will be an exploration on the theme of always worshipping. Meaning, whether in the main sanctuary, worship space for children, outside, or at home, there are so many places, melodies, postures, and words we can us to can actively worship God. This age-appropriate offering will provide a variety of opportunities for engagement with scripture, song, and prayer for our youngest parishioners. Under the leadership of Karen Ruff, a team of lead teachers will be supported by parent volunteers for this weekly offering during the liturgy of the word. Children who are four or older, will be invited to follow the second cross to Children’s Worship at the end of our opening processional. Children of any age are welcome, but need to be accompanied by a parent if younger than four. Parents, please be on the lookout for an email from Karen, [email protected], with more details about this weekly offering.