A New Worship Time, Illustrated

As things continue with our conversations with the Congregational Church of Birmingham, details are getting solidified.  Last Thursday, the Session met and one of the many things discussed was when the start of worship would be starting in December.  Taking all of the feedback we received through the after-church discussion on October 13th and through one-on-one conversations, Session took time to consider the pros and cons of various start times.

In the end, the Session voted to have a 11 a.m. worship service starting on December 1st, 2024.  This was chosen because this new time is only a 30-minute shift from our current 10:30 a.m. worship time and because whole-hour times are easier to remember than quarter-hours (10:45 or 11:15).  It was decided to start at our new worship time on December 1st to give us one week of adjustment before CCB tentatively plans to hold their services in our building on December 8th.  The Session also set the February Session meeting – projected to be on Feb 6th 2025 – to discuss whether or not the 11 a.m. worship time is working or if additional changes need to be made to our Sunday Schedule.

With that in mind, let’s talk briefly about what Sunday mornings are going to feel like, not with charts or timetables, but from a narrative perspective:

It is 10 a.m. and the first Northminster members begin to arrive.  There are already cars in the parking lot and a second row of cars has already started to form.  You, a choir member, laugh because it turns out that the CCB folks are about as skilled at starting the second row as we are; but it is in good humor because Building & Grounds said that they were looking into getting the parking lot professionally striped.  The South Entrance is already unlocked and when the choir members enter, they can hear that the CCB service is still happening, but it sounds like they are beginning to wrap up.  The choir members then turn to their right to find Brandon waiting in the music office to begin choir practice.

While the choir is practicing, other congregants gather in the lounge.  Some of the folks here are spouses of choir members, others are just the ushers and greeters that like arriving early.  These folks who have gathered early have been encouraged to bring their morning coffee with them and it looks like someone brought bagels with cream cheese to share.

At 10:15 a.m. the CCB service ends.  Both the choir in the Music Office and the folks in the lounge can tell because they hear the sound of people shuffling down the hallway to the Ark where they will be having their coffee hour.

At that point, the Ushers will grab the Northminster Bulletins from the main office and lay them out on the Usher’s table.  Then they will set out the attendance sheet on the podium and make sure that the collection plates are in the sanctuary.  Greeters will take up their stations at the two entrances, and the tech team will make sure that everything is set for our live stream.  The Choir or Bells will have a chance to practice in the sanctuary before service if need be. Otherwise, Brandon will be free to practice some of the hymns on the organ.

But true to Northminster’s culture, folks will still likely roll in close to the start of service.  Most people will wander into the Sanctuary at 10:55 a.m. and a few might make it to their chairs by 11:03 a.m.  Our service will continue as usual, but Pastor Chris will watch the clock a little bit more closely in order to ensure that the service is done by 12:00.  Toward the end of the service after the Lord’s prayer, the coffee servers will sneak out to the Nursery to put the coffee and cookie cart together.  And by the end of the benediction, coffee hour begins as always.  People linger for a bit, but eventually drift away because it really is lunchtime now.

On the way out the door, we might run into a few CCB folks.  After their coffee hour, they had a "Comma Conversation".  You might ask them about what they discussed this week and linger in the parking lot as you get to know them a bit more.  Then you both get in your cars to drive home, knowing that you might just see them next week (and remember their name this time!)

While we are moving the time of our service, if it goes similarly to what I just described, a lot about our Sunday worship stays the same.  For all of December, I will make sure there is some sort of breakfast foods provided for those who want to come early and have a pre-church coffee hour.  And if this doesn’t work as seamlessly and I described, make sure to share your feedback with a member of Session before Feb 6th or make plans to attend that Session meeting to share your feedback with our leadership yourself.

If you have any other questions about our new projected schedule, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.
Blessings,
Pastor Chris