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Church Survey’s
For several weeks our Worship Planning Team solicited input from the congregation via a worship survey that was available via the internet and via hardcopy at church. We very much appreciate the input we received from many of you. We have been diligently compiling data, reviewing it, thinking and praying about what we’ve learned and carefully planning how we would implement what you suggested to us. I want to highlight for you some of the items we have already begun addressing.
You told us you wanted perky music and a variety of musical styles. We heard you, so we incorporating music that moves, old hymns, praise and worship songs, choir anthems and solos. We are trying to find a balance that is comfortable for all of us who enjoy traditional church music and for those who like the sort of religious music found on the radio. We are also singing fewer stanza of some of the very long hymns. For my part, I thought this past Sunday (April 29) represented a near perfect balance. Singspiration, which we will incorporate of fifth Sunday’s, Majesty, a traditional anthem and two standard hymns, seemed to work well for us.
Some of you told us the Children’s Sermon as distracting. We have made an effort in recent weeks to streamline that time. We’re focusing on one theme, illustrating it, and moving on. You might have noticed the change. We will always do something special with children in worship, and we want to do it in a way that is meaningful to them and in a way that is not distracting for the rest of the congregation.
We’ve asked congregants, particularly leaders in the church, to do their best to stay put during the service. We are minimizing trips to the bathroom, trips for coffee or other drinks, smoke breaks and the like. We are doing our best to alleviate this potential distraction.
We’re are trying to streamline the Sign of Peace. You will notice us starting the opening hymn a little more quickly. Let me be clear, we do want to be warm and friendly and we don’t want to completely lose focus at that moment so early in our service. We’re also cutting down on the number of announcements, rotating some of the regular ones, and rewriting them so they at least sound different from time to time. More and more we are directing people to our publications, the Trinity E-talk and the Friday Reminder Message, rather than presenting all the details ever Sunday morning.
Finally, you told us you liked the themed services we have done in the past. We will be doing Cowboy Sunday, a Southern Revival type Sunday, and we’re going to try on a Sunday focusing on meditative practice using our labyrinth and trails very soon. You told us you wanted variety, so we’re going to try some things one, usually one time per month.
We are not finished with your surveys. These are just some of the ways we are listening and adjusting according to your desires. Your input is always welcome as is your attendance at our Worship Planning Team meetings. Together, we will make the ministry of Trinity the very best that it can be for us and for those who are still on their way.
Have a blessed week.
Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt
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