Frequently Asked Questions: Our New Fall Schedule
1. Why are we changing the times of Worship in the fall?
We have a very small and quiet 8:30 service combined with a crowded, relatively loud 11:00 service. We are aiming to help load balance our attendance by increasing the number of people willing to attend an early service and making the second service more open to newcomers and less crowded. We feel by starting our early service at 9 and keeping our second service at 11, we will be able to create two equally dynamic and desirable worship services that are more in line with people’s schedules and expectations.
2. Who decided on this change?
The committee who worked on this included the ministers (Laura, Fran, and Jodi) and two members from each of the committees we felt would be most impacted by a change (adult education, children & youth, and worship). We also polled many members of our congregation to understand their feelings on our current worship services and the pros and cons of each.
3. What is the new time frame that we are going forward with in the fall?
Starting on September 14th (after the summer schedule ends) we will move to the following schedule:
9:00am Worship
10:00am Education for all ages
10:40am Coffee and Fellowship
11:00am Worship
4. How will the choir be affected?
The choir will have a new schedule and will perform at both services equally. They will sing at the 9:00 service the first and third Sunday of each month, then at the 11:00 service on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. There are four times a year when a fifth Sunday of the month appears. The choir will use two of those for the early service and two for the second service. This change will give both services the benefit of the beautiful choir and the other unique musical performances that Covenant offers.
5. What will the reduced time for education mean?
With the new schedule, we will now have 40 minutes (instead of 50) for all education. On Sunday’s where the choir does not sing at the second service, and does therefore not need the sanctuary to warm up, adult education could continue as the participants wish. Youth education will be 40 minutes. Children’s education will be 30 minutes on the days that the extra 10 minutes are needed to practice for children’s choir.
6. What will the reduced time for hospitality mean?
We will have 20 minutes for hospitality (instead of 30). Those not participating in adult education can of course have a longer time for fellowship. There will be no change in coffee or snacks provided because of this time change.
7. How will the worship services be affected?
The worship services will be shortened slightly (by about 5 minutes) to accommodate getting to and coming from education and fellowship respectively.
8. When does this change take effect?
This will start on Sunday, September 14, 2014. We will revisit this schedule when the time comes that we have a larger worship space to accommodate more people and don’t have the crowding problem that we do now.
9. How can I communicate concerns, ideas, or questions?
If you have other questions that weren’t answered here or would like to give feedback please contact the council. They can be reached through this email address: [email protected].
We have a very small and quiet 8:30 service combined with a crowded, relatively loud 11:00 service. We are aiming to help load balance our attendance by increasing the number of people willing to attend an early service and making the second service more open to newcomers and less crowded. We feel by starting our early service at 9 and keeping our second service at 11, we will be able to create two equally dynamic and desirable worship services that are more in line with people’s schedules and expectations.
2. Who decided on this change?
The committee who worked on this included the ministers (Laura, Fran, and Jodi) and two members from each of the committees we felt would be most impacted by a change (adult education, children & youth, and worship). We also polled many members of our congregation to understand their feelings on our current worship services and the pros and cons of each.
3. What is the new time frame that we are going forward with in the fall?
Starting on September 14th (after the summer schedule ends) we will move to the following schedule:
9:00am Worship
10:00am Education for all ages
10:40am Coffee and Fellowship
11:00am Worship
4. How will the choir be affected?
The choir will have a new schedule and will perform at both services equally. They will sing at the 9:00 service the first and third Sunday of each month, then at the 11:00 service on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. There are four times a year when a fifth Sunday of the month appears. The choir will use two of those for the early service and two for the second service. This change will give both services the benefit of the beautiful choir and the other unique musical performances that Covenant offers.
5. What will the reduced time for education mean?
With the new schedule, we will now have 40 minutes (instead of 50) for all education. On Sunday’s where the choir does not sing at the second service, and does therefore not need the sanctuary to warm up, adult education could continue as the participants wish. Youth education will be 40 minutes. Children’s education will be 30 minutes on the days that the extra 10 minutes are needed to practice for children’s choir.
6. What will the reduced time for hospitality mean?
We will have 20 minutes for hospitality (instead of 30). Those not participating in adult education can of course have a longer time for fellowship. There will be no change in coffee or snacks provided because of this time change.
7. How will the worship services be affected?
The worship services will be shortened slightly (by about 5 minutes) to accommodate getting to and coming from education and fellowship respectively.
8. When does this change take effect?
This will start on Sunday, September 14, 2014. We will revisit this schedule when the time comes that we have a larger worship space to accommodate more people and don’t have the crowding problem that we do now.
9. How can I communicate concerns, ideas, or questions?
If you have other questions that weren’t answered here or would like to give feedback please contact the council. They can be reached through this email address: [email protected].
