Please note!
This page is now part of our Web Archive.
Information in it may no longer be correct or up to date and some external links may not work.
You can go to the Home page to visit the main part of our site for up to date information.
Return to the main Web Archive page
"Seasons of the Spirit" Review 2003.
Below is a summary of the key factors emerging from the review carried out at the end of 2003, followed by details of the changes proposed as a result. Most of these changes have since been implemented.
Key Factors influencing the new worship pattern:
- Most people find Seasons of the Spirit helpful and good, but a significant minority find it very unhelpful and strongly dislike it. Both groups need feeding in the Christian Faith.
- Significant numbers of adults want a Sunday each month where there is a "traditional sermon". Seasons of the Spirit Leaders feel there is scope for another Sunday where children are with them in groups.
- Evening Services are no longer viable on a weekly basis, but Holy Communion must be celebrated at Immanuel every Sunday.
- The Service on Baptismal Sundays needs to be shorter and more suited to lots of unchurched guests.
- Sometimes a themed sermon rather than a lectionary-led sermon would be appreciated.
- 10:00am is the preferred time for Sunday morning Services.
Proposed new Worship Pattern for Sunday mornings - services at 10:00am unless otherwise stated.
First Sunday of the Month: Seasons of the Spirit Seminars for all ages followed by coffee and Holy Communion (i.e. this Sunday stays the same).
Second Sunday of the Month:
- 10:00am - A Service of the Word for all ages with Baptisms (shorter, child-friendly service, lasting about an hour). Coffee after the service.
- 12:00 noon - Holy Communion - a short, quiet celebration with a brief sermon, replacing the evening communion service.
Third Sunday of the Month: Seasons of the Spirit Seminars for all ages followed by coffee and Holy Communion (as currently except Holy Communion replaces the Service of the Word).
Fourth Sunday of the Month: Parish Communion Service, with adult sermon (lectionary-based) and Seasons of the Spirit Groups for Children and Young People up to age 14 (i.e. effectively going back to what we used to do every Sunday). Coffee after the service.
Fifth Sunday of the Month (4 times a year): Parish Communion Service, with adult sermon (themed) and Seasons of the Spirit Groups for Children and Young People up to age 14 (i.e. staying the same as currently except for the themed sermon). Coffee after the service.
Seasons of the Spirit: Changes
- An extra Sunday for children in small groups. But note: more leaders are required.
- Adults will have a group facilitator in each small group to improve the group dynamic & keep focused on the task.
- Latecomers will not be admitted until a convenient moment. They will be shown where to sit.
- Weekly Bible Study material for home use made available.
- More emphasis on teaching/explaining Christian belief and practice; a little less on seemingly aimless craft activities.
Worship: Changes
- A creche will be provided for 2nd & 4th Sundays.
- More effort to be made in including younger children. The clergy wish to meet with a group of parents & others who might be able to help with this in services, and to help plan all-age inclusive worship (daytime availability required).
- 2nd Sunday of the Month: more "basic" teaching, simple worship, familiar hymns, with a maximum of an hour in length (75 minutes with baptisms).
- Regular Evening Services cease. Small groups/devotional services & events in Advent, Lent and June/September.
- We want to start a small singing group to help lead singing, especially during communion. We want to consider starting a small instrumental group, but the right leader needs to be found.
- Notices to be shortened by being given by one person, to whom written notices should be submitted before the service.
Advantages
- Something for everyone; but need to live with one another.
- Builds on what we've learned - positive and negative.
- Ministry Team's bottom line: the need to deliver practical, liveable, biblical Christian teaching to help us all grow as Jesus' disciples. Not interested in narrow piety or a social club with no challenge. If you want that, go to church somewhere else or join a gym!
Challenge
- Help required: more Seasons Leaders for all ages; more stewards/welcomers; singers; people to help include children in worship more.
Please note!
This page is now part of our Web Archive.
Information in it may no longer be correct or up to date and some external links may not work.
You can go to the Home page to visit the main part of our site for up to date information.
Return to the main Web Archive page
Links to the main pages are at the TOP of the page.
Format updated (not content) 15 January 2007.
This page has been labelled to indicate its suitability for viewing by young children. For further information visit the
Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA) website.
This page
has been checked for the validity of the HTML code with the
World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) HTML Validation Service.
Page design by David Gray 2002
© Copyright David Gray and PCC of Immanuel and
St. Andrew Streatham 2002. Photographs copyright David Gray 2002/3 except where otherwise stated.
^TOP^