news article
Together in Worship 2.0
October 7, 2024 / By Missional Excellence Team / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Do you provide leadership in ministry and are looking for an opportunity to recharge? If so, we have a worship experience for you!
Once a month for the past 15 months, leaders among United Methodists of Upper New York have had an opportunity to gather for worship through Facebook Live or in-person at the United Methodist Center in Liverpool. Like many local congregations, there has been conversation about the impact of a digital worship service with those who engage in that format. From those conversations, the decision has been made to not only continue Together in Worship on a monthly basis but to increase the investment of resources to support the leaders or ministries in Upper New York.
Early in the conversation around what the next step for Together in Worship is, the team needed to clarify the purpose of the time together. After much conversation the landing place is, “Together in Worship, a monthly online worship expression to nurture, inspire, and feed the clergy and laity who provide leadership in ministry.” In light of the primary task of the Annual Conference, the focus is connecting with leaders who provide ministry rather than attempting to be a replacement or competition for the regular worship of local congregations.
The team invested in developing Together in Worship is also seeking to increase the consistency of when the time of worship will be offered. So, on the second Wednesday of the month at noon, people can join online to share in worship for a mid-week oasis. This time change will begin on December 11, 2024. Between now and then, there will be a pause on Together in Worship to allow for the time needed to adapt the format of the worship expression as well.
Since the focus is an online audience, although anyone is welcome to participate in person, there is a greater opportunity to diversify perspectives and voices being shared. From time-to-time musicians, choirs, and other participants will be invited to share via video either live or recorded.
Come worship without the worry of planning or leading. We look forward to supporting the leaders, laity and clergy, of the United Methodists of Upper New York as we are Together in Worship.