You may have participated in a brief survey this past winter asking about the worship service times that would work for your family. The purpose of the survey was to determine whether we should attempt to adjust service times in order to balance attendance between the two. At the same time, we made some adjustments to the structure of the early worship service, in an attempt to be more welcoming and engaging to people of all ages.

We are grateful to all of you who completed the survey and, as you are aware, much has changed in our congregation since you completed it. While the results of the survey point to the possibility that a shift in service times might help balance attendance, Rev. Karen and I, along with the Board of Trustees and staff, agree that making a shift in the worship service times this year would cause more upheaval than we need at this moment. For now, we’re sticking with the 9:15 and 11 a.m. worship service times, beginning on September 15th. That said, I encourage you and your family to give the early service a try. We’ll continue to craft it as a worship for all ages, with story, song, and ritual that will help you find meaning, inspiration and comfort in a world of uncertainty. We’d like to invite children and youth to sign up to light the chalice, sing or play instrumental pieces at the 9:15 service. Please reach out to me if you are interested.

We’re looking forward to our annual Ingathering Service on September 8^th (still one service at 10 a.m.). Please bring water to symbolize your summer adventures, whether from near to home or far away. We will celebrate the power of our collective community as we mingle our lives, experiences and journeys.

Yours in faith and in beloved community,

Rev. Eileen