Worship Arts

The Worship Arts Ministry Team consists of the worship associates, music associates and speakers. They meet monthly to plan and evaluate Sunday morning services. To participate, please contact Kelly LoGiudice.

There are four roles that Worship Associates play: to brainstorm the content of the subject with the speaker; to rehearse the service in full; to co-lead the worship service; and meet with the Worship Arts ministry team to evaluate the effectiveness of the services.

1)    Brainstorming: At least 10 days before the scheduled service, the Worship Associates are invited to meet with the speaker to brainstorm the content of the sermon. All participants are encouraged to bring their research so that the speaker can determine which sources will be used, what content will be explored, and what form the sermon and worship service will take place.

a)     Source(s): There are many sources that Unitarian Universalists use in their free and responsible search for truth and meaning. For example, they may include their direct experience (a personal story, insight, event); the words and deeds of prophetic women and men; and wisdom from the world’s religions, earth centered traditions and humanist teachings.

b)    Content: The primary sources selected will help determine the content of the service. The Worship Associates are to ask the “so what?” question, to get at the heart of why this particular content is to be presented at this particular time? Why is important? How timely is the message? Why do people need to hear this message at this point in time? What standpoint, voice and perspective lend itself to this particular content?

c)     Form: As the speaker and worship associates reflect upon these questions they begin to decide what form that the sermon and worship service will take. For example, if the source for the service is Zen Buddhism and the content will focus on the mindfulness practice of “deep listening and loving speech” then the worship associates and speaker will reflect upon how best can this message be delivered (e.g., a series of meditations followed by a “dharma talk”). In addition to determining the form, meaning how the content will be delivered, the worship associates and speaker should decide upon the visual aesthetics that support the content, such as clothing, cancel decorations, etc.

i)      Music: Once determined, the speaker and worship associates collaborate with the Music Director to select hymns that draw upon the same sources/traditions and that aesthetically capture the content of the sermon so as to mirror the selected form. The Music Director will use this information to select choral or special music to reflect the purpose of the service.

ii)    Source Texts: The worship associates and speaker will select text to read during the “call to worship” which sets the tone of the service. In our congregation, this reading is always followed by the phrase, “In this spirit, let us begin our service as we do every Sunday by saying simply, ‘welcome home.’”  Additional readings or multi-media presentations may serve as source text to help set the tone of the sermon. Finally, the spoken benediction will consist of text that summarizes the theme of the service and reminds the congregation of the “call to action” that was expressed in the sermon.

iii)   Sermon: It is custom that the sermon be no longer than 10-12 minutes (approximately 2 pages single spaced 12-font, times roman, 1 inch margins).  A strong sermon has a concise thesis with evidence that supports the claims being made.

2)    Rehearsing: The rehearsal process is essential. The purpose is to allow the worship associates and speaker to use the microphones and practice the service in its entirety. Special attention is paid to blocking, transitions, and the sound check. This is achieved through drafting a comprehensive worship script that all worship and music associates and speakers will use during the service.

a)     Worship Script: It is the responsibility of the speaker to synthesize all the readings, hymn lyrics, and sermon into a double-sided stapled booklet. The purpose is to ensure that everyone is working from the same document and need not turn to any other source (half-sheets of paper or hymnals, etc…). The rehearsal process is designed to refine the worship script and work with all parties involved to finalize the details.

i)      Sermon Feedback: During the rehearsal process, the speaker should speak the sermon in full so that the worship associates can provide support, encouragement, and constructive feedback about not only the content but its delivery. Afterward (Thur night or Friday morning) the speaker refines the sermon and makes final changes so that Saturday can be spent resting. This resting period clears the mind and calms the heart.

b)    Order of Service: Once complete, the Order of Service should be sent to the office by Friday morning at 10 am. This program should include a summary of the material presented in the service, including the name of all composers or authors referenced.

3)    Performing: In order to co-lead the service, the worship associates not only help with performing the service but also helping with the technology, props and scripts.

a)     Technology: The worship associates begin the Sunday morning experience with a sound check one hour before the service begins. This should include testing the audio recording and ensuring that the video equipment is prepared.

b)    Props: The worship associates and speaker should ensure that all their props are in order and that the chancel is prepared as planned.

c)     Scripts: The speaker should make sure that all participants have a final copy of the worship script: Worship Associates, Caring Associates, Music Associates, Music Director, Director of Religious Education and any other special guests, such as Membership or the Communication Director who will share the announcements.

4)    Evaluating: Monthly, the worship and music associates meet with the speakers to reflect upon the previous worship services. They will bring not only their own comments but also share other feedback that they received from members of the congregation. The purpose of this evaluation process is to ensure that all participants are communicating about best practices in worship.

If you are interested in serving as a worship associate, please review the various sermon blurbs in the "events" category and contact the scheduled speakers to see if they need assistance.