Worship and How we do it

Every Sunday thousands of people gather together for what they call worship. Every holy day many more gather. Pagans circle, Christians may assemble in pews and sing, Buddhists may chant or tend shrines, Muslims kneel and bow, Sufis dance, Hindus may light candles... So many forms.

As a UU minister and a Pagan leader I have led worship of various forms for over 30 years. I have developed preferences for how I lead services.

Symmetry
People need ritual assistance in entering and leaving the worship state of mind
Beginning: Casting a Circle and calling the directions (Pagan) or A Call to Worship and Lighting the Chalice (UU)
Ending: Opening the circle and thanking the directions (Pagan) or Benediction and Extinguishing the Chalice (UU)

Ritual is more meaningful without distraction
Announcements and dialog need to be before or after the ritual start and end (call to worship and benediction)

Message or Purpose
Services exist for a reason, and the whole service needs to be in service to the reason or message
When I come to a congregation to provide worship I work with the music coordinator, the worship coordinator, the religious education person, and collaboratively build a service that is "of a whole." The readings, the time for all ages, the call to worship, the songs, the music for reflection, the sermon or "working" all are in service to a full exploration of the topic. That exploration needs to support those who are hurting and challenge those who are ready to grow, it needs to connect the community to one another and to the larger community of which we are a part.

The Time for All Ages is for all ages, not just the children
It is not an opportunity to show the children off or have them perform for the amusement of the congregation. It is not a time to read a book aloud like happens in a library. It IS an opportunity to include all the senses, to tells or convey stories, and to appeal to the multidimensional beings who we all are.

A Pastoral Moment can be off-putting or it can be a critical part of the service
Having a pastoral prayer can tie it together, even if you have individuals speaking their own joys and sorrows. Credit goes to Rev. Dana Worsnop for a truly lovely prayer practice: After hearing the various joys and sorrows, the worship leader summarizes with the phrase "We hold tenderly (the worry for ill family members, those who are saying goodbye, those who are struggling financially...). We hold joyfully (new born babies, marriages, etc.) We give thanks for ALL that is our lives."

The Homily/Sermon/"Working"
When I share a sermon or homily there are a few things that will usually appear. I will almost always speak about the divine, in language connected to relationship, nature, or, love. I will often refer to Jesus, or other great teachers like Buddha or Ghandi. I will often sing and will invite folks to engage physically (perhaps using a finger labryinth, perhaps writing something on a paper leaf...)

It is a joy and a privilege to create a worship experience and share with a community.