Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
In 2018, the ReGeneration service was conceived with the notion that more contemporary offerings would bring in more young people. The first service had a hundred people! It evolved from Sunday afternoons to Wednesdays evenings with a potluck and youth involvement. While the service has brought much joy to people over the years, it hasn’t grown into its original vision. In fact, it has become quite small.
As a church, we much acknowledge our need to be flexible and responsive to the movements of the Holy Spirit. Truly, everything does have a season. While we will continue to find ways to incorporate contemporary music into our regular weekend worship offerings, after seeing the results of the strategic vision survey, clergy and church leadership sense a call to re-envision our offerings for the first and third Wednesday nights of the month.
Through the survey, many parishioners expressed a desire for a weeknight introductory Bible study. The youth, who will continue to meet on Wednesdays, love the potluck. And the Schola ensemble, which also meets on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m., could lead Evensong (sung Evening Prayer), along with other members of the music ministry. Can you see where we feel led? An Evensong Potluck Bible Study!
In December, we will have Advent Soup Suppers every Wednesday, just as we do in Lent. The first Wednesday in January is a holiday, so our Evensong Potluck Bible Study will begin on the third Wednesday, January 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Many of you may be wondering about Pastor Brian Petersen. Brian’s church plant, St. Brigid’s of Oceanside, recently received a grant enabling Brian to serve as their full-time pastor. He will no longer be with us on Wednesday nights, but he will remain with us on two Saturdays per month. The final ReGen will be the Thanksgiving service on Wednesday, November 20. Come and give thanks and blessings to Brian and all the people who have devoted themselves to this special offering at St. Bart’s.
Mother Nina Bacas+ and John-Luke Addison
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