A few years ago we started a new tradition at WellSprings: all of our Sunday services in May are “all-ages” services. That means instead of heading off to YouthSpirit, our younger friends stay with the adults for the whole morning – and together, we create a worship experience that is more participatory, engaging, and accessible to our friends at every age and stage of life.
This May, we are hoping to create as many opportunities as possible for younger WellSpringers to participate, on these Sundays – so in an effort to coordinate their interests with their parents’ schedules… we’ve created a sign-up sheet that families can access here. This is open to both children and teens, and there are lots of different ways to participate: light the chalice, greet at the door, share a song, write and read a short reflection, and more. This year, we have a special way for adults to take part in service: we are seeking volunteers to speak about what it was like growing up in a specific decade (1940, 1970, 1990, 2010) discussed during that service. Families, if you or your child would like to participate, we ask that you sign up for the Sundays you’re interested in no later than Monday, April 28th.
Every single one of us is a “former child” – and, all of our congregation’s children are “future adults,” too. Each of us shapes the world that today’s children grow up in… and in our congregation, we have an even greater opportunity: to shape one of the actual communities in which our own, our friends’, and our neighbors’ children are raised. So many parents tell us that they come to WellSprings because they want their children to be surrounded by loving adults outside of their family, who will reinforce their family’s values beyond the walls of home – and, who will support and care for them, as they grow. Our May message series is just one opportunity to do that – for all of us to share in worship together, to learn from each other across the generations, and to show our children (“future adults,” remember?) what it looks like when we truly welcome each other into beloved community.
So… during our May services, all you “former children” may be invited to do things you haven’t done in a while… to hear stories, or engage with hands-on activities; to listen closely to quiet, nervous voices; or to join in loud, boisterous laughter and play. In the process, you will get to meet some of the coolest people at WellSprings (our kids), and we hope you won’t pass up that opportunity.
Our theme for this year’s all-ages series is “The Time Machine,” and each week’s service will be centered around a decade people have grown up in. You can read more about the series theme, and the list of books and activities we’ll be sharing, below:
The Time Machine
Time is universal: we’re born, we die, and we get older in between. Yet time also makes something of us – something special and particular. The times in which we live, our stage of life, the ways we spend our time… all of it works like a machine, to make us who we are. In our all-ages series this May, we’ll explore how things change over time – what goes and what stays, what dies and what endures – by listening to the insights and wisdom that every generation has to share.
May 4 – The 1970’s
Book: One Upon a Time There Was and Will Be So Much More by Johanna Schaible
Activity: Timeline creation
Preacher: Rev. Lee Paczulla
May 11 – The 1990’s
Book: Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad
Activity: Self-portraits
Preacher: Nick Sanchez
May 18 – The 1940’s
Book: Catching Time by Rachna Gilmore
Activity: Artistic depiction of self as a different aged person
Preacher: Kathleen Higgins
May 25 – The 2010’s
Book: TBD
Activity: Time Capsules
Preacher: Rev. Lee Paczulla
Thank you all for taking the time to think about how you might want to participate in – or just show up and enjoy – our all-ages series this Spring. For our younger friends and their families, a reminder that if you plan to sign up, please do so by Monday, April 28th, so we have time to connect with you and make plans for your service!