Seeds, Mar. 6, 2013

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE

SEEDS

March 6, 2013

REIMAGINING SUNDAY MORNINGS

Southern Hills Mennonite Church in Topeka, KS, has been reimagining what their congregation does together on Sunday mornings.  Worship now begins at 9:30 (after an optional time of quiet reflection) followed by Worship Response at 10:20, where people can choose to discuss ideas presented in the sermon, pray in small groups for requests shared in worship, utilize the arts (drawing, writing, singing) to express their joys or sorrows to God, write a letter of concern or affirmation to community leaders or fellow church members, or simply talk with each other over a cup of coffee.  Then people can join in “Education and Action” (i.e. Sunday School), which might include Bible study, a discussion of current events or books, a creation care project or a visit to the local Rescue Mission.

One way to describe the principles that inform these changes is the acronym EPIC – Experiential, Participatory, Image-rich, and Community-building.  We want to experience God, not just talk about God.  We want to be participants, not just spectators.  We want to use sight as well as sound.  We want to be a multi-voice community that reaches out beyond the church walls with good news for all people.

     –submitted by Roger Neufeld Smith, rogershmc@networksplus.net. 785-266-9403,         Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka, KS