St. Luke Worship Announcement Policy

I. Introduction

The purpose of this communication is to share with the congregation

the new policy about, and the rationale for, announcements

during worship. The Worship Focus Group has been studying

this issue for almost a year. We have received lots of feedback

from you, the members, and after careful consideration, we are

ready to implement this new policy.

II. Background

St. Luke is, as you know, a wonderful and exciting place. We are

passionate about our love for this world, and this Earth. We

believe we have been called to make a difference here for

peace and justice and for the planet we live on, to make a way

for our progeny and to work for the peaceable kin-dom here on

Earth.

One place this passion is seen at St. Luke is during the announcements

in worship when we share with each other the various

mission and ministry opportunities that we have here.

III. Our Challenge

So, what is the question we face?

Briefly put, (1) the length of our services were often 1 hr 15

minutes to 1 hr 30 minutes. For many this was a real problem.

The Worship Focus Group identified the time taken during announcements,

along with scheduling more than one “special”

event on a Sunday (Communion and ordination, for example), as

the cause of the extra time. As a result, the Worship Focus

Group decided to declare a moratorium on announcements being

made by members, and to rely on written communications (bulletin,

Challenge, web site) to share information.

But, (2) for many this loss of announcements by members has

been experienced as a net loss of our sense of community. For

them, announcements by members are part of the core identity

of St. Luke, one of the things that sets this church apart from

others.

So, hearing both of these needs, the Worship Focus Group has

decided that a compromise is called for.

IV. Considerations for Policy

Here are 3 underpinnings for the policy.

1. Theology: The Greek word for “worship” is the same

word for “work.” When we make announcements in worship

about the various opportunities for doing the “work” of God,

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The Challenge

we are in fact engaging in the “worship” of God. Likewise,

when we go out into the world (Haiti, N. Minneapolis, Pine Ridge,

the Border) to do God’s work, we are also about “worship” of

God.

2. We live now in a fast paced and packed culture. Time is

at a premium. Church for many must now fit into the larger

family schedule, or it becomes an obstacle rather than a positive

factor in the lives of some people.

3. Balance against this reality the belief by many therapists

and counselors that lives lived on the fast track, at a high speed

all the time, is not good for us. Some things never change: the

need for reflection, beauty, quiet, music, dance, laughter, and

weeping.

V. New Announcement Policy

In response, the Worship Focus Group presents this policy regarding

announcements in worship.

1. There will ordinarily be 2 Announcement-Sundays a

month, the 2nd and 4th, and 3 NO- announcement-Sundays,

the 1st, 3rd, and 5th.

2. Every effort will be made to schedule “special” event

Sundays (confirmation, ordination/installation, special

music presentations, etc) on “NO-announcement-Sundays.”

3. Announcement guidelines

A. No more than 5 announcements per Announcement-

Sunday.

B. All announcements must be scheduled through the

church office by noon on the Thursday prior to

Announcement-Sunday. The first 5 announcements

received willbe scheduled.

C. Urgent, last minute announcements will be given

by pastors, at their discretion.

D. Length of announcements:

i. 1 minute or less for oral announcements

ii. 2 minutes or less for other (skits, songs, etc.)

E. Ordinarily announcements will not address an event

more than 2 months in advance.

F. The same announcement will typically not be made

on more than 2 Sundays.

4. The Worship Focus group is also drafting content Guidelines

for what types of announcements (e.g. topics of

greater St. Luke interest, vs. greater personal/individual

interest) will be appropriate for worship.

5. We are currently exploring the possibility of having other

announcements (with no topic restrictions) shared every

Sunday electronically (on screens) in the Garden Court

and sanctuary as people gather, and after worship.

VI. Conclusion

May God bless us as we seek to enjoy both our work and worship

with each other.

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The purpose of this communication is to share with the congregation the new policy about, and the rationale for, announcements during worship. The Worship Focus Group has been studying this issue for almost a year. We have received lots of feedback from you, the members, and after careful consideration, we are ready to implement this new policy.

St. Luke is, as you know, a wonderful and exciting place. We are passionate about our love for this world, and this Earth. We believe we have been called to make a difference here for peace and justice and for the planet we live on, to make a way for our progeny and to work for the peaceable kin-dom here on Earth. One place this passion is seen at St. Luke is during the announcements in worship when we share with each other the various mission and ministry opportunities that we have here.

So, what is the question we face? Briefly put, (1) the length of our services were often 1 hr 15 minutes to 1 hr 30 minutes. For many this was a real problem. The Worship Focus Group identified the time taken during announcements, along with scheduling more than one “special” event on a Sunday (Communion and ordination, for example), as the cause of the extra time. As a result, the Worship Focus Group decided to declare a moratorium on announcements being made by members, and to rely on written communications (bulletin, Challenge, web site) to share information. But, (2) for many this loss of announcements by members has been experienced as a net loss of our sense of community. For them, announcements by members are part of the core identity of St. Luke, one of the things that sets this church apart from others. So, hearing both of these needs, the Worship Focus Group has decided that a compromise is called for.

Here are 3 underpinnings for the policy.

1. Theology: The Greek word for “worship” is the same word for “work.” When we make announcements in worship about the various opportunities for doing the “work” of God, we are in fact engaging in the “worship” of God. Likewise, when we go out into the world (Haiti, N. Minneapolis, Pine Ridge, the Border) to do God’s work, we are also about “worship” of God.

2. We live now in a fast paced and packed culture. Time is at a premium. Church for many must now fit into the larger family schedule, or it becomes an obstacle rather than a positive factor in the lives of some people.

3. Balance against this reality the belief by many therapists and counselors that lives lived on the fast track, at a high speed all the time, is not good for us. Some things never change: the need for reflection, beauty, quiet, music, dance, laughter, and weeping.

In response, the Worship Focus Group presents this policy regarding announcements in worship.

1. There will ordinarily be two Announcement-Sundays a month, the 2nd and 4th, and three NO- announcement-Sundays, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th.

2. Every effort will be made to schedule “special” event Sundays (confirmation, ordination/installation, special music presentations, etc) on “NO-announcement-Sundays.”

3. Announcement guidelines:

A. No more than 5 announcements per Announcement-Sunday.

B. All announcements must be scheduled through the church office by noon on the Thursday prior to Announcement-Sunday. The first 5 announcements received will be scheduled.

C. Urgent, last minute announcements will be given by pastors, at their discretion.

D. Length of announcements:

i. 1 minute or less for oral announcements

ii. 2 minutes or less for other (skits, songs, etc.)

E. Ordinarily announcements will not address an event more than 2 months in advance.

F. The same announcement will typically not be made on more than 2 Sundays.

4. The Worship Focus group is also drafting content Guidelines for what types of announcements (e.g. topics of greater St. Luke interest, vs. greater personal/individual interest) will be appropriate for worship.

5. We are currently exploring the possibility of having other announcements (with no topic restrictions) shared every Sunday electronically (on screens) in the Garden Court and sanctuary as people gather, and after worship.

May God bless us as we seek to enjoy both our work and worship with each other.