Worshiping Together

I know the craziness in the world may have caused you to give up a little more than you were planning to for Lent - but here we are! On Sundays, we bring all of the concerns of the week to God together and see, in His body, the promises made flesh. Gathering together, even online, is an act of war against loneliness, helplessness and the forces of evil. It is a visible sign of our hope in God and the fulfillment of His Kingdom of light.

I chose this word "refract" to help us think of our gatherings in a fresh way. When we think of worship as reflection, we are missing an essential level of hospitality and communion that is found in worshiping together. When we think of our time together as a time of refraction - it is actually made more possible and rich but also noisy and active, by the presence of children. We have to let those "Sunday morning best" expectations fall away while embracing the reverence that the Subject of our gathering deserves. How do we do this?!

TIPS FOR GATHERING TOGETHER FOR FAMILY PRAYER & ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES

PREPARING FOR TIME TOGETHER

• gather supplies (coloring sheet, quiet toys that don't detract from the purpose of gathering, books on biblical themes)

• gather a snack or drink

• be comfortable (location and clothes)

• but also consider getting dressed for church - changing from pajamas will help designate this time as a new work we are entering into with purpose

• take a deep breath together

• consider lighting a candle or singing a song together before the service

• consider giving your child a word or phrase to "hunt"

DURING THE GATHERING

• aware of a child's need for movement and personal interaction, reverently interact.

  • practice the prayer of the cross (Father in heaven: touch forehead, Jesus incarnate: touch stomach area, Holy Spirit in us: touch Left shoulder to Right shoulder passing over our hearts)

  • hold or fold hands for prayer, as is customary in your home at meals

  • kneel and stand at times

  • actively engage in music time - does your child have an instrument they can use for the song

  • cuddle

• use the snack, coloring and toys during the homily

• have a special signal for the word or phrase that your child is hunting

• "join us!" instead of "be quiet"

• “did you hear ________!” instead of “listen!”

AFTER YOUR TIME TOGETHER

• pray silently: "Help us, O God, to enter into the secret of childhood, so that we may know, love, and serve the child in accordance with the laws of Thy justice and following Thy holy will."
  (a prayer from Maria Montessori)

• did your child have observations or comments that you can think together about further?

• would your child like to say, make or do anything in response to the words of God this morning?

• is there an appropriate offering or act of service your family can collaborate in?

• pray a blessing over your children: “O Lord Jesus Christ, who took little children into your arms and blessed them: Bless the children of this family, that they may grow up in godly fear and love.
  Give them your strength and guidance day by day, that they may continue in your love and service to their lives’ end. Grant this, O blessed Savior, for your own Name’s sake. Amen.”
  (from the Anglican Book of Common prayer page 77)

• persevere, unflinchingly, in welcoming your children to purposeful communal worship.

Leah Wall