Overview

In order to respond to pressing concerns within the congregation to allow for additional time for Christian Education on Sunday mornings (specifically, 45-60 minutes), the rector requested the DRE to research how other area churches handle Sunday service times with their Christian education programs, as well as to craft other creative solutions to this problem. She was then to submit options for the vestry to consider for implementation in September 2002.

After forming a subcommittee, the DRE followed through on this request and submitted the options below. These were subsequently discussed at a staff meeting, from which arose the attached list of pros and cons. While no solution is without challenges, the staff generally agreed that option #1 was the most practical. All solutions allow for 50 minutes of Christian ed.

Option #1

7:45 am service
9:00 am service
10:15-11:05 am Christian ed
11:15 am service

Pros:

• Involves only a relatively minor shift in existing service times
• Brings main service (9 am) into line with nearly all large Episcopal Churches in N. Va.

Cons:

• Requires earlier arrival for 7:45 and 9:00 congregations
• Requires earlier arrival for volunteers such as the altar guild, ushers, choir, etc.
• Retains lack of accessibility of Christian ed for 7:45 worshipers.

Option #2

8:00 am service
9:00-9:50 am Christian ed
10:00 am service
11:30 am service

Pros:

• Preserves 8am service time.
• Allows for fewer transitions for younger children moving from Christian ed to Church.
• Allows accessibility to Christian ed for 8 am worshipers.

Cons:

• Involves relatively major shift in service and Christian education times.
• Choir rehearsals would conflict with Christian education.
• Removes accessibility of Christian ed for 11:30 worshipers.
• Does not have a parallel in worship configurations of other large Episcopal congregations in N. Va.
  

Option #3

7:45 am service
8:45-9:35 am Christian ed
9:45 am service
11:15 am service

Pros:

• Preserves 11:15 am service time.
• Allows for fewer transitions for younger children moving from Christian ed to Church.
• Allows accessibility to Christian ed for 7:45 am worshipers.

Cons:

• Involves relatively major shift in service and Christian education times.
• Choir rehearsals would conflict with Christian education.
• Removes accessibility of Christian ed for 11:15 worshipers.
• Would involve a fairly early start for Christian education that might hinder Sunday school attendance.
• Does not have a parallel in worship configurations of other large Episcopal congregations in N. Va.
  

<-- Previous Page --Index-- Next Page-->