Each Sunday morning, the worship liturgy that gathers us together includes the voluntary recitation of what we've come to know as the Declaration of Faith, an affirmation adopted by Universalists in 1899 and so sometimes known also as the “Five Principles of 1899.”
Last fall, the Worship Committee took on the task of shepherding a process to involve the entire congregation in an examination of the Declaration of Faith. The Third Wednesday theology group already has had some good discussions, which have revealed a wide range of opinions and attitudes.
The next step in the process is to meet as a congregation, over lunch, on February 26, and explore two key questions together:
. What meaning does the Declaration of Faith that we recite in worship have for you personally?
. What role does an affirmation such as the Declaration of Faith play in our worship today, and what role should it play?
This will be a fun occasion to learn more about each others' beliefs (and incidentally, to mark the last Sunday before Lent begins). A highlight will be the opportunity to see what many other churches are using in their worship services to affirm their faith and mission. Newcomers, as well as long-time members and friends, are especially welcome to participate.
Following this program, the next part of the process will be for a small task force to take the information gathered and work on recommendations to be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting in May. There will be additional opportunities for feedback during that part of the process, so that everyone can be assured that their input will be heard, but the Worship Committee urges everyone to attend this luncheon in order to share as many different views as possible from the outset.
The Worship Committee wants to emphasize that no specific change in our current practice is currently on the table. The ultimate goal is to clarify our understanding of this portion of our liturgy, so that we can truly appreciate "what we say here" and why we say it.
Posted by Mark McNabb at February 21, 2006 03:33 PM