Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

 Format and Checklist for Sunday Services

 Dear Service Leaders and Presenters,

 Thank you for contributing your time and expertise to our Fellowship. Our Sunday service is an important weekly event for our congregation, a time of fellowship, stimulation, inspiration, comfort, and entertainment. We appreciate your effort in making this the richest possible experience for our members and guests.

 The Week before the Service:  Service Leaders work with the presenters to write the order of service which includes hymns, responsive readings if any, and the title of the presentation and name of the presenter.  Order of Service information needs to be to Glenda Hubbard by Wednesday noon before the service (hubbardgh@appstate.edu.)  Also copy Bobbie Austin, chair of the Music Committee, on the email so she will have hymn numbers (bobbiened@goboone.net.)

 Please note these two very important points:

 1.   Use of microphone. Please ensure that the microphone is used correctly by all the speakers. This continues to be a point of great frustration for some of our members, and this point deserves our full attention so they can hear without straining. I deleted some old language here.  We need to have the microphone adjusted to the height of the speaker and ask them to speak into it consistently (or ask the congregation regularly if they can hear comfortably).

2.   Start on time. Please make every effort to start the service precisely at 11am. You may choose to begin the Prelude music a few minutes before if you’d like. But only after beginning the service by calling for the audience’s attention and their cooperation in listening quietly while the music is played. (See below)

 Listed below are the customary elements of our UU worship services. In most cases, this format provides balance to the service and fulfills the needs and interests of our VU Fellowship. If you would like to significantly modify this format, please share your ideas with the Program Committee for their consideration (Contact: Ben Edwards).  Most often, the Lay Leader will open the service and then introduce the Service Leader.  Occasionally, the Service Leaders will handle the whole service.

 You can use this as a checklist to ensure that you have planned each of the requested elements.

 ______ Opening. The Lay or Service Leader rings one of the bells to bring the congregation to order, then welcomes the audience and shares some Opening Words (your own or from the back of the hymnal) to focus the audience’s attention and give a sense of community.

 ______   Prelude (Opening music). The Lay or Service Leader invites the congregation to enjoy the opening music in the spirit of fellowship and reflection [or some such words...].

 Welcome and Introduction of Visitors. [This script is already prepared.]

Chalice lighting

Covenant

Joys and Concerns

 ______ First Hymn. The hymns and responsive readings are usually selected from the UU Hymnal. You will find an index in the back to help identify categories to assist with your selection. You can also consult with our Music Committee for help in selecting hymns (Contact: Bobbie Austin).

 ______ Responsive Reading. Some speakers bring outside materials to distribute for this portion of the service, and some conduct this as a reading, rather than a responsive reading with the congregation s participation.

 ______ Offertory. It may be necessary to again remind the audience to enjoy the music quietly in the spirit of reflection and centering.

 ______ Second Hymn. This hymn can come after your presentation if you prefer.

 Presentation

 _______ Length of time. Your presentation should be a maximum of 20 minutes. This will allow time for the other elements of our worship service, including “Talkback.” This is when the congregation can ask questions or make comments in response to your remarks. We have found this to be an especially stimulating aspect of our service, something that our Fellowship values greatly.

 ______ Connection to the UU Principles. Unitarian Universalists do not adhere to a specific doctrine or creed, but we do promote common principles or standards of living. By explicitly connecting your presentation to these principles, you are providing a familiar foundation for our UU congregation. We ask that in your introductory remarks you comment briefly on the connection of your presentation to one (or more) of the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism:

I.    The inherent worth and dignity of every person

2.   Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations

3.   Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations

4.   A free and responsible search for truth and meaning

5.   The rights of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large

6.   The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all

7.   Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part

 ______ Talkback

 ______ Closing Hymn (optional)

 ______ Closing. The Closing gives a sense of synthesis and comfort before departing.

 ______ Announcements. The Service Leader may ask that the announcements be short to accommodate the Prelude.

 ______ The Service Leader should allow time for the Closing music before people leave the sanctuary. It can be a time of reflection on the service and centering.

 After the service:  you are encouraged to ask the speaker if s/he would like to go to lunch after the service.  If so, select a suitable restaurant and ask the congregation if any are interested in joining you.  Please pay for the speaker’s lunch; you can be reimbursed by the Fellowship.

 Thank you for taking the time to plan your service or presentation according to these guidelines, as much as possible. They are intended to enhance the worship experience for all involved. We hope you find them of benefit.

 Revised August 2005

Comments regarding this web page are always welcome.  Email Richard T.