Worship Associates help lead our Sunday worship services, collaborating with the ministers to reflect on meaning, purpose, and the life of the congregation. Worship Associates help develop Sunday themes for worship in monthly meetings with the Ministers and Music Directors. At these meetings, we explore monthly themes like “Living with Intention,” and “Awakening,” and then identify topics for each of the Sunday services of the month.
To prepare Sunday services, individual Worship Associates work one on one with the ministers by selecting readings or telling a personal story related to the theme of the service. Worship Associates record a video of their story the week of their service date. On Sunday morning when we are in-person, Worship Associates share their story from the pulpit. The program includes training for Worship Associates on writing and recording stories, pulpit presence, and how to create the container for the shared experience of the worship service. Because Worship Associates will speak from the pulpit during worship without a mask on, they must have all medically-recommended vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are looking for church members who:
- are inspired by worship and want to contribute to the congregation’s depth of experience;
- want to engage in philosophical and theological reflection about meaning and purpose;
- have diverse identities, which this year particularly means young adults, newer members, and people of color;
- have poise and public speaking ability; and
- are deeply committed to the church and its values.
SERVICE COMMITMENTS AND APPLICATIONS
Please submit your application by March 15, 2022 through the website at: https://uumilwaukee.org/get-involved/worship-associates/
Worship Associates will begin planning worship at the required Worship Associate meetings on:
- Sunday May 1, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., and
- Sunday, May 15, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Worship Associates will begin serving at Sunday worship services in September 2022. WA monthly meetings are typically held on the third Sunday of each month after church. Worship Associates make a commitment to serve for two years, including during the summers, and commit to attending all WA meetings. Worship Associates will support the Ministers in leading worship about once every two months; on the date they serve covering the 10:00am worship online during the pandemic, and both the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services in person when we re-gather.
Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, Senior Minister