Members of liberal churches have always actively participated in the organizational and governing aspects of the church. Unity Church has long supported this tradition through the concept of shared ministry. The worship associates program is a natural evolution of this concept.
Worship associates work as a group to assist the ministers in the thematic development of worship services and sermons during the church year. Individually they participate in Sunday services, developing and delivering the call to worship, readings, and reflections often drawn from their own life experiences as related to the topic of the particular service. A worship associate must be a voting member of the congregation and typically serves for a period of two years. The group meets four times a year with the ministers and some staff to discuss and plan the upcoming worship services; associates are required to attend all meetings with minimal exceptions. Each associate works with a service leader (minister or other) to develop and conduct three to four services during the church year. Experienced associates also are given the opportunity to lead Sunday services during the summer. The worship associate application process happens once per year. Questions? Email Rev. KP Hong at [email protected]. |
Serve as a Worship Associate
Please consider applying to serve a worship associate at Unity Church! Worship associates help explore the monthly themes and participate in services by sharing readings and/or reflections that are developed in collaboration with the minister(s) in charge of each service. Worship associates commit to a two-year term and meet at Unity for quarterly retreats on Saturday mornings. Because of the depth of inquiry about worship that those retreats allow, there is an expectation that worship associates commit to attending those meetings. Worship associates are expected to serve in the capacity as worship associate four to five Sundays per year, and potentially preach/lead a service during the summer. Applications are online. The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 23. |