The Second Swing
How does one practice becoming a trapeze artist?
Like anything, I imagine developing skills like strength, and awareness — I get that. But I’m perplexed by that first time you swing out, let go of your bar, and float until you discover that next thing you’ll grab hold of.
The last five months worshiping in the afternoons have been between the swings — folks knowledgeable about change call it “liminal space.” We discerned a temporary season to worship in the afternoons for a variety of reasons — but would the second swing mean returning to 9am worship, or remaining at 3pm? It’s not easy space to be in, especially when the Lord had yet to reveal that second swing while we were mid-flight (that tends to be His way).
The Vine will continue to worship at 3pm. While we suspect this time is not forever, it is our “second swing” and not another temporary season.
Below is a letter with more detail from your Vestry. I have seen this Vestry spend significant energy receiving your diverse and balanced responses with care, pursuing clarity on all options and details, and seeking the Lord together in humility while offering our own diverse opinions. This is a wise discerning leadership community of whom you should be proud (and possibly want to nominate other wise members to join soon!).
It is significant to me that we were able to vote in consensus on Wednesday night. Unity does not mean uniformity of thought, but each member discerned that this seems to be the Lord’s leading — a second swing whose trajectory only our Shepherd Christ sees fully.
Michael+
Vine Family,
Your feedback is so valuable: A majority of our congregation took the time to complete The Vine’s follow-up Service Time Survey. Thank you for discerning, engaging, and honestly giving feedback. We have thoroughly reviewed each and every response. They have been central as we grappled with this very important and complex decision.
What You Told Us
The Vine contains a diverse range of perspectives on a preferred service time between 9am and 3pm. You have diverse schedules and needs. Some prefer earlier services to create space for family commitments, afternoon/evening plans, or maintaining a sense of normalcy for Sabbath. Others prefer our afternoon time due to work schedules, a more relaxed start to the day, or direct conflicts that would prevent attending. These responses split very close to even with a slight preference for 9am.
You also shared your overall experience at The Vine — some consistent areas where we can improve, and some that are consistently cherished. What spoke most loudly was how much you love this church, and for a variety of reasons.
Other Factors
We drew other factors alongside your feedback, such as sharing facilities with our host church, both of whom are working to grow. Independent of the survey, Clyde Christian Fellowship (CCF) expressed having felt constrained by the natural overlap of two congregations holding Sunday morning services.* CCF gained newfound clarity about needing the sanctuary earlier (by 10:15a), and needing the whole campus by 10:30a. This and other concerns make 9am worship more challenging, but certainly not impossible.
*What CCF communicated as their needs is not unreasonable at all, even if The Lord’s timing in bringing it to us was curious.
A Complex & Unified Decision: 3:00 PM Service Time
After much prayerful consideration, discussion, and deep analysis of your input, we have made the weighty decision to continue our Vine Services at 3:00 PM.** There was no single "perfect" time that satisfied the majority. However, 3:00 PM arose as the wisest choice between two good-but-not-perfect options so long as we are worshiping at CCF. Some key considerations include maximizing attendance, logistical feasibility, time to grow together, and balance of preference.
**Your feedback prompted one subsequent consideration: worshiping at 4:00PM during Daylight Savings Time and at 3:00PM during Regular Time. Look for information about a congregational meeting to discuss that nuanced option and to process together soon.
Thank You, Discerning Community
Thank you again for your valuable feedback — discerning together like this is how the Body of Christ should work. It is in our imperfect seeking of the Lord together that deep Spiritual Formation takes place. Thank you for your continued dedication to the Vine, whose individuals will all experience this decision in their own unique ways. Let us have grace, curiosity, and love for one another as we continue in the “iron sharpening iron” nature of community.
We believe that this decision, while difficult, will ultimately allow us to continue to grow and serve our community more effectively. We will unpack this and more from your feedback in coming weeks, but reach out to our pastors Michael+ and Hannah+ or any of our Vestry in the meantime if you would like to process or ask for clarity.
We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday at 3pm.
The Vine’s Vestry
Dwayne Odvody
Amy Grady
Clark Williams
Chris Sequenzia
Claire Andrews
Michael King