We Gather Together, and God Meets Us!

Washington Avenue, Beloved:

On Sunday, March 1, we pivoted to theAlt for worship after one of our two sanctuary furnaces unexpectedly stopped working. Although our liturgy remained the same, changing locations sharpened our awareness of familiar elements—what we gained and what we missed. Many felt the absence of the organ, piano, and the “holy echoes” of our beautiful sanctuary, even as new gifts emerged. But here’s what we already believed to be true: We gather together, and God meets us!

Following worship in theAlt, I invited participants to complete a brief survey and received sixteen responses. This feedback is a gift and helps us understand how we can continue to grow and deepen our life together.

Several beautiful themes emerged—ones worth celebrating together.

• The Gift of Proximity
  Many of you described a profound sense of closeness, warmth, and togetherness. Being able to see one another’s faces and hear the harmony of our collective voices during hymns created an intimate atmosphere. Some likened it to a family reunion or gathering of relatives.
• A Sanctuary Without Walls
  There was a strong consensus that while we cherish our sanctuary, worship is not confined to a single space. As one response noted, “The service is what matters, not the location.” You reminded us that we encounter God wherever we gather as a community.
• Flexibility and Resilience
  I am deeply inspired by your willingness to adapt and your openness to trying something new. Your responses revealed a congregation that is not rigid in worship practices, but flexible, resilient, and ready to meet God—even in the wilderness of unfamiliar space.
• Honoring What We Miss
  Alongside the joy of the new, many of you honestly named what you missed: the mighty pipe organ, the captivating stained glass, and the sacred acoustics of the sanctuary. This feedback matters. Our traditions ground us and remain a vital source of comfort and identity as we navigate change.

One participant beautifully summarized our shared experience: “The day was a good reminder that the space in which we worship isn’t as important as the people with whom we worship.” Again, we gather together, and God meets us.

Well done, church! As if I needed more reasons to be proud of you, your survey responses only deepened my love for who–and ALL–that you are! Thank you for your honesty, your spirit of adventure, and your commitment to one another.

Earlier this month, I shared this feedback with the Elders, and it led to rich and generative conversation. Our curiosity about worship in theAlt also coincides with the upcoming departure of Sol Rizzato. I am already seeking guest musicians for the summer months as we discern how to move forward with a search for this position.

At the same time, these conversations invite deeper questions about how we faithfully steward sacred space. We are blessed with remarkable instruments and have invested significant resources to make our sanctuary more sustainable and accessible. We also have a strong online presence and excellent recording capabilities in the sanctuary. These are gifts we hold with care.

As we take next steps in faith, we will carry these lessons and questions with us—trusting that whether we worship in the sanctuary or theAlt, God meets us. We could ask for nothing more.

With gratitude,