September 2026 Clergy Note about New After-Church Schedule

We are excited to share that our time after Sunday Eucharist will follow a more predictable schedule this year. This choice came about in large part through the work of the Formation VPG and what they discovered; it also responds to a request that we have been hearing for a couple years. We hope this new regularity will make it easier to bring friends and to plan for church!

First Sundays: all-ages events

We have heard from many people that they want time to be together! These Sundays will include parties for special feast days and seasons, as well as “Sidequest Sundays,” where we will offer something hands-on to learn and enjoy. They will replace the Tuesday night dinners, which won’t happen this year (aside from Shrove Tuesday when there will be pancakes!) First Sunday activities are being planned by Mtr. Emily with help from Debbie LeBlanc and Julie Schaffner. Parish Parties and Sidequest Sundays will only have activities that are opt-in, so that everyone can be together without needing to listen to instructions or follow a plan. They will be a time when everyone can enjoy each other’s presence in whatever way they like, by just being in the same space, having long conversations, or interacting through an activity. They will also be a good Sunday for inviting friends and newcomers to church.

Second Sundays: Community Conversations

Beginning in November, we will have conversations or activities related to the Strategic Plan on the second Sunday of each month. These might include a low-barrier “one-off” social action activity, consideration of various new signage for the front of our church, or perhaps a hymm-sing-type session to help identify what we consider “singable!” For at least the first few months, these conversations will relate to the “Early Actions” that RSPT is identifying as they finalize the Strategic Plan. Later in the year, second Sundays may offer a mix of Early Action items and initial conversations about bigger-picture topics.

Third and Fourth Sundays: Sunday School for All Ages

Thanks to the new regular schedule, we are very happy to return to what many Redeemerites remember: Christian education will be offered for all ages at the same time! We’re calling this “Sunday School” because we don’t need to use specific program names for each group, and it communicates quickly and clearly to friends and visitors that this is an offering for Christian education and discipleship.

Children: Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program continues for ages 3-12, who meet in three separate classes. Additionally, ages 6-12 take part in Atrium Singers during the same block of time.

Youth: This year we are trying something new for ages 12-15. We believe it will be a good fit for our group of students, and more sustainable for the parish than two separate programs. We will use a program called Feasting on the Word, which is built around the readings for each Sunday.

Adults: Sunday School for adults (ages 16-106) will include offerings about the same sorts of topics our young people are receiving: Scripture, prayer, worship, and following

Jesus. The Adult Education Advisory group has put a lot of time and careful thought into our offerings this year; we hope you will give them a try!

We look forward to trying this out with you and to reflecting at the end of the year on how a more regular Sunday schedule works for our community!

Rev. Megan & Mtr. Emily