Update on the True Vine Table
Update from Rev. Megan
Since the spring, the experiment of adding of the True Vine table at the front of the church has offered our children ages 6-12 a place in our worship space that is designed specifically for them and their development. It has been lovely to see them engage with the materials and each other! To assess the experiment, I consulted the Worship Committee, Bernadette and the Choir, and Rev. Emily sought feedback from parents, the children, and other parishioners. In these conversations, we received very helpful feedback about what works well and what could be tweaked. The most common shared response was that the timeline was not sufficient for making a final determination about whether we should keep the Table or not. For this reason, I have decided that we will continue the True Vine Table experiment through the end of Lent and assess it again then, and within the context of our Evolving Space conversations in Strategic Planning.
In the meantime, please continue to offer me and Mtr. Emily any feedback you might have about how we support our children during worship -- and about how we use our space in general!
Update from Mtr. Emily
I am grateful that we will get to keep trying this out! You may have noticed that on recent Sundays, I have not always been vested and sitting in the chancel with Rev. Megan. This is because Rev. Megan kindly agreed that it was helpful for me to spend some time both at the Table and in the Soft Space, seeing how our children use the materials, and figuring out what kind of guidance or changes are most needed. (It’s also just extremely fun!)
The True Vine Table will typically be out at every service, but there will be some exceptions. These are primarily due to space; as you know, the chancel and the crossing (where the aisle meets the steps) are somewhat crowded. Because of space, the Table will not be out on Lessons and Carols this Sunday, the 4:00pm Christmas Eve service, and Maundy Thursday in the spring.
Additionally, we have a couple services a year where the solemnity and silence do not lend themselves to the flexibility with young children that we normally have. Because of wishing to preserve silence, the Table will not be out at the 8:00pm Christmas Eve service and our evening Good Friday service.