A few weeks ago I had the privilege of worshiping with the Palmer Fellowship in their beautiful new location. As I came in the door I did what I automatically do - I began to look for the bulletin. I was told there was not a bulletin. The church had gone green through being paperless.
One part of me thought awesome. Another part of me started to panic - how will I know what is happening, how will I see what is on their calendar.... As I sat through worship I began to relax and allow worship to flow. What I found was that the worship service was relaxing for me - I didn't have to keep looking at the bulletin to see what was next. I could simply worship and allow those in leadership to carry me through.
Anchor Park UMC tried a similar experience for one week. They did not have a bulletin one Sunday and no worship plan. The idea was to let the spirit move them. I was not able to be present for this service but I heard it was a good experience.
There is a great concern about the environment and being green. I wonder if more churches might consider going without a bulletin. What if you allowed any information to be on the screen up front or in your weekly e-blast newsletter? Think about the amount of paper that would be saved - the cost and the trees. I see it as a wonderful witness of the Christian commitment to model behavior that reflect Christ.
If your church decides to go paperless I would enjoy hearing about your experience. I appreciate our connection to share these experiences and ideas and I thank God for the witness of our churches in the Alaska UM Conference.
One part of me thought awesome. Another part of me started to panic - how will I know what is happening, how will I see what is on their calendar.... As I sat through worship I began to relax and allow worship to flow. What I found was that the worship service was relaxing for me - I didn't have to keep looking at the bulletin to see what was next. I could simply worship and allow those in leadership to carry me through.
Anchor Park UMC tried a similar experience for one week. They did not have a bulletin one Sunday and no worship plan. The idea was to let the spirit move them. I was not able to be present for this service but I heard it was a good experience.
There is a great concern about the environment and being green. I wonder if more churches might consider going without a bulletin. What if you allowed any information to be on the screen up front or in your weekly e-blast newsletter? Think about the amount of paper that would be saved - the cost and the trees. I see it as a wonderful witness of the Christian commitment to model behavior that reflect Christ.
If your church decides to go paperless I would enjoy hearing about your experience. I appreciate our connection to share these experiences and ideas and I thank God for the witness of our churches in the Alaska UM Conference.
