by Sarah Werner
Last week 41 participants from 19 congregations in 9 states gathered for a retreat to kick off the All In Project at Laurelville Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, Pa. We enjoyed three days of fellowship, worship, and engaging seminars with project consultants David Csinos and Betty Pries. Executive Director Jeanne Davies and All In Project Director Keli Boyer also shared their expertise in belonging and inclusive worship.
The retreat started with dinner and opening worship on Tuesday evening, where Seth Crissman of the Soil and the Seed Project led us in a few of the songs written specifically for All In. As a way to get to know one another, participants from each congregation shared a story using an item that was meaningful to their community. Several congregations brought works of art created by members, while others shared photos, mementos, and even a pair of soccer shorts to illustrate the life of their church.
On Wednesday and Thursday participants enjoyed a series of interactive seminars from the staff and consultants on intergenerational worship practices, accessibility, and how to navigate congregational change, key aspects of their work with the All In Project.
On Thursday evening participants had a chance to try out what they had learned with an interactive closing worship service centered on the 1 Corinthians 12 text about the Body of Christ. The whole service was a celebration of creativity and inclusivity made possible by thinking outside the box about worship. The scripture was shared in the form of a skit, and for the sermon we were invited to create a person using the materials already on our table to illustrate the composite nature of the Body of Christ.
The whole week was a joyous testament to the moving of the Holy Spirit in this particular time and place as we work to make worship a practice that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities and gifts. Jeanne Davies shared, “It was a joy to witness the synergy - to see these congregational leaders making connections with ideas and with each other.”
Keli Boyer shared, “It was a gift to be able to meet face to face, hear one another's stories, worship, and learn with these 19 churches. Being in a room full of people excited and passionate about seeing the church become more accessible for everyone was inspiring.”
Sheila Gruenhagen, a participant from Peace Mennonite Fellowship in Archbold, Ohio shared, “I loved hearing about things that other churches have had success with. There were so many great ideas shared among the speakers and the participants.”
The All In Project is funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. All In is a 5-year project with 19 congregations to create accessible and intergenerational worship practices that can be shared more broadly with Anabaptist churches. For more information, visit us at: https://www.anabaptistdisabilitiesnetwork.org/allin/
