Worship Associates at UUCP

Welcome to Worship Associates at UUCP. We invite UUCP members to consider giving your time and talent to this program and to engaging in conversation about worship at UUCP.

Worship Associates work with Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and Music Director Connie Jahrmarkt to create and lead worship. Associates will explore the qualities of excellent worship, receive training in the conduct of of worship services, and meet together quarterly to discuss upcoming worship services.  Each associate works with the minister and music director in the creation of four to six services a year--collaborating in three areas: developing the focus of the service, bringing resources to the service, and conducting the service. Associates also help lead worship when the minister is out of the pulpit.

The UUCP Worship Associates program is one of many such programs at UU congregations around the country.  While these program go by different names and take different forms, the underlying premise is the same: collaboration among clergy and lay members in the creation of worship services produces vibrant worship that enriches the experience for everyone and draws new people to the congregation.

Here is more information about our own Worship Associates program.

Qualifications and Expected Time Commitment

Worship Associates should be members of UUCP and demonstrate the following:

• Interest in and ideas about enhancing worship at UUCP
• Ability to work as a team member
• A commitment to shared ministry
• Ability to communicate effectively, especially through public speaking
• Identification with UUCP as focus of personal spiritual life
• Involvement and knowledge of the UUCP congregation

Worship associates should expect the following time commitment:

• Quarterly two hour planning meetings
• One half to full day retreat each year, likely on Saturday
• Time necessary to find appropriate readings and other sources
• Time required to plan and conduct worship services four to six times a year

Length of commitment

• A Worship Associates term is two years
• An Associate may apply for a second term; if selected, he or she must rotate off for at least one term before applying again.

Application and selection

The application used in 2010-2011 is available here if you would like to see it. The next application is likely to ask similar questions.

The first group of WAs began in the spring of 2011.  The next scheduled application period will begin in the fall of 2012 with new Associates to be selected by February of 2013 to begin serving in April of that year.

The selection team is Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Music Director Connie Jahrmarkt and WA Coordinator Susan Goldsmith.  Selections will be made by early February with training to follow. Our goal is to create a team of Associates with skills and interests that are broadly representative of the congregation.

If you have questions or comments, you may direct them to Susan Goldsmith at worshipassociates@phoenixuu.org.

If you would like to engage in conversation with us, all of us welcome your ideas about worship!

2011-2013 Worship Associates:

Anne Byrne

Gary Ezzell

Susan Goldsmith

Richard Jahrmarkt

Gary Lawrence

Glen Lockwood

Karin Quinn

Jaynn Truran

David Weaver