Holy Cross Episcopal Church

One of our Holy Cross teens joins guitarist Jim Sims to provide Sunday music.

For the last year, Holy Cross has been experimenting with periodic “Come With Joy” Sundays. These are inspired by a ministry of Caroline Fairless and Jim Sims called Children at Worship ~ Congregations in Bloom. Caroline, an Episcopal priest, and her husband Jim, a musician and composer, have a mission to make Episcopal worship more attractive to children, teens and young adults. They bring a rich array of music, drama, visual arts and other exciting ideas to Sunday morning Eucharists.

Caroline Fairless (left) listens as Jim Sims talks about their ministry over Sunday morning breakfast.

Over the past year, we’ve had six or eight Come With Joy Sundays. (Jim joins us with his guitar once a month for our regular worship.) The next Come With Joy Sunday is May 10, after which the Holy Cross congregation is going to engage in a full review of our worship–not just Come With Joy. What works? What doesn’t? What ideas do people have for where we go next? It will be interesting to see what comes forth.

Liturgy is very important for Episcopalians (we even have that special name, liturgy, for how worship: literally meaning “the work of the people”). We value worship that brings Holy Scripture, tradition, the Sacraments and beautiful music and environment together to the glory of God and the enrichment of God’s people. Therefore, when we make changes–which we do–we do this carefully, thoughtfully.

At the same time, Holy Cross is an ideal place for something like “Come With Joy.” We’re a young congregation, generally open to new ideas and ready to give them a go. Our special mission is to young families and we have welcomed the gifts that Caroline and Jim have brought to us as we develop our worship.