Roots & Wings: Inter Generational Formation Collaborative (R&W) is a grant aimed at enabling congregations to practice dynamic intergenerational liturgy, particularly in episcopal contexts. Our grants team defines intergenerational liturgy as one that seeks to intentionally engage and equally value the gifts and needs of two or more generations (or each generation present). You can find out more in our article “What is intergenerational worship?” » This series of articles, “Roots & Wings FAQ,” offers answers to frequently asked questions about intergenerational liturgy.
In conversations about intergenerational liturgy, I am often asked about Youth Sunday. One webinar participant asked the question this way: “Does a Youth Sunday, where all liturgical leaders are youth and children, meet the criteria for intergenerational worship, or is it a “program” that highlights youth and children?
What “Youth Sunday” communicates
Calling something “Youth Sunday” indicates to me that it is a special event and that young people do not regularly lead worship. If children and young people are actively involved in weekly leadership, it is not necessary to set aside a Sunday for them to take on leadership roles. So, I would say that generally speaking, Youth Sunday is a program that honors young people rather than an example of intergenerational liturgy.
In most contexts, Youth Sunday “flips the script” by centering youth voices, leadership, and tastes in an otherwise adult-centered space. Youth are invited to participate in worship planning and leadership roles that they do not have regular access to, such as choosing music, preaching, writing the people’s prayers, and serving as chalice bearers.
Intergenerational liturgy has a different goal: to intentionally engage and equally value the gifts and needs of every generation here. In an intergenerational liturgy context, young people could fulfill some of the same worship planning and leadership roles, but they would be invited to do so on an ongoing basis based on their individual gifts and in partnership with people of different ages.
While I believe that Youth Sunday serves a different purpose than intergenerational liturgy, I also believe that it can be implemented in a way that fosters more intergenerational practices for a worshiping community. With intentionality, Youth Sunday can foster intergenerational relationships, demonstrate young people’s capacity for liturgical leadership, and invite adults to different ways of doing liturgy. Over time, intergenerational relationships, demonstrated capacity for liturgical leadership, and experience with different ways of doing liturgy can foster trust and familiarity, building a bridge to more regular practices of intergenerational liturgy.
Here are some specific ideas for this work:
1. Liturgical leadership training
Ask youth to help create a list of leadership roles in worship, ranging from altar guild to preparing communion bread and selecting music. If applicable, explain the purpose of the role. For example, why we ring the sanctuary bells. Invite adult members of the congregation to share how they use their gifts in liturgical leadership (an usher, a choir member, a flower guild member, etc.). Give young people time to ask questions. Connecting youth with adults who serve in worship can deepen relationalityone of the characteristics of the intergenerational liturgy.
Finally, invite young people to discern how they want to use their unique gifts during Youth Sunday. Clearly identifying leadership options and inviting young people to discern how they wish to contribute is a form of empowermentanother characteristic of the intergenerational liturgy.
2. Pairs of mentors or apprentices
Pair youth with experienced adult worship leaders and invite them to shadow several times before Youth Sunday and/or fill this role together on Youth Sunday. For example, a youth and an adult could lead the psalm together, alternating verses. A child can work with a flower guild member to arrange flowers for this Sunday. The apprenticeship not only helps young people understand the logistics of the role they play on Youth Sunday, but it also creates an opportunity for adults and young people to get to know each other (relationality).
3. Prayer and encouragement
Pair each young person serving on Youth Sunday with an adult in the congregation who could offer encouragement before the service, pray for them during, and offer gratitude afterward. This creates another opportunity for relationship building and it is also a form of empowermentwhich includes inviting, equipping and supporting.
4. Reflection
Provide the community with a way to reflect on Youth Sunday. This might look like youth reflecting on their experience at the next youth group session and how they might want to continue to be involved in liturgical leadership. This might look like inviting anyone interested in thinking to gather in a side room during coffee hour for 15 minutes to discuss “What have you noticed?” » This might look like dedicating 30 minutes of the next staff or vestry meeting to thinking about Youth Sunday. Or all of the above. Reflection provides an opportunity to notice the impact of Youth Sunday and discern where the Spirit is leading. It is an aspect of intentionalityone of the five characteristics of the intergenerational liturgy.
The image shown is of [name]
Sarah Bentley Allred (she/her/hers)
Sarah Bentley Allred is Project Director for Roots & Wings: Collaborative Intergenerational Education through Lifelong Learning at Virginia Seminary. Prior to joining Lifelong Learning, Sarah served as Director of Children and Youth Ministries for four years and then completed the M.Div. program at VTS with an emphasis on Christian formation. She is passionate about children’s spirituality, intergenerational worship, and small church formation. She loves local cafes, board games, the beach, and exploring new places with her husband, Richard, their daughter, Eleanor, and their dog, Grace. To learn more, visit sarahbentleyallred.com.
