by Patrick J. Bone
St. Columba’s, Bristol
An evening of contemporary Christian music and worship proved its worth when an equal number of young and adult parishioners attended the gathering at St. Columba’s parish hall in Bristol, on a Saturday, in August.

In the spirit of ecumenism, the event featured musicians, singers and parishioners from Unicoi Methodist Church which shares facilities for Sunday worship with St. Mary the Virgin’s Episcopal congregation.

According to the Rev. Goddard of Unicoi Methodist, “The contemporary service started out as an experiment to welcome more youngsters to Sunday worship.” To his surprise, the contemporary devotions now draw a greater number of worshipers than the regular Methodist services.

The Rev. Harry Bahlow, vicar of St. Columba’s, invited the Goddard’s group to Bristol to see if the service would attract more youngsters. The results were encouraging. Thirty-eight teenagers and younger children attended, in addition to most of St. Columba’s regular parishioners.

Bahlow said, “We have to investigate fresh ways of meeting our challenges. We [the Church] are losing our youth. By reaching out to them with the kind of music they appreciate, we send a message of love. We are telling our children they’re important. This is a Christian message, one of love and acceptance.”

Goddard’s homily reinforced that theme as did Bahlow’s benediction.