Houses of worship have gone through what some call the summer slump. Members have missed services for vacations and college students went home during the hot months.

Now the flocks are returning at full force, and area churches and synagogues are preparing to welcome them with open arms — along with special meals, block parties and new worship styles.

The First United Methodist Church of Waco, celebrating its 160th birthday the weekend of Sept. 11-12, has a series of events ready for the fall, pastor Stephen Ramsdell said.

Stephen Ramsdell, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Waco, stands beside a replica of a birthday cake that recognizes the church’s founding 160 years ago and heralds celebrations coming in September.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

It has placed a faux birthday cake in front of the church at Lake Air and Cobbs drives and has launched a ministry emphasis titled “God Is Big Enough.”

It has circulated about 3,000 wristbands that serve as a reminder to pray and will make more because of demand, Ramsdell said.

The church plans a “Birthday Block Party” the evening of Sept. 15 to include the neighborhood in a time of fun with booths, rides and games.

It soon will add a contemporary worship service at 5:30 p.m. Sundays to complement a praise service now held on Saturday.

As with other church leaders, Ramsdell said he notices a decline in attendance during the summer months.

“It’s not horrible, but there is no question we have fewer people,” he said.

Billy Edwards, pastor of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church, said the smaller crowds don’t discourage him.

“I really think people need breaks to spend time with their families, go on trips, see things,” Edwards said. “A far greater characteristic of commitment is how we live our lives Monday through Saturday, not necessarily where we are on Sunday morning, though I do want you in church.”

Attracting youths

Brazos Meadows on Wednesday will host an evening of water games for youngsters to get them back in the church-going groove.

A discipleship class for young people and adults begins Sept. 1.

Jim Menke, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, said attendance always drops off during the summer, but this one has been especially bad at Trinity.

Menke estimated he has seen an additional 10 percent decline. He said he can’t explain the drop, but the church hopes to turn around the trend.

The church will host “Back to Church Sunday,” on Sept. 12. It will carry a message for members to invite back others who have stopped attending for whatever reason.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is calling Aug. 29 “Homecoming Sunday,” when it will serve a lunch of fajitas to the parish after the 10 a.m. service.

Assistant pastor Jimmy Abbott said he will host a gathering of young adults that evening at his home, where they will pray and eat appetizers.

At Temple Rodef Sholom, Rabbi Mordechai Rotem took a two-month summer sabbatical and some feared attendance would suffer in his absence.

“Before the rabbi left, I received a phone call from a guy who wondered what we would do if we didn’t have a minyan, which is kind of like a quorum. But we never had to worry about that,” congregation president Ellan Burke said.

Lay leaders and outside speakers led services, she said, and the congregation seemed to enjoy the change of pace. Members later welcomed back Rotem with a hot dog supper.

September brings the Jewish High Holy Days. Rosh Hashana, marking the Jewish new year of 5771, from Sept. 8-9.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will begin at sunset Sept. 17 and end at nightfall Sept. 18. It is the holiest day of the year for Jews.

Father John Guzaldo, pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church, said if anything good comes from members missing church during the summer it’s that they return refreshed and possibly more willing to volunteer.

“We might get them involved in everything from home-bound ministries to stuffing bulletins,” he said.

Jim Daniels, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church, said his church is not large but he believes it has a hometown feel that college students from small towns appreciate.

Cornerstone typically sets up a booth at Baylor University and also lines up families to host local college-age students for lunch.

Joe Carbajal, pastor of Mighty Wind Worship Center, said the church will have display tables set up Sunday promoting children’s ministries and its small-group ministry in members’ homes.

Differences of opinion

Carbajal and Ronnie Holmes, pastor of Church of the Open Door, have differing opinions on attendance as it relates to vacations.

Carbajal said attendance at Mighty Wind was better this summer than in years past because people are traveling closer to home and getting back in time for Sunday services.

Holmes said he believes weekend getaways have kept people out of church on Sundays.

Whatever the case, “I think families are getting back into their routines,” Holmes said, adding he hopes that routine includes attending worship services.

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