FEAST Promises Diverse, Celebratory Worship Experience

KEYSTONE, CO (June 13, 2005) - Worshipers can expect a celebratory and diverse experience at the FEAST, says Paul Lessard, who is the lead planner for the worship services.

The FEAST is a festival of prayer designed for the entire family and will take place June 18-21 at Keystone, immediately preceding the Annual Meeting. The event includes times for group worship, along with workshops geared to different ages, as well as plenty of opportunity for families to spend time together.

"We're working with the assumption that there is no one language of worship that can give all voice to the story," Lessard says. Therefore, he adds, worship will be diverse:

Hymns, contemporary and multi-ethnic music will be incorporated.

Various artistic forms will be used, from video to theater and dance.

All generations, including children, will play a role in helping to lead worship at one point or another.

"There's a high level of intentionality," Lessard says. "The choices are well thought out. The focus isn't on the songs, but on the story and God." The worship team, comprised of leaders from around the Covenant, is working closely with the speakers for each evening to form a cohesive experience. The team is the same that led the last FEAST and three Midwinter Pastor Conferences. The members of the production team lead worship at their own churches, Lessard notes.

Lessard says the team is intent on honoring people's history in worship, but also in expanding the ways of expression. "To do well in worship leading is giving voice to your congregation and giving voice to the story in the way that perhaps they didn't expect," Lessard says.

Artistic expressions will be diverse as well, ranging from video to poetry and dance. A dance troupe from New Life Covenant Church in Fairmont, Minnesota, is traveling at its own expense to participate in two services, Lessard says. As people enter the sanctuary, they will experience a live video feed from the Rocky Mountains.

People will experience prayer in different forms, as well. As in past FEAST celebrations, there will be time involved in the service for people to pray together as families. Singles can pray with each other and form closer bonds.

Speakers for the event are:

Bob Berquist, Bethany Covenant Church in Bedford, New Hampshire

Rose Cornelious, Commissioned Disciples Covenant Church in Atlanta, Georgia

Adam Edgerly, Newsong Covenant Church in Los Angeles, California

Arnoldo Pinto, Vida Abundante Covenant Church in Roseville, California

John Wenrich, First Covenant Church in Portland, Oregon

Registration is $145 for junior high students through adults, $129 for children grades one through six and $90 for younger children. The FEAST is made even more affordable for larger families, as the cost drops dramatically with the fourth family member. Registration fees include five meals, access to all programs and activities, as well as a pass valued at more than $100 to use for bike, skate, or boat rentals and many other activities on the Keystone property. Lodging expense is additional.

People desiring to register can do so online at The FEAST or by calling 773-784-3000 and asking for the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism.

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