Author(s): Kimberly Atkins, Globe Staff
Date: August 10, 2003
Page: 1 Section: GLOBE SOUTH

Church leaders often say God never goes on vacation. But members of church and temple congregations do take time off - especially during the summer. At many houses of worship in area communities the pace slows or even stops.


"There is an old joke that God trusts Unitarian Universalists while they are away from church for a few months," said the Rev. Richard M. Stower, minister at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate, which won't hold formal Sunday services again until after Labor Day. Many local houses of worship experience shrinking attendance as congregants go on extended family vacations. Some churches even close.


"Certainly we change gears in the summertime," said the Rev. Ann Suzedell of the Quincy Point Congregational Church in Quincy. The church holds services in the summer, but the congregation shrinks by about one-third.


First Parish of Scituate, like Unitarian Universalist churches in Norwell, Hingham, and other local communities, does not hold formal Sunday services during July and August, a common practice within the denomination. Instead, most churches turn to informal services led by members of the congregation. In Scituate, congregants lead about six services over the summer, choosing a subject to speak about and leading a discussion afterwards.


"The only Unitarian Universalist Church on the South Shore that has formal Sunday morning services in the summer is in Plymouth," Stower said. "All the rest of us . . . have lay-led services."


Many congregants spend summer vacation time on Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha's Vineyard, causing a temporary boost in church populations there.


"My colleagues who have churches in vacation spots on the Cape and the Islands see an increase in the summer," said the Rev. Ken Read-Brown, minister of First Parish of Hingham, known locally as Old Ship Church.


Most local Unitarian Universalist churches will resume Sunday services Sept 7., with a "water communion" ritual. Church members are asked to bring a container of water from the places they vacation in the summer, and the water is mixed in a common vessel. Later, the water is purified and used for church rituals such as christenings during the year.


Other churches find different ways to deal with the summer slowdown. Even though it remains open, the look of Sunday services at Quincy Point, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, is different. The church choir takes a break during the summer, so the music comes from the church members. Suzedell said she takes an informal poll of churchgoers at the beginning of the summer to find out their favorite hymns and includes them during summer services.


"The church has many seasons during the year: the season of preparation, or reflection, or reparation," Suzedell said. "For us, summer seems to be the season for nourishment and refreshment."


Church officials at Quincy Point use the summer down time to concentrate on projects, like the current landscaping of the church's yard, which includes the addition of a rose arbor tree donated by a member family. The first wedding under the arbor is scheduled for next weekend.


"During the year, people don't have time for those things," Suzedell said.

On Sept. 7, Quincy Point will also have a special service called "Family Reunion Sunday." Church members will be welcomed back from summer vacations and trips. The rose arbor will be dedicated during the ceremony, Suzedell said.


But a dip in attendance can put a financial strain on churches that depend on weekly pledge offerings.

"For some congregations, that is a very stressful reality," said the Rev. Victoria Weinstein of First Parish Church in Norwell, which is also closed for the summer. While money is not a problem for the Norwell church, which is well established, others aren't as fortunate.


"When churches count on members' pledges to truly finance their activities, and if they don't have a reserve endowment, it gets very strained," Weinstein said. "The congregation I last served had that issue. We had to remind people to please keep the pledges coming even if you are away."

Summer is also slower at local synagogues. At Temple Beth Abraham in Canton, attendance at Saturday Shabbat services shrinks from roughly 60 people to about 30 or 40, said Rabbi David Paskin.


"I think the major factor is the loss of religious school participants and their parents," Paskin said. The schedule for religious instruction at the temple coincides with the school year, so parents often use the recess time to go on vacation, he said.

Attendance is highest in September during High Holiday services, Paskin said.


Church officials said that in summer ministers often return to their closed churches to preside over weddings and memorial services. Also, many churches continue with programs for children, support groups, and other informal meetings.


"We never get bored around here," said Suzedell.

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