Colbert Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA

Colbert Presbyterian Church resides on a ten-acre parcel in the fast growing outskirts of the Greater Spokane Region. There are two identical Sunday morning services, at 8:15 and 11:00 AM, which loosely follow the order found in the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship. Colbert Presbyterian’s music program focuses primarily on encouraging congregational singing. Each service features songs that draw from eclectic sources including global music, Taizé, African-American gospel, contemporary, and a variety of recent and traditional hymns.

Engaging Souls in Transition: Inviting University Students into the Formational Practice of Worship

Colbert Presbyterian Church (CPC) seeks to intentionally engage current Whitworth University students and recent graduates, in a yearlong project focused on learning together, from each other, about worship. The goal of the project is both outreach and education. We seek to attract and engage students deeply in the life of our congregation, educate and immerse university students in worship practices, and learn from students as we help them discover the contributions they have to make to our worship life.

Why This Project?

1. Students want/need deep intergenerational relationships yet don’t often have the opportunity to form them.
2. Students don’t want programming – they have many opportunities for small groups and lectures at Whitworth. This project is built around forming and fostering meaningful relationships rather than delivering programming.
3. CPC desires to reach out to students and be a part of their spiritual formation during this pivotal point in their lives.
4. All are enriched by the participation of student groups in our worship life and community.
Our project seeks to engage current Whitworth University students and recent graduates in a yearlong project focused on learning together from each other about worship. A group of 10-12 students will be invited to commit to the project for nine months. Each student will be paired with an individual, couple, or family from Colbert Presbyterian who would commit to having a meal with the student at least once a month. Six times over the course of the year, students will join the CPC Leadership team at the church on a Sunday evening for dinner and discussion. Each week’s discussion will include reflection on a particular aspect of worship at CPC. The year will culminate in a final banquet in early May where students, their CPC member(s), and leadership team will reflect on what we have learned, and give thanks for our time together.

Address:

4211 E. Colbert Road
Colbert, WA 99005
http://www.colbertpres.org/

Team Members:

Rev. Eric E. Peterson, Pastor, Head of Staff
Dr. Benjamin Brody, Director of Music
Kaye Linda Johnson, Elder for Worship