On the occasion of her installation service, District Superintendent Rev. Kristi Hintz speaks about the beauty of designing worship and experiencing it together as the body of Christ, and the holy surprises you find along the way.
KRISTI HINTZ
Superintendent, Northern Skies District
“Bind us together, Lord . . . with cords that cannot be broken.”
What a joy and privilege it is to take part in designing worship. It feels to me a little bit like planning a party. Give me a theme for a season or a worship series, and the creative side of my brain is off and running, envisioning ways to craft a memorable worship experience.
In my undergraduate years at Western Michigan University, I worked for a decorating business called Party Perfect. We built balloon arches and unique design elements for every kind of celebration imaginable. I once created a bow and ribbon to span the entire exterior of a home my customer had purchased as a gift for his fiancée.
It’s amazing how our experiences mold and shape us. I never imagined that job would have ministry career applications.
I can easily lose track of time pouring my heart into the careful selection of liturgy, hymns, scripture, and visual imagery. On occasion, I’ve gotten carried away, sweeping colleagues, congregations, and sanctuary spaces into some aspirational vision or another.
I’ve balanced on ladders in questionable corners and uneven chancel platforms. I’ve built wonky stacks of milk crates, dishwasher racks, and office equipment to get just the right “lift” for an altar display. I’ve bathed chancel areas in lengths of fabric I’ve deemed essential to the worship experience, which then created a tripping hazard for worship participants.
Despite my exhaustive efforts, there have been some unique experiences that were out of my control:
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- There was the blizzardy Ash Wednesday when the ashes we offered on Marquette’s downtown streets turned to a dripping, soggy mush.
- There was the Blue Christmas service attended only by my spouse, a retired minister in the congregation, and our accompanist.
- There was the Easter Sunrise immersion in Lake Superior’s cold water courtesy of the Northern Michigan University campus ministry community. It wasn’t my idea, but it’s now a tradition in which I have been glad to participate.
- There was the COVID-era Christmas Eve drive-thru communion service when the grape juice froze solid in each tiny plastic cup.
I could go on.
The United Methodist Book of Worship has this to say about the beauty of worship in the introduction:
“Our worship in both its diversity and its unity is an encounter with the living God through the risen Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. When the people of God gather, the Spirit is free to move them to worship in diverse ways, according to their needs. We rejoice that congregations of large and small membership, in different regions, in different communities, of different racial and ethnic composition, and with distinctive local traditions can each worship in a style that enables the people to feel at home.”
The best part about worship design is the opportunity to engage others in the process. How wonderful it is when someone brings fresh flowers, bakes communion bread, offers a musical gift, unlocks the doors, turns on the lights, or refills candles with oil.
Designing and experiencing worship builds up the community. Each one who comes to worship has their own preferences, their own lens of experience, and their own understanding of what they find meaningful, but together we worship as one church.
Paul has these words for the Corinthian faith community about coming together for worship:
“What should be done then, my brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26, NRSVUE).
It was an honor to celebrate my installation service last Saturday. There were some unique elements, like a craft project of creating wings, children processing with communion bread, and so much wonderful music. There was liturgy, prayer, and scripture.
It was a joyous experience to participate in worship with the Northern Skies District family, encompassing 436 miles from Ironwood to West Branch, coming together to sing, pray, and celebrate being the church. We were so graciously hosted by the St. Ignace UMC congregation and Pastor Nate Starkey. Those who traveled to St. Ignace encountered the antique tractor parade making its way across the Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace.
There’s always something unexpected and out of our control. I’m grateful to all who were there in person and in spirit. It’s so good to worship together. It’s so good to be the church together.
“Bind us together, Lord . . . in love.”
Last Updated on September 26, 2025