What does your congregation offer millennial worshippers?

Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) are currently the largest generational group, and they are also among the least religious Americans, with almost a third reporting they are religiously unaffiliated, according to a recent survey. This week’s clergy discuss how they seek to engage the generation currently aged 27 through 42.  

The Rev. Jenn Pilat

Chaplain, U.S. Navy Reserves, and Rector, St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church, Shoreham  

As a millennial myself, I know that there are many special things that the Episcopal Church and, in particular, St. Anselm’s in Shoreham, can offer this age bracket. In my experience, millennials are looking for three things in a house of worship: authenticity, structure and connections. The motto of the Episcopal Church is “Welcoming all God’s children,” and we strive to do that each moment of each day. Just as a hospital is for sick people, the church is for imperfect folks who strive to be better, love more and serve God. That’s it. All people on the journey of following Christ are welcome here. We worship using the Book of Common Prayer and the Bible in tandem, organizing the Scriptures and daily devotions to pray across space and time with Episcopalians in other locations and generations. We are invited to balance on the traditions of the church, reason and thought, and the Scriptures, all the while putting prayer into action in our community. We build connections with each other and with God by worshipping in community (the Daily Office and Eucharist on Sundays), praying with and for one another, and by serving those who Jesus would serve … everyone.

Rabbi Ilana Schachter

Temple Sinai of Roslyn

Temple Sinai of Roslyn offers millennial generation worshippers a unique opportunity for multigenerational engagement. Earlier this year, on Simchat Torah, when Jews around the world celebrate the simultaneous conclusion of one Torah cycle and the…