From nhepiscopal.org
Liturgy Task Force Update
By Scott Erickson
Jul 28, 2004, 12:00
Liturgy Task Force Update
A few members of the task force met to discuss preliminary planning for the Holy Eucharist at Diocesan Convention this fall. Deb Harris will thankfully serve as our liaison to the convention planning committee at meetings on 3 August and 7 September. We did some brainstorming and offer our ideas below as a way of continuing to focus our efforts on how to present a great diocesan liturgy as planned by this new task force. We’ll continue our dialogue at the next meeting, and please remember that these ideas are really taken out of the context of how Peter, Deb, and I discussed them. We can talk about that next time.
Next Meetings
1. Friday 20 August from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
NB: Location at Diocesan House
Lunch served at 12 Noon (beginning of the meeting, thanks to Deb)
2. Friday 10 September from 12 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Refectory (called “Coit Upper”) conference room, St. Paul’s School
Lunch served at 12 Noon (beginning of the meeting)
3. TBD: Gathering at the Convention Eucharist Site
Agenda for the 20 August 2004 Meeting
(Developed as a result of our previous meeting, particularly the notes below)
1. Continued planning for the Convention Eucharist on Saturday afternoon 30 October
2. Discussion on how we continue to shape the organization of our proposed work with the “Living Liturgy” project (notes from the 2 July meeting below for reference)
3. Agenda development for 10 September meeting
Notes from the Meeting on Wednesday 28 July 2004
PLANNING OF THE CONVENTION EUCHARIST IN OCTOBER
Notes/ideas/proposals from the meeting on 28 July 2004
Nothing certain: These are our brainstorming ideas!
Questions:
Logistics concerning use of the hall after business sessions
Possibility to use an organ
How we can invite the entire diocese to the liturgy – possible?
How can we organize a role for the young kids?
Focus on doing a variety of “kinds” of liturgy well
Carefully use all the resources: WLP, hymnal, LEVAS, Enriching Our Worship
No choir needed: Too hard to practice and get ready for this liturgy
Find groups from diocesan schools to support music in the liturgy
Use music groups/lectors/etc. that are already set as a group
Organize the liturgy in sections as articulated in BCP pages 400–401
The Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude
Proposed opening hymn 518 “Christ is made the sure foundation”
Proposed Gloria WLP 899
Texts for this lesser feast seem very appropriate to the convention theme:
Deut 32:1–4 / Psalm 119:89–96 / Eph 2:13–22
Alleluia proposal WLP 783
Gospel: John 15:17–27
Consider South African Creed setting
Prayers of the People: Petitions from Great Litany (modern) set by youth
Offertory Hymn 232 with Simon and Jude verse
No collection: Bring forward United Thank Offering collections
Enriching Our Worship Eucharistic Prayer 2
Proposed Sanctus WLP 858
Communion Music from LEVAS
Proposed closing hymn 287 “For all the saints”
FYI: Notes and ideas from the meeting on 2 July 2004
Saturday 30 October at 2:00 p.m.
Invitation to all in the diocese
Theme of “Something’s Coming, Something Good” / Imagination / Holy Spirit
Use of inclusive language and liturgy
Intergenerational interest
Involvement of children and young people: acolytes, LEMs, lectors, etc.
Supplemental liturgy / hymns from all resources
Transfer Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude
Liturgy embodied in the theme of convention but not chained to it
Consideration of space: Task force visit to the space in advance
Celebrative: Banners, processions
Renewal on baptismal vows; water in font from each church; Asperges
Contact with Nancy Ferris (Northern Convocation) regarding music
Contact with Barbara Kutchneck, convention coordinator
LIVING LITURGY: HOW TO ORGANIZE THIS WORK
FYI: Notes from the meeting on 2 July 2004
The task force discussed viewing our efforts on liturgy within three major areas as noted below. This would allow us to focus and deal with the matter of prioritization and timeline. For example, we realize that our first priority is a focus on developing an excellent liturgy for Convention Eucharist, and beyond that we can go in many different directions. The task force believes that, under the umbrella of our title “Living Liturgy,” our work would eventually operate within the goal of developing a Liturgical University/Institute, but for now we still need time to get tasks organized so that, if and when we create something, it will have content and not be an abstract entity.
By viewing our work in this manner, the task force believes that the items under “continuing education” will constantly move into the area of new programs, new initiatives, and new categories – all the while we continue to brainstorm new continuing education ideas for the future. This keeps our work dynamic and fluid. In addition, there is energy in the task force to continue our conversation for some time as we work at (a) what we can do right away in a so-called “quiet phase”; (b) how we can “go public” appropriately and in ways that help people to feel included; and (c) prioritizing what needs to be done.
AREA #1: Diocese-Related Liturgies
1. Convention, Holy Week; etc.
2. Customary for the Diocese of New Hampshire
3. Liturgies with the Bishop (e.g. Confirmation, Ordination, Rector Investiture, etc)
4. Regional Convocations
5. Musical resources across the diocese
6. Diocesan Altar Guild
AREA #2: Continuing Education
1. Conversation on youth and children in the liturgy
2. Sensitivity to the liturgical calendar and shaping the liturgy according to church seasons
3. Availability of consultations (local training) on liturgy (resources)
4. The nature of liturgy as evangelism: How can we use new services?
5. Training of deacons, LEMs, and lectors: Intentional and Careful
6. The role of music and music resources
7. Creativity: Enriching Our Worship; liturgy for same-gender blessings; alternative liturgies, PowerPoint, CD music, variety of instruments, artwork, dance, Taize, etc.)
8. The priest as liturgical leader (body language; presiding; praying; passing the peace; etc.)
9. Liturgical space
10. Sunday morning schedule as conducive to liturgy
Communication
1. Monthly column in the diocesan newspaper
2. Book series as a gift to diocesan leaders to initiate conversation on liturgy
3. Web site resources: Q & A page, resources, page with ideas and options, referrals
4. Diocesan survey: Development of ideas and database on our available resources
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