Issue 38 June 2013 £2.50 Focus on Training In this issue worship4today worship4today Part 1 1 ‘The worship4today course is a vital Reports 2-3 resource to train and equip leaders Colin’s Column 3 Study and Training 4-6 of in a mission-shaped Music news 6 ... transforming the worship of Book reviews 7-8 individuals and congregations.’ (The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Details of Praxis events in the coming months can be found at Bishop of Sheffield) www.praxisworship.org.uk Church House Publishing, 2013, £24.99; Part 2 due October 2013; Part 3 due January 2014 What is Praxis? his highly successful one-year course Tfor worship leaders and musicians Praxis was formed in 1990, is now making a significant impact on sponsored by the Liturgical parish worship across this country and Commission, the Group for the Renewal of Worship (GROW) and beyond. Immensely practical, the course the Alcuin Club to provide and does exactly what it says. It gives a support liturgical education in the sound biblical, theological and liturgical Church of England. background to worship, embracing the where it has run continually for over six years breadth of traditional and contemporary at diocesan level. We now have over 100 Affiliation worship styles and developing practical authorised worship leaders in the diocese, The work that Praxis does is skills for preparing and leading worship in who are renewing and enriching their parish supported mainly by affiliation. If a mission-shaped church. It has recently worship. They are particularly influential in you are not an affiliate, why not been revised further for publication in parishes with limited resources. They also consider becoming one? book form by Church House Publishing. contribute to the worship life of the diocese, Part 1 is now available. showcasing good practice and the best worship Praxis News of Worship is copyright The course comes in three separate resources available. © Praxis 2013. Material for inclusion books and contains everything you need, worship4today courses are now running in should be sent to the editor, including full teaching notes, hand-outs many dioceses, and parishes across [email protected] and PowerPoint presentations as well We reserve the right to edit material the country. Further afield, the diocese of Cape and make no guarantee to include as essential information for setting up a Town recently completed a course with over material submitted. The views diocesan, or parish course. 60 participants. The material is flexible and expressed are not necessarily those of worship4today fills a void, training adaptable, attracting participants from both Praxis or the Praxis Council. participants in the art of leading worship urban and rural settings with a wide age range whether , Readers, churchwardens, from 16 to 84! Contact praxis@praxisworship. musicians or other laity. The library of Christian Schwarz (Natural Church org.uk Common Worship resources together with Development) suggests that inspiring worship is the wide range of hymns, songs and chants one of eight key stimuli to church growth. This For general enquiries, affiliation and demands considerable liturgical knowledge course will encourage personal worship and at programme information, contact and skill to put services together. the same time envision and empower worship Praxis, 19 The Close, Salisbury, worship4today develops and hones these SP1 2EB, 01202 296886, praxis@ in the local church. " praxisworship.org.uk practical skills throughout. " Helen Bent is the Bishop’s Adviser in Music The course has been written and and Worship for Sheffield Diocese road-tested within Sheffield Diocese, See also the article about her role on pages 5-6.

Page 1 Reports Worship and Mission strategy that included an honest discussion for the diocesan website under the banner of the issues, careful planning, considering LiturgyMax. Our team is a mixture of Praxis North how people learn and the visual age in lay and ordained from a wide range of which we now live. ministries including parish priest, Cathedral he training day on 27th April The remainder of the day was spent Precentor and University Chaplain as well Worship and Mission Tconsidered . on magazine-style presentations. Carl as a Reader and Advisors for Music and The keynote session, a dialogue between Turner, Precentor at Exeter Cathedral, Children. None of us would claim to be John Sinclair (Newcastle gave us a lively look into creative worship ‘experts,’ but experienced practitioners Cathedral) and Canon David Kennedy with schools, including the Eucharist, with a passion for offering to the very : (Durham Cathedral) considered and the fascinating fact that OFSTED best in worship across the whole breadth a Help or a Hindrance to Mission ? Based had complained that worship in schools of spiritual tradition that is the Church of on their personal experiences, the speakers was not sufficiently liturgical! Jane Tibbs, England. " explained how worship should carry us Children’s Adviser in the Diocese of " Robin Lodge, Chair into a closer relationship with God. Bath & Wells, talked about praying with Chester Three conversation groups followed. In children and showed us something of the What is Proper Church? The Chester Diocesan Worship Advisory David Brooke and wide range of excellent resources she has group had been reflecting on funeral Dan Pierce discussed modern approaches written. Andrew Maries, music specialist practice in the light of the growth in to church contrasted with traditional and Exeter DLC member, gave a practical popularity of ‘secular’ funerals in the approaches; Dana Delap and people from guide to music in worship for children. We diocese. Research had been done locally St James and St Basil Fenham, Newcastle also heard from Gill Ambrose again, this on this by students at the University of talked about how ‘Back to Church time with her ROOTS hat on. The day Chester and meetings held by bishops and ’ provided a mission opportunity in concluded with a short act of worship led Parish Meets School archdeacons with local funeral directors. their situation and in , by Andrew Maries. This fed into episcopally-led training days Val Hall explained how a Eucharistic Our next event is on 8 October with for all those who take funerals. Discussions community had been built within the Professor Paul Bradshaw entitled, ‘A about IME and worship are taking place. school. The day was generally well Celebration of the Eucharist, Ancient The chair and the secretary of the group received, although one comment was that and Modern,’ in which he will share are providing an evening for curates on there was more on mission than liturgy. scholarship on its earliest development and "" John Chamberlin, Secretary, Praxis ‘Presiding at Communion’. There has been how that might inform our practice today. North "" Robin Lodge, Chair, Praxis SW promotion of the RSCM day at Wrekin College. The group has also had input Engaging Children in DLC news into the forthcoming Diocesan Clergy Worship Conference. Bath & Wells "" Colin Randall, Secretary Praxis South West The present form of Bath & Wells DLC Blackburn he recent launch of the Alternative (known as the Diocesan Liturgical Set up over 20 years ago, the DLC has TEucharistic Prayers has made us all Advisory Group) began in 2006 with supported the work of the Diocese in think. What difference should the presence the brief of supporting excellence in varied ways under the strap line, ‘To of children make to how we worship? As worship across the diocese, recognising help people encounter the living God, we thought about our next event it seemed its importance as the ‘shop window’ of by resourcing and supporting the local the obvious choice of theme. the Church. We were at the heart of the Church in its worship’. We organised the We were delighted to welcome Gill celebrations of the 1100th Anniversary Bishop’s Teaching Day on Liturgy and Ambrose as our main speaker for the of Bath & Wells in 2009 and a small Worship, and helped with a Diocesan day. Her wide experience of children’s group of us is planning the worship for Music Day. We are involved in helping ministry, as well as her work as Editor of our next clergy conference in November. churches exploring the setting up of ROOTS Adult & All Age, on the Liturgical We recently overhauled our service for music groups; offering to guide churches Commission and in publication of creative the Celebration of a New Ministry and through a scheme of examining whether all-age resources, has made her one of the have now added Confirmation to our ‘To their worship meets the needs of the leading thinkers in the field. Gill’s address do’ list. We were also consulted when our community; working with the Cathedral was based on her core belief that children training department wanted to offer a on exploring Rogation in parishes both are formed in by worship. She course for Lay Worship Leaders. urban and rural and producing papers on outlined some important principles and Since the re-launch of Praxis SW we how to ‘beef up’ the Eucharistic dismissal have encouraged those wanting general talked of the challenges that we all face to make the transformational aspect of the training events in that direction, although in encouraging children in worship. Gill Eucharist more real. we are also pleased to be asked to work also offered thinking on what exactly we "" Michael Gisbourne, Clerk mean by all-age worship, and suggested a with a parish on particular liturgical projects. We are also developing resources

Page 2 Reports Colin’s column Liturgical Commission The at the Archbishop’s inauguration Baptism ere is an afterthought to the inauguration of Justin Welby A small working party has been engaged in drafting texts of Has Archbishop of Canterbury in March. The service economical length and accessible register to stand as alternatives included the use of the Nicene Creed, recited without the to the Decision and the Blessing of the Water in the Common Filioque for reasons described as ‘ecumenical’. Thereby hangs Worship rite. The material that meets the demand for simplicity a conundrum, and the conundrum emerges from some odd while avoiding condescension or travesty. Once this has passed history. through the House of Bishops and General Synod, it has great Enthronements have not traditionally included creeds, and potential to become durable and well-used. certainly not the Nicene Creed. However, in 1980 Robert Simultaneously, the national Church’s efforts (following the Runcie, who had previously been deeply involved with the success of The Weddings Project) to encourage people to turn Eastern Churches, deliberately inserted the Creed in order to say to their local churches for baptisms and funerals are gathering it without Filioque, as a particular gesture to his Eastern friends. momentum. Sandra Millar, Director of Projects for the Church It was simply a personal gesture – just defensible as personal, but of England, gave an engaging presentation that managed to be actually ecclesially deceitful, while official texts retainedFilioque . practical, encouraging, and theologically and ecclesiologically In 1991 George Carey’s enthronement re-used Runcie’s text well-rooted. Her concern that the desires of families bringing – without obvious personal reason (such texts reappear from the children for baptism be met with the kind of understanding archives or the computer as each occasion comes up). However, that nurtures continuity and belonging will strike a chord with by Rowan Williams’ time in 2003 the Common Worship main all who wonder why baptism so often seems to be a hit-and-run volume included on page 140 a text without Filioque for ‘suitable affair. ecumenical occasions’ – and it was used in his service. And now it has come again – whether by inertia or choice. The First World War But the question is how far this is an ecumenical text at all. It is There will be national commemorations in which the Liturgical likely that any Eastern Christians at the enthronement would be Commission will not expect to be directly involved. The pleased to see the Filioque phrase omitted, and not mind how Commission will offer resources for local commemorations the rest of the text had been put into English. But for English- especially among communities that have distinctive anniversaries speaking Christians worldwide, a text labelled ‘ecumenical’ and losses to mark. Plans for a symposium that brings together, should surely match the use of other denominations and other inter alia, historians, theologians, ecumenical partners, the Anglicans? Conforming to Rome is admittedly impossible – they British Legion and the Armed Forces with a view to shaping the have reverted to ‘being of one substance’ and even to ‘For us men best possible contribution are now being taken forward. and for our salvation’. But other English-speaking Christians generally use the text provided by the ecumenical English Links Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC) in 1989, whereas General Synod affirmed in the early 1990s that it would adopt A most fruitful dialogue with the RSCM is developing, thanks the ELLC texts – and then step by step abandoned them as each to Andrew Reid’s constructive participation in Commission service came up. meetings. The Commission maintains regular contact with The Synod fussed over ‘was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the liturgical advisory bodies of our Sister Churches and sends the Virgin Mary’, and finally accepted ‘from the Holy Spirit and representatives to the Joint Liturgical Group. They keep us alert the Virgin Mary’. But, much more quietly, Synod retained ‘and to ecumenical interests and take an active role in writing material was made man’ when ELLC said ‘and became truly human’. for use across the Churches. Resources for the Week of Prayer for Thus the text printed in ourCommon Worship eucharistic rites, Christian Unity often contain their work. Some members are while retaining the Filioque which recurs in many rites round the also involved in the design of the Common Awards syllabus for world, varies from the ecumenical text in two respects. Now go ministry training. back to the text for ‘ecumenical occasions’ on page 140 as used at Praxis Canterbury, and it follows ELLC with ‘of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary’ but it retains the uniquely Church of England ‘and Finally, the presence of the Chair of Praxis at meetings is proving was made man’. So the gesture to the Orthodox, if that is it was to be very effective in shaping discussions of training events and, supposed to be, was sectional and unecumenical towards the rest importantly, the continuing task of liturgical formation. This of the world – our text for ecumenical occasions is an eclectic is arguably the greatest challenge facing the Commission in the Church of England production. It may be a matter of manners next few years. rather than of doctrine, but ecumenism depends on manners. " " Bridget Nichols is Lay Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely and a "" Colin Buchanan is a former Bishop of Woolwich member of the Liturgical Commission.

Page 3 Study and Training

liturgical practice and empirical approaches Ordination candidates Liturgy at to liturgical study. At the heart of the College’s work is the The college has a library with an formation of ordination candidates, and the Sarum College outstanding collection of more than 40,000 formation of the intellect in the classroom books and MA students have access to a ituated in Salisbury Cathedral Close, through the study of liturgical and wide variety of academic journals. There Sarum College is a most congenial history is integrated with the formation of S is also a Christian bookshop within the location for the study of liturgy. Students the liturgical person in competence and College with a mail order facility for are attracted to this historic and creative confidence in liturgical ministries. specific requests. Students are given study centre for Christian learning. skill guidance and advice on funding The MA programme support. The MA programme The partnership with Sheffield has made Building upon the success of the MA in possible a more distinctive concentration The MA in Christian Liturgy offers part- Christian Liturgy, Sarum College will also in liturgical studies: the MA in Liturgy. time students postgraduate qualifications offer opportunities to study for research The College’s MA programmes share an at Certificate, Diploma and MA levels, degrees (MPhil/PhD) from 2014. awarded by the University of Winchester. initial core module that introduces and This academic programme is complemented Enquiries encourages a range of methodologies to be applied to the range of theological by Pastoral Liturgy courses for clergy www.sarum.ac.uk/learning/liturgy-worship; and lay leaders of worship. These more disciplines, but with a specifically liturgical Advice on admissions: Anne Jensen element for those specialising in liturgical practically oriented one-day courses provide [email protected] 01722 424827; a forum for the exchange of ideas on recent studies. The MA in Liturgy includes a Programme Leader: [email protected] second core module, Liturgy, Culture liturgical developments and to promote Students are invited to contact Dr James liturgical renewal in the local church. and Context, offering the variety and Steven with proposals for research and for deliberately broad vision that its title The MA programme, which is further details. ecumenical in scope, allows students suggests. Thereafter the student chooses to study the most significant aspects of from a number of specialist modules Christian worship – the Eucharist, baptism, including Liturgical Texts, Sacramental daily prayer, the calendar, music, art and Theology, Themes in Liturgical Theology, architecture, and mission and culture. Mirfield Liturgical Singing the Word, Cistercian Studies Students also have the opportunity to and Liturgy, Ritual and Sacred Space. All pursue personal interests in a guided students research and write a dissertation of reading module and in a supervised Institute up to 14,000 words on an agreed topic. dissertation. The aim of the programme is irfield, home of the Community of The candidates for the MA include to foster an informed liturgical imagination Mthe Resurrection and a theological ordinands, recently ordained curates, other that is alert to the significance of worship college training ordinands, has for over clergy and lay people from a variety of for the life and mission of the Church. one hundred years been a centre of traditions, in the UK and overseas. To make Students study three modules a year, the commitment to liturgical study and good it as accessible as possible it is increasingly heart of each being a four-day residential practice, through teaching, research and taught in a series of residential weeks during course at Sarum College. The hospitable significant contributions to the wider which a module may be completed in the environment of the College, which hosts national, international and ecumenical context of a gathered learning community a large number of guests throughout the contexts. and a structured pattern of worship, study year, is ideal for this kind of intensive and The Mirfield Liturgical Institute was and recreation, in comfortable facilities communal learning. Places are also set aside founded to bring together and focus with full catering. The MA may be taken in each residential course for those who the diverse work of liturgical formation, full-time in one year, part-time in two wish to attend without seeking an academic teaching and research at Mirfield and make years, or over a three-year ‘Professional qualification. it more accessible to the Church of England Development’ pathway. It is particularly The programme draws upon a wide and more widely available to the Churches suitable for those engaged in Christian network of liturgical scholars who are at the of the region, nation and beyond. The ministry, lay or ordained, and includes forefront of their respective fields. Visiting College is still very much influenced by significant consideration of practical and lecturers include Professor Paul Bradshaw and participates in the Community’s life pastoral elements, but it may be taken by (history of early Christian worship), Chris in daily worship and study and through anyone suitably qualified. It consciously Irvine (art and architecture) and Professor more informal contact. For many years, inculcates a range of methodologies that John Harper (music in liturgy). Dr James from its foundation at the beginning of would be suitable preparation for someone Steven, the programme leader, pioneered the twentieth century, the College was intending to undertake doctoral work in the liturgical study courses in the Ministry an affiliated institution of the University liturgy. Indeed doctoral research is also now and Theology postgraduate programmes of Leeds, but has now formed a new and possible with us, and with the Sheffield at King’s College London before moving exciting association with the University of collaboration comes a wider range of to Sarum in 2011. His academic interests Sheffield and its Department of Biblical research areas for supervision. include the theological dimensions of Studies.

Page 4 Study and Training

Sabbaticals and research church working alongside my husband. training whilst maintaining high standards. There are many possibilities for sabbatical I set out with the basic mission statement In future the new Common Awards will study at Mirfield, including attendance at ‘to promote excellence in worship’ through also re-shape IME 4 – 7 provision. taught modules, individually guided work, a set of core values: This is worship which Readers-in-Training have practical and the chance to participate in the daily • glorifies God and edifies the people; training sessions each year as well as life of worship and study with the College • is Spirit-led; a module on ‘Elements of Christian and Community. We also welcome those • transforms through encounter with God; Worship’. wishing to use our facilities for independent • celebrates creation and holds the world CME training and stimulus is needed for liturgical research: the College and before God; clergy, readers and other authorised leaders Community libraries have rich holdings in • values and encourages different worship in the area of worship. This has become a liturgical studies including the papers of traditions and styles; more explicit requirement under the terms Bishop Kenneth Stevenson and, in the care • values the gifts of others; of Common Tenure. Additional musical of the Borthwick Institute at the University • inspires and draws in those who don’t development and training is provided of York, of Walter Howard Frere. yet know God. through RSCM events. Inspiring worship draws people all by Parish support The Walter Tapper lecture itself. This is an important mission dynamic This year sees the second annual Walter for every worshipping community. Where This can come in many guises. There is no Tapper Lecture, established in celebration people live busy lives with many pressures one-size-fits-all, although an initial worship of the completion of the re-ordering of the and stresses, worship must offer a space to day for everyone can be a good place to Community Church. Walter Tapper was find God. This begs the question: how long start. Generally, the response is shaped by the original architect of the Church. The do we spend preparing worship (as opposed the need. However, there are two keys areas inaugural lecture, Building , was to preparing a sermon)? With the advent to be borne in mind here: given by Bishop Stephen Platten, Bishop of of Common Worship, leaders can no longer Sunday availability means there is Wakefield and Chairman of the Liturgical simply go by the book; there is a whole freedom to visit parishes at their regular Commission. This year’s lecture, on library of resources available. Add to this acts of worship, and over eight years I have September 27, will be delivered by Richard the plethora of church music available in a deliberately aimed to visit every parish Fabian, formerly Rector of St Gregory of wide range of styles, then a greater liturgical in the diocese at least once. This is vital Nyssa, San Francisco, USA, a well-known understanding and at least some musical in order to understand the local context, American Episcopal liturgist. All are knowledge of hymns and songs is required meet the congregation and discover its welcome – please drop us a line if you are to prepare worship well. Back in 2000, history, its resources and its limitations. interested in attending. many parishes created a series of parish Worshipping amongst the congregation booklets in order to simplify the choices. can bring new insights, collective wisdom, Enquiries These shut down creativity. After 13 years and properly informed advice. Sometimes Enquiries are most welcome at any time they are tired and disengaging, leaving one apparently small adjustment can about any of the above opportunities. congregations dissatisfied and in need of provide the necessary catalyst for genuine Please email [email protected] in the fresh impetus. renewal of worship. This can also be the first instance, or write to the Director of My role enshrines a vision to promote opportunity to discover and release new or the MLI, the Revd Dr Ben Gordon-Taylor, liturgical formation and good practice at hidden talent. Mirfield Liturgical Institute, College of the every level through three main areas of Enabling volunteers is also key. Often Resurrection, Stocks Bank Road, Mirfield, work: training, parish support and diocesan latent skills and talents are available but West Yorkshire WF14 0BW. Tel. 01924 provision. lack of confidence prevents them being 490441. Training offered. Sooner or later the majority "" Ben Gordon-Taylor of volunteers will mention a lack of worship4today forms a key part of training, confidence even though they may be refreshing worship across the diocese at capable and talented people in other areas Bishop’s Adviser in parish level, but also providing resources for of life. Lack of confidence tends to breed deanery and diocese. However, much other lack of confidence, which can undermine Music and Worship in training goes on: the gift being offered. However, suggesting Sheffield Diocese IME 4 – 7 includes sessions on ‘Presiding simple, attainable steps accompanied by at the Eucharist’, ‘Taking funerals’, ‘Taking ver the past eight and a half large doses of positive encouragement can weddings’, and ‘Baptisms’, which require years, I have had the privilege of release the most reluctant volunteer into a O special skills for handling large numbers capable contributor to worship. working as Bishop’s Adviser in Music of visitors who are not used to church and Worship for Sheffield Diocese. This worship. The nature of IME 4 – 7 is now Diocesan provision part-time stipendiary role has enabled changing and expanding to accommodate Large diocesan services and events in the me to combine a passion for facilitating the growing cohort of self-supporting annual cycle have become opportunities worship with a passion for mission and ministers and pioneer ministers. This church growth, whilst remaining an active demands flexibility in the way we offer ))continued overleaf practitioner firmly rooted in the local Page 5 Training Music News to showcase new resources and model ways of combining The Hymn Society of Great Britain different worship styles appropriately. We aim for worship that reflects and respects the churchmanship of the hosting church, and Ireland whilst at the same time encompassing a breadth of traditions eaders may know that The Hymn Society has been going since and styles representative of the diocese as a whole. R1936, recently celebrating 75 years. As well as publishing ‘Short Ten Days of Prayer are held annually from Ascension to Guides’ on hymnological topics, members gather annually for a Pentecost. Together with the Worship and Liturgy Committee, conference. Last year the conference was held in Lancaster, and it has been a joy to facilitate this great outpouring of prayer as this year it meets at The Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, literally thousands have joined together in intentional, focused Derbyshire from 23-26 July. The three day conference provides the prayer. Working with the Bishops and the Communications usual opportunities for networking, conviviality and mutual support, team, publicity materials have been sent to every parish but of course also presents a range of speakers and activities centred and regular bulletins have encouraged congregations to get on the study and enjoyment of hymnody. Thoroughly ecumenical, fully involved. A wealth of downloadable prayer resources is and international, this year’s conference welcomes Canon Peter provided on the diocesan website, introducing individuals and congregations to both ancient and well-used forms of prayer as Moger, Precentor of York, to speak on Cathedral Hymnody; Bishop well as new and creative ways of praying. This is an invaluable Timothy Dudley Smith on ‘Hymns, Faith and Poetry’; Martin way of uniting the diocese together and enabling it to engage Leckebusch on Worship Songs; Bishop Clive Young and Anne fully with both local community and wider world. Harrison on Benjamin Britten and Hymns; while Gordon Giles and John Barnard will introduce the newly published edition of Ancient ...the negative effect of ‘silo working’, and Modern. Further details are available on the Society’s website: www.hymnsocietygbi.org.uk. which hinders innovation and sets As part of the Conference, the Society stages a ‘Festival of back productivity... Hymns’. This will be on Thursday 25 July at 8pm in Derby Cathedral. Anyone is welcome to come along for a good sing of There has been much talk in the business world about the hymns topical, new and anniversarial! negative effect of ‘silo working’, which hinders innovation and Even if this is too short notice to enrol for the conference, it sets back productivity. A silo mentality isolates and reduces is never too late to join the Society for a modest annual fee, and efficiency, whereas good communication and joined-up thereby be kept informed with papers, transcripts and proceedings thinking promote relationship and collaboration. In Sheffield as well as becoming a member of a friendly, ecumenical, worship- Diocese, I work closely with the Senior Staff; Training Team; focussed network. Again, further details are available on the website: School of Ministry; Cathedral and Minster churches; Worship www.hymnsocietygbi.org.uk/contactus.htm and Liturgy Committee; local RSCM; also Praxis Yorkshire; and Yorkshire Regional Training Partnership. Furthermore, I The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology am also involved at national level with Praxis; RSCM; Group Also at the Conference, Professor Dick Watson will introduce For Renewal of Worship; Leading Your Church into Growth; The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology. This is a mammoth and and Mission-shaped Ministry. Working in this ‘joined-up’ exciting new venture which has taken many years to produce, and manner has greatly raised the profile of worship in the diocese, now reaches fruition as a dedicated in-depth website containing but most importantly, it has enabled each constituent to offer thousands of articles on hymns, writers, composers, themes and its best for the good of the whole. This can prove financially other aspects of hymnology. The publication will be launched at a expedient and economical in a time of financial challenge. conference at Bristol on 19 and 20 October 2013. Registration for When information and knowledge are shared freely, we are all able to play to our strengths and avoid unnecessary duplication this is now open and you may sign up at www.bris.ac.uk/arts/birtha/ and reinventing of the wheel. events/hymnology/. " Other challenges also face us with reduction of clergy " Gordon Giles is Vicar of Enfield Chase numbers, a greater reliance on volunteers, and the need for appropriate training and support for those volunteers. We are all working with limited resources, particularly in inner city and rural settings. And in a changing landscape, where we are Research Request being encouraged to broaden our perspective from a parochial In the midst of a research project I have come across a number of mentality to re-imagine and reconfigure ministry in mission parishes in which the Eucharist is celebrated with the Communion partnerships, we may also require other new skills in order before the Word, i.e. an order of Prayers, Communion and then to promote relevant, authentic, mission-shaped worship for readings and sermon. I am interested to know how widespread a 21st century Church. There is clearly still much work to be this practice may be and the reasons why church communities done, but the appointment of a diocesan officer focused on have adopted this Table then Word order. If you are in a church this whole area of liturgical formation and good practice can be community that is using this order and would be willing to answer instrumental in revitalising worship and going for renewal and a couple of short research questions I would be very pleased to hear growth. from you. Please contact me at [email protected]. "" Helen Bent

Page 6 Book Reviews Developing in Ministry I Belong special: first Holy Comfortable Words: Neil Evans, SPCK, 2012, 160 pages, Communion programme for Polity, Piety and the Book of ISBN 978-0281063987, £12.99 children with an intellectual Common Prayer Most of the diocesan CME ministry disability Eds. Stephen Platten & Christopher training programmes for clergy I’ve been Cristina Gangemi, Redemptorist Woods, SCM, 2012, ISBN 978- invited to attend neglect the hugely Publications, 2012, Leaders and 0334046707,192pp.,£45 important area of daily worship in the Parents’ Guide ISBN 978-0852314029, spiritual life of the church and of its Last year’s 350th anniversary of the 1662 £9.95 members. This book is no exception and in Book of Common Prayer did not enjoy the same level of popular interest as the King that respect it disappoints. In church, as elsewhere, children with James Bible did for its 400th anniversary in Evans’ concern to see dioceses putting special educational needs are frequently 2011. Yet arguably it was and is the Prayer together training and development offered a watered-down version of what Book that is the more important of the two, programmes that will make fruitful and is offered to everyone else, if indeed their Prayer Book needs are catered for at all. How refreshing inasmuch as it was the that effective differences for participants is successfully popularized and embedded and encouraging, then, to discover a admirable. He emphasises the importance in British Christian culture the sonorous beautifully presented book for children of ensuring programmes that start authority of the Authorized Version, and with special needs preparing to receive where the participants, their churches provided an entire register of language Holy Communion. From the opening and church members actually are, with that has enabled generations to receive all their different gifts as well as their pages with the bold affirmation ‘You and live the Christian revelation. If any mixed motives. ‘’ earthly ministry is make God happy’, this book celebrates text has shaped and framed the religious characterized by the continual and natural the richness of God’s invitation to us all imagination and practice of the English, it development of people among whom he and succeeds in incorporating those with is the BCP. spends his time; he never expects them to more limited capacity without suggesting Comfortable Words is an excellent collection be other than the people they are, yet he that they play anything less than a full and of essays published to commemorate the helps to develop them to play their part valued role in God’s church and world. anniversary, and to explore the contribution in the spreading of the good news.’ Evans’ Through reference to numerous biblical the BCP has made to the forming of thinking starts from here and engages with stories, the journey and experience of Anglican Christian culture. Comfortable a number of important themes: inherited individual children is placed within the Words is a deep, rich, scholarly and culture and expectations, a rich mix of context of God’s continuing involvement highly accessible study of the 1662 Book skills training, theological education and in the world. of Common Prayer. It is indispensable to personal and spiritual formation, each The key to this book’s success is strong, anyone who wishes to get under the skin individual and community’s identity effective graphics. Every page is colourful, and beyond the style of the Prayer Book to and needs, reflection and review, and with borders and in clear colours as well its lasting significance. the perception of Christian ministry as as beautiful artwork that illustrates bible The essays the editors have collected take relational. stories or ‘everyday life’ scenarios, the the reader through the narrative. They tell The great strength in this book is its liturgy and activity within church, or a story that was once much more familiar emphasis on the individuals God gives assists the very simple text in pictorial than it is now, and which needs to be to each church, clergy and laity, and form. Here the collaboration with The retold in a far less historically conscious age. TheBCP ’s origins and evolution are its encouragement to churches to work Makaton Charity is especially helpful as charted through the tumultuous years of relationally with those gifted and called the signs used will be familiar to many Henry, Edward, Mary, to the Elizabethan individuals so that all grow together into with learning difficulties and assists in Settlement (in a far less settled state than serving the gospel calling of the church in making the gospel message accessible. The emphasis on the visual gives freedom popular history would have us believe), that place. and beyond it into the storms of the to leaders to shape their use of the book Though there are some references to prayer mid-seventeenth century. The essays show around the specific abilities of the child, and Bible study, a major weakness of the how each generation has wrestled with the making it widely applicable, though this book is its omission of the essential place Prayer Book as a way of expressing a deep does require of the teacher a competent and gift of worship in the daily life of restlessness with the results of Reformation. every church community; worship through understanding of basic Christian doctrines The narrative takes us beyond 1662, which all our gifted and called individual and Bible stories. The book is designed through the eighteenth and nineteenth church members are ‘knit together into for a Roman Catholic context and some centuries (the former century being a one communion and fellowship’ and elements would require careful handling period largely lost to most Anglicans) so sent out by God as messengers of his to make it more widely appropriate, but by which time Cranmer’s religious prose gospel, to build God’s kingdom ‘on earth this is an excellent resource to be highly was the language of faith throughout the as it is in heaven’. recommended. country. "" Anne Horton, Rector of Woodhouse, "" Alexandra Clarke is a priest in the Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland Papworth Team ))continued overleaf

Page 7 Book Reviews Anglican frustrations with the Prayer like this: ‘The sonnet, which had its origins New Grove Books Book are well examined and the process of in Italian poetry in the thirteenth century, liturgical revision in the twentieth century has proved a wonderfully flexible and W214 How to Preside at Holy is set out. This is immensely helpful for delicate instrument…At the heart of its anyone who would like to know more virtues are brevity, clarity, concentration, Communion about why it is that we have what we and a capacity for paradox, for expressing, Charles Read have. These things are covered with clarity juxtaposing, and containing contradiction, What are we doing when we preside at and authority, and the essays examine the all of which are required if we are to Holy Communion and how can we do that ways the BCP has entered the popular approach the paradox and mystery that is at well? This study is not an exploration of the imagination and influenced our popular the heart of the Christian faith.’ theology of Communion, but a practical religious practice. By now you should be thirsty for the guide rooted in Anglican and Methodist ThankfullyComfortable Words isn’t a taste of Guite’s own sonnets; so three understandings. panegyric for the Prayer Book. It resists examples: Starting with key elements and aspects nostalgia and selective memory to present The anointing at Bethany: of Holy Communion, it reflects on how a robust and helpfully critical study of Come close with Mary, Martha, Lazarus the get the basics right, and how to lead a complex text in which our religious So close the candles flare with their soft language, doctrine, order, practice, and in a way which is creative, engaging breath faith (both public and domestic) are all and facilitating. It will serve both as an bound up. It is an invaluable contribution And kindle heart and soul to flame excellent introduction and as a continuing to our awakening to the place the BCP still within us source for reflection. Charles Read is Vice has in the Church today. Lit by these mysteries of life and death.. Principal of Norwich Theology Centre "" Paul Thomas, Vicar of St James’, W216 Using Common Worship Paddington Jesus nailed to the cross: Order Two (Contemporary): See, as they strip the robe from off his Sounding the Seasons: Seventy back Looking at a different shape for Sonnets for the Church’s Year And spread his arms and nail them to Communion, Colin Randall Malcolm Guite, Canterbury Press the cross, For many congregations the only 'shape' Norwich, 2012,1SBN 978-184825274, The dark nails pierce him and the sky they experience of the communion service 9699., £9.99 turns black, is the classic four-fold shape popularised And love is firmly fastened on to loss…’ by Gregory Dix. But Anglicans have Sounding the Seasons is a book of prayers, another shape, which can be seen in the in sonnet form, tracing the Christian year. Easter Dawn: communion liturgy of Thomas Cranmer. A sonnet, just to brush up your memory, This shape has rich spiritual and theological He blesses every love that weeps and is a piece of verse consisting of fourteen content and promotes a devotional decasyllabic lines with rhymes arranged grieves understanding of the atonement and all according to one or other of certain And now he blesses hers who stood that flows from it. However it is not always definite schemes. The well-known seasons and wept straightforward to help contemporary of Christmas and Easter are beautifully And would not be consoled, or leave congregations appreciate it. So this and extensively covered here, but there her love’s booklet shows ways in which Order Two are others less well known, such as the Last touching place, but watched as low (Contemporary) can be adapted, so that Epiphany, the festival commemorating the light crept its shape can be more widely enjoyed and manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. valued. Up from the east. A sound behind her The book has a helpful index of liturgical stirs seasons. Letters A scatter of bright birdsong through Malcolm Guite is a poet, priest and raxis News of Worship welomes letters the air …’ singer-song writer, Chaplain of Girton on liturgical topics. College and Associate Chaplain of St. P Edward King and Martyr in Cambridge. There lies behind Guite’s poetry a passion His book shows us many different ways in for the gospel and its dissemination. He which sonnets can work, and explains their is urgent for the words to work in the purpose within the Christian faith by use hearts and minds of people who may of extensive poetic material. Well-known not consider themselves very religious or examples from the seventeenth century poetic, and his skill as a wordsmith makes have inspired Guite, and he treads in the these religious sonnets a powerful and footsteps of John Donne’s ‘Batter my heart personal contribution to the Christian three person God’, and George Herbert’s mission. ‘Rise heart, thy Lord is risen, sing his praise "" David Scott is a member of the Liturgical without delay’. Commission Guite himself describes the sonnet form Page 8