Issue 60 Dec 2018 Psalms for the £2.50 In this issue Common Era f one of the four pillars of description of the ‘Ancient of Days’ in Psalms for the Common Era 1 Imodern liturgy is the principle of Daniel 7, reserving ‘God’ for Elohim, Music 2-4 participation, it is a sad fact that many and ‘Lord’ for Yahweh. Music News 5 Christian denominations have witnessed I chose usually only one tune for each Events 6 the demise of congregational psalm psalm or portion of psalm, based on Thank you, Peter 6 singing in recent years. This is partly the emotional flavour of the poem, but, Books 7 Report 8 due to the dominance of the parish because hymn tunes exist separately from Colin’s Column 8 communion movement, and partly the poem, it is quite possible to find due to musical settings of non-metrical other tunes to fit. I have even started experimenting with folk tunes like What is Praxis? psalms being inaccessible to all but the music specialist. Metrical psalmody is Scarborough Fair. See www.praxisworship.org.uk often seen as the poor relation of ‘proper’ Psalms and hymns are quite Praxis was formed in 1990, liturgical psalters, but I felt that another different. If hymnody reflects who sponsored by the Liturgical attempt at it was overdue. we are, psalmody reflects the content Commission, the Group for the Psalms for the Common Era of Scripture. In hymnody we are the Renewal of Worship (GROW) and is an the Alcuin Club to provide and unabridged metrical translation direct starting point; in psalmody the starting support liturgical education in the from Hebrew. Every verse is included point is Scripture. Unlike hymnody, Church of England. somewhere. Additionally, I have psalms are often quite long, especially translated the psalms into a wide variety the lament psalms, which comprise of metres and rhyming schemes, based at least two-fifths of the whole. This Praxis News of Worship is copyright on the style of the Hebrew poems in itself makes the psalms a hugely © Praxis 2018. Material for inclusion themselves, rather than any preconceived important resource for services which should be sent to the editor, [email protected] plan. While Hebrew and English poetry acknowledge sorrow, injustice, abuse and We reserve the right to edit material work in very different ways, I wanted the pain, something that is often lacking and make no guarantee to include reader or singer to experience not just in Sunday worship, where the bleeding material submitted. The views the meaning of the words in accessible heart is frequently pummelled into expressed are not necessarily those of English, but also the emotion and silence by praise. Praxis or the Praxis Council. texture of the psalm. For instance, some I have now embarked on a series of psalms are acrostic in Hebrew, and I workshops to showcase this translation. Contact praxis@praxisworship. org.uk have reproduced this in English so that These are a chance to come along and the singer can experience this rather spend a day singing psalms in the For general enquiries, affiliation and dispassionate form of poetry. context of fun and cake, seeing how it programme information, contact I have brought the fruits of modern is actually possible to hold a completely Praxis, 3 Ravenswood, 23 Wimborne Old Testament scholarship to this metrical Matins and Evensong without Road, Bournemouth BH2 6LZ, 01202 project. The last two centuries have seen compromising the content. More 296886, [email protected]. huge strides in our understanding of details in Events; check out the website uk comparative linguistics and mythology. I (www.psalmsforthecommonera.com). Affiliation have brought out some of these insights Psalms for the Common Era is available in my translation. El, usually translated in paperback, Kindle and large print The work that Praxis does is supported mainly by affiliation. If simply as ‘God’, but who appears as formats on Amazon. " you are not an affiliate, why not head of the Ugaritic pantheon and " Adam Carlill is the Vicar of St George’s consider becoming one? father of all the other gods, is rendered and St Mary Magdalen’s, Tilehurst, and with the Ugaritic epithet, ‘Father of the teaches Bible, Old Testament and liturgy for Years’, an image that is very close to the the Common Awards Scheme. Page 1 MUSIC care. Our process of group critique create a complete experience. Music carries Resound Worship throughout the writing journey has us beyond the limitations of human words, esound Worship is a collective of been crucial, as together we’ve deepened offering space for respite and inspiration RBritish worship writers who, for the our own theological understanding of during busy modern lives. last decade, have been composing and these themes; and we’ve been greatly But if you were to ask the average publishing new, contemporary worship helped in this by our friends at A Rocha person in the street, they would not songs for the Church through their International. know that evensong exists. The supply of website. An offshoot of Jubilate – with the While we work towards a 2019 release, evensong is well established (in Britain heritage of Michael Baughen, Chris Idle we’ve seen an unexpected spin-off through and Ireland nearly 700 churches offer and many others – they have carried the our 12 Song Challenge initiative and it), but the demand is low, because it values of accessible style, lyrical substance, monthly podcast. Over 150 writers in local is not a known quantity. The supply is and excellence through peer-critique, into churches are producing a song per month expensive, but promotion is underfunded. this contemporary genre. on a theme we present, sharing them with The Choral Evensong website’s purpose When you form a new charity, as we each other for encouragement and critique. is to address this, each month featuring did when restructuring Resound Worship In October we invited them to join us a particular choir that offers webcasting and Jubilate into the Song & Hymn in writing ‘eco-songs’. Most said they’d or recordings that people can listen to Writers Foundation, you have to convince never considered writing this kind of song. online. Truro Cathedral, for example, have the Charity Commission that you will Some said they’d never really considered installed a permanent audio setup and the benefit humankind. It does rather focus the issue at all in connection with their choir webcast frequently. the mind. Who did we exist to serve? Were faith. But they took on the challenge and Setting up a streamable recording we trying to sell more music, or enrich we were fascinated to see their theological facility is not too expensive – £1,000 for the repertoire of the Church? They’re understanding develop through the process the equipment needed for a week-long not mutually exclusive, but we quickly of composition and the need to articulate audio-only broadcast. A broadcast by the saw that our goals could not simply be their thoughts. By the end of the month, choir of St John’s College, Cambridge that to sell more albums. Instead it must be not only was there an array of new eco- went out on social media recently had to understand and meet the real needs of songs that will be sung in churches across 88,000 views (33,000 live). real churches. We must write from the the land, but there was a community of Another simple but overlooked ground up, engaging churches as partners worship leaders inspired in a belief that initiative is to raise the visibility of in conversation and responding with our these themes should be addressed within Evensong in local media: tourist songs. our gathered worship. This, we hope, information websites, visitor information An early approach to this was surveying could truly benefit humankind. leaflets, events listings in local newspapers. church music groups. It was very revealing. "" Joel Payne is the Coordinator of Resound Leaflets and listings that advertise historical Even amongst those many churches Worship. and architectural visits to churches might committed to our style of contemporary www.resoundworship.org also invite visitors to ‘attend the free music worship, only two-thirds used a guitar, service of Evensong’. but almost all included a piano. The third Evensong receptions gather locals to most common instrument was flute! Choral take part in Evensong, seeding awareness Quite a contrast to the instrumentation into a local community. A reception is of many popular worship recordings. Evensong.Org basically an Evensong with a drinks party Our challenge, then, was to write and vensong is arguably one of the glories afterwards, to which MPs and mayors, record a collection of songs designed for Eof Britain. It is free of charge and open local journalists, head teachers from the average church, not the mega-church. to all. local schools, hotels, B&Bs, residents’ Vocal ranges, rhythms, lyrical themes www.choralevensong.org is a website associations, universities, the local tourist and instrumentation were built around that promotes it. The Evensong project offices and doctors’ surgeries are invited this picture painted by our survey. Songs makes it easy to search for choral evensong to participate, many for the first time. for Sundays, the resulting collection, is services across Britain and Ireland. By The Evensong website offers a ‘How to’ unlikely to feature heavily on the radio typing in a postcode, an enquirer can template for this, as well as Evensong but it has proved uniquely useful in many find information about the type of choir, posters. churches. weekly service schedules and music lists of Jane Capon of the Choir Schools More recently, we identified a crucial evensongs in a local area. Association and Cathy Lamb of Lichfield gap-area in the contemporary repertoire The website’s creator, Guy Hayward, Cathedral School are creating a ‘Choral around ecology and creation. As we hear suggests that Evensong does not demand Outreach Online Directory’ listing the increasing warnings of climate chaos, both belief or any kind of affiliation to the teams operating from cathedrals. Lichfield our culture and our churches are waking Church, allowing an individual to engage Cathedral is designing a new children’s up to the crisis. But we have little to help with it in his or her own way. The service’s evensong with a shortened liturgy adapted us frame these issues within our worship. various moments of music, spoken liturgy, for children, and they are also employing So we are working to address this with a and contemplative silence combine to a children’s cartoonist to illustrate the new collection exploring issues of creation service booklet, explaining the story of the Page 2 MUSIC Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Cathedral, but we have now expanded to book, under the auspices of the English Lastly, could cathedrals promote and work with secondary schools and deliver Hymnal Company, of which the editors advertise Evensong via a slick, punchy, concerts in churches around the diocese, are directors. viral social video? You can find an example and wer are now considering ‘Evensong So what can be expected of this new from Southwark, where the Dean and Guy in a day’ with primary schools and even book? Firstly, it is exactly that – not spoke about evensong. Evensong hasn’t yet perhaps a Compline with teenagers from a revision of a previous book, but a gone viral, so the field is wide open to be the area. We continue to have a Young revision of the corpus of the tradition the first to make this happen. Watch the Voices choir but we also have a Youth and it would not really be true to say video at: https://youtube/YOovD0kBeZs. Voices and we are pleased to be involved that NEP was much of a stepping stone "" Guy Hayward is a researcher in the in projects with the international Lichfield towards it, as there was no automatic Centre for Music and Science at the Festival. inclusion of its items. Indeed, many " University of Cambridge and runs www. " Cathy Lamb is Director of Music items have made it no further. REH is choralevensong.org. This article is edited from Outreach, Lichfield Cathedral School. a new book, created from the ground a series of presentations he has made recently. up, with many new items, some new The Revised to the EH stable, others picked from other publications, some specially Music Share – English Hymnal – commissioned in accordance with the a singing coming in 2019 needs of the book. Such needs include a t is by now an open secret that there deliberate desire to provide office hymns outreach project will be a new edition of English Hymnal for the daily round of prayer, such that I every saint or devotional occasion has n 2003, Lichfield Cathedral and coming out in 2019. Readers will recall provision. In each case, both plainsong ILichfield Cathedral School began that in 1906, English Hymnal, edited by a project to take singing into primary Percy Dearmer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and metrical tunes are provided. The schools, following the example of Truro Martin Shaw and others, appeared in the Church of England Calendar is followed Cathedral. In 2007 this was boosted by wake of what some considered to be a and provided for, and there is substantial funding through a government initiative disappointing update of Hymns Ancient liturgical material, including several entitled Sing Up, which enabled the and Modern in 1904. That book was not settings of the mass for congregational project to work with more schools and to well received, and paved a welcoming use. The book is structured seasonally, set up a Cathedral Young Voices – a non- way for the arrival of a book more in with a large section for the sacraments, auditioned choir for local school children the ‘catholic’ tradition, which held sway and a dozen ‘Taizé’ chants, and material of primary age. In a nutshell, the idea of until the mid-1980s. The same three men for eucharistic devotions, ‘Benediction’. the projects was to work with three schools went on to produce Songs of Praise in A list of contents can be found at www. per term, taking the choristers out as an 1925 (enlarged in 1931), but that was by englishhymnal.co.uk. example of peer-to-peer leadership, and to no means a revision of English Hymnal, We hope the eagerly-awaited, and - let’s end each term with a culmination concert which by 1956 had sold five million be honest – overdue book will reward in the cathedral. Almost every cathedral in copies. To coincide with the eightieth patience while we fine-tune it, and that the country undertook to create a Sing Up anniversary in 1986, the New English it will be a worthy successor to two great project and they were all hugely successful Hymnal appeared, under the editorial and much-loved hymnbooks which it will – although varying in size and style. chairmanship of George Timms, assisted not so much overwrite, but from which it When the Sing Up funding came to by Anthony Caesar and Christopher will rather inherit gifts of both textual and an end, many cathedrals retained their Dearnley, among others. NEH was a not musical quality and integrity. Only time outreach projects in some form. Lichfield’s EH revised, but a new book, very much will tell! has not only continued but thrived. We in the tradition, so to speak. Supplements "" Gordon Giles is an editor of the now receive funding from the Arts Council had appeared: English Praise in 1975, forthcoming Revised English Hymnal and via the North-West Music Education which was a stepping stone to NEH, Vicar of Enfield Chase. Hub, with whom we have forged a strong and New English Praise was published in partnership, enabling us to work with 103 2006 to mark the centenary. Now, the Above and core schools in the academic year 2017- Revised English Hymnal is imminent, 2018. We have also reached a further 150 edited by Martin Draper (who had been beyond: the schools through other projects such as part of the NEH team), myself, Jonathan one-off singing days and our involvement Goodall, Simon Lindley, Christine Smith, power of music with the diocesan and Cathedral education Michael Stoddart and Huw Williams, all e need music in our lives, and in departments for their Inspire – an open- of us hugely assisted by Tim Ruffer. Tim, our world. Singing and speaking door project that brings schools to the Christine and I had previously worked on W Cathedral over the course of three weeks. the 2013 edition of Ancient and Modern, together, as well as simply listening We continue to have concerts in the and it is in fact Hymns Ancient and to music, affects our wellbeing at a Modern Ltd. who will publish the new fundamental level. Music has a profound Page 3 MUSIC impact, uniting and shaping people in of the pendulum clock. It happens in spiritually significant ways. The role inanimate systems: one pendulum can New RSCM of churches is key in offering people a bring the others into alignment; the most chance to experience music and these powerful pendulum gradually forces others Director beneficial consequences music brings. to ‘tick’ in time with it. There is something am delighted, and honoured, to be It is well known that music has direct similar going on when a flock of birds or Iworking as Director of the Royal School effects on physical as well as mental a shoal of fish synchronise and move as of Church Music. Since starting work on wellbeing: it alleviates anxiety, depression one. We live in a world, a universe even, 1 August I have enjoyed getting inside the and pain in patients with physical illnesses. designed to help us move into sympathy skin of an organisation which has meant The shape of melody with successive tones, with one another, into alignment and a lot to me for a long time. I have been a and harmony with concurrent tones, as harmony – and singing, music and chant practising church musician for 30 years, well as the pattern of rhythm and pulse, are among the best examples of this as a chorister at school, an organ scholar, have proven effects on respiration and fundamental principle working in us and and then as an organist and choir trainer heart rate. We ‘feel’ music immediately and through us and around us. in a variety of situations, most recently as involuntarily as the tension and relaxation The congregation benefits as well as the Director of Music at Derby Cathedral. In of muscular tone in our physical frame. choir, drawn in by the power of the music each of place, I’ve enjoyed working as part Chant, and rhythmic singing especially, as well as the entrainment effect which of a team whose role is to deliver and lead have a significant impact on us physically includes everyone present, even if we are good worship. I’ve always enjoyed good and physiologically. It is said that the sometimes not aware. Our heart rate, our relationships with clergy I have worked pattern of Anglican chant with the balance breathing, our physiology are all affected with. I have a passion for education and I of phrases, call and response, is something as we come to choral services to offer our was a classroom music teacher in schools that is highly beneficial for those who hear: prayers and worship in and through the for 15 years. Happily, all those things come we absorb deep down each time – with music. together in my work for the RSCM. We each verse – that there is conclusion and Iain McGilchrist tells a lovely story work to educate, train and inspire church resolution: even if is it a poignant chant in of a French monastery where chanting musicians and leaders, whatever their local a minor key, the cadences resolve in a sense the psalms was curtailed after Vatican II, circumstance. Of course, we have our roots of completion. and the monks found themselves listless, in robed choirs and organs, and if that Recent studies by neuroscientists have exhausted, irritable and prone to illness were not a continuing important strand of looked at the effect of meditative chant on until the abbot was persuaded to reinstate our work then the RSCM would not have the brain, and how this influences singers chanting. appointed me, a Cathedral organist, to the and listeners alike. One consequence of Music is important for spiritual post of Director. But I enjoy other musical a rhythmic breathing pattern in singing health, for individuals and communities. styles, and some of my most satisfying or chanting is that it changes the electric Churches offer a vital opportunity for work has been when I have pulled together information that the heart sends to the people to experience music together. You different musical traditions. brain. So when you chant you change the can see the power of singing in the football One of the biggest challenges facing physiology of the heart and that in turn stands or chanting at a demonstration for RSCM is getting word about what we do affects the brain, especially the frontal people who don’t experience the cohesive to the people who would benefit from lobes, making us more aware and more effect of music positively elsewhere. The that. Every person who is part of a church perceptive. effect of entrainment can be harnessed by which is an affiliate member is themselves And when you have people some negative ideologies if we don’t offer a member, and can access our online together chanting or singing, there is a people the opportunity to find that sense resources, magazines, enrol on courses, join phenomenon among human beings that of alignment and harmony with others events… Please help us by spreading the the signal the heart generates doesn’t stop in beneficial ways, through singing or word; and have a look at our new website: at the skin, it radiates off the body quite speaking together in unison in purposeful rscm.org.uk some distance. So when people gather ways. I am really looking forward to meeting together their physiology is affecting each The universe, it seems, is designed to lots of people over the months ahead, and other and you get what’s scientifically bring people together in understanding to play my own part in encouraging the called entrainment, or synchronisation and sympathy through this phenomenon best out of all who give their times and between different individuals. So one of of entrainment. Let’s make the most of talents in support of church music. the great joys of chanting, or singing in music and chant, as God’s gifts to us, to "" Hugh Morris a choir, or even speaking in unison with bring harmony in our world. a large group of others, is that you feel a "" Jo Spreadbury is of Portsmouth sense of alignment or togetherness with the Cathedral and Chair of Praxis. people around you and this enhances the experience. Interestingly, the phenomenon of entrainment was first described by Christian Heugens, the Dutch inventor

Page 4 Music News Anne Harrison by Philip Ledger). A very interesting Another collection published in Cambridge essay by Timothy Day on the history 2018, by Wild Goose Publications, is of this service, from its founding at the Leith Fisher’s Strange Majesty, edited recordings end of the First World War by former by Douglas Galbraith. This provides n October this year, Signum Classics padre Eric Milner-White, is included music as well as the words of 22 hymns, Ireleased a CD of 21 favourite hymns in the CD liner notes (see also page 2 ‘exploring themes not easily found in from Jesus College, Cambridge: Praise of PNOW 59) and can be read online the standard repertoire’. Leith Fisher, a my Soul, sung by the Chapel and College via the Hyperion website. Four of the member of the Iona Community and a Choirs under the direction of Richard annual commissions are sung, including Church of Scotland minister in Glasgow Pinel (SIGCD545). Most are established what must be the shortest, ‘Bogóroditse for many years, died in 2009. Some classics, but several newer texts and/ Djévo’ (‘Rejoice, O Virgin’) by Arvo Pärt of the texts here are set to traditional or tunes do feature: the most recently (1:09). Scottish melodies – the author written hymn is ‘How shall we sing apparently loved the music of Runrig salvation’s song?’ by Timothy Dudley- and Capercaillie. A sample may be Smith, set to music by David Manners Hymn collections seen via the Wild Goose website (www. (561 in Ancient & Modern, 2013). The hose looking for fresh inspiration ionabooks.com/strange-majesty.html). album may also be downloaded, and Tin the realm of hymnody, either Another Scottish hymn writer, Ian samples can be heard on the Hyperion for congregational use or for personal Fraser, died this year (on 10 April) at website (www.hyperion-records.co.uk). devotions, may be interested in a the age of 100. Ian Fraser was also a The majestic words of Michael Saward, collection of 125 new hymn texts by member of the Iona Community from ‘Christ triumphant, ever reigning’, set Martin Leckebusch (b.1962), whose its earliest days. His best known hymn to John Barnard’s stirring GUITING well-crafted work has found its way into is probably ‘Lord, bring the day to pass’, POWER, make up the final track. a number of recent hymn books. Kevin on environmental themes, written in the From the Choir of St John’s College, Mayhew has published Echoes of Eternity 1960s, around the time Fraser set up the Cambridge, directed by Andrew which, along with the texts themselves, Scottish Churches’ Music Consultation Nethsingha, comes Advent Live, an includes a useful introduction and in Dunblane. This was one of the hour-long Signum Classics recording, plentiful index material (metrical, significant elements in what became available as a digital download or a scriptural, seasonal, thematic etc). The known as the ‘Hymn Explosion’ of the CD (SIGCD535). Full details are book bears the dedication ‘For my late twentieth century. again on the Hyperion website. The numerous friends in the Hymn Society, Advent service from St John’s has been with joyful thanks’. broadcast annually by the BBC since Most hymns have three, four or Pause/Pray 1981, and this album consists entirely five verses, with the number of lines ara and Sam Hargreaves of of live recordings made between 2014 in each verse varying. The metre and Sengageworship have begun to create and 2017. Several of the pieces were a suggested tune are printed below a series of podcasts in the form of audio commissioned for the College Choir, each text. For example, ‘Teach us to Bible reflections and guided prayers, including ‘Vigilate’ by James Long walk’ (11 10 11 10) could be sung to over original music. The episodes can (b.1987), while ‘Glory to the Christ EPIPHANY HYMN. This might make be heard online (https://engageworship. Child’ by Alan Bullard (b.1947) is an a good New Year hymn, with the four org/pausepray), and the meditations example of the specifically Christmas verses beginning, ‘Teach us to walk at could be used for small groups as well as pieces chosen each year by the Director a pace of your choosing’, ‘Teach us to individual devotions. of Music to end the service, along with walk on the road where you lead us’, the Christmas Collect. ‘Teach us to walk in the strength of A near neighbour of St John’s, the your Spirit’, and ‘Teach us to walk to Choir of King’s College is marking a the goal you determine’. ‘Each hidden notable centenary with 100 Years of corner of this planet earth’ (headed ‘God Nine Lessons & Carols, a newly released unveils the mystery’, 10 10 10 10 10 double CD (KGS0033-D, once more 10) speaks of God’s ‘complex cosmos’, available from Hyperion as a digital and yet God knows us by name and download). The album features new calls us friends. The suggested tune is recordings by the choir, under the YORKSHIRE, usually associated with direction of Stephen Cleobury, and older Christmas (‘Christians awake! salute the carols from the live BBC broadcasts of happy morn’), so some might prefer an the famous Christmas Eve service (some alternative such as SONG 1 by Orlando conducted by Sir David Willcocks, some Gibbons.

Page 5 Events Growing in Worship How do we provide a welcoming Contact James Steven on jsteven@ Saturday 2 March 2019 environment and appropriate liturgy sarum.ac.uk or visit 10 am - 4 pm so that physical, social and emotional http://www.sarum.ac.uk/event/ Cullompton Community Centre, inclusion is a consistent feature of perham-shaped-worship-a-symposium- Devon, EX15 1JX our worship? We will address these to-honour-bishop-michael-perhams- Praxis South West concerns through key speakers and ministry-in-a-praying-church workshops. Speakers: Elizabeth Harper (Lay Psalms for the Common Era Contact [email protected] Ministries Enabler, Bath & Wells) and Workshops members of the Committee RSCM Strengthen for Service Saturday 19 January 2019 Gustav Mahler once said, ‘Tradition is Courses 2019 tending the flame, not worshipping the 10 am - 4 pm Practical guidance on managing, ashes.’ So here is a day to encourage, Emmanuel Methodist Church, maintaining and developing music in Oxford Road, Reading refresh and inspire all those who the local church tend that flame through designing, An ecumenical event for the week of ‘Like a mini-retreat but with input.’ preparing or leading worship, whether prayer for Christian Unity. ‘Truly enriching.’ lay or ordained. emmanuelmethodistchurch.org.uk ‘Helen’s evident passion and expertise What are the basic building blocks was inspiring and greatly appreciated.’ of corporate worship and how can Saturday 16 March 2019 ‘This is the best course on worship I we take advantage of the freedoms 10 am - 4 pm have experienced so far.’ and flexibilities that Common Worship Songs for Sighing: Psalms for Lent offers? Come not only to pick up ¾¾Tuesday 12 - Thursday 14 February St Mary Magdalen Church, ideas from experienced practitioners, at Sarum College, Salisbury Kentwood Hill, Reading An RSCM event for Berkshire but also to share your insights and ¾ ¾Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 May at rscm.org.uk/events/songs-for-sighing- experience too – a service you’ve Wydale Hall, near Scarborough designed that you’re proud of, creative psalms-for-lent ways to read Scripture, use music, lead ¾¾Tuesday 1 - Thursday 3 October at intercessions, particularly things a bit Foxhill House, near Chester ‘outside the box’. Day places are available for those who Thank you, Peter Contact [email protected] live locally at a reduced cost. This still includes lunch and an evening meal. he Praxis honorary administrator All Good Gifts: Liturgy, the All bookings through the RSCM Tand treasurer, Peter Furber, retires Environment and Green Issues website: www.rscm.org.uk at the end of 2018 after many years of talented and committed service Further information from Sarah King, Thursday 13th June 2019 to us all. Peter is very well known to 10.30 am - 3.30 pm RSCM Education Administrator, members of Praxis South, as he has St. Luke’s, Chelsea 01722 424848; [email protected] worked with that committee since he Praxis South Perham-Shaped Worship: retired to Winchester diocese in 2009, Speakers: Richard Cheetham, Bishop and he will also be well known by some of Kingston and Matthew Rushton, A Symposium to honour Bishop Praxis Midlands members because he Precentor of Rochester Cathedral Michael Perham’s ministry in a served that committee when he lived A day looking at liturgy as expressing praying church in Worcester diocese. In addition to Sarum College God’s call to be good stewards of all this, however, Peter has discreetly Friday 8 – Saturday 9 February and extremely competently kept the Creation, using everything we have 2019 been given for the good of all people national organisation on the straight This symposium is an invitation to and narrow, managing our finances, and challenging injustice and misuse. consider the remarkably rich and Contact [email protected] our membership and our website. His diverse influence of the late Bishop organisation, unflappable nature and The Complexity of Inclusion: Michael Perham upon worship in the ready availability have made him a Ensuring that all are included Church of England. In this public joy to work with and we shall miss his forum, speakers with first-hand support contributions hugely. Happily, Wednesday 30 October 2019 experience of Michael’s ministry Peter will continue to run the Praxis 10.30 am - 3.30 pm will address issues such as nurturing website. St. George the Martyr, Southwark worship in the parish, liturgical Thank you, Peter, for all your work Praxis South leadership, the formation of praying for Praxis and for sharing your gifts and wisdom so generously. Speakers to be announced. people, and liturgical revision.

Page 6 Books nuanced way the Church of England, disabilities, to help them look at their and Christians more generally, employ worship and its context through new eyes, historical precedent. , who and to suggest easy ways of improving chaired the Liturgical Commission from accessibility. 1993 – 2005, explores the underlying theological and pastoral issues that Grove Worship W236, Worship shaped the revision of three rites: Daily in a Multi-Ethnic Society, Prayer, Initiation and Ordination. This John Root fascinating under-the-bonnet analysis of ne of the most striking descriptions the Commission’s work illustrates how of the people of God in the New each rite has raised important questions O Testament is that they are ‘from every of the nature of the Church, its doctrine tribe, people and nation’ – and yet there is and its pastoral practice. , an almost complete lack of provision and Stancliffe’s successor on the Liturgical practice in the area of actual multi-ethnic Commission, frames the story of liturgical worship. revision within the now ubiquitous term This insightful study looks at the ‘mission’, and in so doing illustrates that issues involved, and offers a range of concerns for mission are embedded not resources and solutions to the challenges only in liturgical texts but particularly of conducting multi-ethnic worship in the so in matters of the performance of the local church. liturgy. Tom Clammer, who served as the Gloucester Diocesan Worship officer Alcuin/GROW Joint Liturgical Grasping the Heel of Heaven: when Michael was bishop of the diocese, Studies, SCM-Canterbury- contributes a highly insightful personal Liturgy, Leadership and Ministry in reflection on the transformative capacity Hymns Ancient & Modern Today’s Church, edited by Aidan Platten, of liturgy. This is an eloquent testimony oint Liturgical Study 86, published Canterbury Press, 2017 to the value of striving for language and Jin October, was by Tom McLean. The e are greatly indebted to Aidan practice that best serves and stimulates the Spirit in Liturgy and Doctrine: a liturgical- WPlatten for gathering this set of spiritual imagination of those who pray. systematic dialogue in the fourth century essays that honour the contributions of Readers of Praxis News of Worship will church in Egypt and Cappadocia. the late Michael Perham to the Church of find these essays to be a stimulating tribute The next will be a double-size JLS England. The wide scope and influence to Michael’s work as liturgist. Appreciating (numbered 87-88, and published in May) of Michael’s ministry is demonstrated the extent of the impact of his work upon by Colin Buchanan and Trevor Lloyd, The impressively in the diverse subject matter the worship of the Church will have Eucharist in the Church of England 1958- of ten chapters: church governance, to wait for a future volume. However, 2013. episcopal oversight, liturgical revision, the as a pointer to this, his life as bishop is ordination of women and debate on same- captured perfectly in a short Afterword, sex relationships all jostle for the reader’s written by Rachel Treweek, his successor attention. as Bishop of Gloucester. She reminds us The importance of the Church’s worship that the man who gave so much beautiful to Michael’s work is unambiguously liturgy to the Church of England was a This issue’s 50th signalled in the title of this volume. As bishop who ‘appeared most fully alive Platten reminds us, ‘grasping the heel of when celebrating the Eucharist’. anniversary heaven’, a phrase that surfaces regularly in "" James Steven is Director of Liturgy and 968 saw the sowing of a seed at the Michael’s writings, captures the vision of Worship at Sarum College. 1Lambeth Conference. The Conference worship that Michael worked so tirelessly did not tackle liturgy, but in its report to communicate and encourage. Grove Worship W235, Worship on ‘Renewal in Ministry’ it opened the There are four essays that engage and Disability: possibility (no more than that, see p.99) directly with liturgical matters. Paul A Kingdom for All, Katie Tupling and Anna of admission of children to communion Bradshaw, who worked alongside de Lange before confirmation. This caught the eye Michael on the Liturgical Commission, ost worshipping communities will of Brian David in New Zealand and he writes a typically astute and stimulating Minclude at least one person with took it as a lever to his own diocese and review of the misunderstandings that some sort of disability, though it may not their General Synod, and his own children bedevil commonly held perceptions of be a visible one. Making conscious plans benefitted around 1970, and the rest you the role of history in recent liturgical for being inclusive to those disabilities is know (well, we hope you do [ed.]. revision. This is an important essay for less common. This booklet is for church anyone interested in learning about the members and leaders, with or without

Page 7 Report Liturgy at home and in hospital t came as no surprise, to the little reminded us of the pastoral impact and workshops facilitated by the speakers Iteam pouring tea or coffee to the importance of bringing well-thought, on the themes explored in the morning steady stream of delegates arriving for well-prepared liturgy into domestic talks. the start of the Praxis South day in settings, of authenticity and simplicity, Not only was the attendance a Southwark Cathedral on 31 October, of creating conditions in which prayer record for Praxis South but a significant that this was going to be a big event and worship can flourish. He reflected proportion of these were non-ordained – which it was, a great success – and on the various joys and challenges to be pastoral assistants, who welcomed the somewhat bigger than expected, with encountered in places outside a church very practical advice offered and the 180 lay and ordained people from building. opportunity to network with others. fourteen dioceses; the maximum Hilary Fife, ‘Prayer on Prescription – Organising committee members Jax number allowed. ‘Liturgy in the Home Dispensing grace in hospital’, presented Machin and John Tranter brought the and in Hospital’, was much anticipated detailed advice pertinent to a hospital day to an end with a deeply personal act and appreciated, particularly the input environment with particular emphasis of worship, which drew on Lindisfarne of the two speakers, Andrew Nunn, on safeguarding matters, consent, liturgies, and filled the Cathedral with Dean of Southwark, and Hilary Fife, confidentiality and good practice and, music by the Beatles, Eric Clapton Senior Chaplain at Croydon University like Andrew, recommended not being and Bob Dylan (sung by Adele). As Hospital Trust, who both captivated endlessly novel, while being flexible and Jax explained, ‘How will we unlock and challenged those attending, first sensitive in each circumstance. the minds of worship-free generations, with their wide-ranging and thought- Both speakers pointed to a number who have no experience of church or its provoking addresses, then after lunch of excellent and effective liturgical and liturgies? What do we do if we only have with well-focused and informative pastoral resources currently available the music and words of Kylie?’ workshops. to those already experienced in, or just "" Michael Boag is of Worth. Andrew Nunn, ‘Domus Ecclesiae – beginning, a ministry to the sick. making the home a place of healing’, The afternoon was dedicated to Colin’s column have very recently had published that it is far easier and more use to readers in training, or indeed ordinands, Ia book entitled, Did the Anglican work at agreeing liturgical texts without quickly encounters the students and Roman Catholics Agree on the worrying about the theologians. wrestling with whether, to use the Eucharist? It is published by Wipf and Now the average worshipper who terms of popular speech, the eucharistic Stock in Eugene, Oregon, in the USA, attends a Sunday morning eucharist bread and wine change their nature or, but it addresses a history of 50 years may have a vague or a very precise alternatively, retain their nature and which is centred in England. I have notion of the relationship between the change their use and significance.’ reason to hope it will be reviewed in outward sign (the bread and wine in That ‘wrestling’, I put to you, is the next Praxis News of Worship, and the eucharist) and the inward grace (the healthy. Of course Jesus handed us a I am endeavouring not to anticipate body and blood of Christ), but it is, I problem (wrapped into a sacrament) the review, while still using the liberty submit, very likely that he or she never when he said, ‘This is my body’, etc. We accorded me by my freehold in relation discusses it – it is a private conviction would be wise to consider what meaning to this column. which is not up for public debate. could be attributed to that saying at One of the major points I try to Parents may have to explain the Last the point where he said it, standing make in the book is that the systematic Supper to their children, but once at incarnate before them. And what theologians, when they deal with church, if I am right, they eat and drink meaning the use of the terminology sacramental theology, do so in almost without much question. has warranted since. There may well be total divorce from the liturgical texts. However, in my book I mention that a case here for healthy and charitable And this was certainly true of the it has become a commonplace to say that disagreement. But it would be good to original 1971 Agreement on the Eucharist. every Christian believes in the ‘presence reckon that adult worshippers know the But it is also true the other way round – of Christ’ at the eucharist and that is a terms of any dispute, and can enter into the liturgists tend to think the doctrinal strong ecumenical bond. However, I go some dialogue about it. definitions relating to the sacraments on to say ‘that any Anglican who is today "" Colin Buchanan is a former Bishop of are recondite and even difficult, and teaching confirmation candidates, or lay Woolwich.

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