Issue 45 Spring 2015 Praxis at 25 £2.50 NOW The first Head of THEN First days for the Praxis In this issue Ministerial Training, Helen Bent Education Officer, Mark Earey stand on the threshold of becoming n a snowy day in November 1996, Praxis Now and Then 1 the first Head of Ministerial Training, I left Chatham not sure if I would Celebrating 25 years 2 I O a new joint initiative between the RSCM make it to Salisbury for a meeting at Sarum Praxis Time Line 3 and Praxis. In many ways this new post College where the new Praxis National 25 years of Music 3 is a natural progression from my role as Education Officer post was to be based. It Music News 4 ’s Adviser in Music and Worship was all a bit vague: funding was uncertain Michael Saward RIP 5 within Sheffield Diocese, giving me the and Sarum College had just emerged Events 5 opportunity to promote excellence across as a new sort of ecumenical theological Reports 6 the country and to contribute to the education resource, primarily for lay Books 7 formation of worship leaders, both ordained Christians. I was to be based at the Institute Colin’s Column 8 and lay. for Liturgy and Mission and its role was Designing Common Worship 8 In 1927, Sir Sydney Nicholson, founder uncertain. Just about the only clear thing of the RSCM, identified the importance of was that I was to work with Chris Walsh, a What is Praxis? clergy and lay ministers who understood the distinguished Roman Catholic liturgist, and value of music in worship. Later, Michael with Robert Fielding, a gifted musician. See www.praxisworship.org.uk Vasey, a founder of Praxis, envisioned a When I moved to Salisbury in May 1997, Praxis was formed in 1990, Church where a broad range of people the Praxis part of the role was as unclear sponsored by the Liturgical would become confident in developing as the rest. There was a lot of excitement Commission, the Group for the Renewal of Worship (GROW) and liturgy and leading worship. Over the past that we’d got the post up and running, the Alcuin Club to provide and ten years, I have pioneered much training but no clear idea of what I would do. support liturgical education in the in Sheffield including the Worship 4 Today There had never been a national liturgical . Course (published by CHP), enabling those officer, Praxis had never had an employee across the spectrum of churchmanship, before, and there were interesting questions tradition and style to worship and learn about accountability (Praxis Council), Praxis News of Worship is copyright together. Building on this, my new role will line management (the Principal of Sarum © Praxis 2015. Material for inclusion involve the creation of further programmes, College) and support (the Bishop of should be sent to the editor, events and resources. Salisbury). [email protected] I have been a church musician; I am a Thankfully, the first part of Common We reserve the right to edit material priest and active practitioner, modelling Worship appeared (it wasn’t yet called and make no guarantee to include liturgy and music in a variety of styles and ‘Common Worship’), the Lectionary and material submitted. The views settings. I combine a passion for worship Collects, and people couldn’t get their heads expressed are not necessarily those of with a passion for mission and church round them, so a project had emerged – a Praxis or the Praxis Council. growth, whilst remaining firmly rooted in training pack to explore the reasons behind the local church alongside my husband, a the change and what it meant. It proved to Contact praxis@praxisworship. Team Rector in Sheffield Diocese. be the first of a series. org.uk Inspiring worship ‘glorifies God and The other key challenge was how to ‘add For general enquiries, affiliation and edifies the people’ ( B1.2); it draws value’ to Praxis affiliation. Praxis News (as programme information, contact people into God’s presence and grows the it was before joining with News of Liturgy) Praxis, 19 The Close, Salisbury, Church. There is no such thing as ordinary began - a liturgical newsletter for non- SP1 2EB, 01202 296886, praxis@ time! Each act of worship is a unique anoraks - offering information about events praxisworship.org.uk opportunity to encounter God, to grow and help available. in discipleship, and to go back out into I still meet people who remember the Affiliation the community to make a difference. The ‘pipeline’ diagrams which helped keep The work that Praxis does is vision for this new role is both exciting and people in touch with Common Worship’s supported mainly by affiliation. If challenging and I look forward to helping flow through the Synodical system. It was a you are not an affiliate, why not to encourage, equip, resource and establish good way for me to keep connected to my consider becoming one? those who are called to lead God’s people in own background as a sewage engineer… worship.

Page 1 Celebrating 25 years of Praxis his reply, “We don’t need you to do any and ecumenical. In the appreciation which How Praxis began work, we just need your name!” It was the he edited1, Colin Buchanan cites no fewer with thanks to Colin Buchanan, Philip first time anyone had suggested my name than sixteen areas of work, suggesting he Chester, Christine Hall, Richard Hines was worth having and I accepted. He was had ‘a finger in every pie’. He recalls that and Michael Perham. wrong, of course, he did need me to do ‘In February 1990 representatives of the he movement towards Praxis began in some work and I did so willingly and spoke Liturgical Commission, of the Alcuin Tthe late 1980s as the ten authorised at many of the early gatherings. But Club and of GROW put their hands to a years of the ASB 1980 were coming to I think my own particular contribution was jointly-sponsored Anglican agency for the an end. A group of clergy and lay people, to encourage and to some extent shape the promotion of liturgical understanding – and longing for a new, more liturgical future regional approach.’ actual praxis. He secured funds from friends for Church of England worship, began to Richard Hines also recalls that supportive both willing and reluctant; he provided buzz ideas around. Richard Hines (then publications were an early priority for a constitution; he enthroned successive Oak Hill liturgy lecturer) remembers initial Praxis. ‘Perhaps the main contribution I chairmen; and he firmly became secretary meetings at King’s College, London with made personally then was to suggest the title from the start. He was then willing and able Philip Chester, Christine Hall and the of our first publication, At All Times and In to throw great energies into nurturing the late Michael Vasey. ‘My main memory’, All Places: a Syllabus for Liturgical Formation enterprise, which both needed his creativity says Christine, ‘is of people who were in the Church of England, for which I also and due course flourished through it.’ experimenting and writing new liturgies. did a lot of the secretarial and editorial work 1 Michael Vasey, Liturgist and Friend, edited Things changed hugely when Praxis became and wrote some of the units.’ by Colin Buchanan, Grove Books, 1999. a ‘training’ organisation. We were leading "" Anne Horton is a member of the Praxis new thinking. This was a group who could Council. Chairs of Praxis Council do, think and say things that the Liturgical 1990-1996 Michael Perham Commission couldn’t say officially. And we The Praxis Visionary 1997-2001 Stephen Oliver wanted both wings of the Church involved.’ 2001-2006 Paul Roberts ‘I was the one who thought of the name!’ 2006-2011 David Kennedy recalls Philip. ‘Michael Vasey was initially 2011-date Jo Spreadbury resistant but came round.’ Michael Perham, of whom Richard Hines says, ‘once he was Secretaries involved, we began to get more focussed’, describes Michael Vasey as ‘the visionary’. 1990–1998 Michael Vasey ‘Others,’ he says, ‘including me, quickly 1998-2004 Gilly Myers caught his vision.’ For Vasey, notes Richard 2004-2013 Michael Rawson Hines, the priority was that Praxis take a 2013-date Richard Curtis practical and hands-on approach. ‘Our main aim was to stimulate and enable better Editors of Praxis News liturgical understanding and practice among 1998-2003 Mark Earey Church of England parishes.’ Michael Vasey 1946-1998 2004-2009 Gilly Myers Colin Buchanan is ‘pretty hazy about the 2009-2011 Tim Hone stages by which Michael Vasey manipulated ho was Michael Vasey? Older 2011-date Gill Ambrose us (I choose the word carefully) into Wreaders will know the answer to forming Praxis, and also got a four-figure this question, of course, but for those who Publications sum almost by mistake from Winchester have begun to lead and study worship • At All Times and In All Places, Michael diocese via the Bishop, Colin James, then more recently, his contribution to the Perham, Continuum, 1995 chair of the Liturgical Commission, who development of our worship, both in (rightly) valued Michael highly’. writing texts and in training people to use • Understanding Worship, A Praxis Study According to Michael Perham, ‘Michael them, is obscured in the mists of time. Guide, Mark Earey, Perran Gay and Vasey’s instinct was to give Praxis a dual Born in Africa, of a Jewish mother, Anne Horton, Mowbray, 2001 management structure to cover both policy Michael Vasey became a Christian as a Using Common Worship: Practical Guides to and action. A national committee would university student in England, and after the New Services: consist of people who had a name in the ordination to a curacy in Kent, taught • Holy Communion, Mark Beach liturgical world and were representative liturgy at Cranmer Hall in Durham until • Initiation, Gilly Myers of the three sponsoring bodies; a more his untimely death. During that time • Marriage, Stephen Lake hands-on London group headed up by his indefatigable energy and remarkable • Funerals, Anne Horton Philip would act as the training arm. I creativity contributed to the words we • A Service of the Word, Tim Stratford was the chair from day one. I was not have today in Common Worship, and to • Daily Prayer, Gilly Myers; democratically elected. Michael, I suspect growing a Church where a much broader • Times and Seasons: part 1, David without consultation, decided that I should range of people would become confident in Kennedy be, and asked me. I protested at first, saying developing liturgy and leading worship. He • Times and Seasons: part 2, David I thought I could not take on any more did this through work across a huge range Kennedy at that point. I have always remembered of organisations, national, international Page 2 Praxis Timeline Music 1990 Official launch, Westminster Abbey; first public event, on The Promise of His Glory, at St Martin-in-the-Fields. 25 years of Music How has music in worship changed 1991 First annual programme: Liturgy and Liberty, Eucharistic Prayers in ‘Patterns’, over the twenty-five years since Praxis The Funeral of the Future. was formed? Anne Harrison surveys developments. 1992 Aims: to enrich the practice and understanding of worship in the C of E; to serve congregations and clergy in their exploration of God’s call to the church iversity and technology: these to worship; to provide a forum in which different worshipping traditions would Dtwo themes compete and yet meet and interact. complement each other as I try to sum up, for this anniversary issue, some of 1993 First constitution. Council includes some regional representation and RSCM. the significant changes and developments in music within worship over the last 25 1994 Michael Vasey paper: Regional Networking among the Dioceses. Events offered in Midlands, East Anglia, North West, Wales. years. New hymn books are still being produced – and recent publications 1995 First publication: At All Times and In All Places – a guide for study courses. like the latest Ancient and Modern and Michael Vasey urges liturgical stock-taking exercise with an ecumenical agenda. the Methodist collection Singing the Faith have sold remarkably well – but 1996 12 ‘day’ conferences; 3 ‘residentials’. they’re also available electronically, and 1997 Mark Earey becomes National Liturgical/Praxis officer; launches Praxis News the mixture of musical styles found and Praxis training packs. Consultation by invitation on ‘lay worship leaders’. within would surprise church musicians from a quarter of a century ago. The 1998 Sudden death of Michael Vasey. inclusion of simple liturgical settings is also increasingly common, alongside 1999 Using Common Worship Praxis/CHP collaborate to produce series: first hymns, songs and short chants. Several volumes to be launched with Common Worship in 2000. hymns, remarkably, appear in official 2000 Common Worship launched; Using Common Worship: Eucharist, Funerals, Common Worship publications, including Initiation, Marriage, published. 10th birthday party at St Paul’s Cathedral. a metrical creed and gospel canticle paraphrases for Daily Prayer. 2001 Planning of 2002 residential consultation between Praxis and its sponsoring All kinds of material for sung bodies, the Liturgical Commission, Alcuin Club and GROW. worship is available online – most praise bands download as necessary rather 2002 New Liturgical Commission Formation Group hopes to work ‘collaboratively with Praxis, which should ‘continue to play the lead role in providing high than buying printed music. Many quality education through events and resources’. congregations would now be surprised to be handed books rather than singing 2004 Praxis News of Worship launched in March, Gilly Myers editor, replacing Praxis words from a screen, and audio-visual News, News of Liturgy and News of Hymnody publications. technicians have become key members of worship teams. Organists still have 2006 Liturgical Commission announces 5-year formation strategy, ‘Transforming a hugely-valued place in the Church Worship’; Praxis to play a major role. of England, but both acoustic and 2009 New constitution. Syllabus work continues with hope that it will be used as amplified instruments of various kinds base for national liturgical training IME4-7. are commonly found in many churches. Copyright schemes (CCLI and Calamus) 2010 National Worship Development Officer post ends. Peter Furber becomes help people keep within the law while treasurer. negotiating the extraordinary abundance of sung material which continues to 2011 Jo Spreadbury new Chair of Council. Gill Ambrose new PNOW editor. be produced. The RSCM’s quarterly 2012 Membership numbers and finances improve significantly. liturgy planner (Sunday by Sunday, first published in 1997) is a valued 2013 Praxis seeks grant funding from Hymns A&M to promote guide to music – from many sources – liturgical development in dioceses. Richard Curtis becomes secretary. suggested by lectionary readings, and 40th issue of PNOW. the HymnQuest CD-ROM database is a 2014 Conversations with RSCM about supporting a joint RSCM/Praxis training marvellous resource. All this is glorious post. but daunting for those with the awesome responsibilities of planning and leading 2015 Helen Bent heads ministerial training. 25th anniversary. worship!

Page 3 Music News - Anne Harrison Big Sing Live CD Hymn-writing weekend Member of the RSCM. Full details of the awards may be found in a press release chance to enjoy and be inspired by re you – or do you know – a budding dated 27 February, available via the new musical repertoire or familiar or experienced hymn-writer? Why A A RSCM’s website (www.rscm.com). material with a fresh twist: Geoff Weaver’s not share in or spread the news about a arrangement of a song from Cameroon workshop to be held at the Windermere Retreat for songwriters (‘He came down that we might have love’), Centre from Friday 30 October to Sunday Martin Leckebusch’s beautiful Maundy 1 November 2015, led by members four-day retreat for worship Thursday hymn ‘A bowl of water and a of the editorial group of Worship Live? Asongwriters is to be held in the towel’ and Roger Peach’s setting of ‘Lamb of The booking form, along with further gracious surroundings of Wydale Hall, God’ are just three of the fifteen items on a information, can be found online (www. North Yorkshire, from 5 p.m. on Sunday new CD available from the Jubilate Group worshiplive.org.uk); alternatively ring 28 June to 2 p.m. on Wednesday 1 July (www.jubilate.co.uk). Gillian Warson on 01869 324645 2015. Led by Joel Payne and Matt Osgood The music was recorded at two national ([email protected]). of RESOUNDworship.org (the Jubilate ‘Big Sing’ events held in London, with The organisers say, ‘Hymns have been Group’s song project), the retreat includes amateur singers under the direction of Noel important in the worship of God for many core teaching sessions, opportunities for Tredinnick, Director of Music at All Souls, centuries, and many old hymns enshrine group critique, one-on-one clinics with Langham Place. Roger Peach, Jubilate’s important truths for us today. However tutors and private writing time (alone or Editorial Co-ordinator, arranged these we also need new hymns to express our with others). hugely enjoyable days and has worked with changing understanding of the world The cost is £315 per writer, with a others to produce a high-quality recording. around us and God’s activity within it. At discount for couples sharing a room; Roger, along with Nigel Groome of the a more individual level, the act of wrestling en-suite accommodation and all meals Royal School of Church Music, will be with words or music can stimulate us to are included in the price. Perhaps a local leading a regional ‘Big Sing’ entitled ‘Sing explore what it is we really believe about church nurturing its own songwriters might through the year’ in Keynsham, near Bristol, God and about God’s world, and when we subsidise one or more places on this retreat? on Saturday 16 May 2015. Participants will do this in the company of fellow Christians Further details are available online (www. be charged £6 (£5 for Jubilate subscribers) the resulting dialogue can be extremely resoundworship.org) or from Joel Payne and the afternoon will include practical fruitful. There is also nothing like having ([email protected]). tips for singers and conductors, plus the constructive criticism on hand for a whole Joel will also be taking part in a opportunity to look at and buy resources weekend, particularly as many of us work Christian Aid day at Emmanuel Church, from Jubilate and the RSCM. For further on our hymns in isolation from other hymn Loughborough, on Saturday 25 April from details contact Roger Peach (roger@jubilate. writers most of the time.’ 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. ‘Worship. Justice. co.uk). Creativity’ is a day for artists, songwriters The next national Jubilate ‘Big Sing’ will Church music ‘Oscars’ and musicians, those planning and leading take place on Saturday 27 February 2016 he Royal School of Church Music worship and anyone working with children at St Paul’s Church, Robert Adam Street, Thas announced its honorary awards and young people, ‘to explore, discover London. for 2015, to be presented by Lord Brian and create tools for themes of justice in the Gill – Scotland’s most senior judge and worshipping life of the local church.’ For Words and music for chair of the RSCM’s Council – at the further information contact Martin Gage Holy Week charity’s Celebration Day service in Bury St of Christian Aid (mgage@christian-aid. Edmunds on Saturday 3 October. org, 01509 265013). ichard Hubbard of the Cantus Firmus Three significant church musicians Trust, whose aim is to encourage R based in prestigious establishments will Church Music Future creativity in worship through music and the become Fellows of the RSCM: Martin arts, led an event with the Cantus Firmus irmingham-based Jon Payne is among Choir in Ipswich on Sunday 29 March Baker (Master of the Music at Westminster Bthose setting up a new organisation 2015. Palms and Thorns, a reflection for Cathedral), Andrew Nethsinga (Director aiming to provide individual, tailored Holy Week in words, images and music, of Music at St John’s College Chapel, support to churches who wish to develop took place at Burlington Baptist Church. Cambridge) and Andrew Millington their music. There will be advisers to The music included ‘Hosanna to the Son (Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral). contact directly with music-related queries, of David’ by Orlando Gibbons, extracts The Dean of Hereford, Michael in relation to staffing, repertoire, rates of from Handel’s Messiah and works by Tavinor, Helen Bent – currently Bishop’s pay for church musicians, advice on legal contemporary composers including John Adviser in Music and Worship for the or contractual issues, etc. Masterclasses led Bell of the Iona Community. For further Diocese of Sheffield but newly appointed by experienced, professional musicians will information, visit Richard’s website (www. by Praxis and the RSCM as Head of be on offer for choirs and worship bands. cantusfirmus.org.uk) where you will also Ministerial Training – and Glasgow-based Membership will be free – sign up online find some imaginative ideas for worship Alan Tavener of Cappella Nova are among (www.churchmusicfuture.com) to be kept drawn from his Worship without end those who will be made honorary RSCM informed of training events and workshops. workshops at last year’s National Network Associates. New Zealand hymn-writer Jon Payne also has his own website (www. jonpayne.co.uk). of Pastoral Musicians’ conference in Chester. Colin Gibson will become an Honorary

Page 4 Michael Events Saward RIP Act Justly… Is Preaching to the Choir Enough? Saturday 25 April 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Preaching and Worship in an Age of the service was held in St Faith’s Chapel Cullompton Community Centre, Devon Unchurched A(‘the OBE Chapel’) in the Crypt Praxis Southwest Tuesday 2 June, 2 p.m. of St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday Speaker: Bernadette Farrell St Michael’s, Cornhill, London, 18 March 2015 to celebrate the life of In this event we will be making EC3V 9DS Canon Michael Saward (1932-2015), connections between the liturgical life of Ed Foley, Capuchin who died suddenly in Switzerland on 31 the assembly and its task of ‘doing justice’. Duns Scotus Professor of Liturgy and January. Michael was one of the founders Contact [email protected] Music, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago of Jubilate Hymns Ltd (now the Jubilate Making Way: Labyrinths and Group, www.jubilate.co.uk) and served A lecture to mark the inauguration of the as a Director from 1980 to 2006. He was sacred moments Centre for Theological Education at St also a member of the Hymn Society of Saturday 25 April 10.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. Michael’s, Cornhill. Great Britain and Ireland and his larger- Wakefield Cathedral Praxis Yorkshire Bank underground station. Booking is not than-life presence will be missed at this Speakers: Andi Hofbauer, Precentor of necessary. year’s annual conference, to be held in Wakefield Cathedral and Helen Bent, NOT all over by Christmas Cambridge in July. Bishop’s Adviser in Music and Worship, Michael Saward’s activities in the Sheffield Diocese Commemorating World War One: 2016- world of hymnody are too many and Praxis Yorkshire and Wakefield Cathedral 2018 varied to list in their entirety, but he join together to offer a day of walking and Thursday 8 October 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. played an important part in encouraging praying the labyrinth in and around the St Chad’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, the creativity of others (through the Cathedral and sharing ideas for creating Birmingham Praxis Midlands Millennium Hymn Competition, for sacred moments. Workshops will make Speakers: Maggie Andrews, Michael example, sponsored by St Paul’s Cathedral use of the Wakefield labyrinth and give Snape, Andrew Wickens while Saward was Canon Treasurer, and opportunity to create different sacred We hope the day will help churches plan won by Hilary Jolly for her text ‘Through moments inside and outside the building. worship to commemorate key events from the darkness of the ages’), as well as writing Leave with a labyrinth to go. the final two years of World War 1. Our himself. His most widely-sung hymn is Contact [email protected], speakers will focus on ‘What it means to ‘Christ triumphant, ever reigning’, first 01709 363850 remember’, ‘War: Church and Clergy’ and published in Youth Praise in 1966. At ‘Women and the Home Front’. We plan the thanksgiving service organist Noel Liturgy for the unchurched to share some local church thinking from Tredinnick improvised a medley of tunes Friday 8 May 10.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. across our region and to create an act of connected with Saward texts written at Southwark Cathedral Praxis South worship which will incorporate images and various stages of his life. Michael also Speakers: Jessica Martin and Dave music as well as words. edited – alone or with others – a number Tomlinson Contact [email protected] of published collections, achieving a How to communicate with the Make a splash! Jumping into the certain notoriety when defending the ‘unchurched’ and the renewal of baptized updating of ‘archaic’ texts in Hymns for Christians have become primary concerns waters of baptism! Today’s Church (1982), and he was a for almost every Christian denomination. Thursday 5th November passionate advocate of the importance of How can we in the Church of England 10.30 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. hymns in Christian faith and worship, address this in the words of our liturgies St. Michael’s, Cornhill, London, especially among Evangelicals. and how we perform them, so that EC3V 9DS Praxis South Michael Saward’s most recent someone with limited or no church Speakers: Sandra Millar, Head of Projects publication, Come Celebrate (Canterbury experience will not be confused or perhaps and Development for the Archbishops’ Press 2009, with a Foreword by Rowan even embarrassed? Council, and Anders Bergquist, a member Williams), gathered hymns by twenty Contact [email protected], of the Liturgical Commission. contemporary British writers who were 01202 296886 What does a baptism mean to a family asked to select what they felt were their that brings a child to church to ‘be done’? finest texts, but not necessarily the best The Baptism Project followed on from the known or most widely published. It would highly successful Weddings Project, and be a fitting tribute to the editor’s memory Sandra Millar will talk about its progress. if it continued to hold an honoured place Anders Bergquist will detail the thinking as a resource both for editors of collections behind the new baptismal texts and how of congregational song and for students of they are designed to make the service more recent hymnody. accessible. "" Anne Harrison Contact [email protected], 01202 296886

Page 5 Reports Liturgical Commission Music and Liturgy he Liturgical Commission meeting in January at Hitchin n 5 March, Midlands Praxis members enjoyed an TPriory in Hertfordshire was characterized by significant Oinspirational day on music and liturgy with worship changes of personnel. The , who consultant Andrew Maries (Keynote Trust), and Jon Payne had been acting Chair, ensured a smooth handover to the (RSCM Birmingham). Our new venue, adjacent to St Chad’s new Chair, the . Phillip North, awaiting RC Cathedral in Birmingham, worked well for us too. The consecration as , had left the Commission. initial ‘testimonies’ from Andrew and Jon were surprisingly Members discussed the changes made by the General Synod powerful; both speakers described simply and helpfully how Revision Committee to the Alternative Baptism Texts, hoping their experiences had enlarged and deepened their appreciation that the Synod would accept the Revision Committee’s work of both music and worship. ‘If we rubbish other people’s joy in February so that the texts can be available in the summer. in music, we rubbish both them and God’ (I think I quote Moving to The Christening Project (note the variation of Andrew Maries correctly). title – soon these events will be called ‘christenings’ again), the In the morning sessions, Andrew addressed music in Revd Dr Sandra Millar gave a spirited account of the statistics worship. Quoting (he thought) George McPhee, ‘Let me and research the Christenings Group has done. She brought listen to your songs and I will write your theology’, he asked, along some excellent hand-outs and explanatory materials, ‘What message is our week-by-week music repertoire doing to which should be generally available in the spring. After that our theology?’ He led us to reflect on how music can help us excitement, attention moved to the work Dr Millar and her grow spiritually, as individuals and as congregations, and on team have been doing on funerals. Again, thought-provoking criteria for choosing music, encouraging us to look beyond research has contributed to an excellent range of leaflets that what we currently know and like. Jon Payne then spoke of churches will soon be able to access as this third occasional the importance of music in mission, giving lots of examples office is opened up to our communities. as to how the music of our churches and the ministry of our The Commission discussed the possibility of YouTube films musicians can ‘open doors’ into church and faith (or keep for the Transforming Worship website, drawing upon the them shut!) IT experience of Church House and the success of Worship After lunch, both speakers went practical. Andrew taught Workshop, which has been so useful for people leading us ‘simple skills’ to enable our congregations to sing and to assemblies. learn new music. We enjoyed learning how to use our hands to Moving into the area of education, Julian Hubbard, teach new songs and hymns, and as we did, we learnt new and Director of Ministry in the C of E, suggested ways in which simple songs ourselves. We also re-visited plainsong, Gelineau the Commission might support liturgy tutors in the training and responsorial psalms. Jon Payne then explored with us the institutions. Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer and ways in which we could ‘take our congregations with us.’ The Secretary of The National Society, talked about how best to closing worship helpfully picked up and used many of the new welcome children into church worship and how to support music and skills that we had learnt, and we found that our clergy and governors in their work in schools. The report from words, our silences and our singing really did move ‘from our the RSCM was heartening. Good numbers of people have mouths to our hearts’. applied for the post of Head of Ministrial Training created "" Anne Horton is a member of Praxis Council. jointly with Praxis. Hitchin Priory does not have a dedicated worship space, so members attended the midday Eucharist in Hitchin Parish Church, a beautiful light-filled medieval church where the regular half dozen worshippers were astounded to see two and the rest the of the members trouping in to treble their numbers. After lunch, the Commission started to plan its future work in the light of the Archbishops’ priorities and said goodbye to Tim Hone, its Secretary, who moves to a new post at York Minster. He was thanked particularly for his hard work in finding logical and thoughtful ways forward for the Commission. "" Christine McMullen is a Reader in Derby Diocese and a member of the Liturgical Commission.

Page 6 Books

At All Times and in All Places: experimentation and possibly for long- Peace at the Last: leading Prayers and Readings for term use in some places. In others, with funerals well a long-standing practice of repeating , Canterbury Press, 2014, Themed Celebrations of the the Sunday readings during the week, it ISBN 978-1848256668, £16.99 Eucharist would pay to look at this book and try Simon Jones, Canterbury Press, 2014, its options. In places where the votive is This book is not to be confused with ISBN 978-1848250437: pp xvi + 174, £25 commonplace, and where adapted material the engaging children’s book of similar name, by Jill Murphy, about Mr Bear The purpose of this slim volume, the from other sources is generally used, this who can’t find a good place to sleep. fruition of a project started when book provides an opportunity to re- Peace at the Last, on the other hand, is a the author was a curate, is ‘...to help examine and enrich provision. " helpful volume by the Bishop of Exeter, the Church to regain its confidence " John Chamberlin is Secretary of Praxis for anyone involved in the preparation in celebrating the Eucharist in every North. and conduct of Christian funeral services, circumstance and for every need.’ He Eighteenth-Century Anglican honestly drawing on his own experiences explains that it ‘...draws on the western Confirmation: Renewing the of bereavement and ministry. tradition of votive masses’. In the early chapters the writer draws Jones explains, in his introduction, Covenant of Grace on recent research material to look at the when and how a votive mass might be Alcuin/GROW Joint Liturgical Study 79 funeral from the perspectives of the funeral used, suggesting that in churches where Phillip Tovey, SCM-Canterbury, £7.95 director and the bereaved. A couple of The Eucharist is not celebrated daily, using The latest Joint Liturgical Study has pages are given to the practice of viewing readings from the weekday lectionary an interesting background, in that of the deceased, with appropriate caveats. sometimes results in a disjointed feel. Each Phillip Tovey had published last year a A helpful chapter about death and children proper is provided with an introductory major study of the same topic, Anglican includes some of the difficult questions note explaining the votive and suggesting Confirmation 1662-1820 (Ashgate, £60), that children ask, with possible answers: the liturgical colour. but during his research unearthed far you may want to answer differently, but The book then falls into three parts. more evidence than could be used in the these suggestions are good starting points. The Church and its Life provides propers main study, and he has provided from it a Later chapters deal with the theology (collect, reading, psalm, acclamation, Study which both supplements the major and practicalities of funerals, with due gospel, prayer over the gifts and post- work, but also stands as useful research in regard to the Common Worship provision communion) for fourteen occasions, its own right. And he predictably pursues and Canon Law, and recognising the including The Holy Trinity, The Holy and reinforces his own thesis that the diversity of music requested. Some tips Spirit, Holy Cross, Holy Baptism, The nineteenth century Tractarians had a vested here will be useful to those engaging Holy Eucharist, The Blessed Virgin Mary interest in playing down the spiritual with funerals for the first time, and (and Our Lady of Walsingham). life of eighteenth century , may encourage others to review the way The Global and Local Community demonstrated not least by the alleged that they do things. On the question contains material for nine occasions. indolence of the bishops. This prejudice of committing the body to burial or These include The Environment, World exalted by contrast the impact of the cremation before the main service in Peace, Those in Authority, Social Justice, Anglo-Catholic movement, and became church, the author is sympathetic to the The Sovereign and our National Life, and the received account by Anglo-Catholics practicalities, but prefers to see the coffin Reconciliation. of their predecessors – exemplified in church. Pastoral Ministry provides for seven particularly in the essay by S L Ollard in The book concludes with further advice occasions; these are Thanksgiving for the 1925 SPCK volume on Confirmation, and food for thought, about caring for Marriage, The Sick and Suffering, The and never seriously questioned or rewritten the bereaved and our own mortality. The Bereaved, The Homeless, Victims of since. However, Phillip Tovey has gone appendices include a glossary of funeral Natural Disasters, Victims of War and untiringly to primary sources and has jargon and a selection of non-biblical Conflict, and The Departed. emerged with a much brighter account. readings. There is an imaginative choice of texts; One of his highlights is the detailed The price for a modest-sized paperback the readings fit the occasions well; the description of the first-ever visit of a may seem steep, but the ix+165 pages are prayers generally run smoothly though Church of England bishop to the Channel full of valuable content, worth paying for. there are several collects, particularly Islands in 1818. And the overall thrust "" Ian Tarrant is Rector of St Mary’s among those from Opening Prayers, (the of his historical evidence is to show how Woodford. ICEL translations of the collects intended confirmation was valued in that century, for the English translation of the second but was neither reckoned a sacrament nor, edition of The Roman Missal, and never in the last analysis, was deemed absolutely authorised), that do not flow as well and necessary for admission to communion. which would be tricky to sing. This is a most down to earth Liturgical This book, designed to provide Study! material for an Anglican rediscovery of "" Colin Buchanan the votive, will offer material for judicious Page 7 Colin’s Column Designing Common Worship

flirted in the autumn with doing a column In an issue that looks back at the day’ wrote Birdsall. ‘The night before Ion consecrating bishops, even if that seems a formation and achievements of a production meeting, I had dinner at somewhat rarefied concern to most readers. I was Praxis it seems appropriate to our local Turkish restaurant and noticed initially prompted by going twice running to York consider the source of what we the colour of the napkins. At the Minster (once for the confirmation of our new bishop were created to support. Here meeting, when testily asked if we had in West Yorkshire and the Dales, and once for the Anne Horton shares her discovery chosen the endpapers yet, I said “Show consecration of his two new suffragans), to find both of Derek Birdsall’s account of his them the napkin, John.”’ occasions marked by same Wesley hymn, viz ‘O for design for Common Worship. As the project neared completion, a thousand tongues’. Great! But the tune both times Birdsall was asked to summarise was Cranbrook, or, being translated, ‘On Ilkley Moor n the beginning, the Liturgical his design process, ‘presumably’, he ‘baht ’at’. We thought (through our giggles) that ‘IPublishing Group set up a panel reflected, ‘for the unbelievers’. These our Ugandan Archbishop was trying to go native in to select a design group and oversee quotations from his ‘summary of final Yorkshire. layouts’ enlightened me, and feel good the process of design’. Beginning Well, that was the autumn. But the winter has to share more widely. with those evocative first three words, brought much more far-reaching innovations to York Derek Birdsall, the winning designer, Minster. First, on 26 January we had the consecration Typeface told the creation story of his design of to be Bishop of Stockport, the first ‘It is appropriate to use an English for Common Worship, in his interesting woman bishop of the Church of England. And the type design and obvious candidates are sharing in the laying of hands had shifted also – there and unusual book Notes on Book the types of Eric Gill, namely Joanna, were present English bishops who refrained from Design (Yale University Press 2004). Perpetua and Gill Sans... As a clear laying on hands, but from overseas there were, for The Liturgical Commission sent out distinction was required between the the first time, women bishops (I met the bishops of invitations to eighteen design groups in words spoken by the priest, by the Meath, Waikato and, via Porvoo, Iceland), who were 1999. Eight responded and three were congregation and the instructions, the keen to lay on hands. The shortlisted, including Birdsall’s group, ideal typeface would have equally clear came too, one of more than a hundred striving to Omnific. Each was sent a detailed distinction between the roman, the bring their hands on her or near her. brief and some specimen copy on 20 bold and the italic. Early research and But the following week saw further innovation September 1999, asked to submit three trial proofs show Gill Sans to be by far (though the Archbishop gave an assurance it was not a specimen spreads by the 7 October the clearest.’ precedent). Now Philip North was being consecrated and to make a formal presentation to as Bishop of Burnley. The Northern bishops were the panel at Westminster Abbey on Page size and format all invited as usual – and Libby Lane was included. 13 October. ‘A somewhat daunting ‘A page format of 202x125 mm But the invitation was qualified by an archiepiscopal prospect and a very tight schedule’, performs a golden rectangle, i.e. request that we should exercise ‘gracious restraint’, noted Birdsall. a proportion of 1 to 1.618. This and not lay on hands. Indeed the Archbishop himself By way of research, Birdsall sent produces a book which is comfortable was not going to lay on his hands – he had invited his assistant, John Morgan, to a local in the hand, creates the least possible the to come from the far church vicar to ask questions about number of interruptions in the prayers South and preside at both the consecration and the format, etc. ‘He notably replied that and fits in the pocket or handbag.’ the most important thing was to be Eucharist; and for the consecration, the Bishop of Layout Chichester was joined by two Northern suffragans able to hold the book in one hand and who had refrained the previous week from sharing in a baby in the other.’ The story of this ‘The principal of avoiding breaks consecrating Libby Lane. It must be centuries since visit was part of the presentation to in prayers is followed generally a bishop of the Church of England was consecrated the panel. The panel members’ only throughout the layout, resulting in a with but the minimal requirement of the Council of doubts, however, were about sub- relaxed and comfortable appearance. Nicea of just three bishops laying on hands. headings being set to the right and Instructions are in the traditional red But in what sense were we other bishops who were the use of the word “All” which they’d and also in italic (for the colour blind).’ been prepared to drop. Birdsall said present assenting to this consecration rather than Paper and colour simply witnessing it? As there had been bishops who that if all the text were aligned to the were not assenting who were present but not laying left, the service structure would be ‘Ivory paper gives the pages a warmer on hands at Libby Lane’s consecration, how did we much less clear. ‘Setting ‘All’ out in the appearance, blends the red and black differ from them? But if we were assenting, but were margin and in red further clarifies the gracefully and reduces show-through ‘restrained’ from expressing it in the received way, is structure, is comforting to those people on the 55 gsm weight.’ a kind of two-tier classification of assenting bishops not familiar with church services, and Cover being built into the tradition? Whether history adds sparkle to the page.’ ‘Comfort, clarity and poetry’ were Birdsall’s ‘The coincidence of Common deems us as assenting or not, participating or not, the Worship being two words of almost Church of England does look dangerously near to guiding principles. He got the job and was given the deadline: a presentation identical length, placed across the establishing a studbook (determined entirely by pure vertical subtitle Services and Prayers stock and tactual succession); and the studbook is to HM the Queen at a service in Westminster Abbey in November 2000. for the Church of England at the word very open to functioning with the (officially denied) ‘Church’, produces an elegant solution metaphor of ‘taint’. The purple endpapers - and the cover design – ‘came rather late in the to what could have been the trickiest "" Colin Buchanan is a former . problem of them all.’ Page 8