The Emerging Christian Way

Index	Ch. 12 - Christian Education	Worship Developments at St. David's	Discussion Notes	References
Summary Notes: Christian Education and the Imaginative Spirit - Susan Burt
Burt is involved with Christian Ed in the Uniting Church of Australia - a modern joining of churches similar to our own United Church of Canada. In Australia as in Canada, educational program ideas have been undergoing change. This emerging view embraces searching and uncertainty. It listens wor the "word in others". It is moving away from literal interpretation of the Bible. It is concerned more with being in relationship with God , with transforming lives and less concerned about afterlife. Susan Burt's chapter reviews some of these changes and gives many practical examples of implementing these things in congregations. Taking an audit of the worship and educational environment of your church is the place to begin she says. Look for possibility, hope and new meanings. Encourage seeing in new ways. Be ready to "encounter mystery." Read "between the lines". In these things, art and drama are key tools of expression and understanding. And there is much being offered by Christian artists to choose from. Imagining New Ways of Being To illustrate her thesis she describes a painting "Last Supper, No. 1" by Margaret Ackland where women and children are a part of the meal and the perspective is that of Jesus. Using such art as a basis of discussion tells us much about God's inclusive way. Afterwards, debrief the shared new insights. Bringing our imaginations, emotions, voices, and experiences to every biblical story, giving voice to the silences and peeling away the layers will enliven the story and give it meaning for today. One way .. is to invite children, youth, and adults to imagine or place themselves into the story, but as characters not already identified." The Power of the Imagination - To Build or to Destroy The Bible has remarkable stories that take us beyond cultural and religious boundaries, bringing liberation and wholeness. She tells a story of Korean women who turned shell casings to vases - the scrap of war turned into valued art. This she says is the "fierce imagination" of the sort we require. It is Christ like. Collaborating and Conspiring Toward Transformed Lives. Language can be changed for the better. Her example is herself changing from use of the "shepard" metaphor of the bible to the "midwife" metaphor of Kathleen Billman. For they work together. For they must first "attend", and so must prepare to attend. In this she sees a parallel to celtic "thin places" as Borg also spoke of. That we need also to "prepare to attend". We should plan and prepare. We need ritual, the use of images, biblical engagement. We need new responses - to encourage participation. There are no wrong answers. We need to encourage the imaginative spirit. And we need worshipful closings. It is in the questions, in the not-knowing, that learning occurs. Consider questions that prompt the imaginative spirit. Keep in mind that not all questions require answers. Expect surprises and miracles. Imagination is nudged by any of the arts and nourished when we play. It is brought forth in meditation, in serving others, spending time with children. It is fed when we allow artists to see as they see. She examines in some detail the use of a piece of art as a focus of such learning. She goes over quite every aspect, showing us that there are many views, and many "activities" to persue in consideration of that piece of art. She invites using as many views as possible - "for what you make in your mind is only a step away from real...".
Worship Developments at St. David's - Wayne Holst - a course co-led by Catherine Pace and Wayne Holst,Winter 2002
This course was developed because of an interest in the congregation to deal more directly with the challenges posed by those favouring tradition and those favouring contemporary worship practices at our church. Discussion followed. Much of it centered on what has and has not changed about worship at St. Davids since the time of this course five years ago. Study Materials: "Beyond the Worship Wars" (Alban Institute Books) "Eager for Worship" (United Church Publishing House) Course Facilitators: Wayne Holst and Catherine Pace First five weeks will deal with Tom Long's book "Beyond the Worship Wars" Second five weeks will focus on Charlotte Caron's book "Eager for Worship" We want to come together to discuss and learn from each other ways to continue building vital and faithful worship at St. David's. We will spend some time dealing with the history and meaning of worship in the Christian church. We will look at what is happening today in mainstream Canadian congregations. We want to discuss the possibilities of creating 'a third way of worshipping' beyond the stereotypes we have come to know as 'traditional' and 'contemporary'. We want to take a closer look at the 'operative theologies' of people who come for worship and struggle with ways of embracing diversity. Finaly, we want to celebrate our differing worship preferences - seeing them not as weaknesses, but as strengths. Using the model of mutual respect, come expecting to discover and clarify what you believe; in an environment where faithful expression, listening and honouring others' views will be emphasised. We will attempt an honest and creative learning dialogue in a climate of tolerance. This course will provide an opportunity: 1. to consider the historic Christian understanding of worship and how it has evolved according to author Thomas G. Long. 2. to look at various forms of worship presently used in mainstream Christianity. 3. to explore an emerging 'third way' as described in "Beyond the Worship Wars". 4. to assess the present forms of worship at St. David's, coming to better understand and appreciate the various operative theologies used in United Church worship generally and St. David's specifically. 5. to celebrate our different worship preferences as strengths, not weaknesses. To help us with the second part of the course we will use the book "Eager for Worship" by Charlotte Caron. _______ Suggested Characteristics of Vital and Faithful Worship, from "Beyond the Worship Wars," by Thomas Long: 1. Vital and faithful congregations make room, somewhere in worship, for the experience of mystery. 2. Vital and faithful congregations make planned and concerted efforts to show hospitality to the stranger. 3. Vital and faithful congregations have recovered and made visible the sense of drama inherent in Christian worship 4. Vital and faithful congregations emphasise congregational music that is both excellent and eclectic in style and genre 5. Vital and faithful congregations creatively adapt the space and environment of worship 6. Vital and faithful congregations have a stronger connection between worship and local mission and this is expressed in every aspect of the worship service. 7. Vital and faithful congregations have a relatively stable order of service and a significant repertoire of worship elements and responses that the congregation knows by heart. 8. Vital and faithful congregations move to a joyous festival experience toward the end of their worship services. 9. Vital and faithful congregations all have strong, charismatic pastors and worship leaders. _______ Four descriptives of "Eager for Worship" by Charlotte Caron 1. It is practical, not poetic. Much good experience and resource material is contained here, but it is presented in a somewhat pedantic fashion. The impression given is that the content is intended for a rather limited, somewhat specialized audience and not a general church readership. It is descriptive, not prescriptive. The author goes to great lengths to address fairly a broad cross section of the churchs working theologies and practices. No attempt is made to proffer a value judgment about them. For those wanting to locate an extensive, mature overview of United Church worship, this book is helpful. If one is seeking guidance as to what theories and practices may be best for a particular situation - that challenge is left to the reader. 2. It is grounded in United Church of Canada experience. The author is obviously well versed in her subject and writes with an economy of words. This is useful for those who want to know what is currently and actually taking place, worship wise. Little is provided, however, by way of guiding paradigms for the future evolution of this churchs worship. 3. It is open to the influence of the ecumenical church. Because the United Church of Canada, founded in 1925, was from its beginnings a merger of three separate denominations and became a unique denomination in the Christ ianfamily, this church has always been open to ecumenical influence - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. From its beginnings this church has contributed to and benefited from a rich ecumenical life. 4. Those seeking orthodox and proper liturgical directives will search here in vain. Those, however, wishing to enhance their understanding of the varieties and foundational belief systems underlying worship life in this hybrid and distinct Christian community, Eager for Worship provides a helpful resource and the author is to be commended for her contribution.
A Review of

Summary of Discussion Notes after Small Groups

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