| INTRODUCTION |
In October of 2000 I took a Life Long Learning course at the Prairie Christian Training Centre in Fort Qu'Appelle , Saskatchewan. It was a week long and broken into 2 parts. The first dealt with the sacraments of baptism and communion, the second with creative writing for worship.
During the first part of the course we were given with permission a couple of chapters of the book Eager for Worship by Dr. Charlotte Caron. The way Charlotte laid out the characteristics of the different theologies around the sacraments was fascinating. I found it both clear and concise. Given the ongoing debate here at St. David's around theology and worship I thought it would be a good book for folk to look at and perhaps be able to understand the broad nature of theology within the United Church. This struggle has hurt the congregation here but it has done great harm to the staff here as well.
Charlotte Caron is highly respected within the United Church of Canada. She is a diaconal minister, a professor at St. Andrew's/ St. Stephen's College, has her doctorate, teaches worship, ritual, homiletics ( preaching), was the co-president of St. Andrew's for a few years before going back to straight teaching. She has co-chaired the national pastoral relations committee for the church and has helped to set policy in personal areas for the United Church of Canada. Charlotte has also served the church on committees at all court levels including presbytery and conferences and is in demand for her preaching style and adult education models of teaching.
I have worked with Charlotte on a committee, have taken a class from her at St. Andrew's College, and attended a number of life long learning events as a participant with her.
This book while not totally definitive is certainly the best book that I know of that deals with theology and worship within the United Church of Canada. It takes us back to our roots and challenges us to face the reality in the church today. Charlotte sees our differences not as weaknesses but as the great strength of the United Church.
If you are looking for a book which says the United Church believes this one thing then you will be disappointed. If however you love the church and its rich variety then this book will affirm your belief in the church and help you to understand our strengths as we look forward to being and understanding the United Church.
This book will be helpful I believe in aiding us in understanding some of the struggle that has happened and will happen here at St. David's. |
| CHAPTER ONE |
The book begins with a question straight out of the 1944 Catechism of the
United Church.5.7 What is worship ? Common worship is what we say and d
when we stand before God and what God does with us there.
She then quotes the next 2 questions as well. Which I won't .
"The word worship derives from the word "worth". For Christians worship focuses on the worth of God. God is worthy of praise, honour, and thanksgiving. Through God's grace and unconditional love, we live and move and have our being. So we worship God.
Liturgy comes from a Greek word that meant an act of public service. In the Roman empire this act of public service was like a tax; people's liturgical act might be the building of a road as required by the Roman government. The early Christians took the word and applied it to the worship of God: that which they believed was due to God ...... Worship was an obligation for Christians. As time went on, Christians used the term liturgy for the service of worship, the ritual by which God was praised."
Charlotte goes on to list and describe 17 things worship is and does: |
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1 |
Worship gathers the faithful. |
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2 |
Worship refreshes. |
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3 |
Worship calls us to encounter God. |
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4 |
Worship intends to create awe. |
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5 |
Christian worship proclaims Christ's message of life and calls humanity
to live in the way of Jesus of Nazareth. |
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6 |
Worship connects us with the historic church. |
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7 |
Worship links us with the universal church.. |
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8 |
Worship is an equalizer. All people are created by God's love and all people
have equal access to God. - female, male, bisexual, transsexual, gay, straight,
lesbian, various skin hues, ages, physical or mental abilities. |
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9 |
Worship signifies self giving. |
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10 |
Worship unites the transcendent ( God beyond us) and immanent ( God within
us) |
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11 |
Worship gives pastoral care. |
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12 |
Worship Educates. We learn to pray by praying... |
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13 |
Worship can be an opportunity for outreach. |
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14 |
Worship acts as change agent. |
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15 |
Worship creates images. |
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16 |
Worship maintains discipline and order in the congregation. |
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17 |
Worship ritualizes certain passages of life. |
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| "All of these aspects and roles of worship offer us pathways into
the praise of God and into relationship with God. Think about your congregation.
Which of these roles of worship are emphasized there? Which ones are not
present? Which would you like for your congregation to embody more fully?
Which roles sustain your faith and worship life personally?" |
Break into groups of 5-6 one person as scribe.
Take 15 minutes to discuss these questions. |
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| CHAPTER TWO. |
This chapter deals with various styles and functions of worship committees.
In the days of my childhood and further back the church was governed by
a session. The session dealt with all the spiritual matters of the church.
Especially and including everything to do with worship.
Eventually most churches chose to have worship committees as part of their
structure.The style and function of worship committees vary with each congregation. |
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1 |
Plans special services, invites guests and coordinates the whole worship
venture. |
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2 |
Functionaries - that is the committee finds lay readers, communion servers, ushers greeters, people to help at weddings, funerals, flowers, paraments, the sanctuaries. |
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3 |
Some committees serve as theological feedback and reflection ground and
places for testing ideas. |
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4 |
Policy setting |
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5 |
Some worship committees conduct congregational education. Courses in worship
preparation, reading scripture, serving communion, theological issues. |
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| The United Church does not have one set form for worship committees. Each congregation must develop what works for them. |
| CHAPTER THREE |
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