NOTES FROM THE "SERVICE OF THE WORD" PLANNING MEETING
held in the church hall on Monday 28 February 2005 at about 09.15

Present: Tricia Carrick (TC), Hector Davie (HD), Lynne Pamplin (LP), Sam Van Leer (SV)

Feedback from recent Services of the Word

  • These services still seem to be generally welcomed. The variety gives the chance for different things to speak to different people. It seems that any "special" service (e.g. collation, healing) gets positive feedback.
  • Are we singing too many new songs? On the other hand, people have observed that many traditional hymns are also unknown. A group to lead the singing is good for both cases. Perhaps a group of singers could meet every Sunday from 9.15 to 9.40 to prepare all music for the service - we could encourage people to come and practise even if they don't want to sit at the front or if they need to come later. This could be augmented by a general practice in church from 9.40 to 9.50 for any members of the congregation present at that time. This still leaves time for bell ringing, organ music etc.
  • We put a lot of time and effort into our "Services of the Word" - perhaps we can introduce some of the elements into our "normal" services.
  • Coordination with the group preparing the service and others involved e.g. musicians, clergy is essential. That's why we have appointed a coordinator from this group for each service.

    Ideas and Hints

    LP agreed to update these and circulate them again for further feedback.

    Resources

    TC volunteered to start a list of the resources we have: service sheets, books, Roots, CDs etc.

    Other Administrative Matters

  • All members of the group should receive a copy of the organist's rota.
  • The coordinator of a SotW should appear on the Service Plan.
  • There should be more information on the web-site.

    Service Planning

    The service planning up to the end of May was confirmed, as agreed at the last meeting:
    Mothering Sunday (6.3.) (AA)LP
    13th March (AA)RP & TC (admission of children to communion)
    Maundy Thursday (24.4)RP & Wendy
    Good Friday (AA)SV and member of JC (Kelly) and TC
    Easter (AA)SV [Young Adults]
    10th AprilLP [Thun]
    Ascension Day (AA)still not assigned
    8th MayHD [Ittigen] (note: choir festival)
    15th May (Pentecost)SV & RP

    Proposals were made for the next three months - the groups to be asked are in []
    12 JuneSV [Muri]
    10 JulyLP [Worship Planning Group]
    14 AugustTC [BKGK]

    Perhaps the "Spiritual Classics Reading Group" could be asked to prepare a service in September or October.

    There will be 4 short services during the pilgrimage which SV will organise, TC will help with music.

    Future Meetings

    Council to be asked to approve the extension of the group to give input to the planning of all services. More people should be encouraged to join this group. The next meeting was provisionally arranged for Monday 20 June 9.15.

    TC