Present: H. Davie (Chairman), D. Wotherspoon, T. Whitfield, D. Low, T. Coats.
An interval between the two services was essential, to allow the church family to meet over coffee, to tidy the church and to avoid confusion for those coming to the second service. One hour was an ideal length for the service, and this could be achieved without effort at Morning Prayer.
It was felt that this timing could be achieved without giving an impression of haste by:
The idea of postponing the welcome until the Peace was considered, but it was felt better to keep it at the start of the service, with a brief welcome, combined with an invitation to all those who receive communion in their own churches to communicate,
It would be good if the bread and wine were brought together with the money offering. The celebrant or server would place these at the back of the church before the service, and sidesfolk would bring them up as part of the offertory procession.
D. Wotherspoon would investigate the possibility of obtaining specially-baked leavened bread as an alternative to wafers.
Time constraints meant that there was little opportunity for liturgical silence, unless it could be combined with the intercessions. This would entail liaison with those responsible.
Comments that 'something was lacking' at Morning Prayer seemed to have no precise basis. It could be that variation in pace and formality was missing now that there was no 'children's slot'. The demands of worship and of Junior Church made it impossible to incorporate such a slot in the 9.30 service.
It was felt that splitting the responsibilities for music among four organists was not ideal. The idea of a musical director was suggested.
The possibility of more variety in the music was discussed - incorporating some of Gelineau's music, for example. It was agreed to ask instrumental soloists to share their talents.
To this end, it was agreed to hold a monthly music meeting. This would be held at 12.15 on the second Sunday of each month. This would be advertised in the magazine, and would begin in May. The object would be to provide a rota of soloists, to guide them as to what sort of music to provide, and generally to liaise. It was suggested that all those with talents should be encouraged to assist - Trevor Whitfield, Ian Butler, Tony Coats, Ricky and Robbie Stern, Miranda Schwab and Roxane Gerber were mentioned.
It was noted that the 8.00 a.m. service was being reasonably attended, and agreed that no changes should be made.
There seemed to be a group of people who attended only this service. It was felt that this was potentially divisive, and might lead to the danger of a charismatic splinter-group attempting to imitate worship at, for example, Basileia. It was felt that recent services had lacked balance. This could be corrected if a definite format was insisted on, with a list of elements which should not be omitted.
It was felt that the service should include an element of teaching, and that general teaching about worship was important for all church members.
D. Wotherspoon would contact Wittigkofen to explore the possibility of holding an 11.00 service for the whole church at the centre there, followed by lunch. Fifth Sundays fell on 31 May, 30 August and 29 November.
Sidesfolk would summon the Junior Church at the Peace at the 9.30 Communion Service. It was agreed to acquire a low-voltage bell, with a bell push at the back of the church, to facilitate this.
It was agreed to re-activate the experiment with a Peacegiving before the offertory hymn at 9.30 Morning Prayer, to which children would be summoned.
Discussion of how to involve junior church members more in worship was deferred to a later meeting. It was noted that Mary-Lou Guggelmann had some ideas which she would be discussing with D. Wotherspoon.
Organists should be reminded that it was the organist's responsibility to check that the correct hymns are displayed on the hymn board.
HD
WORSHIP TEAM AGENDA
It is proposed to have two meetings of the Worship Team, both in the Church Hall at 8 p.m., on Tuesday 7 April and Tuesday 5 May. The object of the first meeting is to crystallize questions and gather ideas, as well as to try and clear up a number of minor points of detail which have arisen over the past few months. Anyone interested in the continued development and growth of worship at St Ursula's is welcome at either meeting.
Some particular topics for thought:
What we do:
The depth and spirituality of worship at a service seems unrelated to the number of minutes it lasts. How can we maintain the depth at the 9.30 communion service, while ensuring an ideal maximum duration of 65 minutes? (Ideas ... Omit the notices, have only a short greeting and the opening, and a longer one at the peace, miss out sections (which ones?)...??).
Some people have said "something is lacking" in Morning Prayer. What is it, and how can we restore it?
Are there any elements which we should put in to services on a regular basis (e.g. liturgical silence, drama, music...)
Can we use music more effectively? How much music should there be, should it be weekly, regular, or irregular. Who is to do it? Should there be more liaison between organists/pianists/music group/choir?
Are we making the best use of the talents for music, drama, other talents (prayer?) available to us? Can we re-form the music group/a drama group/??
Should there be regular deviations from the HC/MP pattern on Sunday mornings?
Are the special services on Sunday evenings fulfilling a need? Are there any other needs which are not being fulfilled? Should the other Sunday evenings remain free?
Do we want to have family services at Wittigkofen? If so, when? If not, do we want services for the whole congregation somewhere else?
When we do it:
Are we happy with the service times? Are 0800 and 1830 as convenient as possible?
How we do it:
Liaison with Junior Church is needed to ensure children come in during the offertory hymn at Communion. Sidesfolk need reminding to fetch children at the Peace.
What about children at Morning Prayer? Should we carry on with the proposed experimental peacegiving at the end of MP, or should there be a definite fortnightly 'children's spot'?
How can we involve the youth group and junior church more in worship. Can we get them to take occasional services - if so, when, and how often?
Are the service sheets/notices effective?
Should the hymns at the second service be the same as at the first, and if not, who is to change the hymn board? (Computerize it?)
We still need a bell in the hall to sound at 10.55. Should it be a handbell, an electric bell actuated by whoever rings the main church bell, an automatic bell (we could do with a second clock, and an accurate electric alarm clock with a pleasing sound would not be expensive).. . ?
Any other ideas, concerns, suggestions...
HD