The following were in attendance: Hilda Grant, Marianne Woodford, Cecily Klingler, Sheila Camhi, Sue Faillettaz, Danielle & Martin Ellis, Tricia Carrick, Wendy Astor, David Wotherspoon.
Apologies were received from: Rob Sheldon & Hector Davie

1. The meeting opened in prayer.
2. DW explained to new members present the purpose of the group: to review and comment and make recommendations on all aspects of worship at St Ursula's.
3. The usual problem of latecomers disturbing the worship was discussed. The following action was proposed:
   a. Church bell be rung 5 minutes before commencement of service;
   b. The last two rows of each side of church to be reserved for people coming late. Sidespersons to rope off these rows.
4. Considerable discussion took place on the time and stage of the service when the J.C. come into the main service. The following was decided:
   a. Parish Communion Sundays - At the Peace, which will be approx. 45 minutes after commencement of the main service, i.e. 10.45 am, beginning of the August term when JC restarts after summer break.
   b. Morning Worship - After the intercessions, before Notices. Approx, 45 minutes after service begins, i.e. 10.45 am. Commencing as above.
5. The following All-Age Worship dates were agreed: 27 August - J.C. Dedication Sunday
   15 October - Harvest Festival
   29 October
   3 December - Advent Sunday
   10 December - Nativity Play at Wittigkofen.
6. Tricia Carrick produced the proposed addition to the Blue Service Book. Once agreed at Council, a working party will be arranged to carry out the work of amending the Service Books.
7. Church Re-ordering - A date to be set aside in August (a Saturday!) to experiment with reordering the church to optimise on space and seating.
8. Evening Services were discussed and the following agreed:
   1st Sunday - remain dedicated to healing service and ministry to sick 4th Sunday - Sung Evensong
   2nd & 3rd Sunday - open to suggestions for prayer, praise and a more informal type of service.

dcw - 16 June 1995

NOTES from Worship Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 13th June 1995 at 1900 Present: W. Astor, S. Camhi, T. Carrick, D.Ellis, M. Ellis, S. Faillettaz, H. Grant, C. Klingler, M. Woodford, D. Wotherspoon Apologies: H. Davie, R. Sheldon The meeting opened with prayer.

1. Purpose of Worship Committee

   David explained the purpose of this committee: to get feedback on which aspects of worship work well and which don't; to discuss ideas and inspiration of what we can do better.

   So let's start by looking at the positive things. {But we didn't!}

2. Sidespersons

   Wendy asked whether ringing the bell 5 minutes before the service was too early. After a long discussion, it was agreed not to change.

   Sidespersons should ask people to sit at the front and not in aisle seats, so as to reserve those seats for latecomers {minimises disruption}. Additionally, the back two rows on each side will be roped off until the service starts - again to have space for late-comers.

   Sidespersons need to ensure that normally no-one sits right at the back on the organ side, in order to facilitate access to the elements to be taken up for communion.

   Choir are responsible for ensuring their seats are reserved. JC teachers must organise books at the front for themselves.

3. Children in Church

   Martin commented on the good atmosphere when the children came in - a feeling of welcome, humour, warmth. Cecily said that the teachers waiting outside haven't always felt that, especially trying to keep the children quiet for an indefinite amount of time.

   There are several disadvantages to the current arrangement'.

   • timing is very difficult
   • teachers miss communion (not critical, as no one teaches every week) - breaks up communion service, especially at a quiet, reflective time.
   But, also advantages:
   • more time for teaching
   • if children come in during peace they have to be controlled during the administration (1I2 - 314 hour)

   Decision: from middle of August the children will again come into church at the peace; they will be welcomed into the service at that time. Teachers should assume that they have 40 minutes teaching time; bell will be rung at the start of the intercessions, someone (sidesperson) will come and fetch the children, who will enter by the front door.

   On-The-Edge will only meet on MP Sundays - children who have been confirmed should be in church for the whale service on communion Sundays.

   On MP Sundays JC will join the whole church family at the end of the service - for a talk (optional), hymn and prayer. {assume 45 minutes teaching time}

   Notices will always be given after the children come in. {teachers also hear them!}

   No further discussion on the subject. We do it this way far at least a year. A letter should be sent to JC parents so that they are properly informed.

   Following aspects still need to be looked at.

   • the younger children should do a "movement" activity before coming into church to use up some energy
   • education of children, teachers and parents about the communion service. If the children understand what's 949 on they are more likely to behave themselves.
   • hymns 1 songs will be chosen with the children in mind. )Q to be informed, so that unfamiliar hymns can be practised Children appreciate something that they've sung in JC being repeated in church.
   • look at liturgy after the peace c; 4:4p W* simplify it (yrp,(s and/or music); we should at least teach the children the prayers so that they can join in.

4. AIl-Age Worship

   David commented that the pressure is taken off somewhat if we have alternating Communion and MP services, as there is more flexibility possible with a "normal" MP service. 5th Sundays will normally be Communion (not family services). Following dates fixed:

   Aug 27th (Teachers' Dedication); Oct 16th (Harvest); Dec 3rd {Advent - family communion}

   Apparently the Pentecost service was wonderful - David prepared it in 10 minutes, following advice from Rob Sheldon not to re-invent the wheel every time.

   Organisation of All-Age worship still unclear: input is wanted from JC and others.

5. Service Book Revision:

   Draft version of the extra sheets was presented by Tricia; to be distributed with minutes - only look at content; format will be improved. General enthusiasm for the inclusion of frequently sung songs and the baptism service. Note: after the meeting Martin said that he could design the front sheet, if we told him what sort of thing we wanted - he'll liaise with David.

   Other points: (all raised by David)

   • Pointing of Canticles: is available; to be checked by Sheila and then converted into a form that is compatible with what we already have (can then be stuck in)
   • Lord's Prayer in MP: print traditional form too?
   • Responses in MP: we're praying for the queen as "head" (or whatever the technical term is - I can't remember!) of the Anglican church. If we take that out, it changes the whole emphasis of the prayer.
   • Sheila asked whether we should sing the versicles and responses. General feeling: yes, as it enriches our worship. But we need to arrange the music and teach some people.

   No further changes to be done at present; other corrections can be done when we revise the book - at the end of the life of these books {3 years?}

6. Church Layout

   The vestment cupboard at the back of the church should be removed. David's wish would be to create a prayer corner there - obviously, needs to be flexible so that the seating can be used on Sunday mornings. Where do we want the piano, organ, pulpit, altar etc.?

   We need a work-day {David to fix date - a Saturday in August}; preceded by a small group drawing up 2 or 3 sketches. Leave new arrangement for Sunday and see what comments are received.

7. Evening Services

   Tricia commented on how much she appreciated these services - but maybe the format could be changed to include some singing. Suggestion: singing; evening prayer; singing.

   Various comments / ideas mentioned:

   • Don't necessarily need an organist - maybe better with piano, guitar or unaccompanied - Danielle plays the guitar and would like to set up a group
   • Aim 1 Vision for Youth Group: that they would join the evening service and, eventually, contribute to it; especially musically.
   • Consider church layout - do we want rows of seats for these services?
   • Readings, prayers etc. don't have to come from the front - from wherever the person is.

   David suggested the following pattern:

   • 1st Sunday: healing service, as at present - 2nd Sunday: evening prayer with songs
   • 3rd-- 5th Sunday: free format; "Prayer and Praise"; led by different individuals or groups. Gives room for people to express their faith in various different ways. If no-one volunteers then same as 2nd Sunday.

   Needs to be publicised in magazine and elsewhere; encourage people to show some initiative! And needs commitment.

8. Other Business

   Martin commented on the "positive, spirit-filled" atmosphere of this meeting and hoped it would continue. Next Meeting: August 8th 1995

The meeting closed with prayer at 20.30.

18.6.95/P.Carrick