NOTES FROM THE "SERVICE OF THE WORD" PLANNING MEETING
held in the church hall on Tuesday 23 August 2005 at about 13.45

Present: Tricia Carrick (TC), Hector Davie (HD), Wendy Hough (WH), Lynne Pamplin (LP), Richard Pamplin (RP) Hans Pfyffer(HP).

Purpose of the Meeting

At our last meeting on 20 June, we agreed to propose a change in the pattern of the main Sunday Services each month so that there were 3 Eucharists (one of which would aim to incorporate more "modern" and "different" elements i.e. a "Service of the Word with Eucharist") and the 4th service would alternate between Morning Prayer and Service of the Word. The reasons were

a. to reduce the workload - preparing a Service of the Word takes more time than other services and there were only a small number of people willing and able to do this. Note that only holding one 8.30 service a month would further reduce the workload,
b. to reflect the wish from some members of the congregation for more Communion services.

However, council rejected this proposal, so this meeting needs to decide on what to do next.

Reasons for Council's Decision

Those who had been present at the council meeting reported on the reasons given for the decision: Council thought that the existing balance between word and sacrament should be maintained. Council thought that the Services of the Word were appreciated and the number should be maintained or even increased. Some council members thought that there was no problem to get volunteers and others thought that the clergy should be leading worship, including these services. There was a general lack of appreciation of the amount of work involved.

Discussion

It is difficult to get volunteers and they don't do everything, so there is still a lot of work. Perhaps council members could take on coordinating these services - doing it in twos would cover the whole year.

We will produce a "standard" service sheet with set confession, creed etc where the hymns can just be slotted in. This can be used if the organisers don't want to (or can't) produce a service sheet. TC will produce a draft.

People vote with their feet and it is clear that, in general, Eucharist services are best attended and MP worst, with Service of the Word in between. Some people don't like Service of the Word and stay away, but others find them really meaningful.

Service Planning

Future dates for Services of the Word with organisers:
11 SeptemberHD
9 Octoberno one yet!
30 October HarvestLP and Gail
13 November RemembranceRP
18 December NativityJunior Church (TC)
8 January Epiphany (transferred!)TC and LP
12 Februaryno one yet!

New Proposal to Council

RP and LP will produce a package of information for council: the schedule for a whole year (showing the gaps), a proposal that council members cover the gaps, guidelines for those preparing the service and for those coordinating.

Next Meeting

Will be arranged once the next council decision is known.

This meeting closed at 14.50.

TC