Summer Worship & SU Workshops, cont.

These comments derive from this summer's services, as well as a few more reflections from the SU workshops mentioned in the 7/31 entry.

Another idea discussed at the retreat was the recognition that drawings are offering that we can accept from children. At the 7/27 service Wes invited the children to show their drawings. Whenever we have the lectio service, we invite the children to draw their response.

Gary Ireland described one of his favorite General Assembly worship services, with Rev. Elias Chacour, author of Blood Brothers, that reminded me of a lament service. In such a service, we as a congregation would highlight an area of social justice that our earthly powers are ignoring. Witness committee could discuss designing such a service.

This summer's lectio service seemed to be a more familiar format. Of the several times we have used this liturgy, I noticed that we had the most congregational willingness to share their reflections during this service.

At this summer's SU workshop, Karen Tucker, a Boston University professor, described Methodist hymns as following the 5 E's—Explication of Scripture, Edification (putting holiness in personal and concrete terms), Evangelism, Entreaty, and Exultation. The “Explication” reminded me of last year's SU workshop visit to the Orthodox church. The priest described the abundant and beautiful icons in his church as explaining some of the mysteries of the Bible, especially in the early years of the church when many were illiterate.

Similarly, for our building plans, I recommend that any art we choose for the nave have one or more of the 5 E's. Our choice of music seems to follow these 5 E's, rather just being performance quality, like we would hear at a professional concert.