REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON WORSHIP September 2007 Context Over a period of two years ending in early 2006, Richmond Hill United Church undertook a visioning exercise which took a hard and comprehensive look at who we are, what we were then doing and what we were called to be and to do. The Imagine Build Grow project examined our church s life and work through a number of sub-groups each responsible for a distinct aspect of our existence. In October 2005, the congregation participated in a weekend workshop facilitated by the consulting group Potentials. Part of the workshop involved breaking into working groups each of which focussed on one element of church life and work. The worship group attracted by far the largest number of participants perhaps because of a then recent history of uneven character, content and quality of worship experience. In its report back to the whole workshop, it was clear that the worship group had been unable, due both to a diversity of opinions and to time constraints, to reach consensus on a vision or plan for worship for the future. In its report to the 2005 Annual General Meeting of the congregation in early 2006, the Imagine Build Grow team recommended and the congregation approved and agreed that the Worship Committee undertake a comprehensive study of our congregation s needs and wishes for content, conduct and experience of worship for the future. In April 2006, under the leadership of Jane Armstrong, Chair, the Worship Committee embarked upon The Royal Commission on Worship. While the choice of name may at first seem presumptuous, the intent of it was to suggest openness, thoroughness, accessibility and availability. (It was, however, the strenuous hope that it would not also suggest that the report would become an eternal dust catcher!) The arrival of the Rev.s Linda Butler and Warren McDougall as our new ministry team in July 2006 offered new perspectives to say nothing of important new resources but did not alter the intent to undertake a comprehensive study. Linda s and Warren s active participation was instrumental in our achieving the breadth and depth that we had hoped to experience in this examination. Process The initiation of The Royal Commission on Worship (RCW) was announced from the pulpit and in RHUC On-Line in mid-spring 2006. (RHUC On-Line is the congregation s weekly newsletter/calendar of events/vehicle for announcements. It is e-mailed to connected congregants each Thursday. Hard copies are available each week at worship or through the office.)
The Commission s activities comprised a succession of events, seminars and discussions on a wide variety of topics. During these meetings, it not infrequently became clear that additional topics needed to be addressed; appropriate sessions were subsequently arranged. In all cases, these events were: - open to all interested people - advertised, usually more than once, in RHUC On-Line and, usually, from the pulpit Attendance at the sessions, with the exception of Barry Peters incomparable presentation on music in worship, was disappointing in numbers but exhilarating in the enthusiasm and interest exhibited by those who did attend. The Events, Seminars and Discussions Beyond the Worship Wars: Building Vital and Faithful Worship As background for our work, the Worship Committee began a review of this thought-provoking book by Thomas G. Long. Much that the author observes and comments upon is directly relevant. Our study of this resource continues with Warren leading the discussion much as he does in his Monday evening study groups. Worship 101 As an introduction and as a base for subsequent thinking, the first event was a presentation dubbed Worship 101. Emmanuel College Professor of Worship Bill Kervin led us through a fascinating and highly informative review of the development and evolution of forms and practices of Christian worship virtually since the time of Christ. The session helped us understand the merits (and often the importance) of traditional forms and the extent to which change has occurred over time without, in most cases, diminishing the effect of and response to worship. Prayer Workshop(s) While these sessions conducted by Linda Butler were primarily for the benefit of those who had volunteered to do Prayers of the People, they were offered as part of the RCW to all who were interested in the forms and words of prayer and who wished to become more knowledgeable in this aspect of worship or simply to become more comfortable in personal prayer. A Wee Sing Inspired by the music of the Iona community, this event was a sing song or sing along including chants and traditional music primarily of Celtic origins. While Barry Peters and the choir had done this type of music in both concert and worship, this was a broader introduction of it for the congregation as a whole. It was useful as Linda and Warren were including Iona pieces more frequently in worship. 2
Taize Service(s) These services are modelled on the worship approach of the ecumenical worship community of Taize, France. They feature chants as both service and ambient music and are characterized by their focus on lengthy periods of quiet contemplation and personal meditation. Emerging Spirit This was a presentation by Jane Armstrong on the origins, the content and the objectives of this United Church of Canada program aimed at a portion of the population (identified by age) that is not now strongly attached to any particular denomination or church. Those who attended were highly interested in Jane s discussion of this controversial approach to presenting our church to the public. (A repeat of this presentation may be arranged for the Fall at a time more easily attended by interested people.) Healing and Wholeness Service The name of this service invites thoughts of services which are, perhaps, not entirely consistent with our tradition. The service held in the sanctuary for those interested was, however, quite moving and meaningful. There is recognition that good health can be perceived as a condition of physical, emotional and spiritual wellness and that the individual states of health are not unconnected. Nor are these states unconnected with our sense of being in community with others. The Music of Worship On a winter Sunday, our worship service focussed on the topic of hymns and their significance. Worship was followed by a seminar led by Barry Peters on the role of music in worship and the various ways in which the people s song can be heard and shared. The seminar was something of a tour de force by Barry in which people got entertained and educated without it hurting one bit. A reprise is under discussion. Explorations in Guided Meditation 1 Explorations in Guided Meditation - 2 These sessions featured two different approaches to guided meditation as a form of prayer and worship. The first was led by Michael McCartney. The second and subsequent sessions were led by Linda Butler on several Sunday afternoons during Lent. Baptism The Worship Committee held two discussions and reflections on theology and policy relating to baptism in the Christian church and, specifically, at RHUC. The result was a presentation to the congregation of a revised set of guiding principles with respect to baptism and, having received the approval of this group, a presentation to Council which approved the new guiding principles. 3
Holy Week Services The new ministry team has, since July 2006, offered all of us much to reflect upon in terms of worship and its forms and styles. Perhaps the most concentrated period of this learning opportunity was during Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday. Each of the services offered opportunities for new thought. Particularly thought-provoking was the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, the eve of Easter. Lectionary Group/Mid-week Study Group These activities, led by Linda and Warren respectively, have led to the enhancement of the worship experience (as has our longstanding Shalom Seekers group). While not initially envisioned as part of the RCW, the high level of interest and participation could not be ignored. Clearly, there is an interest in acquiring knowledge and understanding beyond that offered through Sunday worship. Equally clearly, such activities can be characterized as a form of worship. The Aesthetics of Worship Led by Linda Butler, this session involved entering the sanctuary some from Yonge Street, some from Centennial Hall and pretending that one was entering for the first time. The exercise consisted of noting what one s very first impressions were and, subsequently, what aspects of the sanctuary, as one looked around, were jarring or awe-inspiring or conducive to reverent reflection (or not). There were many observations made, some more radical (and potentially expensive) than others. In all, it was a useful exercise in assessing physical aspects of our worship environment to which we may simply have become so accustomed that we fail to consider their effect on people experiencing them for the first time. Visits to Other Churches Led by Paul Shepherd, this exercise involved interested people visiting several other churches with a view to experiencing a variety of worship forms and approaches including times, music styles, language and venue. Worship Matters The name of this discussion comes from the name of a conference sponsored each year by the United Church of Canada at least two of which Day Merrill has attended. The conference focusses on forms and content of worship services including music. A presentation by Day, scheduled for September 30, will include not only information from recent conferences but also relevant observations from visits to other churches some of whom have been trying out approaches discussed at previous Worship Matters conferences. 4
Conclusions We have been wrestling with the meaning of the limited attendance at the majority of the events, seminars and discussions which have been held. The disparity of views and opinions presented in October 2005 would have suggested greater response. We believe the advertising and publicity surrounding the process and the individual events was such that the great majority of the congregation cannot fail to have known about both process and events, collectively and individually. We do not believe that the people involved in the worship breakout group in October 2005 have become less passionate in their concerns about worship or less interested in being involved with the congregation. We conclude tentatively that the arrival of the new ministry team with their consistent approach to worship, their willingness to experiment and to introduce new ideas, their openness to suggestion and their consistently challenging (and therefore rewarding) preaching has introduced us all to an experience of worship which we assess, in the main, as being highly acceptable. (This is not to suggest that there have been no bumps on the road, no experiences that individuals and/or groups haven t found disappointing or disconcerting. The Worship Committee is only too aware of most of these and they have been considered by the RCW. Resolution of these instances of dissatisfaction or discomfort has been the task of the Worship Committee working with the ministry team. In this context, our experience with Passing the Peace and with Learning Together has been informative. Each of these was introduced to our worship services by Linda and Warren and each was the subject of mixed opinion within the Worship Committee. Certainly, the Worship Committee discussed, on several occasions, reported reactions from individuals in the congregation. In mid-spring, we held a fairly representative and reasonably well-attended meeting, open to all, at which both elements were discussed. The result was general approval of the continuing of each of these parts of worship, albeit with some changes to form and/or frequency. Without suggesting that complete happiness for everyone has been achieved, we believe that the appropriate processes and sensitivity are in place to respond to worship concerns. We intend to continue with this form of discussion and resolution of differences of reaction and opinion, including as it does a reasonable period of trial and experimentation followed by inclusive discussion and decision-making.) Considering the report and, in particular, the foregoing introduction, we conclude that: 1) there is no supportable case for dramatic and sudden change to our existing practices in worship and prayer. This is not a recommendation for a head-in-the-sand adherence to the status quo. Indeed, the character, content, quality and consistency of our worship experience has already changed dramatically since our study was commissioned, most notably since the arrival of the new ministry team. Rather, it is an acknowledgement that we have not necessarily being incorrect in our practices. Further, it is an acknowledgement that, through this period of study and thought, we have identified aspects that might well be modified and/or replaced. It acknowledges that such changes and/or replacements need to be effected in a thoughtful and graceful way and at a pace that respects the sensibilities of all who worship with us. 5
2) there are, among the items we studied, approaches and styles which warrant further examination for implementation as additional modes of communal prayer and worship. Some of these are also adaptable to personal prayer and worship and can be adopted by most interested persons with or without guidance from our ministers. We are confident that both communal and personal prayer and worship can be enhanced as a result. In this regard, we recommend that the Worship Committee, working with the ministry team and with regular reference to the congregation, should establish a process by which each of the approaches and styles that have been assessed as having potential value is further evaluated for the appropriateness of its inclusion in our regular worship. Alternatively, some or all of these approaches and styles may be more appropriately offered, perhaps with training and/or assistance, as enhancements to personal worship and prayer. With respect to any such changes, we firmly advise the Worship Committee to maintain a high level of sensitivity to the number of changes being considered at any time and the pace at which the congregation is asked to assimilate them. We suspect that the ministry team will be a valuable source of advice and direction in this regard. 3) there are pockets of dissatisfaction with some of the physical attributes of our primary place of worship. The major suggestions for change would seem to us to be beyond the financial grasp of the congregation at this time. There are, however, some changes/enhancements physical and/or technological - which might be incorporated into some services at reasonable cost and with minimal disruption. The Worship Committee working with the ministry team and with regular reference to the congregation, should examine the feasibility of such changes and their potential effect(s) on the worship experience. 4) the RCW cast its net sufficiently widely to have been exposed to a reasonable selection of both current and traditional forms and styles of worship. We further conclude that this exposure has been sufficient to permit us to claim that we have fulfilled the mandate given us by the congregation. The new ministry team was instrumental in pointing us to new areas of thought and to useful resources of which we had, in some cases, previously been unaware. They were themselves actively involved in all aspects of the study. Recommendations We recommend that Richmond Hill United Church Council: accept the report of The Royal Commission on Worship as presented present the report to the Annual General Meeting for the year 2007 with reference to the mandate given by the 2005 Annual General Meeting and the progress report presented at the 2006 Annual General Meeting 6
with the congregation s approval, direct the Worship Committee, working with the ministry team and with regular reference to the congregation, to examine further and to implement and/or adapt such changes/additions as are determined to be valuable and effective and decommission The Royal Commission on Worship 7