The Board of Trustees has constituted a Worship Committee to assist the Minister in making our worship experience more meaningful, and to reflect the needs and hopes of our congregation on matters pertaining to worship. Our responsibilities include: evaluation of elements of worship; liturgical structure of the worship services; planning for special services; and, working with the minister to fill the pulpit when the minister is away. Several of the liturgists serve on the Committee.
In undertaking these tasks, the Committee is keeping in view the many aspects of our worship that truly do make it “the best hour of the week.” Part of our role is to help provide the opportunity for people to share their thoughts about our worship experience, an important service in a diverse and liberal religious community such as ours. Rev. Morn has already begun to hold open monthly discussions about worship matters after our social hour, where we can exchange ideas, pose questions and make suggestions. One or more members of the Worship Committee usually participate.
We began our work in November, using outcomes from the “Quick Start” process and other suggestions in getting underway. An important focus for us will be how and where to integrate more inclusive language in ways that resonate with the tradition and solemnity characteristic of our worship service.
We have identified three areas in which to concentrate our work at the outset:
Hymnal: Last fall the church received a generous gift from a member—a full set of Singing the Living Tradition, the hymnal published by the UUA in 1993. The hymnal contains a wide range of music not found in Hymns of the Spirit. It also includes revisions of some hymns in our hymnal, with modified language, including gender-inclusive references to God. The Board of Trustees accepted the gift of the new hymnals on a trial basis. We have now been using the new “Gray Hymnal” to supplement our “Red Hymnal” for several months.
As part of the decision-making process regarding Singing the Living Tradition or any new hymnal, the Committee is taking this opportunity to consider broadly the question of what is (are) the best hymnal(s) to supplement Hymns of the Spirit. Committee members Sue Mosher, Kathryn Desmond and Kirk Denton are taking the lead in this effort. Several members of the Committee were able to discuss a range of considerations and options around hymnals with other UU Christians attending the recent Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship Revival in Massachusetts. Committee member Richard Hurst is conducting an in-depth analysis of language, music, and meaning of versions of hymns from a range of hymnals.
Readings: On the question of readings used in the service, the Committee has concluded that the Minister and liturgists should continue to draw on their judgment, experience, and wisdom in selecting readings, as has been our practice to date. Biblical texts, occasionally supplemented by non-scriptural sources, would, thus, continue to be the norm. On the matter of gender-inclusiveness, our suggestion is that the Minister and liturgists should be able to exercise discretion, bearing in mind our goal of increasing inclusiveness while maintaining the meaning and beauty of language.
Declaration of Faith—Five Principles: The Worship Committee recognizes that the declaration of faith in our worship service is a subject of great importance to the congregation. Some believe it defines us, while others argue it circumscribes us. Concerns focus on anywhere from the theological content to the strongly paternalistic language of the Declaration.
The Committee is recommending, without any prejudice as to the eventual outcome, that our congregation discuss what the Declaration of Faith means to us—what place it has in worship, its importance to us and its relevance to our identity. To this end, beginning in April, a series of discussion sessions will be held, where congregants can exchange views and hopes concerning our current—or any alternative--statement of faith or covenant in the worship service.
All Are Welcome: The Committee plans to hold monthly meetings open to all. Dates have not yet been set, but 7:00 PM on Wednesdays before the meetings of the Board of Trustees’ is the likely choice. (This could mean either the last or first Wednesday of the month.) Future meetings of the Committee will be announced in the Anchor and in the Order of Worship.
Committee members (David Burton, Kirk Denton, Kathryn Desmond, James Estes, Richard Hurst, Sue Mosher, David Skidmore), Reverend Morn, and I invite you to share--formally or informally--your thoughts and, also, to participate in the planned discussions. Members and friends farther afield, please feel free to send me emails for distribution to, and consideration by, the Committee. You can also call me or write (2809 28th St., N.W., Washington DC 20008), I will do my best to convey their thoughts or concerns to the Committee.
Rob Bertram
Worship Committee Chair