I was telling a colleague-friend of some Navy resources I’ve found that might make a good basis for equipping and training lay worship leaders and assistants (there are so many names for this ministry, I scarcely know where to begin) and I thought I’d share them here, too. On the other hand, I love to… Continue reading Help from the Navy (et alia, with lay persons leading worship)
Category: Worship
A small Universalist worship book
Watch and Pray (Derek Parker) has followed up on the small congregation (conventional church, house church, worship group, the latter perhaps associated with the UUCF) worship book idea I mentioned earlier. To his list of four liturgies, I would add a service of welcoming new members (to be used within another service) and a brief… Continue reading A small Universalist worship book
Modern liturgies
I’ve found two sources of modern liturgies I hadn’t seen before. Neither makes me jump for joy; the UCC liturgies in particular are rather frosty and the gender-inclusive actions, however well intended, are a bit clunky. (And I detest the New Century Hymnal. The WCC “Lima Liturgy” of 1982 was ground-breaking, liturgically interesting, but now… Continue reading Modern liturgies
To read and sing on October 5
I’ve gathered that some people � whether in metro Washington or not � are interested in “what we do” at Universalist National Memorial Church. Here are the readings and hymns for this Sunday. Readings: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 and Mark 10:1, 13-16 (updated, 2 October) Responsive reading: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17 (by verse, splitting v. 17 into… Continue reading To read and sing on October 5
“Universalist Sundays”
Richard Hurst one of UNMC’s deacons and liturgists has this blog recording the items he prepares as liturgist. He’s quite talented, and I’m glad he’s done this. (You can also get an idea of what some of our services look like, in part.) See all at Universalist Sundays. [2009. Long gone.]
The sources of this faith . . .
On the old “boy in the bands” I used to have in the margin something called, “The sources of this faith” which gave some context for the “1903 Universalist Creed” I profess. That’s what’s in the right hand margin of the current blog. The two sources are: 1. The Winchester Profession, adopted in 1803 Article… Continue reading The sources of this faith . . .
Entirely proper
Here’s what I promised, based on what we’ll have in worship this Sunday, as suitable for a commemoration of George deBenneville. first reading: Malachi 2:5-7 (see) second reading: Ecclesiasticus/Sirach/Ben Sira 39:1-10 (see) responsive reading: Wisdom of Solomon: 10:16-21 (here, NRSV, gently adapted.) Wisdom entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood dread… Continue reading Entirely proper
Married, Universalist style
When I commented at my “Wedding in the Universalist Tradition” site [link down: 21 April 2005] that the 1839 Menzies Rayner service has “little to commend itself for use today” I was clearly mistaken. Ths evening, I will officiate the marriage of two church members with an abridgement of this rite, which you can read… Continue reading Married, Universalist style
Definite Christian worship?
Is there a definite form of Universalist or Unitarian Christian worship? Note I wrote, definite because I won’t venture into the troubled waters of figuring out if there is a definitive form. But the more I compare orders of Christian worship from the Universalist and Unitarian traditions, the more unity I see, especially in those… Continue reading Definite Christian worship?
The right hand of fellowship
This afternoon, after worship is over, I’ll head to the airport and fly to Providence. From there, a car to suburban Boston, to the First Parish Church in Weston where my friend Peter Boullata will be ordained to the Christian ministry. I’ll offer him the right hand of fellowship. I’ve seen people try to get… Continue reading The right hand of fellowship