Towards a new, perhaps bearable, lightness of being

By Peter Wall - Dean and Rector, Christ's Church Cathedral

Published: June 2008

Related Topics: Liturgy, People

As I write this, we are in Ascensiontide, that brief period in the church year when buoyancy and lightness are characteristics of our life as Church. As we approach the summer, a certain lightness also can become a part of our Sunday worship life as well. Sometimes shortened services, sometimes worship taking place in different spaces (often because our churches are so hot!), possibly a reduction in the number of services on a Sunday, often a reduction in 'forces' --choirs having the summer 'off ', perhaps a break in Church School schedules and other such changes.

It is a time, I hope, in which we might experiment with some different physical space, or altered liturgical choreography, or musical accompaniment, or all of the above. It can also be a time the buoyancy of our faith can take hold--we can laugh a little, even at ourselves! Perhaps 'coffee hour' (or whatever we might call the usual time of fellowship which normally follows our principal worship services) might be a 'lemonade hour'; maybe in can take place in a garden or other outdoor space--all of these things happen in our parishes and communities.

So, some suggestions from a sometimes old curmudgeon who needs, at least as much as the next guy, some of that 'lightness of being' and wonderful buoyancy:

1. Consider combining services on Sunday, not for any practical reason than bringing different congregations together for a few weeks. Many of our parish communities have very distinct 'early' and 'late' congregations, many of whom don't know each other very well. By joining the various congregations together (unless, of course, you are full to the brim more than once on Sunday morning--a problem not rampant, in my view...) a whole new sense of community can be achieved.
2. Encourage the congregation, if the choir is taking a much deserved and well earned rest, to sing lustily and with courage! Learn some new hymns; be daring!
3. Take advantage of perhaps smaller crowds and fewer liturgical 'necessities' to try some different arrangements of furniture--pews, altar, etc.
4. Given that church school might also be less formal for the summer, be creative at including all generations in worship; encourage children of the parish to read lessons, assist in the administration of communion, maybe even preach!
5. If you have suitable and useable outdoor space, worship outside for a Sunday or two--it's fun! (It also proclaims some important things to the world!)

Mostly, try a little lightness! Church can be pretty serious much of the time--it should be profound, after all. But it also should be enjoyable and, I think, fun. Be creative, live on the edge, walk a little on the wild side. You might be glad you did.

Have a great summer! See you in the fall.