Worship Committee(s) at Incarnation

As a parish priest I have often faced the challenge of creating a worship advisory committee in many of the churches in which I have served. Not so long ago, worship was thought to be the exclusive domain of the clergy. So, even today, it is often the case that effort must be made to incorporate lay leaders in the planning and leadership of worship. I recall as a teen-ager a heated debate in my home parish between the Rector and members of Parish Council. Some parishioners were upset that there were so many other parishioners exercising worship leadership roles: Readers, Chalice Bearers, Servers, Lay Readers (a special trained and licensed role for lay officiants/preachers/intercessors), etc.. It was, for those expressing their concerns, a matter of quality control. Some lay leaders, it seems, were not as “good” at fulfilling their roles as the clergy. I found it ironic that it was the cleric who was advocating for the inclusion of lay leadership in the worship. Happily, some things have changed since then. 

Here at Incarnation I did not find that problem at all. Instead, I found three functioning worship planning and coordination groups: Altar Preparation and Décor Group (APAD); Music Selection Group and the Worship Planning Committee! The challenge is: to support and coordinate the work of these groups and the very experienced, creative and talented people who constitute them; to clarify the terms of reference for each and the relationships between each group; and, to clarify how the responsibilities exercised by the Music Director and Priest-in-charge dovetail with them. It is a wonderful “problem” to have. I want to say that I (and our worship life) benefit immeasurably by my partnership with Michele Stevens (APAD Convenor), Susan Curran (Music Selection Convenor), Janet Hope (Worship Committee Convenor), Charlene Pauls (Music Director), Angela Barraclough (Administrative Assistant) and all of the incredible team members with whom those leaders and staff-persons minister.  

The bishop of a diocese exercises ultimate authority over worship in parish churches and each bishop delegates and shares that authority (within certain limits) with the parish priest. In Niagara, we have been much blessed that our bishops have, over the years, given parishes considerable leeway, encouragement and support to experiment and craft “life-changing worship” experiences.  

As we continue to gather in a worship community, please remember that liturgy is the work of the whole people of God. We are all invited to take part in the planning, preparation, conduct, leadership and review of our worship services. Know that you are urged to make your contributions through our various worship leadership roles, including our three worship committees!

- Terry DeForest