CMED Course- Liturgical Rules, Why We Need Them

with Revd Lesley Walker

 Writing in the Forward to the book Liturgy, Order and Law John Hapgood says:

  “Worship uniquely expresses the mind of the church and encapsulates its doctrine.”

 In reality the doctrine and teaching of the Church of England is enshrined in the Book of Common Prayer, the 39 Articles of Religion and the Ordinal.  It is for this reason that those who are involved in the planning and leading of worship need to have some understanding of liturgical law.

There will always be those who question the need for any rules or control and there will inevitably be parishes where little attention is paid to them.  As the Church of England has developed its new liturgies and has encouraged more informal worship aimed at appealing to the young and the un-churched the need for clear guidelines has become even more important.  There needs to be an increased awareness amongst those responsible for maintaining and ordering the worshipping life of the Church.  In turn as those responsible for planning and leading worship we do need to have an understanding of the legal frameworks we are required to work by, what they are and why they are there.  This is important not only to safeguard the Church of England but also to protect worshippers from those clergy and parishes who seek to set themselves apart from our common heritage and tradition.

The aim of this session is not to be prescriptive but to help us to embrace the worship we hold in common while celebrating the diversity that is possible within today’s Church of England.

 Lesley has been Rector of the Meneage Benefice since 2007.  Her interest in liturgy began as a Curate and has continued throughout her ministry.  She was secretary to Hereford Diocesan Liturgical Committee for 10 years and has been involved in training clergy, ordinands, Readers and Lay Worship Leaders in both Hereford and Canterbury. She has recently been involved in the setting up of a Liturgical Committee for this diocese. 

Note: This event is a joint CMED/IME Phase 2 (curates) session.

5.45pm Light buffet Refreshments, 6.30pm Start, 9pm Finish.

Click here to book a place.