Volume 01 Spring 1982

Congregational responses: a philosophical overview

W Graham Monteith, St Andrew’s Berwick with Lowick, p4

It is noted that increased use of responses in the Reformed Church has been accompanied by a more priestly approach on the part of ministers. An analysis is offered of responsive material according to the variety of language noted by John Macquarrie. This includes picture language, as advanced by Wittgenstein. Responses should be more than technical participation but must be integrated with the whole act of prayer.

New worship in old ways

Sir Ronald Johnson

Sir Ronald, who is organist at St Philip’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, and President of the Edinburgh Society of Organists, discusses the importance of hymn singing and calls for at least one hymn standing on the highest level of poetic fervour, scriptural truth and personal commitment at each service. He recounts a service experienced at Arundel where there was congregational participation in singing liturgical texts. The use of a cantor and antiphonal singing is urged and an expansion of short musical settings advocated. He classifies, but does not dismiss, some contemporary compositions as ‘ditties’. A re-ordering of congregational praise along these lines would enable congregations to break out of passivity.

Short items

Various Contributors

There are several shorter items in this issue: an alternative opening for a eucharistic prayer for Pentecost, bearing the initials of the Society’s President, Stewart Todd: a short address for when children are present at Communion based on 2 Kings 4:1-7, signed with the initials A W M; an explanation from the editor of the reason for the decision to cease publication of the Liturgical Review; a new hymn by the editor; and an editorial comment on the reasons for ministers receiving first at Communion.

Reviews

Various Contributors

J K S Reid reviews Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, and Edward Yarnold (eds) 'The Study of Liturgy' and W K Lowther Clarke (ed), 'Liturgy and Worship'.
J Stein reviews Geoffrey W Bromiley, 'God and Marriage'.