Volume 06 Winter 1983

Editorial

The Editor

Discusses a recent report, Urgent Call to the Kirk, which stresses that ‘mission and evangelism must be given priority and a controlling placed in all the worship, life and activity of the Kirk’ but had suggested that the Assembly’s committee on worship be placed in the Education department. This was defeated at the Assembly and the editor discusses why this was the correct decision.

The Use of Silence

S D Rogerson

This was an address given by the Revd S D Rogerson (Kilchoman with Portnahaven) to the Presbytery of South Argyll in April 1982.

After reviewing biblical references, the nature of silence is explored. Internal silence may need to be enabled by the removal of external silence. Silence within public prayer enables the congregation the better to enter into the prayer. There is temptation to keep talking in a pastoral situation, which must be resisted. A call for a period of silence may assist a difficult business meeting. We should not be afraid of silence or embarrassed by it.

A Family Service for Plough Sunday

Kenneth D F Walker

The Revd Kenneth Walker describes the introduction of Plough Sunday (found in the Church of England as the second Sunday in January) in his parish of Athelstaneford, Whitekirk and Tyninghame. He discusses the necessary preparations, such as the provision of visual symbols, and provides an interactive order of service.

Reviews

Various contributors

Our Hymn Tunes, their choice and performance, Donald WebsterSaint Andrew Press, reviewed by R E C J

Family ServicesKenneth Stevenson, SPCK 1981reviewed by David A Stewart

Concilium No 159 “Learning to Pray”Casiano Floristán and Christian Duquoc, reviewed by H W M Cant
Encounter with God, Duncan Forrester, James I H McDonald and Gian Tellini, T & T Clark, reviewed by Finlay A J MacDonald
Within the Rock of Ages - the Life and Work of Augustus Montague Toplady, George Lawton, James Clarke 1983, reviewed by William G Neill
Getting the Liturgy Right, The Joint Liturgical Group, SPCK, reviewed by David J Kellas