Volume 55 2020

A Reflection on Communion by Internet

Iain Torrance

The outlines the writer’s reasons for saying at the outset that he is not persuaded that partaking in an act of communion mediated by the internet is intrinsically different from partaking in one while out of sight in a corner of a cathedral and following the liturgy through a loudspeaker. A 17th century debate is revisited which related to the legitimacy of baptism administered privately. The argument turns on the elasticity of delivery.

 

Reflections on Online Communion

Donald MacEwan

This is a statement, with elaboration from the Theological Forum of the General Assembly, which tends towards seeing online Communion as valid. It explores the area of physical versus virtual gathering, time and distance lag, the streaming of a live event as opposed to a recording, and includes suggestions to help towards fuller involvement.

The Arts in Worship

Alan D Falconer

This describes several initiatives in St Machar’s Cathedral Aberdeen when the author was minister, especially in evening services, in which various dimensions of the arts were found to enhance worship. Detail is given, to help those who might continue the exploration in other contexts, and there is analysis using one of Dag Hammarskjöld’s Markings (‘Thou takest the pen / flute / brush …’) of the relationships between the arts and worship that make this possible.

Ian McCrorie

To commemorate the life of prominent choir director and member of the Society’s Council, Ian McCrorie, this article based on an interview with Douglas Galbraith is reproduced from Different Voices.