Liturgical Advisory Committee
Liturgical Advisory Committee News
The Liturgical Advisory Committee held its two–day meeting on 27th & 28th November. One of the main emphases of the two–day meeting is to receive updates from the sub–committees and to prioritise the on–going work of the LAC. Another is to give greater focus to other subjects the Committee has been considering.
The Hymnal Supplement sub–committee reported that progress for publication in time for General Synod 2015 was going well. The cover design, colour and title of the book have been finalised, the title being “Thanks and Praise”. Notice will be given as to when the books will be available for purchase early in 2015. All sales will be through the RCB office in Dublin, with a 15% discount being offered on purchases made before General Synod in May.
A Consultation Day is being planned for April 27th 2015, drawing together those involved in different expressions of worship within the life of the Church. It is hoped to bring together those involved in Messy Church, Church Planting, Café Church, New Monasticism and others, to explore how these “fresh expressions” of worship, alongside the orders of service authorised for use in the BP 2004, can help the Church of Ireland express itself in worship whilst retaining its recognisable Anglican identity.
The Resources sub–committee is continuing its work, producing supplementary resources to the previously produced Remembrance Material for the upcoming Centenary Celebrations of the Somme and Jutland, and new material for commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising. These will once again be available as an on–line resource on the Worship web page in early 2015.
The International Anglican Liturgical Consultation takes place in August 2015. This will be a full Consultation, bringing to a conclusion the work begun in Dublin in 2013. The Revd Alan Rufli and the Honorary Secretary the Very Revd Gerald Field have been appointed to represent the Church of Ireland through the Liturgical Advisory Committee.
The Electronic and Web sub–committee gave an encouraging report on the number of people accessing the web pages and using the resources provided there, in particular the Daily Prayer service. Work continues in trying to improve the experience of those using the web, and encouraging Diocesan websites to avail of this prayer resource by linking to it from their own web pages. We are also exploring the possibility of creating an ‘app’ which will enable people to access Daily Prayer from their mobile device. More should be available on this development early next year.
The next meeting of the LAC will take place in Church of Ireland House Dublin on Friday, February 27th 2015.