Editorial
The importance of personalising a funeral, which, it is alleged, many ministers fail to do.
The importance of personalising a funeral, which, it is alleged, many ministers fail to do.
The Revd Tom Cuthell (St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh) welcomes the new flush of writing hymns. He addresses resistance in congregations who fear their favourites will be replaced, which need not be the case, but he specifies categories of hymns which do need to be forgotten. The current Church Hymnary (3) is found to be weak in the area of contemporary texts. He outlines the contribution of new texts to the strengthening of faith and the increase of understanding, giving many examples.
A vice convener of an Assembly committee, Harvey Cruickshank, who is Session Clerk at St Matthew’s Church in Perth, offers examples of the opening devotions at meetings that he chaired.
A story from the Revd George Hunter of Scotstoun West church in Glasgow tells a story from the vestry before a wedding.
In the early years of the new form known as Auxiliary Ministry, the Revd J A Campbell of Perth, who was ordained to this office, explains the training, the purpose and the tasks.
From an annual meeting of the Society in 1873 when an elder deplored the exodus of the educated from Church of Scotland worship because of its slovenly conduct.
The Revd Colin Williamson of Aberdalgie counsels us to read liturgical prayer not in a ‘personal’ way as if we had composed it but ‘I am leading you as we pray this’. We do not seek to insert meaning but, if it is a good prayer, it does not need us to emphasise and inflect but will do its work on its own. He attacks the habit of speaking too slowly; this can destroy a collect and other set material.
The complete text for the service of Holy Communion which was held in the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh by the Revd John Heron, the President.
Union with God - the Teaching of St John of the Cross, Desmond Tillyer, Mowbray, reviewed by William G Neil
Sacraments and Liturgy, The Outward Signs, Louis Weil, Blackwell, reviewed by Ronald A Farrell
Learning about Vestments and Altar Service, Raymond Wilkinson, Mowbray, reviewed by R E C J
Draw Near with Faith, Geoffrey Shilvock, Mowbray, reviewed by R E C J