Episcopal priest, Patrick Malloy, who has served on the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, compares liturgy to fine artwork. You may go to the Cleveland Museum of Art to explore the original intention for a piece of art but, since its origin, the art has become a living image, and a living image of art interacts with each person differently. What is true for fine art is true of liturgy.
As a priest and Diocesan Liturgist, I’m often asked “what’s the right way to do this or that?” Our 1979 Book of Common Prayer is our liturgical manual, but the confines of its rubrics are highly flexible. Within them, the question of less importance is “why should we do it this way?” and the question of greater importance is “what does ‘doing it this way’ (or that way) do in you?” The outcome of our worship matters, because liturgy is ultimately about inviting our prayers to influence our work in the world.
Pamela Cooper-White, Episcopal priest and Union Theological Seminary professor, writes on the importance of metaphors for shaping our theological imaginations. Metaphors challenge us to understand ourselves, our world, and even God in new ways. What metaphors might you use to describe your own experience of worship?
The word liturgy comes from the Greek concept of public service (done unto the worship of the gods). Today we understand liturgy as “the work of the people” unto God. Thus, the work of liturgy is to allow the metaphors and imagery of worship to shape our work in the world as Christians. This is why at every dismissal the gathered body is sent out into the world to continue the work begun in the liturgy.
This Sunday, May 11, Trinity musicians Shiloh Roby and Craig Gahnz-Kuhar will engage in conversation with Adrienne and the congregation about liturgy at the Cathedral. The forum is about listening for what the Spirit is saying in our community, not to vote or critique individuals or specific decisions, but to reflect together on how music and liturgy at The Abundant Table, and across our entire worship life, helps us grow, give praise, and welcome God and one another in this place.
I hope that you’ll join us. As you consider, as yourself, what does the liturgy “do in me?” What has helped you feel most connected to God in worship? How do you see music and liturgy shaping our identity as a community? How does liturgy welcome or stretch you? Where do you see reverence, hospitality, and accessibility in worship? Where do you want to see it more? How does it spur you to love God more dearly and to live out your baptismal call in the world?
Let us reflect together and share the wonderful ways that worship influences our lives and our communities.
The Rev. Canon Adrienne Koch
Canon for Mission & Transformation