Beyond 2001...

Liturgy Consultation
on the Future of Worship

Province of Rupert's Land
Worship after 2001 Consultation
meeting at the Dr Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre
Beausejour, Manitoba
February 11-14, 2000

Notes on the Consultation on the Future of Worship

Summary of responses on Valuation Form - (18 completed and returned)

Overall rating – 10 (x4), 9 (x2), 8 1/2, 8 (x4), 7 (x4), no rating given (x3)

• Similarities in concerns and needs. Vulnerability. Saw a wonderful sharing of the Holy Spirit’s individual gifts.
• The Open Space has enabled me to listen and express my concerns.
• I really appreciate the circle and experienced the "healing circle" led by Nancy Bruyere to be very profound.
• I believe that we should, as clergy and lay people, be allowed to serve the people the best way we can through the power of the Holy Spirit and without restricting Him in any way. Healing and Reconciliation, and Restoration must be a part of liturgy because it’s what the Lord wants. He wants for His people to be healed and made whole through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• people and their views
• Open Space and the circle really did allow so much involvement of all present in a non-threatening environment. I again see that my own views are one of many in a wonderful mosaic called Anglicanism.
• that northerners will go down to preach non-native children of our Lord.
• The determination of the Prayer Book Society is very present with the intention of.
• I liked the Open Space method. I think a lot of hymns in the Voices U. are sort of cheezy... I think _______ (Open Space). I see the need for liturgical innovation and updating.
• Setting liturgy in the larger contexts of mission and the intergenerational passing-on of the tradition.
• I see the vast width and breadth of Anglicanism within our province in the Canadian Church.
• Reaffirmed the diversity within the Anglican communion.
• Need for translating. Needs of the Arctic Diocese. Usefulness of the BAS. I now would much prefer a CD ROM, and a thin pew book with liturgy-only inside.
• Especially the plight of rural/isolated churches. The size of the problem. The diversity within the church is greater than I see in my own parish and neighbouring parishes.
• A different view of BAS.
• The importance of creating a respectful environment. In our kaleidescope program in New Westminster, before each meeting we reviewed our "respectful listening guidelines" - elementary, but helped to remind people of some of the basics. Sometimes we may assume too much about people’s consciousness! With each group I gain a greater understanding of the breadth/variation of the Canadian ethos.

• In the love and fellowship we shared.
• I have been challenged as I realize I have been "locked" into one way of worship and have not searched out new options.
• I see willingness of others to contribute some meaningful expressions for the worshipping community and the vast resources available to be shared.
• We must not forget that it is the Lord our God who put us here and the positions we have. We are His servants and servants of His people. We are His representatives here on earth. The church is about God and His people through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are His body and He is the Head. Our purpose is to show others the love of God, that the church is about Jesus and His Holy Spirit and to lead others to Him. I am thankful to God for allowing me to be a part of this, for what He is doing through others. We must thank Him and give Him all the honour and glory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• to see present struggles in the church dynamically rather than as a "snapshot".
• perhaps my tolerance as well.
• My approach to planning liturgies has changed.
• I have a more visceral comprehension of the constituency of the ACC.

• Thank you for the well thought through and sensitively facilitated process. It was a good weekend.
• Open Space provided chance to listen and share on many topics. Changing groupings, always new voices.
• It is encouraging to have a sense of being listened to. There is a feeling of having your views and concerns taken seriously.
• Listening and learning from others what works and what doesn’t work for them in their churches, has enabled me as a new minister, first that there are others who are going through the same things and see the need for some change in the liturgy, that we do not or should not have to worry about following it completely. Changing the order of the service without worrying about what the clergy in charge or Bishop will think and do. I also believe that there has to be order and that there also has to be respect for all people involved.
• The Open Space concept worked well. Using the "talking stone" worked well also - it is important to have our voice heard and equally important to listen. Well organized conference!!
• Open Space brought people together with energy to discuss common issues.
• Real sensitivity of the leadership to make us all feel welcome and at home. Wonderful meals and pleasant surroundings.
• Open Space coul be something to practice - could be very helpful.
• Presence of participants from many different contexts - rural, native, urban, aging, growing, southern, northern etc.
• Open Space excellent way to meet and discuss.
• The circle. The Open Space concept.
• Diverse opinions, especially from areas and peoples with whom contact is limited ordinarily.
• Great
• As usual, talking circle is very helpful in allowing all voices to be heard.

• The break for concert broke momentum.
• When words or conversation got too "technical" or "advanced" English.
• Not sure of the process.
• Passing out rocks.
• I may be alone in this, but I don’t see the need to give the generational/demographics topic any weight, emphasis or importance.
• Mixed feelings re: bishops’ presence - would not wish to exclude them, yet wonder how much people’s openness is affected.

• In one sense the opportunity to attend the concert was a gift to some - perhaps we should have resisted the opportunity.
• We had plenty of time for everything, except the final reports (starting with Hopeful Possibility) - not a good thing.
• See "new way" [The importance of creating a respectful environment. In our kaleidescope program in New Westminster, before each meeting we reviewed our "respectful listening guidelines" - elementary, but helped to remind people of some of the basics. Sometimes we may assume too much about people’s consciousness!]

• To make the effort to do so before the vision is clouded by other business
• The notes of the consultation meeting
• A report on the session. Time to reflect on our learning.
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of those who were all there and a package or report of the whole conference. The outcome report of it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing the results of this conference.
• Share what has been learned. Create opportunity for the discussions to happen there.
• Some time to filter it all through.
• I will just go back to my parish and share my experience.
• 1 week off.
• To be moe informed about subsequent process.
• A copy of the final report.
• Copies of the results/processes
• A full report as well as reports from other consultations.
• More open discussion about the variations in Canadian ethos; particularly, I would like to hear more in-depth discussion from people whose sensitivities differ from my own.

On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high): 10 (x2), 9 (x2), 8, 7, 5 (x4), 4 (x2), 2, 1,

Date changed caused some unnecessary expense in changing bookings; asked to attend days before coming so not aware of pre-conference arrangements; Pretty well arranged; Although I did not receive much time for preparation to come, that was the doing of our diocese. It is obvious that there was considerable time given to the planning of this consultation; I had no info re: the conference. I had only travel arrangements; I was not aware of pre-conferecne arrangements; Need more information; Due to being asked to attend only 1 week prior, I found it difficult to receive certain details such as what time to arrive; I’d no idea what I was coming to discuss. the title, worship after 2001 was pretty open. What was special about 2001, I didn’t know ‘til I got here. More info. in the letter would’ve been appreciated; Some indication of the sorts of questions to be considered would have been helpful. With Open Space specifics are not possible, but even a couple of sample questions might allow for focus; I think that it would have been helpful to have had a brief overview of what material was to be considered; Notice of conference too late to budget for.

Travel Pool: 10 (x4), 9 (x2), 8

Every little helps the high expense participants; travelled in own vehicle; Pretty well arranged, I guess; Although I drove to Beausejour in my own vehicle, I truly appreciated the ride to church on Sunday morning when my car would not start. I am so grateful to God for all the people who helped me to get my car started; Good practice!; Fine

Rooms: 10+, 10 (x3), 9, 8 (x3), 7 (x2)

Hard to climb up the top bunk; Good; Were alright; The rooms were great; I was not prepared for the upper bunk & one shower for many; Fine; I forgot to ask where to find soap for showering; The facility was excellent - even the top bunks; Pillows? Pillows? Pillows?; Adequate but for noise to keep pipes from freezing needs to be addressed; In retrospect would prefer to have my room "on site"- easier to take needed "time out".

Food: 10+,10 (x7),9, 7 (x2)

Good (x2); Excellent (x2); The food was great. The cooks were excellent. I thank them for their patience and all the hard work they did; Fine (x2)

Site: 10+,10 (x7),9, 7, 6, 5 (x2)

Good; Was relaxed and quiet. rare site for me; Because there was not much opportunity for me to enjoy the surroundings, I have no comment!; Very suitable; Fine; Beautiful - peaceful!; Would’ve been nice to know the sort of site we were coming to so we could’ve packed more appropriately (more outdoor clothes, soap, etc.); Great site

Being together: 10 (x6),7 (x3), 5

Great; I enjoyed getting to know everyone on an individual basis; Community built very quickly. Wonderful to meet others from other parishes & Dioceses. Unique experience of being in a gathering with so many Bishops; It was really great to meet new people in the Anglican family. I sure enjoyed everyone I met and being together at this gathering was really great. I really enjoyed myself. Thank you; Broadened awareness of other’s gifts; Meeting and sharing with people from a variety of places and cultural backgrounds was a wonderful growing experience for me; I was a great opportunity to meet and make contacts for future use; It is a very interesting group pf people! Many arrived with no apparent agenda. Others definitely came with a hard agenda. It was unfortunate that we did not spend more time on that dynamic. But, that is the responsibility of the group; I liked meeting new people; Time constraints not well respected (maybe just needed some reminders), but the company was great!; It was great to meet people from other regions of Canada; I was glad for the chance; Good. Being in "a community" for the session was very helpful. Allows for more open, non-threatening atmosphere. A list of delegates and addresses would be nice; Reinforces diversity in Anglican community which we need to honour more; Wonderful group of people.

Open Space: 10 (x3), 9 (x2), 8, 7, 6

The process worked very well. All were equal and had a chance to speak; First experience but it worked so well; very helpful; A new neat way for me that everyone has a chance to say; I appreciate the process; would work better with some informational content to ground discussion, and time to converse informally before topics are established; It worked, sort of; Is a great process for identifying groupings; See above [The importance of creating a respectful environment. In our kaleidescope program in New Westminster, before each meeting we reviewed our "respectful listening guidelines" - elementary, but helped to remind people of some of the basics. Sometimes we may assume too much about people’s consciousness!]

Workshops (specify): 12, 10 (x2), 8 (x3), 7

Really appreciated joining in the healing circle; There were some instances where one or two of the participants were not encouraged to speak; Healing worship. Interesting perspectives from others; The Open Space workshops were excellent. I can’t wait to see the final result of the liturgy conference. I believe that the Lord had His hand on this whole conference and also believe that He is doing a new thing. Glory to God! What ever the outcome is, is to His glory. Glory to God!; Good; Anglican Identity opened some new doors for me and a comforting awareness that I am not alone in some of my searching; Specifically, the ‘workshop’ about eucharist in small isolated communities. I hope something will come out of that; BAS, BCP, Isolated communities, demographics; changes to the BAS - got stuck on side issues; written word - learned much; healing circle - wonderful, literally so; A little more time needed for consideration of the workshop reports. Important questions are being considered. Reflection is necessary, not hurried decision, when a long day is finished; Sunday evening Prayer Book/BAS. Need to indicate how decisions to be made - consensus or voting. Experienced manipulation of group; Education, Healing Circle

Sending Out - Closing Eucharist: 10 (x4)

The time of sharing around the circle was very good. Music very good; Sorry it took so long that some left before communion; Music a large part of worship. Sense of the presence of God; Very sorry SK group and Barbara L. had to leave before communion. We were so close. I wish we could have had the few minutes to give them communion first; I could not stay for the closing Eucharist although I wish I could have.

It was made easy to make a contribution; I received much ministry as a change for giving out to others; The Open Space concept was extremely pleasing. It gave everyone a chance to say what needed to be said; I did not expect to be part of a healing and sharing circle, and to lead it also. I am grateful to God that it happened and I pray and hope that it will enable each one of us to be stronger, to be better servants of God, to be who God meant us to be and most of all to better help those who we serve, to better help those who are seeking healing. I thank the Lord for Dan Ash for his encouragement and for all who participated. I pray and hope that we as God’s servants, the body of Christ, will lead others to Jesus. That all may come to know and have a personal relationship with God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is God’s will; The gift of experiencing a healing circle. The gift of the presence of so many I had never met. Diverse community; A wonderful experience of Christian community in the midst of a diversity of backgrounds, experience, theological positions, etc.; Yes, meeting Nancy and praying for her; The healing circle

Liturgy | Synoptic overview of the Consultation