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WHEN CHURCHES JOIN

Appendix D: Ecumenical Worship Guidelines

(Guidelines for those who meet together on a regular basis)

Ecumenical worship respects each tradition represented in a community. When planning ecumenical worship, it is important not to seek the lowest common denominator, but to affirm individual identities and traditions within a particular community.

It is envisaged that these guidelines will be used where a number of traditions decide to gather for worship on a regular basis with a minister/priest from one of the denominations. As the ecumenical worship table indicates (click here to see it - .pdf file, 69KB), the Ministry of the Word is very similar across traditions. For this reason, it is suggested that these formats be used in accordance with the following guidelines.

Local Covenant Agreements

It is advisable that ecumenical congregations draw up a Local Covenant Agreement outlining details of how, and by whom, worship is to be led in a community and how often each form of worship is to be used. Depending on the situation, the agreement might include use of buildings, finances etc. The Covenant would be reviewed on a regular basis.

Education

In order to familiarise the congregation and ministers with the worship traditions of each denomination and to encourage full participation in the services, it will be important to have opportunities for learning and sharing. This will be no less important with regard to the musical traditions of each denomination.

Guidelines

1. When the Local Covenant is drawn up, it is important that the style of worship represent the make-up of the congregation. For example, if the congregation consists of 40% Anglican, 40% Uniting Church, 10% Roman Catholic and 10% Lutheran, the worship could alternate between these forms in the proportion in when each denomination is represented in the congregation. This would hold no matter what the denomination of the ministr.

2. While recognising that a Uniting Church minister would give each service a 'Uniting Church' flavour and so on, it is hoped that an effort would be made to honour the tradition which is being used on a particular day.

3. In every instance, lay participation in the preparation will enhance the worship and make it easier for congregations to recognmise their own tradition because they have been involved in the planning.

4. The Revised Common lectionary is the most appropriate source for the weekly readings.

5. There is need for sensitivity in a number of areas:
- As the table demonstrates, each tradition uses slightly different language.
- Some denominations are used to processions and others not.
- The requirement for liturgical dress and liturgical movement may differ across traditions, as may the role of lay people.
- The degree of lay leadership varies from tradition to tradition.
- Differences within each tradition may need to be acknowledged.

6. It is possible denominational interests may need to be acknowledged. For example, notices/letters from denominational leaders, seasonal services may require special consideration on occasions.

7. Different denomination have differing requirements and expectations of their worship space which will need to be taken into consideration.

Eucharist

Celebration of the Eucharist/Mass/Communion is beyond the scope of this project as, at this time, unequivocal sharing of communion is not possible. In the situation where a minister is present, and where the community agrees that some may join in a celebration of Holy Communion, such a celebration may be at a separate time from the worship as a whole community so as not to be seen as divisive. This could be at a separate time of day or after a cup of tea following regular worship. Whatever the arrangement made, it should be accepted by the community as a whole and incorporated into the covenant agreement.

Authority

In every instance, members of ecumenical congregations will require assurance that the form of worship and the person leading worship is endorsed by their own church. This will be of particular importance in the case of lay leadership.

References:

- Elizabeth Harrington, "Ecumenical Worship", in Liturgy News, March 1998, 8-10.
- Patricia Pendrey, An Anglican Paper on Ecumenical Worship Spaces.

For one-off events

Victorian Council of Churches, Worshipping Ecumenically, A Guide to Preparing and Evaluating Ecumenical Worship, 1998.
Per Harling, Worshipping Ecumenically, Orders of Service for Global Meeting with suggestions for local use, WCC Publications, Geneva.