New ways and old ways to worship – all wrapped up in one

A new set of worship resources will be released in the Uniting Church on October 1, which give local congregations scope to develop worship relevant to their own setting.

Uniting in Worship 2 is a departure from Uniting in Worship because many of the resources will be found on the CD-ROM rather than in the book

The new package, devised by the National Working Group on Worship, will include an updated version of the book, with a green cover, as well as a CD-ROM.

National Working Group on Worship convener Rev. Dr. Paul Walton is excited about the possibilities of the new format.

“Uniting in Worship 2 isn’t just a book,” he said.

“It will be a book with a CD-ROM which will have a lot more resources. A range of Worship Services and resource templates will be in the book and on the CD-Rom so people can use them for the production of local booklets with local accents.”

The major benefits of the CD-ROM are the relatively easy process of updating it in the future and the ability to include more material than could be offered in book form.

“The CD-ROM includes a wealth of resources, including many sent by different language groups, such as creeds and blessings.

“The Assembly is releasing money so UiW2 can be reasonably quickly translated. This will be a process that happens over time. UiW2 will go to a language group and they will determine which sections they want translated, so that the Korean version of UiW2, for example, will be different to the Samoan version.”

While Leaders of worship will need to have a copy of UiW2, congregations will be able to adapt the services in their own unique ways from the CD-ROM for local booklets, or on data or overhead projectors.

There will be no new People's Book, but the material from Uniting in Worship 1 will still be contained in the new book and CD-ROM along with much new material. A DVD will also be included, containing an introduction to the Easter Vigil and the Assembly’s Becoming Disciples process.

“Some of the new material includes a blessing of the home, a blessing of a civil marriage and a service of healing for those whose marriage is ending, or has ended.

“Other changes include additional prayers notably prayers of lament and the use of more ‘middle register language.”

“Think Bruce Prewer and Dorothy McRae McMahon. It is a register of language that we think has struck a chord with Uniting Church people over the years. We’re broadening the range of language so there is language for various styles, congregations and occasions. There should be something for everyone.”

Australian imagery is also more evident. For example, this call to worship:

Our land is alive with the glory of God;
desert sands hum and gum trees dance.
Brown grasses sing
and mountains breathe their stillness.
All created things add their rhythms of delight
and even stones rap out their praise.

Let our voices mingle with those of the earth;
may our hearts join the beat of her joy,
for our triune God is with us:
the Source of all being surrounds and upholds us.
Christ Jesus walks beside and before us.
The Spirit moves within and between us.
Blessed be God, our wonder and delight.

“But Australianness needs to be seen not just in relation to landscape. It also has something to do with the understated simplicity of style and words. We have tried to have more of this in UiW2.

Paul Walton will be at most synods to introduce UiW2 and show its features. Pre-orders, paid for by September 30, will cost $71.95 plus postage and handling. From October 1 the book will cost $89.95 plus postage and handling . It can be ordered through the Assembly’s publisher, MediaCom.

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