Renewing Worship: a Timeline
by Cheryl Dieter (May / June 2005 • Volume 21 • Number 3)
Important dates for the rest of 2005 mark the ongoing process of the liturgical review of a new generation of worship resources called Renewing Worship.
Renewing Worship is a churchwide initiative begun in 2001 that will culminate in the development of a new generation of worship resources for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At the center of this constellation of resources will be a new primary book of worship, which will be available in both print and electronic forms.
The ELCA has an authorized process for the liturgical review of primary worship materials. Like the whole Renewing Worship effort, this review will incorporate the varied perspectives of many people, including synodical bishops, teaching theologians, seminary faculties, pastors, musicians, and the ELCA’s full communion partners.
Activities related to Renewing Worship for the remainder of 2005 are included in the timeline below:
- April 1: First phase of liturgical review process begins
- April 1 – June 15: Targeted field testing of additional materials
- April 9 – June 12: Synod Assemblies meet and are reminded that Renewing Worship will be on the agenda of the 2005 Churchwide Assembly
- August 8 – 14: 2005 Churchwide Assembly includes hearings and recommendations related to Renewing Worship
- August 15: Deadline for responses to Renewing Worship provisional materials published between 2001 and 2005
- September: Report to the church regarding any churchwide action on Renewing Worship
- October: Conference of Bishops receives progress update on development of new worship resources
- November: ELCA Church Council receives report and recommendations related to the liturgical review process
The widespread participation of people throughout this church has been important to all of Renewing Worship, and to the development of a new book of worship for the congregations of the ELCA. Even more important is the underlying conviction that worship at its best is about much more than the worship resources, and depends on the participation of all the people of God who gather around the means of grace.
Cheryl Dieter is Renewing Worship coordinator, ELCA, Division for Congregational Ministries, Chicago, Illinois.