This week saw me start my second term at SEITE.

I think this term, about Worship, particularly liturgy and the history of daily prayer, liturgical calendar, etc. is going to be heavy going. I can certainly say at the moment that it does not inspire me in the same way that mission of last term does. At least I have a lecturer who is passionate and very excited about it – if he can’t get me interested in this stuff, then no one can.

WEE had a little discussion in our group. Someone asked, ‘does it matter, why do we need to look st origins of worship, why not just plan stuff now.’ Initially I agreed, but then realised (I think) that we need to learn from history.

One of the things that frustrates me about evangelical charismatic worship is the lack of symbolism. Its all singing, raising hands and more singing! While there is a place for that, there is also a place for colour, for symbolism through dance, through icons, through candles, through incense, through so many things. I understand that the evangelical wing got rid of these things as it was scared of heresy and doing things wrong. A bit of a case for throwing the baby out with the bath water!

So … we need to look at how things started and why they started as this can give us a good and relevant base or the development of appropriate means to worship for the 21st century person. Looking at it that way, maybe this term is going to be ok after all!