Workshops Sessions C and D

A fresh look at what we can learn about the life of worship from the Book of Acts. This book is often seen (and rightly so) as focused on the mission of God to reach out and include non-Jews in the renewed people of God. However, it also has lots to say about what worship means and what worship looks like in the lives of believers, and we shall explore this theme together

This workshop explores the importance of content in the songs and hymns we sing, and how they combine with poetic craft and imagination to empower our worship.

This workshop will look at some of the ways in which music within worship can help form and transform us as Christians.    We shall look at the interplay between music and words, the way the elements of music can help reinforce (or undermine) understanding and the part music has to play in the ‘marriage of heaven and earth.'

The word ‘creativity’ is used widely in many contemporary worship conferences. In this session Chris intends to develop an understanding of what creativity is and how to go about developing it. He will not be handing out objects and asking for ideas of what they could be used for but will be laying a foundation for understanding the art of creativity. In the process Chris will briefly be analysing several major creative works to help us see the potential of the creative gifts both in the worship environment and in life in general. This will be a challenging session!

AAW is often referred to as either the ‘Children’s Service’ or the ‘Family Service’. This session will explore ways of making AAW do exactly what is says on the tin. We will look at a model for evaluating people’s needs, and talk about practical hints for making worship, teaching and activity all-age friendly.

Explore with John Bell, in this practical session, the wealth of repertoire originating or published by the Iona Community. A session for those who love singing as well as those who choose music for worship.

This session explores how you can successfully enhance a worship song by providing suitable arrangements – arrangements that will  enhance worship and  not create a distraction to the worshippers. Steve will demonstrate how you can arrange various songs in different styles of music.

Do you have people in your music team or congregation who play orchestral instruments? Do they have much opportunity to use their gifts? What about those with limited ability? Whether or not you play an orchestral instrument, come and discover creative ways of involving orchestral instruments in contemporary worship; bring any instruments you have with you for practical demonstrations of blending sounds.

Forget the talking – let’s worship!  “The secret of the Celts” said G. E. Troup, “ was that they linked sacrament with service, altar with hearth, worship with work”.  Authentic Celtic worship is less about a pseudo-Irish musical  style and more to do with principles of transcendence, immanence, hospitality, journey and community. Experience an act of worship that shows how these principles can inform 21st century worship.