Department of Music and Liturgy
Section 6 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama refers to the Department of Music, Architecture, and Allied Arts. In part, it reads as follows:
- There shall be a Department of Music, Architecture, and Allied Arts appointed by the Bishop. It shall study, promote, and recommend programs to enhance the quality of music in the Diocese...These may be separate Departments.
Thus, in the Diocese of Alabama we have both a Department of Architecture and a Department of Music and Liturgy.
Events Held in 2007
In 2007 the Department of Music and Liturgy has been privileged to respond to its three-fold task of study, promotion, and program:
In January, with a luncheon, and again, in July, with a "Wine, Cheese, and Anthem Party, members of the Department hosted organist-choirmasters from across the Diocese in order to provide them the opportunity to network, and to share common concerns about the ministry of music in our parishes. The January luncheon elicited a lot of very creative feedback. In July, the musicians shared anthems with a special focus on resources for the smaller parish. It is noteworthy that many organist choirmasters in our Diocese have served in their respective parishes longer than their clergy have. Not a few have been in their position for over 15 years. Together, organist choirmasters in the Diocese of Alabama reflect a quiet, often "behind the scenes", yet substantial and long-term commitment to insure that always we endeavor to "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness".
PLTE (Parish Leadership Training Event) this past year was designed as a "Liturgical Arts Festival" and titled "Exploring Excellence in Liturgical Arts". Keynote speaker was The Rev. Dr. James Farwell, formerly professor of liturgics at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Members of the Department of Music and Liturgy joined with laity from across our Diocese to provide a number of workshops for this conference.
At the request of Bishop Parsley, Department members wrote an insert introducing the new Revised Common Lectionary, mandated by General Convention for use in parishes beginning the First Sunday of Advent 2007. Additionally, Suzanne Purtee, parish musician at Nativity, Huntsville, provided resources for musicians who will need to plan music for the new RCL.
At the request of Bishop Parsley, members started work on a liturgical customary for use in our Diocese to be completed in the spring of 2008.
The Department began work on a 5-year for Diocesan events that will revolve around music and worship.
Finally, the Department reviewed the Leadership Program for Musicians, which was well received when it was offered a few years ago. Its purpose: "emp0wering musical leaders in churches to lead worship that is vibrant and participatory."
Respectfully submitted,
The Reverend James Wallace
Chair, Department of Music and Liturgy
Rector, All Saints, Montgomery Contact JimResources
The Book of Common Prayer for the Episcopal Church
Revised Common Lectionary - Vanderbilt Divinity Library
OremusThe American Guild of Organists
The American Choral Directors Association
The Association of Anglican Musicians
