I’m really trying to explain how the church has changed over time, and how our fixation on the bulletin is a way to hold onto 20th century technology. and why it’s so hard to consider 21st century technology …
Well, I would consider an iPhone or projection screen to be 21st century technology. I don’t consider either to be bad per se. The screen, as I contend in my earlier comment, harms the church interior and the liturgy. But for a meeting or presentation, rolling in a screen is great asset.
So, what 21st century technologies remain for the church? With the amount of text an Episcopal service typically provides, what besides a bulletin can put the liturgy in the minds and hearts of the congregation?
I attended a service in Portland where the bulletin was streamed to the iPhone screen, and a small number of printed bulletins were available for distribution. What about that solution?
I agree that this is a knotty problem. Thanks for the challenge!
actually, what I think about the 21st century church is what we need bulletins for.
Is it possible that we don't need a 'program' for people to follow along with something other people are producing and performing for them?
to me, 21st century church is worship where we all know our part - because we are actively involved in deepening our walk with Jesus.
an analogy: a yoga class.
when you first come into a yoga class, you may indeed need a little extra guidance. You may arrive with someone, or sit near them, to pick up the moves. You may skip some moves and just watch.
But you know why you're there, and the longer you are there, the more you just walk in, know where to go, and follow along with confidence. you don't need a guide (beyond the teacher, who calls out the moves and demonstrates).
I appreciate your view of wanting more experience of involvement and walking with Jesus. (Just a comment: I would not characterize the mass/worship as a “performance” because such a performative word does take away the symbolism of the spoken or movement content of liturgical worship. Not a criticism—it’s just that my Mom raised me with pretty strong word denotation.)
There are so many worship traditions around the world. I’m interested in what seems to me as pretty standard Episcopal experience here in Marquette. There is so much text to read aloud, and it changes every week! Have you determined what to do with this (apart from a bulletin or negotiating with the Book of Common Prayer?
again, I will say that what I'm thinking about isn't problem-solving (what about...?). It's about systematic re-imagination. How we see our roles in worship, and what it means to our faith life.
I'm pretty sensitive about word meanings, too. And I chose that one intentionally.
I think there is definitely a performance aspect to liturgy - there has always been one. We are, in many ways, re-enacting and experiencing the presence and worship of God.
It's one reason we're so attached to bulletins - how we would we know what to do if not for the 'program'?
This is exactly what I'm talking about when I'm thinking about worship as part of our formation as Christians.
the earliest Christians were catechumenates for *three* years! They received instruction and support designed to welcome them into what it means to be a Christian, and how Christians live, pray, and worship.
This is what I'm talking about. How to reclaim our rich tradition of life-changing discipleship.
I see what you are getting to. I don’t think I could meet the standards you set for worship. It would be wonderful, but I’m just trying these days to connect with the liturgical experience of worship. I have the sense that you are much farther along than I.
I was laughing as I read this commentary. If there is anything I love, it is my church bulletin! I look forward to the art work on the front and the mini homily on the back and to see how it all relates to the scripture each week. I do some visitation for this small congregation and I always take a bulletin to the members. It is not surprising to me how it makes them feel a real part of the community - especially when they are homebound. When we do our Episcopal meals on wheels I always say please include a bulletin for that recipient. We recently participated in a Pride Day Celebration. In hindsight, I think maybe we should have had some bulletins to pass out - even leftover ones. Not only is the scripture there ; the Holy Spirit can be at work there, too.
yes. i think bulletins are universally loved - except by those who have to produce them!
I’m not trying to take anyone’s bulletin away. i’m just pointing out how they are a symbol of the exact place church is ‘stuck’ (the mid 20th century) - and how hard it is to move into the future.
Bulletin: yes.
Screen(s) for projection of text: no.
I will try to convince folks that screens take focus away from the altar and actions of the liturgy.
In addition they tend to bring repetitive, musical comedy style music and bring very poor, simplistic theology to the service.
They also detract from a carefully constructed and presented nave.
Catholics often solve the problem of the bulletin in two ways.
Announcements and such are printed on a one or two page handout available at the back of the sanctuary.
In the pews are paperback books which contain everything that is heard, said, or sung that Sunday.
The books are printed for use during the particular liturgical season. No trying to find your way around in several worship sources.
Printed on newsprint quality paper, they are meant to be recycled with each new printing. Easy to include with the Eucharist to shut-ins.
Does the Episcopal Church offer such a product?
Overall I prefer bulletins printed with everything except the hymns from the hymnal. But they do present difficulties (as do other solutions).
I have some additional ideas for bulletins and worship presentation, so rather than add to this comment I’ll write a new one if folks would like.
I’m really trying to explain how the church has changed over time, and how our fixation on the bulletin is a way to hold onto 20th century technology. and why it’s so hard to consider 21st century technology …
Well, I would consider an iPhone or projection screen to be 21st century technology. I don’t consider either to be bad per se. The screen, as I contend in my earlier comment, harms the church interior and the liturgy. But for a meeting or presentation, rolling in a screen is great asset.
So, what 21st century technologies remain for the church? With the amount of text an Episcopal service typically provides, what besides a bulletin can put the liturgy in the minds and hearts of the congregation?
I attended a service in Portland where the bulletin was streamed to the iPhone screen, and a small number of printed bulletins were available for distribution. What about that solution?
I agree that this is a knotty problem. Thanks for the challenge!
actually, what I think about the 21st century church is what we need bulletins for.
Is it possible that we don't need a 'program' for people to follow along with something other people are producing and performing for them?
to me, 21st century church is worship where we all know our part - because we are actively involved in deepening our walk with Jesus.
an analogy: a yoga class.
when you first come into a yoga class, you may indeed need a little extra guidance. You may arrive with someone, or sit near them, to pick up the moves. You may skip some moves and just watch.
But you know why you're there, and the longer you are there, the more you just walk in, know where to go, and follow along with confidence. you don't need a guide (beyond the teacher, who calls out the moves and demonstrates).
Why can't worship be like this?
I appreciate your view of wanting more experience of involvement and walking with Jesus. (Just a comment: I would not characterize the mass/worship as a “performance” because such a performative word does take away the symbolism of the spoken or movement content of liturgical worship. Not a criticism—it’s just that my Mom raised me with pretty strong word denotation.)
There are so many worship traditions around the world. I’m interested in what seems to me as pretty standard Episcopal experience here in Marquette. There is so much text to read aloud, and it changes every week! Have you determined what to do with this (apart from a bulletin or negotiating with the Book of Common Prayer?
again, I will say that what I'm thinking about isn't problem-solving (what about...?). It's about systematic re-imagination. How we see our roles in worship, and what it means to our faith life.
I'm pretty sensitive about word meanings, too. And I chose that one intentionally.
I think there is definitely a performance aspect to liturgy - there has always been one. We are, in many ways, re-enacting and experiencing the presence and worship of God.
It's one reason we're so attached to bulletins - how we would we know what to do if not for the 'program'?
This is exactly what I'm talking about when I'm thinking about worship as part of our formation as Christians.
the earliest Christians were catechumenates for *three* years! They received instruction and support designed to welcome them into what it means to be a Christian, and how Christians live, pray, and worship.
This is what I'm talking about. How to reclaim our rich tradition of life-changing discipleship.
I see what you are getting to. I don’t think I could meet the standards you set for worship. It would be wonderful, but I’m just trying these days to connect with the liturgical experience of worship. I have the sense that you are much farther along than I.
I was laughing as I read this commentary. If there is anything I love, it is my church bulletin! I look forward to the art work on the front and the mini homily on the back and to see how it all relates to the scripture each week. I do some visitation for this small congregation and I always take a bulletin to the members. It is not surprising to me how it makes them feel a real part of the community - especially when they are homebound. When we do our Episcopal meals on wheels I always say please include a bulletin for that recipient. We recently participated in a Pride Day Celebration. In hindsight, I think maybe we should have had some bulletins to pass out - even leftover ones. Not only is the scripture there ; the Holy Spirit can be at work there, too.
yes. i think bulletins are universally loved - except by those who have to produce them!
I’m not trying to take anyone’s bulletin away. i’m just pointing out how they are a symbol of the exact place church is ‘stuck’ (the mid 20th century) - and how hard it is to move into the future.