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Conrad Grebel University College University of Waterloo

TS 751: Worship Ritual and Ministry Winter 2019

Class Time: Thursdays 9:00 – 12:00 am

Location: Room 2201

Instructor: Assistant Professor Carol Penner

Office Hours: Thursdays 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Office Location: Room 2112

Phone: 519-885-0220 x24241

Email: c2penner@uwaterloo.ca

Course Description: This course examines the role of ritual in the life of Christian churches, develops a theological

and pastoral understanding of congregational rituals, and equips students to create and lead

rituals.

Learning Goals: 1. Students will be able to describe the theological meaning, form and function of corporate

Christian rituals.

2. When students are presented with a ritual of Christian worship, they will be able to describe it in

biblical, historical and ecumenical perspective, and outline its pastoral function.

3. Students will be able to outline numerous ways a ritual can be performed, and choose an

approach with theological and pastoral sensitivity to their own context (e.g. the denomination,

setting, age, ability, gender, culture, race and class of the worshippers).

4. Students will develop effective and creative communication skills by curating, composing and

presenting worship material.

5. Students will develop evaluative skills through self-evaluation and observing others share

worship rituals. Students will learn how to receive verbal and non-verbal feedback, so that they

can evaluate their own ability to lead worship with observable passion and love.

6. Students will grasp the connections between compassion, spiritual depth and inspired worship

leading.

Required Reading Materials:

Texts:

Long, Thomas G. Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.

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Ramshaw, Gail. Christian Worship: 100,000 Sundays of Symbols and Rituals. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2009.

Articles:

Belousek, Paula Snyder. “Too Deep for Words: Learning about Prayer from People with Developmental Disabilities.” Vision 42, no. 2 (Fall 2006): 42-47. Brubaker-Zehr, Scott. “Receiving Before Responding.” Vision 6, no. 2 (Fall 2005): 21-27. Cooper-White, Pamela, and Michael Cooper-White. “Stewards of the Mysteries: Practices in Worship.” In Exploring Practices of Ministry, pp. 49-70. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014. Dawn, Marva J. “The Church as Its Own Worst Enemy: Is It Happening Again?” In Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for the Turn-of-the-Century Culture, 297-304. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995. Dawn, Marva J. “Criteria by Which to Plan.” In A Royal “Waste” of Time: The Splendor of Worshipping God and Being Church for the World, 296-313. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999. Duck, Ruth C. “Finding Images for Worship.” In Finding Words for Worship: A Guide for Leaders, 33-44. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995. Duck, Ruth C. “Forms of Prayer and Worship.” In Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital Worship for the 21st Century, 109-124. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013. Dueck, Irma Fast. “It’s Only Water: The Ritual of Baptism and the Formation of Christian Identity.” Vision 12, no. 2 (Fall 2011): 21-27. Earey, Mark. “Marriage.” In Worship that Cares: An Introduction to Pastoral Liturgy, 98-127. London: SCM Press, 2012. Kreider, Eleanor. “Bible Words in Worship.” In Enter His Gates: Fitting Worship Together, 89-123. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1990. Kreider, Alan and Eleanor Kreider, “Outsiders Come to Worship I: What the Outsiders Experience.” In Worship & Mission After Christendom, 219-241. Scottdale: Herald Press, 2011. Kropf, Marlene and Ken Nafziger. “What Happens When We Sing?” In Singing: A Mennonite Voice, 48-98. Scottdale: Herald Press, 2001. Lim, Swee Hong and Lester Ruth. “Prayer and Contemporary Worship.” In Lovin’ On Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship, 89-103. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2017.

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Long, Kimberly Bracken. “The Heart: The Spirituality of the Presider.” In The Worshiping Body: The Art of Learning Worship, 911-119. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009. Long, Thomas. “In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day: Leadership.” In Beyond the Worship Wars: Building Vital and Faithful Worship, 97-106. Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2001. Malefyt, Norma deWaal and Howard Vanderwell. “Structuring the Planning Process.” In Designing Worship Together: Models and Strategies for Worship Planning, 35-66. Herndon, VA; Alban Institute, 2005. Pembroke, Neil. “Individualization, Christianization, and the Sacraments.” In Pastoral Care in Worship, pp. 133-150. New York: Continuum, 2010. Rempel, John. “Ritual as my Third Language: An Autobiographical Account.” Mennonite Quarterly Review 79 (January 2005): 7-18. Segler, Franklin M. and Randall Bradley. “Children in Worship.” In Christian Worship: Its Theology and Practice, 3rd Ed., 159-172. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2006. Smith, Kathleen S. “Worship in Times of Crisis.” In Stilling the Storm: Worship and Congregational Leadership in Difficult Times, 53-89. Herndon: Alban Institute, 2006. Snyder, Eleanor. “Pass-over, Morsel, or the Real Meal Deal? Seeking a Place at the Table for the Church’s Children. Vision 2, no.1 (Spring 2001): 73-83. Wells, Samuel and Abigail Kocher. “Fine Tuning.” In Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession, 63-77. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014.

Evaluations: Assignment Value Due Date

Worship Journal 20% February 28

Preparing a Funeral 20% March 7

Major Ritual Project 50% Sign-up to present seminar, final documents due April 11

Workshop Assignments 10% To be determined weekly

Assignments:

#1. Worship Journal (20%)

Goal: To reflect on worship rituals outside of the student’s own denomination. Due Date: February 28 The student will attend three Christian worship services from a variety of traditions different than their own. Some traditions worship mid-week or on Saturday or Sunday evenings, so you do not necessarily need to miss your own church’s service on Sunday morning. Write three journal entries, (500–750 words each) where you reflect on the following questions:

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--what is the history/background of this church (you may be able to glean this from the church’s website, or you may need to ask someone there) --what do you notice about the physical space (the architecture and the furniture), and how does it impact the way worship works for this community? --is artwork used to enhance the worship space? --who is involved in leading worship? --how does the congregation participate in worship: did you find the instructions clear, and were the materials easy to use (bulletin or books or projections)? --from your perspective, what was significant about how prayer, preaching, music, or scripture was presented? --what did the worshipping community feel like for you as a newcomer? --was there something that touched you particularly, or that you learned by attending this service?

#2. Preparing a Funeral (20%)

Goal: To practice writing worship resources for a funeral. Due Date: March 7 Prepare a funeral service:

i) a welcome & opening pastoral prayer (maximum 350 words) ii) a Life Story for the bulletin that can be read out loud (maximum 450 words) iii) a closing prayer (120 words) iv) words at the committal (graveside interment) (maximum 450 words)

The funeral is being prepared for yourself. What words do you think would be fitting to be said at your own funeral? Hand in two copies, one for the instructor, and one to share. Everyone will receive someone else’s funeral, come prepared to present that funeral in the workshop on March 14. The committals will take place outside, dress warmly.

#3. Major Ritual Project (50%)

Goal: To demonstrate the ability to draw on ecumenical resources in worship preparation and to lead a group in worship. Due Date: Seminar presented on March 21 or 28 or April 4. Final date for completion of all components is April 11. Each student will be assigned a worship ritual from this list (students will be given the opportunity to express a preference):

Eternity Sunday Service (All Saints/Memorial Sunday) World Communion Sunday Ash Wednesday (confession) Maundy Thursday Service (footwashing) Good Friday Service Easter Sunday Service

There are three parts to this assignment:

A. Lead Worship (20%)

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The student will compose a ritual on their topic with their own worship community in mind. Your community may not practice this ritual currently, but plan as if they were going to start practicing it. This ritual can be original material or adapted from various sources. It cannot be lifted entirely from one source. It should include prayer, scripture and songs/hymns, it could include a responsive reading, participatory ritual or a sermon (for the sermon, you don’t have to write one, you just need to choose a title and text). The student will lead a condensed version of this ritual (maximum 15 minutes) in a chapel setting with classmates as participants. Students will use a visual aid or symbol to enhance their ritual.

B. Portfolio (20%) The student will curate a portfolio containing at least 20 pages of material and no more than 40 pages. Items in the Portfolio can be in point form, charts or prose. The portfolio will include sections labelled:

i) Meaning of the Ritual: describe the historical origins of this ritual and how different denominations are performing this ritual today, whether your congregation practices it, and what pastoral function this ritual serves. (250-300 words) ii) Samples: examples of ecumenical expressions of this ritual --these items can be cut & pasted or photocopied and inserted into the document from resource books, including a bibliography of resources used. (10-20 pages) iii) My Ritual: text of ritual the student composed for section A of this assignment (only some of which will be presented in class). You don’t need to write a sermon, but if there is room for a sermon, you should suggest a title and text. Include the lyrics of music or a copy of hymns you have chosen in the body of the ritual. iv) Comments: Comment on how you felt the ritual went when you presented it, and whether there is anything you would change if you led this ritual again. How did the visual aids/music you used enhance the service, e.g. tone, pace, mood, theology? (250-500 words)

C. Lead Seminar (10%) This seminar will take place on the same day as your worship presentation. The student will give a 20 minute presentation on the ritual that will include the following elements:

i) its ecumenical roots and how different denominations perform this ritual today ii) a summary of why this ritual suits the student’s worship community context iii) pastoral function of the ritual iv) what this ritual means to the student’s faith

The student will then facilitate a 15 minute discussion that answers questions and uncovers other students’ experience of this ritual in their own faith communities.

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#4. Workshop Assignment Mark 10%

Students will be given occasional weekly writing assignments in preparation for workshops. These will be collected for your Workshop Assignment mark.

Course Schedule: Week Topic Reading

1. Jan 10 Defining Christian worship What characterizes Christian worship?

Ramshaw, Christian Worship, pp. 1-67.

2. Jan 17 History of Christian Rituals How are the rituals we use shaped by tradition and community?

Ramshaw, Christian Worship, pp. 69-140.

3. Jan 24 Embodied Worship Leading What makes a worship leader effective?

K. B. Long, “The Heart,” pp. 111-119. T. Long, “In the Spirit,” pp. 96-106. Duck, “Finding Images for Worship,” pp. 33-44. Start reading Long, Accompany.

4. Jan 31 The Ritual of Prayer How is prayer expressed and what is its function?

Belousek, “Too deep,” pp. 42-47. Duck, “Forms of Prayer,” pp. 109-124. Lim & Ruth, “Prayer,” pp. 89-103. Wells & Kocher, “Fine Tuning,” pp. 63-77.

5. Feb 7 Ritual and New Birth How does ritual function in ceremonies around childbirth and baptism Guest speaker: Prof. Irma Fast Dueck, Canadian Mennonite University

Dueck, “It’s only water,” pp. 21-27. Ramshaw, Christian Worship, pp. 143-158.

6. Feb 14 Ritual of Sharing Scripture How do we present and incorporate scripture in worship? Guest speaker: Pastor Michele Rizoli, Toronto United Mennonite Church

Brubaker-Zehr, “Receiving,” pp. 21-27. Kreider, “Bible Words in Worship,” pp. 89-123. Continue reading Long, Accompany.

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Week Topic Reading

Feb 21 Reading Week

7. Feb 28 Rituals Around Death How does ritual help in times of grief? Music in Ritual

Complete reading Long, Accompany. Kropf & Nofziger, “What Happens When We Sing?” pp. 48-98.

8. Mar 7 The Ritual of Communion How does the Lord’s Supper feed us? Guest speaker: Prof. John Rempel

Cooper-White, “Stewards of the Mysteries,” pp. 49-70. Pembroke, “Individualization,” pp. 133-150. Rempel, “Ritual,” pp. 7-18. Snyder, “Pass-over,” pp. 73-83.

9. Mar 14 The Wedding Ritual How does ritual function in community life?

Earey, “Marriage,” pp. 98-127. Dawn, “Criteria by which to plan,” pp. 296-313.

10. Mar 21 Worship Beyond the Church Building How do we use worship rituals in everyday life?

Ramshaw, Christian Worship, pp. 161-179. Smith, “Worship in Times of Crisis,” pp. 53-89.

11. Mar 28 Worship as Mission How is Christian worship part of outreach?

Ramshaw, Christian Worship, pp. 181-199. Dawn, “Church as its Own Worst Enemy,” pp. 297-304. Kreider & Kreider, “Outsiders Come to Worship,” pp. 219-241.

12. Apr 4 Planning Worship Together How do we create our worship times, and why does it matter?

Malefyt & Vanderwell, “Structuring the Planning Process,” pp. 35-66. Segler & Bradley, “Children in Worship,” pp. 159-172.

UWaterloo Policies Academic Integrity: In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of

Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Arts: Academic Integrity website University of Waterloo: Academic Integrity Office

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Notes

Citations and Plagiarism Your sources must be fully documented, according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition (Chicago:

University of Chicago Press, 2010). The latest edition is available on-line. Please use the notes and

bibliography system rather than the parenthetical author/date system. Using undocumented quotations

from published sources, or submitting work that is not your own will have serious ramifications for your

academic career.

Tardy Assignments Punctual submission of assignments is expected. Late assignments will be accepted only if you have

talked to the instructor ahead of time for an extension. Marks may be deducted for assignments that are

over one week overdue.

Confidentiality In the course of our discussions as we explore pastoral caregiving, the students or instructor may wish to

share stories of a personal nature. It is expected that personal stories you hear in class will not be repeated

outside the classroom without the express permission of the person who told the story.

The Land on Which We Meet: We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (also known as

Neutral), Anishinaabe, and the Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel

University are situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten

kilometers (six miles) on each side of the Grand River.

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and balanced life. We strive to provide a secure, supportive environment for students of all orientations

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with one of our medical doctors. All contacts are completely confidential. Phone 519-888-4567 ext.

32655.

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Hall Room 1132, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the ASS office at the beginning of each academic term.

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and group sessions, with qualified professionals to help registered students, faculty and staff with personal concerns, educational career decisions, and strategies for studies and exams: www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs, ext. 33528, NH Room 2080.

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