Lay leadership in worship course to run in spring 2025

Image courtesy of Ascend Anglican photo bundle
By 
 on December 1, 2024

Many of the parishes in the diocese are “in transition” and do not necessarily have a priest to celebrate the eucharist each Sunday. Additionally, parishes are rediscovering the daily office and considering ways to have lay-led weekday services. Lay-led services are an opportunity for renewal: to encourage lay people to live into the vows they made in their baptismal covenant, which reminds us that every one of us, lay or ordained, is called to participate in worship by virtue of our baptism.

We are asked, “Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?” We answer, “I will, with God’s help.” If your parish is often or occasionally without clergy and you are a lay leader who would be able and willing to lead in services, you are invited to apply online to be considered by the bishop for a nomination to attend the upcoming eight-week Lay Leadership in Worship course. Upon successful completion of the course, a conversation will be held about how and when you might help lead services of the word in your parish.

The Diocese of Islands and Inlets is presenting its fifth offering of the Lay Leadership in Worship course from early March to the beginning of June 2025. The course will provide the skills and resources for laity to lead worship services, morning and evening prayer, and the liturgy of the word (a church service without the eucharist).

Advertisement

To date, more than 80 lay leaders have been successfully trained in the diocese. 54 licensed lay ministers serve regularly in parishes throughout the diocese. Regardless of their knowledge and experience, all participants go on to deepen their understanding of liturgy and the offices, and gain confidence to become more effective leaders of worship.

Course description

The eight sessions will equip lay leaders to:

  • Understand the purpose of liturgy
  • Follow the liturgical year and the lectionary, and examine their purpose in worship and liturgical formation
  • Understand our Anglican, geographical, social and historical context
  • Become familiar with the broad principles and structure of the offices in the BCP and the BAS, as well as the liturgy of the word
  • Learn to plan worship collaboratively in your parish
  • Access the available liturgical, lectionary, prayer and sermon resources needed to plan and lead a worship service
  • Reflect on lessons learned from the practical implementation of course content

Dates and location

  • Via Zoom, on Thursdays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • March 6, 13, 20 and 27; April 3, 10 and 24; and June 5
  • Three mentored services during a month of mentored practical experience in your parish/region, followed by a final Zoom class on Thursday, June 5

Cost

Free; however participants must purchase (or borrow) their own copy of the required reading well in advance of the course.

Required reading

The Liturgical Year: the spiraling adventure of the spiritual life by Joan Chittister, Ancient Practices Series, 2009

Qualifications

All those wishing to lead the liturgy of the word must provide proof of the following before applying for the course:

  1. a valid Police Information Check (with Vulnerable Persons Sector check)
  2. completed Safe Church training within the last five years
  3. read the diocesan policies and signed the policy acknowledgement form
  4. approval of your parish incumbent (or, in the absence of an incumbent, your warden or regional archdeacon) to lead the liturgy of the word in your parish

How to apply

Those interested should complete the online form. Applications will be accepted from Dec. 1, 2024 to Jan. 17, 2025.

In partnership with Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee, this course is brought to you by Ingrid Andersen, incumbent at Church of the Advent, Colwood, and other teachers and facilitators from throughout the diocese and beyond.

Advertisement
Skip to content