Parish communion service changes to be trialled in new year

The congregation of the Sunday 9.30am Parish Communion service are to be asked to trial some small changes to the format of the service for a fixed time period. 

The Rector, Canon David Hodgson said: 

"These are nudges or tweaks to the service rather than big changes, slightly altering its feel. The aim is to enrich the service spiritually by making it both more focussed and more open. It will make it less wordy, more flexible and slightly shorter.

I'm aware also that there are conversations to be had longer term about our overall pattern of worship at All Saints and these will be initiated soon.

One of the four priorities in our Mission Action Plan as a church is making sure our worship connects with people."

Ideas being tried out will include hearing two bible readings instead of three and using a shorter statement of faith instead of the full Nicene Creed . Other ideas will be keeping sermons, prayers and official notices within agreed time lengths; whilst creating more space for reflection and for church community sharing of news. Even more effort will be made to choose good,singable and relevant hymns; whilst helping the congregation to enjoy learning new hymns.