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... From the Goodnews archives, May/June 2004


 

The Worship Forum

Michael Mulroy, the national co-ordinator for the Worship Forum which brings together Catholic musicians and worship leaders for networking and fellowship, shares about the significant events of the past year.

 

After the last two worship forums which were held in Manchester in February 2003 and in June 2003 at Brentwood, the last two forums have been at the House of the Open Door in Worcestershire, which is a more central location. We are finding, however that wherever the Forum is held about 20 people come along. Each day is different but each time refreshing and encouraging. The fellowship is uplifting, the food marvellous, and the worship led by friends among friends inspiring, as we share insights and the promptings of the Spirit.

The highlights of the year have been:

  1. Singing the New Song - at the Sion community in Brentwood where we gathered last June. Here Fiona Hendy from the House of the Open Door community led a time of worship based on "Singing the New Song". We gathered in a circle around a single microphone and anyone who felt led was invited to sing out a word of scripture to a simple chant-like repetitive musical refrain. It worked very well: an inspiring, spontaneous expression of worship that took us beyond the usual patterns and routines of worship into a fresh encounter with the Lord.
  2. New songs - We have in the Renewal many gifted composers with a distinctive music that reflects the spirituality of the Roman Catholic church both in Charismatic and liturgical settings. We have given priority in recent Forums to giving composers the opportunity to share new songs and have begun to assemble a collection of songs with the aim of producing a high-quality CD. If you have written songs that have worked well please send them to Salv Lomanto, Flat 13, Gilliflower House, Yewlands, Hoddesdon, Herts EN 11 8DT.
  3. New Gloria and Mass setting - at House of the Open Door community in November a group of composers/musicians gathered together and composed a rather good Gloria. It was developed into a new Mass setting and refined at the HOD again on 7th February. It was a truly collaborative effort. The music has been printed and is available from me. It still requires an inspiring title (Any ideas?)
  4. Next Worship Forum - 12th June at the Sion community in Brentwood. The theme is a Workshop on the Voice: reflections on Music in a Liturgical/ Prayer groups setting. We Shall also no doubt have some more new songs. In October we will be exploring the riches of Gregorian chant led by a charismatic oblate of Quarr Abbey which sounds really intriguing.
  5. This Promise is For You -This is the CD to accompany the new video
    series produced by the English National Service Committee to encourage people to open their lives up to the Holy Spirit. The CD was masterminded by Salv Lomanto and Steve Szymanski and has many popular contemporary worship songs, plus a couple of new ones, sung by the different Catholic worship leaders from round the country.
  6. Music for Medicine - Kevin Gaffney from London shared about a business plan he has put together to promote new Catholic music on compilation CDs whilst raising money for medicines for the developing world, called "Music for Medicine". The basic idea is artists would donate tracks and people would be invited to make a donation so medicines could be bought and sent abroad.




 



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