REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:

Download a PDF of the flyer for your congregation.

Download a copy of the schedule

 

Downloadable flyers

Friends,

Below are several downloadable flyers for use in promoting the Blessing of Liturgical Ministries in your parish. Feel free to download them and share them freely!

If you prefer, you can download black & white (blm2015_insertBLKWHT) or color (blm2015_insert) versions designed to print two to a page, for use as bulletin inserts.

Download the 2015 Schedule

Click the schedule below to download a PDF.

2015 Blessing of Liturgical Ministries

The Diocese of Tennessee will host the fifth annual Blessing of Liturgical Ministries on April 11, 2015.

This is an occasion for the Diocese of Tennessee to come together to celebrate the work of all those whose dedicated ministry is reflected in the worship of our congregations. Whether you are an Acolyte, Altar Guild Member, Choir Member, Clergy, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Lector, or Verger & Thurifer, or you’re generally interested in the theology at the heart of our worship, there is something for everyone.

This will be the second year in a row that we will have sessions for Choir Members, and on Prayer Book Theology.

Prayer Book Theology

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt

Building on the standard set last year in Dr. James Turrell’s presentation on the rites of initiation in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, this year our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt will present on the theology of Baptism and Eucharist found in the Book of Common Prayer.

In addition to these offerings, we will continue to have presentations for:

Choir Members

Choir members are invited to participate in the service by vesting in whatever attire they wear at their home parishes, and joining together to sing an Offertory Anthem

Additionally, there will be two presentations for choir members, organists/music directors, and all others who are interested in music led by Nancy Reiser and Gerry Senechal, of St. George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville.

Eucharistic Visitors

Robert Smith from St. Bartholomew’s Church will once again lead the sessions for Eucharistic Visitors. Whether you participate in this ministry, or you’re interesting in learning more about the role of the Eucharistic Visitor before getting involved at your parish, coming together in these sessions will be both informative and encouraging.

Eucharistic Ministers

Fr. Jody Howard from St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville, will lead the sessions for Eucharistic Ministers. After a brief overview of the history of this ministry, and it’s relationship to the ministry of Eucharistic Visitors, the majority of the time will be spent discussing the practicalities of administering the chalice, and discussing the ways in which Eucharistic Ministers can remove obstacles for worshipers, and help ensure that worship is accessible.

Lectors

In our two Lector sessions, led by Dr. Jerry Snare of Christ Church Cathedral, and Fr. John Bender of the Church of Our Savior, Gallatin, readers will learn about liturgical reading, and practice techniques to make the scripture audible and clear for people in their parishes.

Look in this area for updates on the sessions that will be offered for Acolytes, Vergers/Thurifers, and Altar Guilds!

Mark your calendars for April 11th. And better yet, go ahead and register…

Coming up at the 2014 Blessing

The Diocese of Tennessee will host its fourth annual Blessing of Liturgical Ministries on March 29, 2014.

This is an occasion for the Diocese of Tennessee to come together to celebrate the work of all those whose dedicated ministry is reflected in the worship of our congregations. Whether you are an Acolyte, Acolyte Chair, Altar Guild Member, Choir Member, Clergy, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Lector, Sacristan, Usher, or Verger, there is something for everyone.

This year there are two additions to the Blessing service and the presentations, which have not been done in past years.

Choir Members

Choir members are invited to participate in the service by vesting in whatever attire they wear at their home parishes, and joining together to sing an Offertory Anthem, Hymn 469, “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy.”

Gerry Senechal

Additionally, there will be two presentations for choir members, organists/music directors, and all others who are interested in music, as Gerry Senechal, of St. George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville will provide an introduction to Anglican Chant and simplified Anglican Chant. This will be a fantastic intro that will help choir members and music directors reflect on ways that they might bring this treasure of Anglican worship into their congregations. For those who already enjoy Anglican Chant in their services, it will serve as a good refresher on how to read chant, and prepare texts.

Prayer Book Theology

The Rev. Canon James F. Turrell

Another new session that we hope will be come a staple of the Blessing of Liturgical Ministries, is a discussion of an aspect of the theology of the Book of Common Prayer. This year we will hear from The Rev. Canon James F. Turrell, professor of liturgics at the University of the South, School of Theology. Dr. Turrell will present on the Baptismal theology and understanding of initiation found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

In addition to these new offerings, we will continue to have presentations for all the ministries listed above.

Mark your calendars for March 29th. And better yet, go ahead and register!

Registration Continues

If you have not registered for the 2013 Blessing of Liturgical Ministries, you can still do so by clicking below!

News for Lectors/Readers

Great news for those participating in the Lector/liturgical reading workshop this year. Dr. Gerald Snare will be presenting once again in the first session, which has been one of the highlights of the day. The second session will be devoted to a practical workshop for readers, in which they will have the opportunity to view a recording of themselves reading. This will allow us to see what principles and advice are best suited or most applicable to us.

Don’t forget to Register.

Pictures from the 2012 Blessing

Mark your calendars for the 2013 Blessing of Liturgical Ministries

The 2013 Blessing of Liturgical Ministries will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville on Saturday, February 23 from 9 AM until 3 PM.

As in years past, we will open by sharing in the Eucharist with one another. There will then be an opportunity for those who are interested to tour the cathedral before sharing lunch and taking part in sessions devoted to the liturgical roles of Lector, Acolyte, Altar Guild, Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Visitors, Vergers, and ushers.

Please watch this space for more information.

Download the Schedule