A new song

One of the psalms set for morning prayer today caught my eye... Psalm 98.

It begins: 'Sing to the Lord a new song'

That seems to sum up a lot of what we're doing at the moment, in terms of how we worship as Church when we can't come together in person. There are online services, prayer booklets for use at home, 'zoom' home groups, virtual choirs...the innovation and creativity is astonishing.

In opening up accessibility, finding new ways to communicate and 'be together', and exploring what it means to 'be church', our understanding of God, and faith, and Church is changing... growing, and deepening.

This lockdown is asking big questions of, and in, the Church... how do we all participate in worship when we can't be together? how do we care for one another when we have to stay apart from each other? are we filling the gap left by Sunday services with what is truly needed, or just with a 'virtual version' of what we've suddenly lost?

As well as rushing for answers, and action, we need to also make sure there's time to listen prayerfully, to be guided by the Spirit, and to find the correct way forward... one that changes who we are in the future, rather than just simply 'filling the gap' until we can go backwards, to exactly how things used to be.

Having said that, we also need to hold on to tradition, and to familiarity. We may be 'singing a new song' at the moment, but while the tune might be different the words are the same as ever before...

"Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest."

Now, as always, we aim for all that we do to be in God's name, and to the glory of God.


♫ not *just* music, but definitely plenty of it... 
A very traditional way of worshipping, but as a 'new song' - here's the first ever 'virtual Evensong' from Selwyn College chapel, Cambridge.