Response to worship event prompts another

Planners say that positive response from those attending an “Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music” three years ago led the Synod’s Commission on Worship to set a second institute for this year — July 26-29 at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.

Although registration for the institute is open to anyone interested, it is especially designed for pastors, musicians, and others who lead worship.  “With Hearts & Hands & Voices” is its theme.

Dr. Paul Grime, the commission’s executive director, told Reporter that the conference program — including opportunities for worship, instruction, and camaraderie — was planned in response to “extremely positive evaluations” following the 2002 institute, which drew 520 participants.

Grime said that more than 80 percent of that event’s 235 participants who turned in evaluations said they would attend a similar future conference, and about 90 percent said they would encourage others to attend.

He said that a team of more than 50 lecturers, clinicians, preachers, organists, and choir directors — including all seven members of the Commission on Worship — are preparing to lead seminars and workshops or to conduct 11 different worship services for this year’s conference.

Scheduled plenary speakers, other than Grime and Rev. Jon Vieker, the LCMS Commission on Worship’s assistant director, are:

Dr. John Kleinig, chairman of the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Commission on Worship, lecturer at the Australia Lutheran College (Seminary), and author of a new commentary on Leviticus from Concordia Publishing House (CPH); and

Dr. Carl Schalk, distinguished professor of church music emeritus at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., composer of sacred music, and author of the second edition of CPH’s recently published Key Words in Church Music.

Other activities planned for this year’s institute include:

a “Steeple Chase” featuring a tour of architecturally significant worship spaces in the Milwaukee area and ending with a hymn festival and banquet.

an honor choir with 40 high-school students participating in the hymn festival and performing a Bach cantata for Vespers.

free time for such activities as singing with three other institute choirs or browsing for music and other worship resources in an exhibit area.

June 1 is the cutoff date for “early-bird” institute registrations, which must be postmarked no later than June 1.  Those registering after that date will be assessed a $50 late fee.

The full early-bird registration fee is $200 for the first person registering from each congregation, school, or other entity, and $140 for others registering with that person.  Full-time student (high school through seminary) registration is $140 per person, and one-day registration is available at $95.  Full registration covers the Steeple Chase and banquet costs.  In addition, on-campus housing also is available.

In mid-March, the Commission on Worship mailed the institute booklet with a registration form to all LCMS congregations; campus pastors at Synod colleges, universities, and seminaries; choir directors at Lutheran high schools; and
participants in the 2002 institute.

For an online version of the brochure and to register online, click here. For the registration form, click here.

Posted April 28, 2005