Liturgy and Spirituality
2005 Louisville, Kentucky
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
Convener 2005
Diane Stephens (consultant in spiritual formation and adjunct faculty at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)
Seminar Participants 2005
Jean Donovan, Jake Empereur, Shawn Madigan, Willy Malarcher, David Rankin, Diane Stephens, Kathleen Sullivan-Stewart
Seminar Report 2005
Undergirding the group’s discussion and presentation of several exciting works in progress was Sandra Schneiders’ “Religion vs. Spirituality: A Contemporary Conundrum,” which appeared in the Fall 2003 issue of Spiritus, a publication of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality.
In her paper “Spiritual? YES. Religious. NO. Can Worship Facilitate a Unity?” Shawn Madigan used elements of the big bang, atomic, and vibrating energy string theories to frame meanings and issues emerging from “spiritual” vs. “religious” and the challenge to unify the best of both in worship. She noted that, according to the Generation Y Millennials she teaches, the interdependence of worship, religion, and spirituality “could” be guided and enhanced by communities of faith called “church” if certain elements (such as catechesis, service, and active participation in community worship) were clear to spiritual seekers. Madigan made the case for authentic liturgical life unifying the human and the Holy.
Jake Empereur reviewed excerpts from “Mientras Hay Alma, Hay Esperanza, or Where There Is Life, There Is Hope,” a paper he presented at a conference on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered issues. Empereur noted, among other things, that one of the gifts gay/lesbian communities bring to the whole Church is the challenge to delve more profoundly into its traditional understanding of human sexuality and to respect unambiguously and effectively the full humanity and dignity of every human being.
Kathleen Sullivan-Stewart brought a poem and a homily, “A Christmas Tsunami,” to demonstrate innovative ways to teach theology. She also shared a copy of the Family Mass Report of her community, outlining how the members do the work of liturgy, catechesis, and justice.
Focused on sanctuary seating patterns as insight into the liturgy, Willy Malarcher presented diagrams, commentary, historical perspectives, trends in different faith traditions, and assumptions which must be made in designing space for a group experience. He indicated that climate (the human dynamic) precedes environment (the physical form), not vice versa. Particular attention was given to understanding how the floor plans of the churches where seminar participants regularly worship have an impact on the worship experience.
Both Jean Donovan and Diane Stephens presented excerpts from book proposals. Donovan’s proposed book is Catholic Life Today, inviting undergraduates to consider how to live a Catholic life: as questions arise from our lived experience, the answers become our theology. In the first part of her book she expects to discuss theological virtues—faith, hope, and love—juxtaposed against doubt, despair, and hatred or indifference, respectively. In the second part of the book natural virtues—prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude and communion with God—will be explored.
The working title of Stephens’ proposed book with accompanying CD is Being There: A Collection of Guided Meditations on Scripture. She led the group through a guided meditation on 1 Samuel 1 and then explained that her series of Scriptural meditations have been created in response to the needs of both church-goers and persons who claim they are “spiritual but not religious” (1) as a way to make Scripture come alive through an experiential approach using the imagination as well as the intellect to engage the Bible and (2) as a contemplative alternative to the traditional sermon in worship.
Plans for next year
“Without Words” will be our theme in 2006. We intend, for example, to continue our discussion of climate in worship, focus on the sense of mystery in the liturgy, and witness a demonstration of the Eucharistic prayer without words. Other presentations are being planned. Prior to meeting we are to read “Raiding the Inarticulate: Mysticism, Poetics, and the Unlanguageable” by Mark S. Burrows. The essay appears in the Fall 2004 issue of Spiritus.