Nick Welsh shares about the mix of feelings experienced when leading worship at Iona Abbey.
One of the delights, and terrors, of being part of the Iona Community’s team on Iona, is being part of and leading services. When preparing a service we are encouraged to remember that our services are open to the public, and we have visitors from all around the world, who may not normally go to church, who may be a doubter and an explorer. Our words may have a profound effect on someone, and so will the fact that ordinary people are standing up in church and leading worship.
Everyone who lives, stays and works here is encouraged and supported to be involved in leading and organizing services. For many people this is the first time they have ever been part of a congregation that invites all people to lead. In a lot of churches it still remains the responsibility of the few to lead and influence all services, and the possibility of an average member of the congregation being able to lead not even considered. Our inclusivity is both liberating for many but also daunting. It can also be a life changing experience, giving value and worth to people whose voices may not have been heard in church before.
One young volunteer who is part of the Catholic church has had her eyes opened as to what the role of women could be in her church, and her time on Iona has led her to explore new ways she can serve in her church that she would not have considered asking before, becoming an alter server in what she describes as a male only club that could do with some female representation.
Another volunteer who was very anxious about leading a service but wanted to give it a go, but did not feel that she was good enough to do it. With support and encouragement she did, and was enriched after the service to have so many people thanking her, congregation members who had no idea it was her first time. She now has more of a sense of self-worth and that she is good enough.
I still have anxiety when I am due to lead a service. If it is a morning service, I have to race from the first ferry to arrive with sometimes less than a minute to spare. Evening services are calmer, but there is more to organise and prepare. One of my issues is I am surrounded by so much wonderful worship resource material in the shop I am spoilt for choice. So the books I am going to recommend this month are merely a flavour of the many available from Iona Books.
A bit of a cheat the first one, four in one!
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter by Ruth Burgess. Full of ideas and reflections for all times of the year.
Iona of my heart Daily readings from Neil Paynter
50 New Prayers and 50 Great Prayers from the Iona Community
I give you a challenge, to get one member of your church who has never read in a service, to stand up and read one of these Iona prayers or readings and see how it empowers them to feel more confident and included.
Please get in touch if you have any book recommendations, or you have questions or ideas for encouraging young volunteers. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]
USA North East