As we look ahead to the next year, we are beginning to prepare for some changes to our service books. The working group has spent time listening, discussing, thinking, and praying carefully about how our orders of service can better support our worship together. While some changes may be small, we hope they will make a meaningful difference.
One of the clearest priorities has been consistency. We are working towards a more consistent approach across our various worship books, so that moving between them feels more intuitive. We also plan to include more specific festivals (such as a special one for Harvest). Additionally, each book will include a written introduction at the beginning, offering context, helping us understand how the service is structured, and welcoming visitors. Clearer rubrics—such as guidance about when to stand and when to sit—will also make it easier for everyone (including visitors) to participate with confidence.
Inclusion has been at the heart of many of our decisions. You may notice some things that look a little different. For example, we will use ‘siblings’ alongside ‘sister’ and ‘brother’, recognising and including our non-binary worshippers. Small icons/images will help clarify the flow of the service, particularly for neurodiverse members of our congregation who may find visual cues helpful. And we will also include the words ‘receive our prayer’ in our language during intercessions, as a way of intentionally supporting and including our d/Deaf siblings.
These changes are not simply about updating books. They are about thinking together about the welcome we offer, the ways people participate, and how our worship can help everyone feel included and that they belong.
There is still work to do, and we look forward to continuing that work together. Thank you to everyone on the working group and to all who have contributed ideas, questions, and encouragement along the way. We hope these changes will help our service books become clearer, kinder, and more welcoming to all.
Dwayne