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Tel 01722 424800Forthcoming Courses
Tue 16Relocating Religion: Cultural and Spiritual Realignments
Mon 15 February, 2:00 pm to Thu 18 February, 2:00 pmMon 08Mon 08Meet the Academic Staff
Paul Burden
Coordinator, Centre for Formation in Ministry and Director of Contextual Learning Read more
James Steven
Academic Dean and Coordinator for the Centre for Liturgy and Worship Read more
Beth Dodd
Director of Studies, Centre for Formation in Ministry and Lecturer in Doctrine and Theology, Arts and Culture Read more
All academic staff

- This event has passed.
Music in Worship Day: The Legacy of African-American Spirituals for Congregational Song
- Course Dates: Fri 5 April 2019, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

The Spirituals emerged from a cauldron of conflict, deep pain and suffering. They were, for enslaved African Americans, a source of affirmation, protest and liberation.
So too, congregational song has, from its beginnings, been mired in controversy and conflict. Church authorities have regarded it with suspicion because singing affirms and emboldens the people in the pew and provides them with a means of articulating their faith. The praise of God through the Spirituals and congregational song becomes a shout of liberation and of protest as well as a well of support and affirmation.
This day will show that hymns and congregational song, including the Spirituals, develop and relate to their cultural, political and ecclesial contexts in order to deliver their theological and spiritual message. Our exploration of the Spirituals will remind us of the radical nature of congregational song and will challenge us to consider whether the hymns and congregational songs being sung today have become tamed and domesticated and lost their radical edge. It will also ask where are the songs which are sung both inside and outside the Church.
This day is designed for all who value the place of congregational song in worship. It will involve singing and listening to congregational song and Spirituals. Participants are encouraged to bring an example of a song or hymn or Spiritual that has spoken to them at times of struggle or suffering.