Plugging Joint Services

Yesterday a few of us APA and REC clergy got together over lunch to discuss our upcoming joint choral evensong service. It reminded me to, once again, suggest that some you all try this. If your parish is not doing this with other continuing churches in your area, you need to think about trying it out. It has been a really edifying experience for us. We get together once a quarter - sometimes more - and have joint choral evensong services, with preaching, and followed by a reception afterwards. The responsibilties of the liturgy are divided up amongset the clergy, and the location varies each time. It has been a great way to build community, discuss new ministry opportunities, discuss starting new missions, and brainstorm about strengthening older parishes, etc. It has also allowed us to share prayer concerns with each other (as clergy). Sometime in the not-too-distant future we will be having a joint communion as well, and we have also talked about having a joint clergy retreat sometime in Lent. There are infinite possibilities. Worshipping together in Word and Sacrament is one of the main ways to bring organic unity about. Once again, I heartily recommend you try it!