News & Updates

Dear PAM Subscribers to Call to Worship: July 28, 2009

Beginning with the “big book” issue of Call to Worship, the lectionary aids will move from a printed version to an online version only. Please take a few moments to read the letter below from the editor of Call to Worship. Please make sure we have your email address, as this is the only way the journal with the Lectionary Aids can be delivered to you.

If we DO NOT have your email address already, please email pam@pcusa.org and note that you want the web link to the Call to Worship Lectionary Aids. We will then verify your PAM Membrship and make sure that your email address is added to you account.

Please note that because the link to the Lectionary Aids is only for current PAM members and Call to Worship subscribers, we can not post the link to the download pages.

Sincerely,
Alan Barthel
Executive Director
Presbyterian Association of Musicians
100 Witherspoon St
Louisville, KY 40202
888-728-7228 x5759
Alan.Barthel@pcusa.org
website: www.PresbyMusic.org

Dear Call to Worship subscribers, July 27, 2009

Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts is taking a small step into the electronic age this summer, with the online-only publication of the Lectionary Aids.

We’re excited about this transition for a number of reasons. First, we believe that the electronic publication of the Lectionary Aids will allow us to greatly expand and enhance the liturgical resources we already provide. The flexibility of Web-based publication means that we can make multiple options available for each Sunday and Festival (including archived editions of Lectionary Aids from previous years), we can explore new patterns and practices of worship (such as seasonal calls to worship, prayers of confession, prayers of illumination, and eucharistic prayers), and we can offer fresh approaches to liturgical leadership (such as declarations of forgiveness and invitations to discipleship and prayers from the font and table).

Second, the shift to an electronic medium will facilitate ease of use—allowing pastors, musicians, and other liturgical leaders to plan and prepare for worship anytime, anywhere. The digital format also means that it will be easy to cut and paste texts and images into worship bulletins or projection files. This is a change that many of our subscribers have requested, and we are pleased to make this possible!

Third, the electronic distribution of the Lectionary Aids will make it possible for us to respond promptly to new and emerging ideas in worship, music, preaching, and the arts. This change will also allow new subscribers to receive access to the Lectionary Aids much more quickly than in the past.

We will be using e-mail to send you the link to the website where the Lectionary Aids are posted, as well as periodic updates when new materials are available so please make sure to allow our emails access thru any spam filters you may have.

Also, please be aware that the protocol for accessing the Lectionary Aids is likely to change in the next six months, with the arrival of a new PC(USA) website that allows personalized logins, password-protected areas, and payment by credit card. This is another reason why it is vital that we have your current email address, so you won’t be left out of the loop during this time of change.

We are grateful, as always, for your continuing support of Call to Worship! Blessings in your ministry.

Grace and peace,
Kimberly Bracken Long, Editor, Call to Worship kimberly.long@pcusa.org
David Gambrell, Office of Theology and Worship david.gambrell@pcusa.org