'How long, O Lord?' Exploring the Worship of Lament

Thursday 23 November: 7 - 9 pm
on Zoom

Lament can be individual or corporate. We all face personal difficulties at times, but there is also much to lament within society and the wider world. This is a timely opportunity to explore a vital subject from different angles.

The cry of ‘How long, O Lord?’ became all too real during 2020 and 2021 as the world wrestled with the global pandemic. And if we hadn’t considered the worship of corporate lament before, churches found themselves thinking through how to respond appropriately in their worship. Then in March 2021, the nation was rocked by the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer. Vigils followed on Clapham Common, close to where Sarah disappeared. We have seen similar vigils in other contexts – in response to events such as the Grenfell Tower fire or the London Bridge/Borough Market terrorist attack. These are spontaneous corporate reactions in moments of anguish and crisis in a particular locality.

To what other national or global problems does lament apply? How do we lament the ongoing ills of society. Do we relegate this to the intercessions, or can we be more creative? And how do we genuinely lament without becoming gloomy and off-putting? How do we identify and pray meaningfully for the poor and marginalized, who suffer as a result of neglect, injustice, exploitation, war and the effects of climate change.

We began to look at the place of corporate lament during our last Transforming Worship East Zoom, when we considered lament in the context of the environment and our stewardship of the earth. This may have already prompted some further ideas. Now we have an opportunity to look at lament more broadly, so please come and join us.

Everyone is welcome.

Please contact me:
Revd Helen Bent on behalf of Transforming Worship National and Transforming Worship East
Email: helenbent99@gmail.com
Mobile: 07786030399

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3659958344?pwd=RG9HWGpYZFRuUi9QcStMczVnbHNNZz09
Meeting ID: 365 995 8344
Passcode: 2468

The programme will include short presentations on the following topics:
Learning from Lament’ Graham Hunter
‘Singing the Lord’s song in a complex world and troubled times’ Ally Barratt
‘The Place of Vigils – spontaneous and planned’ Helen Bent
‘The Garden of Lament at St John’s Hoxton’ Caroline Taylor
‘Out of the depths, I cry’ – Using Psalms of Lament Helen Bent
After each presentation there will be opportunity for questions and comments.
I am gradually gathering together a new Transforming Worship East regional committee in the coming weeks. Please could I ask you to prayerfully consider whether God might be calling you to serve the region in this way?
I look forward to meeting you soon albeit virtually.
Helen Bent
Worship Consultant and Freelance Trainer working with Transforming Worship