Hot on the heels of the Revd Dr Richard Tiplady’s Grove Book come other published offerings by SEI core staff. The Revd Dr Michael Hull, Director of Studies and Tutor in Theology, Ministry and Mission, has just had a scholarly article published in Theology in Scotland, a twice-yearly journal of theology which is general in scope but rooted in the Scottish theological tradition.
Dr Hull’s article is entitled Why not an ‘online Eucharist’?: A Scottish-Episcopal perspective on presence. In it he offers an emphatic but closely argued response to the question ‘Can the elements of bread and wine be consecrated outwith the gathered community?’ This well-researched and powerful piece of theological reflection upon practice is sure to give rise to further discussion; may that be as thoughtful and well-founded as this offering undoubtedly is. Dr Hull’s article can be accessed here.
Following conversations between the Director of the Royal School of Church Music and SEI about the place of sacred music training in ministerial formation, a description of how the Institute goes about weaving music into the curriculum was requested. This was duly contributed by the Principal, and is to be found in December’s edition of the RSCM’s magazine, Church Music Quarterly (CMQ).
In an address to ordinands in General Theological Seminary in 1894, James Steele stated: ‘You may be told by some of our elder brethren of whom we may speak as “successful in their ministry” that musical knowledge is not necessary, that they have gotten along without it, and that time spent over it is time wasted … I beg you not to regard the matter of education in Church music as of no importance, but to work at it earnestly.’ The ‘earnest workings’ of SEI in this regard are duly outlined, and the article is richly illustrated with photographs of the students making music together as they worship God.
Photograph courtesy of Anne Tomlinson
