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From the Tennessean, Williamson AM, October 8, 2004:
SATURDAY SERVICE CREATES MEDITATIVE MOOD
Episcopal gathering uses candles, chants for 'first-century feel'
By Kathrin Chavez
Staff Writer
GRASSLAND COMMUNITY
-- A new service at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1216 W. Sneed Road, is offered on a different day and designed to have a different kind of ambience.
The service, which meets at 5 p.m. Saturdays, has brought a more intimate type of worship, said the church rectory, the Rev. Joel Morsch. "It's a more contemplative service with more singing. And it's more intimate. For example, we gather together in a circle inside the altar rail for communion -- at least until we exceed the space. It's kind of an ancient-future approach. The approach has a more first-century feel," Morsch said.
The music is also different. Written by church members James and Karen Johns, the music is quiet, almost chant-like, he said. The Johnses, both Christian music artists and songwriters, own and operate Isaiah 12 Studios in Franklin.
The ending is unusual, too, he said. "At the closing, we have a Tiaze'-style song, which is a chant, repetitive piece at the end. I sit down up front and pray for a while. The person helping with the service puts out the candles, and people can stay in prayer or they can go. It's a much more laid-back, quiet ending," he said.
Besides offering another style of worship, the church wanted to offer services to people who may not be able, or willing, to attend Sunday.
"Quite a few folks these days work or may have some other scheduling problem, whether it's something with their kids or a Titans game. The idea is to make the service schedule more accessible," he said.
The services, which began October 2, have drawn between 25 and 45 people, who have told Morsch they appreciate the meditative style.
"They like that kind of feel in a darkened church at 5 o'clock at night with the candles lit. It's very different from our other services."
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