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We suggest it would be good to revive Industrial Sunday.
Injustices and power struggles still exist at work, and there are still plenty of employers, small and large, who wish to state publicly their commitment to good human relations at work.
Today, we suggest it is more appropriate to emphasise the importance of workers and employers working together for the common good, and to balance the struggle for social justice with the struggle to be free to manage for wealth creation.
But power still corrupts, and there are still many employees (Christian as well) who are bitter against ‘the system’ and their employers. The need may be greater today, because there are so few now who have a union to defend them against injustice.
We feel that Industrial Sunday has its place, not as a macro statement about Industrial Relations, but as a local Christian statement by local Christian employers and employees to treat each other fairly, and so become part of the overall strategy to bring the Kingdom of heaven upon earth.
People may feel more comfortable to have a service about work which concentrates on the human aspects rather than the new ICF Rogationtide services, which try to widen visions to include all work as God’s co-creation.
Industrial Sunday is the Sunday before Labour Day (1st May). This was originally designed by ICF to bring a Christian perspective to labour day, rather than allow it to lapse into a secular and confrontational occasion.
We suggest that if there are any local unions or employers federations, they should all the same be encouraged to bring their banners, as this gives colour, as well as being part of the Industrial Sunday tradition. However, if any local organisations have the Investors in People award, or other awards for good practice, please encourage them to bring the award flag, or even their organisation flag. They can also be invited to put up a stand in the place of worship, illustrating their work. Most organisations do have these already, for use at exhibitions and trade fairs.
The flags, banners or awards can either be brought in procession to the place of worship (as they were originally), or brought up during a procession in the Service.
People may like to come in the uniforms they wear for work, and if they are encouraged to come in the same clothes they wear at the office, or the overalls of the workshop or farm (cleaned for the occasion?), this makes a statement that religious life and work life are not separate.
We have divided the suggested worship material into two sections: the first consists of individual prayers for inclusion within a normal Sunday Service (for example, a Eucharist), and is designed for those regularly attending worship. The second is a special service for Industrial Sunday, which is designed to attract those ‘on the fringe’, and to use language they would not find too strange.
We believe the material conforms to the Church of England guidelines in Patterns for Worship, and references are given where appropriate. The readings are all from authorised translations (the references are for information only, and are not meant to be read out). The Hymns have been selected as being familiar even to occasional worshippers. The bold type is used to indicate the words the congregation join in.
Prayers for inclusion in normal Sunday Worship
Introductory Sentence:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
(Romans 12:17-18)
Opening Prayer:
Be our guide and companion, merciful God
in our place of work;
so that setting aside all bitterness and rivalry,
and treating others as we would wish to be treated,
we may be subject to your just and gentle rule;
through him who gave up his throne in heaven
to reconcile the whole world on the cross,
even Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
Proper Preface (for Eucharist):
and now we give you thanks because
you have made us dependent on each other,
and to create wealth by working together;
Intercessory Prayers:
We pray for all those, who from within the structures of our churches
support us and build us up for our ministry at work.
Bless our bishops, priests and deacons
with true knowledge and understanding of the world of work
that by their teaching and their counsel
they may touch the hearts of employer and employed.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless all those who work for Trade Unions
and all who struggle to ensure fairness
and justice in the workplace;
give them wisdom and strength
to benefit the employer
as well as the employed
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless employers' Federations
and those responsible for pay and conditions at work|
give to those employers who are generous
the power and freedom to create wealth
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless our Government and Parliament
that they may legislate wisely for the common good;
and bless all government officials
who administer the law for the workplace
especially Employment, Health and Safety
and Environmental Protection
that we may work in comfort and security
and be a blessing to our local community,
without the burdens of bureaucracy.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
And bless all of us here present;
that we may work together
in peace and harmony,
giving each other mutual respect
and acting in generosity of spirit;
not pursuing our own selfish interests
but the good of our community at work.
Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Final blessing:
May God bless you and keep you;
may God walk with you and direct you;
may God be your companion as you work together,
and give you his peace.
My brothers and sisters,
the Lord bless you.
Amen
Industrial Sunday Service
Leader:
Today, the Sunday before May Day, is Industrial Sunday. This is the Sunday
when we come together as employers and employed, to affirm our willingness
to put human relations in the workplace under the hand of God. We hope in
this way to make the struggle for social justice, and the struggle to be free to
manage our enterprises for the creation of wealth, part of an overall strategy
to bring the Kingdom of heaven upon earth, where everyone will work together
in peace and prosperity.
Introductory Sentence:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everybody.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans
12:17-18)
Opening Prayer
Be our guide and companion, merciful God
in our place of work;
so that setting aside all bitterness and rivalry,
and treating others as we would wish to be treated,
we may be subject to your just and gentle rule;
through him who gave up his throne in heaven
to reconcile the whole world on the cross,
even Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen.
Hymn: Now thank we all our God
Leader:
Listen to some words of Jesus:
When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or
sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first
be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
If you forgive others the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the
wrongs that you have done.
(Matthew 5:23-24, 6:14-15)
Let us therefore forgive one another for any wrongs they have done to us; this
does not mean that we should not fight for justice and fairness at work, but
simply that we should do so without personal animosity or hatred, speaking
the truth in love.
Lord, we need to forgive;
take from us all hatred and bitterness
through the power of your cross
Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy
Lord, we must forgive;
without your Holy Spirit to
bring peace and love
how can we work together
to produce wealth for all?
Christ have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord, we desire to forgive
we are sorry that we have misused our power over others
or been vindictive in our search for justice.
All our power and strength
come from you who made us,
our Father and creator
Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy
(Note: Patterns for Worship (p48) permits freedom in Kyrie Confessions)
God who is both power and love
forgive you and free you from your sins,
heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,
and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn: Love Divine
Reading: (We suggest that one reader is an employer, and the other is an employee)
Reader A: By authority of the grace God has given me I say to everyone
among you: do not think too highly of yourself, but form a sober
estimate based on the measure of faith that God has dealt to each
of you.
Reader B: For just as in a single human body there are many limbs and
organs, all with different functions, so we who are united with
Christ, though many, form one body, and belong to one another
as its limbs and organs.
Reader A: Let us use the different gifts allotted to each of us by God's grace;
Reader B: the gift of administration to administer,
Reader A: the gift of teaching to teach,
Reader B: the gift of counselling to counsel.
Reader A: If you give to charity, give generously;
Reader B: if you are a leader, lead with enthusiasm;
Reader A: if you help others in distress, do it cheerfully.
Reader B: Love in all sincerity, loathing evil and holding fast to the good.
Reader A: Let love of the Christian community show itself in mutual affection.
Reader B: Esteem others more highly than yourself.
Reader A: With unflagging zeal, aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
Reader B: Let hope keep you joyful;
Reader A: in trouble stand firm;
Reader B: persist in prayer;
Reader A: contribute to the needs of God's people,
Reader B: and practise hospitality.
Reader A: Call down blessings on your persecutors -blessings, not curses.
Reader B: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Reader A: Live in agreement with one another.
Reader B: Do not be proud, but be ready to mix with humble people.
Reader A: Do not keep thinking how wise you are.
Reader B: Never pay back evil for evil.
Reader A: Let your aims be such as all count honourable.
Reader B: If possible, so far as it lies with you, live at peace with all.
Reader A: My dear friends, do not seek revenge, but leave a place for divine
retribution;
Reader B: for there is a text which reads, 'Vengeance is mine, says the Lord,
I will repay.'
Reader A: But there is another text: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if
he is thirsty, give him a drink; by doing this you will heap live
coals on his head.
Reader B: Do not let evil conquer you, but use good to conquer evil.
(Romans 12:3-13:21)
Prayers:
Our Father
who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by thy name,
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory
For ever and ever. Amen.
We pray for all those, who from within the structures of our churches
support us and build us up for our ministry at work.
Bless our bishops, priests and deacons
with true knowledge and understanding of the world of work
that by their teaching and their counsel
they may touch the hearts of employer and employed.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless all those who work for Trade Unions
and all who struggle to ensure fairness
and justice in the workplace;
give them wisdom and strength
to benefit the employer
as well as the employed
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless employers' Federations
and those responsible for pay and conditions at work;
give to those employers who are generous
the power and freedom to create wealth
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Bless our Government and Parliament
that they may legislate wisely for the common good;
and bless all government officials
who administer the law for the workplace
especially Employment, Health and Safety
and Environmental Protection
that we may work in comfort and security
and be a blessing to our local community,
without the burdens of bureaucracy.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
And bless all of us here present;
that we may work together
in peace and harmony,
giving each other mutual respect
and acting in generosity of spirit;
not pursuing our own selfish interests
but the good of our community at work.
Merciful Father
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
page 10
Sermon or talk
Final Prayer
0 Holy Spirit,
the go-between God,
come and inspire us with your love.
Break down the barriers of selfishness and suspicion;
enable us to understand each other;
strengthen us to share our talents and our wealth;
and give us the joy of working together as brothers and sisters,
children of the same heavenly Father,
and fellow workers with Christ.
Amen
Hymn: 'Guide me 0 thou Great Redeemer'
Final blessing:
May God bless you and keep you
May God walk with you and direct you
May God be your companion as you work together
and give you his peace.
My brothers and sisters,
the Lord bless you.
Amen
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