Words for Worship: A Liturgical Writing Workshop with Michael Joncas and Susan Briehl

The Collegeville Institute invites applications for a week-long writing workshop designed to further participants’ skills in writing for the Church. This workshop is for those who would like more experience writing for communal prayer while engaging liturgy, hymnody, and scripture, especially the psalter. Co-leading the workshop are two leaders in liturgical writing, J. Michael Joncas and the Rev. Susan R. Briehl.

J. Michael Joncas is a priest, liturgical theologian, and composer of contemporary Catholic music. He received an MA in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in 1978 and went on to study at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome. He was ordained in 1980, and teaches at the University of St. Thomas, the University of Notre Dame, and summer courses at Saint John’s School of Theology·Seminary.

The Rev. Susan R. Briehl is a pastor of the ELCA. She served as Executive Director of Holden Village, a Lutheran center for renewal in Washington State. She began that ministry in 1994 along with her husband, Martin Wells. Susan holds both a B.A. and an M.A. in English from Washington State University and a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. She was ordained in 1981. She has written numerous books, hymns, and worship songs.

The Collegeville Institute will cover travel expenses to and from the workshop, all workshop fees, and room and board. Those who join the workshop will be expected to reside at the Collegeville Institute throughout the entire week. Participants may share apartment space, though each person will be assigned a private bedroom. The program is limited to 12 participants.

Application Process:

The application deadline for this workshop has passed.

NOTE: There may be advance preparation (both reading and writing) for this workshop. 

Complete applications include three pieces:

1. Application form
2. Current resume or c.v.
3. Writing sample (not to exceed 2,000 words) to include one of the following pieces of writing:
   • a hymn text
   • a bulletin article educating the congregation on an extant hymn text
   • a bulletin article educating the congregation on a given text of a liturgy (e.g., the “Glory to God in the highest”)
   • a meal-blessing for use at a wedding reception
   • a meal-blessing for use at a funeral gathering