Details
Join us for the Liturgy Winter School 2026 at St Francis College—a three-day immersive experience designed to deepen understanding and enrich practice of Anglican liturgy. This year’s program features keynote presentations by Elizabeth Smith, a public lecture, and interactive sessions exploring the evolving landscape of worship.
Topics:
Liturgical Climate Change: APBA 30 Years On. Reflect on the role of A Prayer Book for Australia in today’s worship ecology and how liturgical practice has shifted since 1995.
The Rubrics Are Our Friends. Discover where flexibility and creativity meet responsibility in APBA services.
Loving the Lectionary. Unpack the depth and rhythm of Anglican scripture reading and learn how to plan preaching and music that amplify the Word.
When It’s Not the Eucharist. Explore options for non-Eucharistic worship and how to lead them well.
Each session consists of reflection and is then followed by breakout groups for discussion and practical application. The Liturgy Winter School offers a rich mix of teaching, conversation, and worship… creating space for clergy and laity to learn together.
The Liturgy Winter School is an opportunity for clergy, lay ministers, and liturgical assistants to meet, reflect on and engage in liturgy. It is workshop-based and exploratory in nature to allow participants to learn through interaction and practice.
What is Involved?
There are a series of reflective talks given throughout the Winter School. Each of these is designed to stimulate thought and creativity. They are reflective rather than lecture-based.
There are plenty of opportunities for worship throughout the Winter School. In addition to Morning an Evening Offices, an Evensong and Eucharist will be shared. Participants are invited to participate by sharing liturgical roles through the workshop.
Who should attend?
Clergy (stipendiary/non-stipendiary/PTO)
Graduate Clergy
Licensed Lay Ministers
Formation Students
Liturgical Assistants
Anyone interested in liturgy
Ticket Prices
Early Bird Rates end on 30 April — book now to avoid disappointment.
Stipendiary Full Program - $260 (Early Bird Rate $180)
Non-Stipendiary Full Program - $210 (Early Bird Rate $150)
Single Day Rate - $100
Liturgy Winter School Program
Wednesday 24th June 2026
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | Registration, Coffee |
| 1:30 pm | Welcome & House Keeping - John |
| 2:00 pm | Keynote Reflection 1 (LR1) – Elizabeth Smith AM The Rubrics Are Our Friends |
| 2:30 pm | Breakout Sessions 1 |
| 3:30 pm | Afternoon Tea – Working |
| Keynote Reflection 2 - Bruce Boase and Aunty Sandra | |
| 3:30 pm | Breakout Sessions 2 |
| 4:30 pm | Closing Circle (HSC) - Adam |
| 5:00 pm | Evening Prayer (Daily Office) |
| 5:30 pm | Light refreshments |
| 6:00 pm | Keynote Lecture (OBB) – Elizabeth Smith AM Liturgical Climate Change: APBA 30 Years On |
| 6:50 pm | Q & A |
Thursday 25th June 2026
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Morning Prayer (Daily Office) - Common Worship |
| 8:30 am | Reflection & Presentation – Elizabeth Smith AM Loving the Lectionary |
| 9:00 am | Breakout Sessions 3 |
| 10:30 am | Morning Tea |
| 11:00 am | Keynote Reflection 3 – Elizabeth Smith AM When It’s Not the Eucharist |
| 11:30 am | Breakout Sessions 4 |
| 1:00 pm | Lunch (OBB) |
| 2:30 pm | Training on the new Holy Communion by Extension liturgy (includes afternoon tea) |
| 4:30 pm | Closing Circle (HSC) - Adam |
| 5:00 pm | Evening Prayer – APBA |
Friday 26th June 2026
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Morning Prayer (Daily Office) HSC |
| 8:30 am |
Worship in Practice: Your Questions Answered A practical, participant-led session shaped by your pre-survey and real-world contexts. Bring your questions, challenges, and scenarios as we explore workable liturgical solutions together. |
| 10:30 am | Morning Tea (OBB) |
| 11:00 am | Closing Circle (OBB) - Adam |
| 11:30 am | Preparation for Eucharist (HSC) |
| 12:00 pm | Eucharist (HSC) |
All roles filled by participants of the Liturgy School.
About The Reverend Dr Elizabeth J Smith AM
The Reverend Dr Elizabeth J Smith AM has been a member of the General Synod Liturgy Commission since 1997. Ordained deacon in 1987 and priest in 1993, Elizabeth has served as parish priest in the suburbs of the Diocese of Melbourne and Mission Priest in the regional mining town of Kalgoorlie in the Diocese of Perth. From 2008 to 2015 she was Mission Development Coordinator for the Diocese of Perth, providing resources and training for lay people and clergy in parishes, chaplaincies, school and agencies. Elizabeth is known for her singable, inclusive-language hymn texts. She has also written many fresh, accessible, contextually-appropriate prayer texts for Anglicans. She now travels and teaches, sharing skills for creating and using those “other suitable words” that A Prayer Book for Australia encourages Anglicans to develop for lively liturgy in your context.
