Milt Coleman

Articles written by Milt

A lifelong Episcopalian, Milt Coleman’s involvement in being an acolyte and in the liturgy was forged early. In 1933 he sang in choir and served weekly as an acolyte at the Thursday 6:30 am service at the Church of the Savior in (where else?) Milton, MA. The list of his church participation, which fills a page itself, primarily shares the thread of bringing depth, history, beauty and variation into liturgics, the theology of worship. Among many other roles, Milt has been a graphic designer, Warden and an indispensible part of the Diocese.

The Colemans joined All Saints Church in 1952 when they moved to Syracuse. Milt was already active in the diocese when he met Wally Frey’s father on a business trip and heard about Wally’s coming to serve at Saint David’s, which was still a mission church at that time. Milt, as Chair of Diocesan Stewardship, recruited Wally to work with him on this committee. It was Wally’s liturgical style that brought Milt to Saint David’s about 15 years later in 1979. Milt was happy to “sit in the back pew” for many years, but gradually became more involved, and in 1990 he defined the role of Master of Ceremonies at Saint David’s. Standard in cathedrals, but rare in parish churches, the Master of Ceremonies organizes lay participants for the service, filling in when needed and freeing the rector to focus on other aspects of the service. As the role of lay participants increases, now including reading and presenting offerings and elements at the altar, a few more parishes have benefited from M.C’s.

As our liturgist, Milt works with Joyce and the Interim Rector to plan the worship services, drawing from the Prayer book, Supplemental Liturgy and other sources, as well as music, of course, and focusing on specific themes, such as those suggested by the liturgical year to bring variety into the service. Years ago, Milt began by helping to plan special services such as ordinations. During Mark Frazier’s tenure, as he became involved with the planning of our Sunday services, Milt was named Parish Liturgist in 2003, after expanding the post of M.C to a few others. Milt’s role as liturgist has blessed Saint David’s with beautiful services uninterrupted by the change in leadership after Mark left.

At the root of his liturgical ideas is continued study. Milt’s most recent paper, “Liturgical Observances of Holy Week,” is based on 45 of the 300 – 350 books in his personal liturgical library. This paper will be shared with such people as Byran Stuhlman, his academic mentor and others, perhaps to inspire the more widespread inclusion of some of our most meaningful aspects of worship. Also on Milt’s reading list are books on the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism, Biblical literature and the New Yorker magazine.

Saint David’s thoughtfully planned liturgy, comprised of two parts, the Word of God and the Thanksgiving (Eucharist), is, Milt believes, the primary connection of the people with their God and Jesus Christ. This connection spiritually nourishes us, preparing us for our ministry, which begins as the service ends.

Prepared by
Kristina Nancollas

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Articles by Milt Coleman

What is February 2?	Holy Week - 2011	Our Eucharistic Prayers
The Times of Our Lives	The Aumbry Candle	What are the Prayers of the People?
The Pascal Candle	Liturgical Space	presentation: Homosexuality and the Church
For All The Saints	But, What is Advent?	Why the Episcopal Church?
Remembering	The Water of Life	Comparing Lutherans, Catholics & Anglicans in Liturgy