CHICAGO--The Rev. Michael L. Burk, director for worship for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for Congregational Ministries, introduced new resources to the church council as part of the "Renewing Worship" project.

According to an ELCA news release, the project has developed "Holy Communion and Related Rites," the sixth volume in the series of provisional resources as part of its goal to provide the "next generation of worship resources."

The provisional volume is available on the project's Web site: http://www.renewingworship.org/ with the copyright condition that the downloaded version can only be used through Dec. 31, 2005.

Burk told the council a complimentary copy of "Renewing Worship Liturgies" -- a "pew edition" that contains congregational versions of the services in "Holy Communion and Related Rites" -- will be sent to each ELCA congregation.

A 45-minute video, "Renewing Worship: Join the Conversation," is also available, Burk said. The video is a symbol of the participatory nature of the whole project, he said.

A report and recommendations related to Renewing Worship are anticipated for the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Burk said he hopes to provide a report, available resources and the table of contents for a new primary book of worship with recommended hymn list.