WHILE I cannot disagree with James MacMillan (Letters, November 29) on the power of church music to elevate the spirit and soul, and that this needs to be nurtured and developed in every way, he seems to be saying that the music of the 1970s was banal.

For the "ordinary" people whose faith was coming alive as a direct result of Vat.2 and the Charismatic Movement, the happy-clappy songs cheered the days and the hearts of the participants.

Where once scriptures seemed far removed from real life, Biblical texts were now used in the lyrics with dancing and the playing of modern musical instruments not an uncommon feature in the churches, Catholic or otherwise.

There is a place for all forms of worship and surely the revelation of a loving intimate God must be their sole aim, whether through Gregorian chanting, reciting mantras, or dancing round the kitchen table to How Lovely on the Mountains and the like.

Janet Cunningham,

1 Cedar Avenue,

Stirling,