DO YOU SPEAK EPISCOPALIAN?
If you are like me and part of the 70% that are not cradle Episcopalians you may be having a hard time understanding the language of the Episcopal Church. Don’t worry, you do not need Rosetta stone but you should study, observe and listen to learn to get the most out of your experience at church. Over the next few weeks I will be talking with you about some of the words and terms used in the Episcopal Church and answering some of the questions that you have had. My hope is that it will give you a deeper understanding of the Episcopal faith and help you enjoy the wonderful liturgy that it offers.
Let’s start with the red book with the gold cross that is found in every pew, “The Book of Common Prayer”. When King Henry VIII separated the Church of England from the authority of the Roman Catholic Church by the Act of Supremacy in 1534, it became necessary to revise the Church’s worship to reflect the change. The first edition went through revisions in 1552 and 1559 before its present authorized form, the 1662 version, was finalized. It remains the official Book of Common Prayer for the Church of England. In 1789 the United States Episcopal Church separated from the Church of England and published its first Book of Common Prayer, based on both the English and the Scottish prayer book. Revisions were made in 1892, 1928, and 1979, this is the version we use today.
Why do we have the Book of Common Prayer? The Book of Common Prayer is unique to Anglicanism. It contains a collection of worship services that all worshipers in an Anglican church follow. It provides a fixed framework but not a rigid one so that it can vary from church to church depending on their tradition and taste. Services though, tend to follow the same basic form, so on any given Sunday you could attend any Episcopal service (and likely any Anglican Church in the Communion) and recognize and participate in the service.
This framework is a great benefit to our worship experience. For each Christian season, the Book of Common Prayer lays out the form that the service should take, and provides the text for most of the prayers. A calendar of readings from the Scriptures, called the “Lectionary” lays out which biblical passages should be read each day. Typical services will mix reading, prayer, hymns and a sermon. In every case, while a priest leads the service, the congregation participates extensively with hymns, prayers, the creed, responses and psalms.
Besides this framework of worship services the Book of Common Prayer contains a wealth of information about our faith. Next Sunday, take a look at the table of contents. Like the Bible, I wouldn’t suggest reading it cover to cover but consider it a reference guide. Start with the preface, this gives you a lot of information about the Book of Common Prayer. Then go to page 845, An Outline of the Faith, or Catechism, at one time most of us have attended classes on this but it is always good to go back and refresh our memories. Want to know when Easter or other Holy days will be, go to page 880.
Then check out the Historical Documents of the Church (page 864), this is really good stuff, if you ever had doubts about your beliefs, this will change your mind.
The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest, full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.
If you would like a copy to study at home, please ask for one or the 1979 Book of Common Prayer can be found online.