Life-long learning in the church
September is the month when the schools re-open and universities, colleges of further education and evening classes are all preparing for the start of a new academic year. From toddlers beginning pre-school to the university of the Third Age, the life-long journey of learning is an exciting prospect. Whatever your particular interest, there will be a wealth of information available and accessible to help you.
Principles
The principle of life-long learning applies to the understanding of our religious faith. Over time scholars have studied and carried out important research (historical, archaeological, language etc) which have informed our understanding and opened up important debates. It's a continuous process and provides the important checks and balances of good practice.
Now that our new service patterns have settled into parish life, the ministry team will be turning its attention to looking at ways to improve our learning and understanding of our faith and practices. By the time you receive this Parish News, Keith will have run a teaching session on leading intercessions. I will be running a teaching session on serving, chalicing and the role of the sacristan on another occasion. It's good to know why we do things as we do. The development of our liturgy is
another area which many find confusing. Here I offer a few notes I hope will help.
It's important to remember that there has always been a process of revision to the liturgy. However timeless its qualities each service book belongs to a particular period and culture. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), written by Thomas Cranmer, was first issued in 1549, but revised in 1552 and again in 1662. It is the 1662 version that is still used today. There was a major revision in 1928 but this never went through parliament so, strictly speaking, was illegal - although widely used. (The little green prayer books once in use at Stubbings church were the 1928 version). So, for some 300
years the Prayer Book was the service book of the Church of England.
In the mid 50s-mid 60s, a liturgical commission began looking at more accessible worship. No longer was the language of the Prayer Book the language of the people and, following some experimental material which was time limited, the most acceptable was incorporated into what became known as the ASB (Alternative Service book). This was published in 1980 with initially a time limit of 10 years but extended to 20 years and was designed to be used as a supplement to the Prayer Book.
Changes
Many loved, the ASB because, like the Prayer Book, all the services were in one book. At the same time, the practice of celebrating the eucharist changed. The rubrics (printed instructions) allowed for the 'president' to replace the word 'priest', moving to an inclusive service with the priest presiding at the eucharist. The priest no longer faced east, but stood behind the altar facing the gathered congregation. All could see and be part of the eucharistic commumty. These were radical changes that made the gathered congregation responsible for taking an active role. No longer was the priest with his back to you mumbling holy words and nobody able to see what was actually happening at the altar. The ASB ceased to be legal in the year 2000 when Common Worship (not Common Prayer) was introduced.
This was introduced in a continuous roll out and again is a supplement to the BCP. The options and flexibility of the material has meant that it is impossible to contain all the provisions for services in one book. This has meant that churches have produced their own service booklets.
The main services are produced in two orders, either contemporary (Order1) or traditional (Order2). We have eight eucharistic prayers to choose from. The liturgical seasons and colours are used to maximum benefit and provide the emphasis and visual enhancement.
We all will have our own preferred style of worship but it is only when we recognise the diversity of what is available within the Church of England that we can fully appreciate the benefit of continuing scholarship.
Do spend some time looking at the liturgy and being part of that ongoing cycle of learning that opens our mind and broadens our understanding of the God we worship.
Every blessing
From the Registers
Baptisms
July 11 Grace Dixon Stubbings
July 11 Rosie Leedham Stubbings
July 18 Henry Sugden Stubbings
July 25 Oliver Williams Stubbings
July 25 Alfie Wakford Stubbings
July 25 Jasper Reading Stubbings
August 1 Nina Hawkin Stubbings
August 8 Lois Marshall Stubbings
August 15 Olivia Dudley Stubbings
August 15 Daisy Dudley Stubbings
Weddings
June 5 Jamie Laing & Joanne Hing Stubbings
June 26 Ashley Smith & Rhea McMonagle Hurley
July 24 Charles Bullock & Jules Press Hurley
July 31 MaxHarding & Helen Farrar Stubbings
July 31 Simon Dolling & Louise Morley Littlewick
July 31 Peter Cadle & Kobie Child Stubbings
August 14 Reece Eaton & Rhiannon David Hurley
Wedding Blessings
June 12 Scot Watson & Gabriella Watson Stubbings
July 17 David Smith & Laura Smith Hurley
Funerals
July 28 Dorothy Hilda Keene Stubbings
August 5 Keith Kendall-Jones Littlewick Green
August 16 Shirley Jane Morris Slough
August 22 "Bill" Furlonger Slough
Interment of Ashes
July 20 Joseph Hugo Jordan Stubbings
July 24 Gladys Squire Stubbings
August 5 Emma Chuter Stubbings
August 20 Shirley Jane Morris Stubbings
August 31 Linda Shoesmith Stubbings