B008 Amend Canon II.3.6.a and II.4 to clarify authorization of liturgies
This canonical addition clearly delineates the Book of Common Prayer and supplementary liturgical materials.
In 2018, the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church unanimously passed Resolution A068, which replaced Resolution B011. This new resolution brought both houses of the General Convention together to advance our liturgical future while preserving the unique form of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The objective was to maintain our historic liturgical and Prayer Book traditions through “faithful adherence to the historic rites of the Church Universal as they have been received and interpreted within the Anglican tradition of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.” This approach respects our existing ecumenical commitments and encourages the submission and refinement of rites that arise from the Holy Spirit's movement and the Church's growing insights.
In 2022, the church made further progress by passing a new constitutional framework for the first reading at the 80th General Convention. This framework reflects the spirit of A068 and describes the current practice of revising the Book of Common Prayer and the church's liturgical life within a post-colonial mission context. This proposal is now before the convention for its second reading.
Canonical lawyers have confirmed that A072 is clear and ready for its second reading. In 2022, the convention anticipated that the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) would have sufficient time to author the canons, which were previously provided in draft form. The SCLM felt these canons could wait, but many historians, liturgists, bishops, and laity believe these canons are essential. They clarify that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are supplemental materials for missional use.
This resolution supports the articulation that marriage rites are common prayer and part of our Prayer Book liturgies. The canonical addition aims to continue promoting transparency and establishing liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of common prayer.
It aligns with several unanimously approved resolves in 2018-B011:
Utilizing the riches of Holy Scripture and the church’s diverse liturgical, cultural, racial, generational, linguistic, gender, physical ability, class, and ethnic backgrounds for common worship.
Incorporating inclusive and expansive language and imagery for humanity and divinity.
Expressing understanding, appreciation, and care for God’s creation.
Considering emerging technologies that provide access to a broad range of liturgical resources.
Creating professional dynamic equivalence translations of The Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the Enriching Our Worship Series in Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole, and diversifying the publication formats to include online resources.
Ensuring all materials are professionally translated into English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole at each step of the revision process, following dynamic equivalence principles, and not approving new rites or liturgical resources until translations are secured.
The drafting of 2018-B011 revealed that many in the church were unfamiliar with the liturgical process, including the Book of Common Prayer revision process. The creation of A072 highlighted a lack of understanding regarding the approval of liturgies. For example, Enriching Our Worship (EOW) was initially approved for use with a bishop’s permission but later became generally approved without requiring bishop’s permission, thus becoming liturgical resources for general use but not common prayer in the historic sense.
Additionally, the "Existing Liturgies in The Episcopal Church" website revealed that the church and SCLM had been producing liturgies without a clear guide. As a drafter of both B011 and A072 (also known as Article X of the Constitution), I believe it is time to establish a canon that governs our liturgical life beyond the Prayer Book, promoting liturgical renewal through mission and clarifying what constitutes common prayer. This is the purpose of this canonical addition.
This canon adheres to historic Episcopal Church categories for liturgical rites and follows the SCLM guidelines available at Episcopal Common Prayer.
The main point of section 2.3 is to allow the use of “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” at “the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400), providing canonical support for something previously made possible through a General Convention resolution. It should use the exact BCP language: “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” and “at the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400).
A question may arise regarding already approved liturgies. This proposal expects that existing items will be affected minimally. Any liturgy that has already been approved for “Trial Use” or will be approved for “Trial Use” in the future will not be affected by this change. The Enriching Our Worship series, approved by resolution of the General Convention, will remain unchanged; however, it will now be classified under “Supplemental Liturgical Resources.” There is nothing in this canon that prevents a Bishop from naming previously approved or generally approved liturgies as legacy approvals. Additionally, the Alternate Psalter, Book of Occasional Services, Calendar and Lectionary Series, and “Additional Resources Made Available by Convention” will remain unaffected by this change.
For further clarity, this canonical addition ensures that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are recognized as supplemental materials for missional use, maintaining transparency and liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of Common Prayer.
Explanation
This canonical addition clearly delineates the Book of Common Prayer and supplementary liturgical materials.
In 2018, the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church unanimously passed Resolution A068, which replaced Resolution B011. This new resolution brought both houses of the General Convention together to advance our liturgical future while preserving the unique form of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The objective was to maintain our historic liturgical and Prayer Book traditions through “faithful adherence to the historic rites of the Church Universal as they have been received and interpreted within the Anglican tradition of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.” This approach respects our existing ecumenical commitments and encourages the submission and refinement of rites that arise from the Holy Spirit's movement and the Church's growing insights.
In 2022, the church made further progress by passing a new constitutional framework for the first reading at the 80th General Convention. This framework reflects the spirit of A068 and describes the current practice of revising the Book of Common Prayer and the church's liturgical life within a post-colonial mission context. This proposal is now before the convention for its second reading.
Canonical lawyers have confirmed that A072 is clear and ready for its second reading. In 2022, the convention anticipated that the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) would have sufficient time to author the canons, which were previously provided in draft form. The SCLM felt these canons could wait, but many historians, liturgists, bishops, and laity believe these canons are essential. They clarify that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are supplemental materials for missional use.
This resolution supports the articulation that marriage rites are common prayer and part of our Prayer Book liturgies. The canonical addition aims to continue promoting transparency and establishing liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of common prayer.
It aligns with several unanimously approved resolves in 2018-B011:
Utilizing the riches of Holy Scripture and the church’s diverse liturgical, cultural, racial, generational, linguistic, gender, physical ability, class, and ethnic backgrounds for common worship.
Incorporating inclusive and expansive language and imagery for humanity and divinity.
Expressing understanding, appreciation, and care for God’s creation.
Considering emerging technologies that provide access to a broad range of liturgical resources.
Creating professional dynamic equivalence translations of The Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the Enriching Our Worship Series in Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole, and diversifying the publication formats to include online resources.
Ensuring all materials are professionally translated into English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole at each step of the revision process, following dynamic equivalence principles, and not approving new rites or liturgical resources until translations are secured.
The drafting of 2018-B011 revealed that many in the church were unfamiliar with the liturgical process, including the Book of Common Prayer revision process. The creation of A072 highlighted a lack of understanding regarding the approval of liturgies. For example, Enriching Our Worship (EOW) was initially approved for use with a bishop’s permission but later became generally approved without requiring bishop’s permission, thus becoming liturgical resources for general use but not common prayer in the historic sense.
Additionally, the "Existing Liturgies in The Episcopal Church" website revealed that the church and SCLM had been producing liturgies without a clear guide. As a drafter of both B011 and A072 (also known as Article X of the Constitution), I believe it is time to establish a canon that governs our liturgical life beyond the Prayer Book, promoting liturgical renewal through mission and clarifying what constitutes common prayer. This is the purpose of this canonical addition.
This canon adheres to historic Episcopal Church categories for liturgical rites and follows the SCLM guidelines available at Episcopal Common Prayer.
The main point of section 2.3 is to allow the use of “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” at “the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400), providing canonical support for something previously made possible through a General Convention resolution. It should use the exact BCP language: “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” and “at the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400).
A question may arise regarding already approved liturgies. This proposal expects that existing items will be affected minimally. Any liturgy that has already been approved for “Trial Use” or will be approved for “Trial Use” in the future will not be affected by this change. The Enriching Our Worship series, approved by resolution of the General Convention, will remain unchanged; however, it will now be classified under “Supplemental Liturgical Resources.” There is nothing in this canon that prevents a Bishop from naming previously approved or generally approved liturgies as legacy approvals. Additionally, the Alternate Psalter, Book of Occasional Services, Calendar and Lectionary Series, and “Additional Resources Made Available by Convention” will remain unaffected by this change.
For further clarity, this canonical addition ensures that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are recognized as supplemental materials for missional use, maintaining transparency and liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of Common Prayer.