Although it has not received the attention in this country as its counterpart from New Zealand has, the new prayer book of the Anglican Church of Australia is equally fascinating. Titled A Prayer Book for Australia (APBA), it succeeds An Australian Prayer Book (1979) and the Book of Common Prayer (1662), but it does not supersede them. Indeed, the title page says APBA is "for use together" with those volumes, and describes it as "liturgical resources authorized by General Synod."

The book offers an attractive variety with three orders for celebrating the Eucharist, three forms of Morning and Evening Prayer, and some services which are unfamiliar to Episcopalians.

The first observation I had while paging through the Australian book is that it uses inclusive language. Masculine pronouns which refer to all human beings have been eliminated, but references to God such as Lord, Father and King have been retained. So have such masculine pronouns as "he" and "him," although some have been avoided altogether. For example, in the Magnificat, "God has mercy on those who fear him." The inconsistency of this practice will be unsatisfactory to some.

There are also examples of feminine imagery for God. In a canticle attributed to Anselm of Canterbury, one finds, "Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you ..."

For the most part, Elizabethan language has disappeared in APBA. The First Order for the Eucharist retains the order of the 1662 liturgy, but uses contemporary language. The Second Order resembles our Rite II, and has five different "thanksgivings." The Third Order uses a plain and simple language, more flexible rubrics, and has the Gloria in Excelsis following communion.

The two Daily Offices are printed together, which can be confusing to someone who doesn't read them regularly. The third order of the offices is called "A Service of Prayer, Praise and Proclamation," again using more flexible rubrics. Unfortunately, psalms and readings for daily Morning and Evening Prayer are not included. Australian Anglicans apparently have another source for the daily readings.

Like the New Zealand prayer book, APBA offers a section of Daily Services of Morning and Evening Prayer with seasonal themes offered for each day of the week. For example, Sunday celebrates the Resurrection, Monday focuses on the Holy Spirit, and Friday emphasizes the cross.

In the section titled Sunday Services, one finds Reception into Communicant Membership, in which the bishop asks a candidate, "Do you desire to be admitted into communicant membership of the Anglican Church of Australia and accept her doctrine and order?" Later, the congregation states, "We receive and welcome you into the communion of the Anglican Church."

A Prayer Book for Australia provides a wide variety of forms of worship. For the most part, it is easy to follow, and worth looking at the next time this church considers prayer book revision.

David Kalvelage, editor