Chairmen Urge Support For Prayer Book Guidelines
Episcopal News Service. November 21, 1979 [79363]
ALBUQUERQUE, N. Mex. -- More than 100 liturgical and music commission representatives from 59 of the 93 U.S. dioceses of the Episcopal Church voted unanimously to call upon the Presiding Bishop "to use the authority of his office to carry out the will of General Convention" with regard to the approved guidelines for use of the 1979 and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
The resolution, which was approved by the conference, expressed concern over what was felt to be a misrepresentation of the stated intent of the Convention guidelines which were approved at its triennial meeting in Denver in September.
The resolution of the liturgical and music commission representatives said that "mailings from the Society for the Preservation of the Book of Common Prayer are distorting the clear voice of this Church in General Convention and creating damaging confusion."
By overwhelming majorities, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies ratified the action taken in 1976, authorizing the new Standard Book. The two Houses also approved -- almost unanimously -- a resolution allowing use of "liturgical texts" from the 1928 Standard Book under the authority of the bishop "as chief pastor and liturgical officer" of the diocese.
The guidelines call on all congregations to study and use the Standard Book regularly and frequently. They also make it clear that the Standard Book, its rubrics, calendar and lectionaries are normative for the entire Church.
The liturgical and music commission representatives pledged their "support to the diocesan bishops in their implementation of the resolution and guidelines of that (1979) Convention."
The theme of the conference was "The Meaning of Space and its Use in Liturgy." The members discussed and experienced space as it relates to architecture, music, geography and movement/body. The conference concluded its consideration of the topic with a service of baptism and eucharist, lead by the Rt. Rev. Richard M. Trelease, Bishop of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
The representatives voted overwhelmingly to incorporate themselves in order to provide a continuing service to the Church. The approved constitution indicates that the objectives of the group are to promote better understanding of the Prayer Book, to be available to assist bishops in liturgical matters, and to support the work of the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Standing Commission on Church Music.
The Rt. Rev. Chilton Powell, retired Bishop of Oklahoma, member and chairman of the Standing Liturgical Commission for 18 years, received a five minute standing ovation following the presentation of a plaque of thanksgiving in recognition of his service to the Church in the development of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.
Officers of the Conference of Diocesan Liturgical and Music Commissions for 1980 are: The Rev. Canon Vincent K. Petit, Diocese of New Jersey, president; William Teague, Diocese of Louisiana, vice president; the Rev. Peter C. Moore, Diocese of the Rio Grande, secretary; Mrs. Donald Kingsley, Diocese of Western Michigan, corresponding secretary; the Rev. John E. Gilchrist, Diocese of South Carolina, treasurer; and the Rev. Jerome W. Meachen, Diocese of Georgia, assistant treasurer.
Guests at the conference included the Rev. Leo Malania, New York, coordinator for the Prayer Book Revision, Dr. Alec Wyton, New York, coordinator for the Standing Commission on Church Music; and Mrs. Vivian Kingsley, Holland, Mich., president of the Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, a national group concerned with parish renewal.
The Conference of Diocesan Liturgical and Music Commission Chairmen of the Episcopal Church has met annually for the past 10 years to assist in the development of the Book of Common Prayer and in the enrichment of The Hymnal 1940.