Resolution Number: 1997-C021
Title: Plan Constitutional and Liturgical Changes to Enrich Common Worship
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons to submit to the 73rd General Convention for first reading an amendment to the Constitution of this Church to add to Article X an authorization for preparation and use of additional liturgical materials; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission be directed to prepare a plan for liturgical revision and enrichment of the common worship of this Church to be presented to the 73rd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That this plan include forms of worship reflective of our multicultural, multiethnic, multilingual and multigenerational Church while providing rites and structures that ensure the unity of Common Prayer; and be it further

Resolved, That any new or revised rites when authorized be available for distribution in a variety of forms, including multimedia and electronic options; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission be directed to prepare for publication and use alternative liturgical materials to be presented to the 74th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission present the necessary budget request for this process of liturgical revision and enrichment to the 73rd General Convention.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 739.

Legislative History

Author: Diocese of Newark
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(C021)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission to begin the work of Prayer Book revision so that a new Book of Common Prayer inclusive of God and all of God's people can be ready for final approval at the General Convention of the year 2006; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission consider offering options for distribution of future authorized texts such as a Loose-leaf Book and CD/ROM; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission promote the use of hymnals and prayer books from other branches of the Anglican Communion and our ecumenical partners in ministry so that use of such can be easily expedited.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission to prepare a plan for liturgical revision and enrichment under which a draft proposed Book of Common Prayer could be presented for first reading to the 76th General Convention of the year 2009; and be it further

Resolved, That this plan include forms of worship reflective of our multicultural, multiethnic, multilingual and multigenerational church while providing rites and structures that ensure the unity of common prayer; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission present the plan and necessary budget request for this process of revision and enrichment to the 73rd General Convention of the year 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That any new or revised rites when authorized be available for distribution in a variety of forms, including multimedia and electronic options.

Bishop Lee (Virginia) proposed an amendment to the substitute.

Proposed Amendment:

Omit the first Resolved clause and substitute new language:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that this 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission to submit to the 73rd General Convention for first reading an amendment to the Constitution of this church to add to Article X of the Constitution an authorization for preparation and use of supplemental liturgical materials; and

Omit the third Resolved clause and add new language:

Be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission is further directed to prepare a plan for the preparation, publication and use of supplemental liturgical materials to present to the General Convention in 2006;and be it further

Motion was made to postpone to a time certain so that the amendment can be printed.

Motion carried

Amendment defeated

A motion was made to reintroduce the amendment.

Motion carried

Bishop Doss (New Jersey) moved to refer Resolution C021 back to Committee.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to Legislative Committee

The Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #8 on Resolution C021 (Prayer Book Revision) which included a statement by the Committee, moved the resolution, and recommended adoption of a substitute.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that this 72nd General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons to submit to the 73rd General Convention for first reading, an amendment to the Constitution of this church to add to Article X an authorization for preparation and use of additional liturgical materials; and be it further

Resolved, that the Standing Liturgical Commission be directed to prepare a plan for the liturgical revision and enrichment of the common worship of this church to be presented to the 73rd General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, that this plan include forms of worship reflective of our multicultural, multiethnic, multilingual and multigenerational church while providing rites and structures that ensure the unity of common prayer; and be it further

Resolved, that any new or revised rites when authorized be available for distribution in a variety of forms, including multimedia and electronic options; and be it further

Resolved, that the Standing Liturgical Commission be directed to prepare for publication and use alternative liturgical materials to be presented to the 74th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, that the Standing Liturgical Commission present the necessary budget request for this process of liturgical revision and enrichment to the 73rd General Convention.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #147)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #12 on HB Message #147 on Resolution C021s (Prayer Book Revision), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #278)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 24.

Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention directs the Standing Liturgical Commission to submit a constitutional amendment authorizing it to plan for liturgical revisions that reflect diversity and that are available in a variety of media formats.
Notes:  

The following text was printed in the Journal under the heading "Committee Statement."

"The Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy appreciates the response of the Standing Liturgical Commission to Resolution A051 adopted by the 71st General Convention. That resolution called for a rationale and pastorally sensitive plan for the next revision of the Book of Common Prayer. We agree that "prayer book revision is already underway through a process of supplemental and trial use, local development, and inter-Anglican and ecumenical liturgical consultation." However, experience over the last triennium continues to indicate the need for a more formal plan and directed process with a specific timetable and budget. We envision this process to be inclusive of the entire church with many avenues for participation and sufficient time for discernment, discussion and trial use."