January 21 is Anniversary of Original Liturgy
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s words of worship resonate today in Episcopal churches that value scripture and tradition — and are reasonable enough to practice “inclusion” regarding conservative Episcopalians. “Conservative” in this sense means “conserving and practicing that which is good.”
In St. Mary’s, Carle Place, NY, Episcopalians for Traditional Faith (ETF) marked the anniversary of Cranmer’s first Book of Common Prayer (BCP) at a service of Holy Communion and afterward at a celebratory luncheon.
Cranmer’s Prayer Book was proclaimed the official liturgy of England by Parliament on January 21, 1549. The Act of Uniformity, as the measure was called, addressed “The Book of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church after the use of the Church of England.”
Several minor changes have been made over the centuries, but the towering language — great language for great things — and, more important, the core faith expressed by that language, remain the same in the 1928 BCP. This magnificent book is the keystone of our faith today in the Episcopal Church as well as other churches that have adopted it or portions of it. Moreover, the classic Prayer Book is treasured as a jewel in the crown of the entire Western Canon by readers and scholars who appreciate the English language.
It wasn’t until 1979 that the first major revisions appeared in the language and, consequently, in the meaning of the religion itself, chiefly in the secular “Baptismal Covenant.” This sociopolitical phrase is regarded by many revisionists, according to their own words, as the most important declaration in the liturgy. Another revision is a slight manipulation of language in the Creeds that denies the divine nature of Christ. If you haven’t noticed this sly edit hidden in plain sight, read it carefully and you’ll see.
ETF Will Expand Prayer Book Project throughout 2010
Episcopalians for Traditional Faith’s Prayer Book Project is gathering support among mainstream Episcopalians, thanks to friends who have responded generously to our newsletter Update, the ETF e-newsletter, and this ETF website.We’re contacting seminarians and college students, most of whom have never even seen a 1928 BCP and have responded positively with comments such as, “This is great! Why aren’t we using it?” We are also reaching out to conservative bishops and clergy, as well as to the laity, many of whom tell us that they have favored the 1928 BCP all along, but have felt intimidated into silence.
According to polls, approximately 87 percent of Episcopalians responding prefer the 1928 Book of Common Prayer to the 1979 and subsequent revisions. We preferred the 1928 in 1979, and we prefer it today.
The handsome one-inch enameled ETF pin can grace your lapel.
You can help ETF increase use of the classic, traditonal, scripture-based 1928 Book of Common Prayer within the Episcopal Church. Join our grassroots movement today. State your preference for the 1928 Prayer Book with your attractive red, white, and blue ETF lapel pin. Each donor who sends in $10 or more will receive an ETF pin as a gift. It’s a great sign of solidarity in helping us change hearts and rebuild our Church.
Please send a check for $10 or more today to ETF at our address below, or make a secure donation here through PayPal.
No small changes, these, and vexatious to the vast majority of Episcopalians, who will be happy to learn that, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of the 1928 BCP have been greatly exaggerated by liberal bishops and clergy. Although the 1979 book was adopted by General Convention as the official liturgy — and, as we learned at last summer’s General Convention, is now considered in revisionist circles terribly old-hat – the 1928 BCP is still in use throughout the Church wherever Episcopalians discern the difference. How quickly the 1979 went out of fashion! Yet the classic, scripture-based 1928 BCP endures. Ask your clergy to observe this pivotal day in Church history by conducting services this Sunday and next from the 1928 BCP. You’ll leave church refreshed, renewed, and ready to take on whatever the coming week has in store.
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