| Resolution Number: | 1979-A121 |
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| Title: | Declare Guidelines for Worship From the 1928 Prayer Book |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred As Substituted and Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That this 66th General Convention declares that the Book of Common Prayer of 1979, having been adopted in accordance with Article X of the Constitution of this Church, has thus become the official liturgy of this Church; and
This Convention declares further, That the Book of Common Prayer of 1928 is a rich part of the liturgical heritage of this Church, and that liturgical texts from the 1928 Prayer Book may be used in worship, under the authority of the Bishop as chief pastor and liturgical officer, and subject to the directions of the Convention, as set forth in the appended guidelines; and
This Convention declares further, That this action in no way sanctions the existence of two authorized Books of Common Prayer or diminishes the authority of the official liturgy of this Church as established by this Convention.
GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP
The Book of Common Prayer of 1979 provides the liturgical norm for our congregations. The General Convention adopts the following guidelines:
- That there be continuing study of the 1979 Prayer Book;
- That the congregation develop a worship committee to work with and advise the Rector or Vicar;
- That individual worshipers be encouraged to participate actively in the liturgy;
- That the congregation make itself familiar with music composed for the new Book.
In congregations where liturgical texts from the 1928 Book are in use after the 1979 General Convention: - The calendar and lectionaries of the 1979 Book shall be used;
- Copies of the 1979 Book be available for congregational study and worship;
- Provision shall be made for the regular and frequent use of the 1979 Book.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 1979 (New York: General Convention, 1980), p. C-11. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Joint Committee on the Continued Use of the 1928 Prayer Book |
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| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy |
House of Bishops
On the fourth day, the Bishop of Utah, Chairman of the Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy, moved the following Resolution:
Proposed Committee Substitute:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 66th General Convention declares that the Book of Common Prayer of 1979, having been adopted in accordance with Article X of the Constitution of this Church, has thus become the official liturgy of this Church; and
This Convention declares further, That the Book of Common Prayer of 1928 is a rich part of the liturgical heritage of this Church, and that liturgical texts from the 1928 Prayer Book may be used in worship, under the authority of the Bishop as chief pastor and liturgical officer, and subject to the directions of the Convention, as set forth in the appended guidelines; and
This Convention declares further, That this action in no way sanctions the existence of two authorized Books of Common Prayer or diminishes the authority of the official liturgy of this Church as established by this Convention.
GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP
The Book of Common Prayer of 1979 provides the liturgical norm for our congregations. The General Convention recommends the following guidelines:
- That there be continuing study of the 1979 Prayer Book;
- That the congregation develop a worship committee to work with and advise the Rector or Vicar;
- That individual worshipers be encouraged to participate actively in the liturgy;
- That the congregation make itself familiar with music composed for the new Book.
In congregations where liturgical texts from the 1928 Book are in use after the 1979 General Convention, it recommends also that: - The calendar and lectionaries of the 1979 Book be used;
- Copies of the 1979 Book be available for congregational study and worship;
- Provision be made for the regular and frequent use of the 1979 Book.
The motion was seconded by Bishop Haden.
The Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast moved that the House go into conference concerning the Resolution before the House.
He was supported in this request by six other Bishops.
The motion failed a two-thirds majority by a vote of 55 for to 64 against.
Motion to confer failed
The Bishop of Louisiana moved to amend the preface before guidelines 5, 6, and 7, to replace "it recommends also" by "it be required that".
The motion was seconded by Bishop Gooden.
Motion to amend failed
The original motion, together with the guidelines, was adopted.
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #34)
The Bishop of Utah, Chairman of the Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy, moved that the Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following Resolutions because the subject matter had been dealt with in the passage of the Committee's Resolution: A-121; B-2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 15, 20, 21, 22, 25, 34, 38, 45, 46, 54, 56, 59, 68, 85, 86, 99, 97, 99, 102, 106, 121, 124, 141, 146; C-4, 21; D-9, 10, 16, 31, 34, 87, and 98.
The motion was seconded by the Bishop of Albany.
Motion to discharge carried
The Bishop of Southern Ohio moved the adoption of the following Resolution:
Resolved, That the Chairman of Dispatch of Business set aside time during the Convention for discussion of the Prayer Book Resolution Guidelines just adopted by the House.
The motion was seconded by Bishop Gosnell.
Motion carried
House of Deputies
On the fourth day, HB Message #34 on Resolution A-121 Substitute, on Guidelines for Congregational Worship, was referred to the Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy.
On the fifth day, the Secretary informed the House that it was the recommendation of the Prayer Book and Liturgy Committee that the House concur, without amendment, with HB Message #34 on Continued Use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.
Deputy Ralph Spence (Texas), Chairman of the Prayer Book Committee, moved that the Resolution be adopted.
The House conducted its debate in accordance with Special Rules #1 as proposed by the Committee on Dispatch of Business in its Report #7.
The Chair requested members wishing to debate the issue to sign a roster so opposing opinions could be heard alternately.
Twenty-eight speakers signed the roster.
Deputy Albert Colton (Utah) moved to amend the Substitute Resolution for A-121 passed by the House of Bishops and contained in its Message #34 as follows:
Resolved, to strike the word "recommends" in line 2, par. 1 of the Guidelines, and replace it with the word "adopts"; to strike "it recommends also that" in line 2 of par. 2; to insert the word "shall" after the word "Book" in item 5; and, finally, to insert the word "shall" after the word "provision" in item 7.
A standing vote was requested.
| The result was: | Yes--376 | No--330 |
Amendment carried
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #48)
House of Bishops
House of Bishops
On the sixth day, HD Message #48 on Resolution A-121 Substitute, on Continued Use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, was received.
The House of Deputies had concurred with HB Message #34.
The House concurred
| Report Reference: | Joint Committee on the Continued Use of the 1928 Prayer Book, Reports to the 66th General Convention, 1979, pp. AA-249-AA-250. |
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| Abstract: | The 66th General Convention declares the Book of Common Prayer of 1979 to be the official liturgy of the Church and directs congregations that continue to use the 1928 edition to also regularly use and make available for study and worship and the 1979 edition. |