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Greetings!
This past Sunday there was a meeting held after the 10:30 service that included the Chalicers, Vergers, clergy, and Lay Readers. Our goal was to sort things out for what we do in worship, as many of us (including me!) weren’t sure what to do, and when, during each of the Sunday worship services. I love to celebrate the Eucharist, but after all these years I have my own preferences for how to do things. However, I’m aware that all of you, after 20 fairly predictable years, have now gone through any number of styles and changes in worship over the last 18 months. That can feel disruptive or unsettling as practices change and traditions are left behind. And that can be hard! So we worked together as a group to reach some agreement on several different aspects of the liturgy—and now we’ll try them out and then tweak them if necessary.
In the meantime, you have begun to experience the “new” prayers in each service. At 8:00, the change isn’t much: Eucharistic Prayer II is just slightly different from Eucharistic Prayer I. Have you noticed? If so, what do you think? At 10:30, in the combined service in the Great Hall, we have changed the Prayers of the People, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Post-Communion Prayer. Have you noticed? If so, what do you think? And at 5:00, once again the Prayers of the People, the Eucharistic Prayer, and the Post-Communion Prayer are like those in the Great Hall—a definite change from what you’re used to. Have you noticed? If so, what do you think? And when the combined service is in the church, just the Prayers of the People and Post-communion prayer will be different, so you’ll have to tell me what you think! Oftentimes, when we break out of our established habits, we hear and understand things differently, and hear God speaking to us in new ways. So, my hope is that in hearing these prayers you will be challenged to think about their meaning, the theology behind them, and how it aligns (or not) with your own theology. Think about it! And then tell me about it. Because as always, I am open to your questions.
Faithfully yours,
Mimi+
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