We speak of being one church, whether we are members at the Church on the Common or the Church at the School. But we are also members of one Church - in the diocese of Chelmsford, we are members of the Church of England. It was for that purpose that the Book of Common Prayer was compiled, to provide order in public services of worship. This meant that whether you attended service in Durham or in Cornwall, one felt comfortable among fellow-members. The liturgy should be a unifying factor and not a distraction, which is the case when changes are made weekly in the wording of say the creed or confession, This detracts for visitors or those unable to see the new wording on cards or on service sheets.
It has been good to come together in joyous assembly. Let us also remember there is a place for reverence in our service of the Lord.
For those who are about to make decisions shortly, I respectfully suggest they reacquaint themselves with the first paragraph of the preface to the Book Of Common Prayer:
"It has been the wisdom of the Church of England since the first compiling of the public liturgy to keep the mean between the two extremes of too much stiffness or too much easiness in admitting any variation from it. For as on the one hand, where a change hath been made of things advisedly established, sundry inconveniences have therby ensued; so on the other side, the particular forms of divine worship being things in their own nature indifferent and alterable, it is but reasonable that such alterations may be made therein as to those who are placed in authority should from time to time be expedient - yet so that the main body and essentials of it continue the same and stand firm and unshaken, notwithstanding all the vain attempts and intemperous assaults made against it by men who are given to change. "
It has been good to come together in joyous assembly. Let us also remember there is a place for reverence in our service of the Lord.
For those who are about to make decisions shortly, I respectfully suggest they reacquaint themselves with the first paragraph of the preface to the Book Of Common Prayer:
"It has been the wisdom of the Church of England since the first compiling of the public liturgy to keep the mean between the two extremes of too much stiffness or too much easiness in admitting any variation from it. For as on the one hand, where a change hath been made of things advisedly established, sundry inconveniences have therby ensued; so on the other side, the particular forms of divine worship being things in their own nature indifferent and alterable, it is but reasonable that such alterations may be made therein as to those who are placed in authority should from time to time be expedient - yet so that the main body and essentials of it continue the same and stand firm and unshaken, notwithstanding all the vain attempts and intemperous assaults made against it by men who are given to change. "
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