New Form Of Service

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31195, 20 October 1966, Page 18

New Form Of Service

“I find what you have before you thrilling and exciting,” Canon R. J. Witty told the Anglican Diocesan Synod yesterday when moving a motion that the synod approve the experimental use of a revised liturgy as proposed by the General Synod last April.

The revised order for Holy Communion was the first liturgy in contemporary English and he thought it a brave attempt to put the service into “language which lives” and which the worshipper understood, Canon Witty said.

After a lengthy debate the synod passed the motion unanimously. The liturgy had been produced after two years’ work, and its experimental use would enable the church to produce something even finer and better, Canon Witty said.

No doctrinal change was intended by the revised order of service. It gave the congregation many more opportunities to share in the service and included a much wider use of the Holy Scripture. On the grounds of language alone the revised liturgy was commended for experimental use, said the Rev. M. J. Goodall. of Shirley. Mr Goodall said that he hoped that the synod would have understanding of those who found change distasteful. He did not think that the language of the revised service was “nearly radical enough,” said the Rev. P. B. Baker of St. Michael's. “Difficult to Use” The Rev. L. E. Pfankuch. of Woolston. said that he felt quite definitely that the revised service showed a doctrinal change. This would mean that it would be difficult for some to use. The debate was the most important he had heard in twenty years in the church in New Zealand, said Archdeacon S. E. Woods. The revised order of service contained a tremendous addition in congregational parts and was im-

portant in its emphasis on quick dismissal going straight out into the world after receiving Communion. Having a Say

“Something like this has not often happened,” said the Rev. J. W. Braithwaite, of Ken-sington-Optipua. The ordinary people who worshipped Sunday by Sunday would be able to have a say in the liturgy of the church, said Mr Braithwaite.

The use of “you” instead of “thou” and “thine” would not make one scrap of difference in the evangelism of our country, said Mr L. R. Burgess, of Woolston. The Provincial Commission wanted the feedback from the people, and the experimental document was in no way to be considered the last word on the service, said the VicarGeneral, Archdeacon H. M. Cocks. The revised order of service would bring new life into the church as it would bring a lot of discussion at the parish level, said Mrs F. R. J. Clemett, of Te Ngawai. After the passing of the motion, the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. W. A. Pyatt, emphasised that the experiment would be carried out under strict conditions. According to the motion the revised liturgy may be used after the bishop has given his consent after receiving a request approved by the vestry of a parish.