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Anglican Communion
Forms of Worship |
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Central to worship for Anglicans is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also called the Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Mass). In this offering of prayer and praise are recalled the life, death and resurrection of Christ, through the proclamation of the word and celebration of the Sacrament. Worship is at the heart of Anglicanism. Its styles vary from simple to elaborate, from Evangelical to Catholic, as well as from Charismatic to Traditional. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), in its various revisions throughout the Communion, gives expression to the comprehensiveness found within the Church whose principles reflect since the time of Elizabeth I, a via media in relation to other Christian traditions. Tha Anglican Church of Canada also uses a Book of Alternative Services, published in 1985, based on the work of the Doctrine and Worship Committee as requested by the January 1971 General Synod. The Book of Alternative Services defines additional authorized forms of worship, in use since 1974, to achieve the flexibility and variety deemed desirable to embrace the broader cultural backgrounds of current Canadian society.
Baptism, with water in the name of the Trinity, unites one with Christ and the Church. Other rites include Confirmation. Holy Orders, Reconciliation, Marriage and Annointing of the sick.
Praying together in fellowship is a key to effective prayer. We pray together in church, but the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer helps people extend this community of prayer into the rest of the week. Prayer groups, parish prayer chains, workshops on prayer, retreats and conferences are all part of the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer network.
Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life because it is a relationship with our heavenly Father. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus opened up "A new and living way" for us to come to the Father. (Hebrews 10:20) And this Father, who loves us, sends the Holy Spirit to "pray for us in our weakness." (Romans 8:26)
The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer encourages the church and individuals to fulfill their Christian vocation as partners in prayer. At the 1988 Lambeth Conference, the AFP International Committee of Bishops drafted a Call to Prayer which was later accepted and issued by the Conference to the Anglican Churches throughout the world.
Prayer is the mightiest force in God's universe.
When we pray, we align ourselves with Jesus' eternal prayer for us.
When we pray, we throw our love with His like a lariat around the world.
Helen Smith Shoemaker
Link to the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Web Site
Complied in part from information supplied by :
The Anglican Communion Office, London, UK
Director of Communications - Canon James M Rosenthal
Tel: [44] (0)171 620-1110 Fax: [44] (0)171 620-1070
and other local sources in the Anglican Communion.
© 1998 David J. Wilson.