For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Believe it or not, we’re still in Eastertide – but not for long. This Sunday it will end as we mark the great feast of Pentecost, and then, after that, we will begin that season known as “ordinary time.” It’s the longest liturgical season, stretching from Pentecost Sunday (late May) all the way to the Sunday before Advent (late November). It’s a season without fanfare, bells or whistles, or big feast days. It’s just ordinary – a kinder, gentler time for rest and reimagining, time for listening to scripture, going deeper into the prayers in worship.
In ordinary time, or at least over the summer, St. David’s will be making a few temporary shifts in worship. The goal is two-fold: to be more welcoming to visitors (because people visit in the summer), and to increase ease of worship for everyone. The shifts include the following:
- We will observe a summer Sunday worship schedule (8 a.m. in the Church, 9:30 a.m. Family Service in Allen Hall, 10 a.m. in the Chapel and livestreamed, and 5 p.m. in the Church). Summer schedule begins Sunday, May 26, 2024.
- On the third Sunday of each summer month, the 5 p.m. service will be held in our outside chapel, followed by a potluck supper.
- We will change the bulletin format – moving from a tri-fold design to a small booklet with all the pieces of the liturgy included and in order. We will continue to worship out of the Book of Common Prayer, including all page numbers in the bulletin.
- We will enjoy shorter Prayers of the People over the summer, though will continue to be blessed by prayers written by members of our congregation and coordinated by Amanda Smoot.
- The Rector Transition Prayer has been updated to reflect the calling of the Rev. Rick Morley as St. David’s new rector. For the first part of the summer, we will continue praying it before the final blessing, and then may shift to include it in the Prayers of the People later in the summer.
I want to give a word of thanks to the Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud who has been working with members of the Worship Commission to recruit and train new acolytes and ushers. Summer will be the time for newbies to get some experience and try out their new ministry.
This is probably not the most inspiring Friday Clergy Letter you’ve ever received. My apologies. It is important, though, that shifts in our common worship, however slight, however temporary, be announced ahead of time. Also, please know that it is all a bit of an experiment. Throughout the summer I will be gathering your feedback; please send it directly to me at danderson@stdavidschurch.org. At the end of August we will evaluate the shifts, given your wisdom and perspectives.
In the end, it’s about Jesus. It’s about worship. It’s about Christian community and our relationships with each other. Worship is a living thing – something we plan ahead of time, and then breathe life into, together, when we gather. Worship is also an evolving thing – it changes over time. Take a minute to check out the St. David’s Archives display about the changing nature of our Book of Common Prayer. Making shifts to make the incredible gift of worship more accessible to visitors and new members (even, maybe, new Christians or new Episcopalians), and more fluid for long time worshippers is – dare I say it – traditional. If we’ve learned anything through our own Episcopal story and our own Anglican roots we know: liturgical change and evolution is an essential and foundational part of our tradition.
The Rev. Devon Anderson
Interim Rector
Published May 16, 2024