Book of Common
Prayer revision
The 2015
General Convention asked the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music to look at
revising the BCP. The Committee has developed a comprehensive plan for
revisions, with two options as to how the church might proceed with that work.
The Committee’s report is here.
Marriage
equality
General
Convention’s Task Force on the Study of Marriage has been monitoring the use of
the two new marriage rites approved by the 2015 General Convention and is
proposing that the Convention make provision for all couples to have access to
the rites. Currently eight diocesan bishops have not authorized their use. The
Task Force is also proposing the addition of the trial use liturgies to the
Book of Common Prayer, and amendments to the BCP marriage rites and Catechism
to make language gender neutral. It also proposes two liturgies for the
blessing of relationships of couples who choose not to marry for legal or
financial reasons, and recommends that the church look for new ways to minister
to the growing number of people choosing to live together in committed, monogamous
relationships rather than marry. The Task Force’s report is here.
A salary for
the president of the House of Deputies
The
2015 General Convention appointed the Task Force to Study Church Leadership and
Compensation to consider whether the currently volunteer position of president
of the House of Deputies should receive compensation. The Task Force concluded
that the position is a full-time job and calls for a salary. This is a
controversial issue. Some say the change will make it possible for more people
to consider running for election as president. Others say it is a significant
first step in expanding the authority of the president’s position.
