Liturgical Advisory Committee23 Sep 22

Liturgical Advisory Committee issues advice on the observance of Remembrance Sunday

The Liturgical Advisory Committee (LAC) of the Church of Ireland has issued advice about the observance of Remembrance Sunday.

A Bill passed by the General Synod of 2017 introduced lectionary provisions for use on Remembrance Sunday.  This Bill placed the lections into the Calendar on a specific liturgical Sunday (the Sunday between 6th and 12th November).  In 2021, it became apparent that this provision is not comprehensive. Remembrance Sunday takes place on the Second Sunday in November – this may be the Sunday between 6th and 12th November or the Sunday between 13th and 19th November.

Where parishes are planning around Remembrance Sunday, those making plans are encouraged to use the Remembrance Sunday lections on the Sunday most appropriate in their local context – which this year in most, if not all, cases will be Sunday, 13th November, the second Sunday of the month.

It is intended to bring legislation to the General Synod in 2023 to begin the process of correcting this anomaly.