Diocesan News25 May 04

Derry and Raphoe launch BCP 2004 with four Agape Communion services

THE NEW BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER LAUNCHED IN THE DIOCESE OF DERRY AND RAPHOE WITH FOUR AGAPE COMMUNION SERVICES

The Church of Ireland has a new Book of Common Prayer. Officially launched at the recent General Synod in Armagh, it will be the Church?s authorised Prayer Book as from Sunday 6 June 2004, Trinity Sunday. Sales of the book have far exceeded the publisher?s expectations, with the second print already well under way.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, The Right Rev Ken Good, has warmly welcomed the new Prayer Book. ?I see the arrival of this publication as a wonderful opportunity to raise to a whole new level people?s awareness and appreciation of worship. It is an occasion for teaching, for fresh approaches and for liturgical renewal that we must all grasp wholeheartedly?.

Each diocese has marked the launch of the book in its own way, with Derry and Raphoe choosing to do so in the context of four Agape Communion Services this week in Londonderry, Letterkenny, Omagh and Limavady, each presided over by the Bishop.

The Bishop describes an Agape Communion as ?an opportunity for us today to experience something of what the early Christians did when they met together for ?the breaking of bread?. Seated at tables in a large hall, the 120 people from neighbouring parishes present in each venue, share together in a service of Holy Communion in the setting of a four course meal.?

?I have been present at several Agape Meals in other dioceses, and have always found them to be spiritually significant and highly memorable for everyone present. The singing and the praying, the conversation and the dining, the word and the sacrament all combine together in quite powerful ways.?

?I chose this context in which to launch the new Prayer Book to encourage us all to be reminded of the fact that worship today can and must be fresh, meaningful and relevant. The structure and flexibility in this Prayer Book make all this possible?

The new Prayer Book will be in use throughout the Church of Ireland as from Sunday 6 June, on which date there will be a local launch in each parish church.