We've Always Done It This Way
I've been actively involved with the Episcopal Church for over fifty years. I started attending just as the "new" Book of Common Prayer was being introduced. It took several years and there were various versions of the book in the pews. It was referred to as the new prayer book back then and to this very day, some folks still call it the "new" prayer book. I have had conversations from time to time with folks who still use their 1928 prayer books for personal prayers and daily offices, and they would tell me that they receive a special level of comfort using those forms and reading those words. I have served on the Vestry of several parishes and since being ordained I have been expected to attend Vestry meetings with voice, but no vote. As a result, I can give you countless examples of what it is like when somebody proposes that the parish changes something like service times, or carpet color or how or when to decorate the sanctuary for holidays. Most ofte