| ¶ | Revisions to the Initiation Services made by Synod in February 2000? | |
| In February 2000, the General Synod made some small modifications to the Service of Holy Baptism as published in Common Worship: Initiation Services (ISBN 0 7151 3810 3, March 1998, £10). These changes took effect on Sunday 3 December 2000, when the majority of the Common Worship material was authorized for use. | ||
| The Liturgical Commission suggests that the following list of changes is printed out and placed inside your copy of Common Worship: Initiation Services, or that you mark your copy in the appropriate places. | ||
1 |
There is a new Note governing the Commission. This reads: 'The text provided should normally be used; however it may be paraphrased by the minister if pastoral circumstances require. Alternatively its contents may be included in the sermon.' | |
2 |
Note 2 now provides that 'whenever Holy Baptism is administered there shall be a sermon'. | |
3 |
The rubrics governing the president's Introduction, provision for readings other than the Gospel reading, and the presentation of candidates to the congregation are now adjusted to make these optional. The questions that follow the presentation to the congregation are still to be used. | |
4 |
The rubric governing the Commission (in conjunction with the new Note quoted above) allows the use of 'these or similar words'. | |
5 |
The section in the Commission currently restricted to use with those 'old enough to understand' is now available for use in any circumstance. | |
6 |
It is made clear that the seasonal provisions (Epiphany, Easter, All Saints) are more widely available to be used 'on any occasion to meet pastoral circumstances'. | |
7 |
The rubric governing Prayers of Intercession makes them optional rather than mandatory. | |
8 |
Provision is made for dividing the Litany of the Resurrection into two parts. | |
9 |
A new appendix is added giving alternative words for use at the Decision, which are available for use 'where there are strong pastoral reasons'. The words are the same as those in the ASB Baptism Service. | |
10 |
Where some confirmation candidates are also baptized at the same service, the welcome to the newly baptized immediately before the Peace may be omitted. | |