Jeremy M S Clines: eco-liturgy and earlier thoughts: Anglican

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Wednesday, May 09, 2018

Index to Collects and Post Communions: Redub / Children's Reboot

This is the index of my Green Prayers which I introduce here. The prayers are either my redubs or my reboots of Church of England prayers that are called "Collects" or "Post Communions".

Below is a week by week list of all of my Collects and Post Communions published for each Sunday of the Church year and principal feast days. The prayers for August to November are still being written.

This alternative prayers project was begun at the start of December 2012 and is continuing.

Up and coming prayers (2nd Dec 2018 – 2 Feb 2019)
Advent
First Sunday of Advent (2–8 Dec '18)
Second Sunday of Advent (9–15 Dec '18)
Third Sunday of Advent (16–22 Dec '18)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (23 Dec '18)

Christmas
Christmas Eve (24 Dec '18)
Christmas Night (24 Dec '18)
Christmas Day (25 Dec '18)
First Sunday of Christmas (30 Dec '18)

Epiphany
The Epiphany, 6 January (06 Jan '19)
Baptism of Christ (1st Sunday of Epiphany) (06–12 Jan '19)
Second Sunday of Epiphany (13–19 Jan '19)
Third Sunday of Epiphany (20–26 Jan '19)
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany (27 Jan–02 Feb '19)
Candlemas: Presentation of Christ in the Temple (02 Feb '19)

Introduction: Redubbing and Rebooting Collects for a Year

Welcome to my redubbed and rebooted Collects and Post Communion prayers.

I am redubbing existing Collects and Post Communions.

I am rebooting by starting again for children.

I always start with Common Worship.

I build an index as I go along.

There are many existing prayers in the category "Collects and Post Communions" that are inaccessible or unintelligible to some or many for a variety of reasons (note my January 2017 letter to the Church Times on that topic).

I've been writing 5 prayers for each Sunday. I'm going to also write 4 or 5 prayers for Principal Feasts and Holy Days. I've done two-thirds of the Church year, with prayers left to be written for August to November. The project began in December 2012 and after I have written five prayers for all Sundays and Principal Feasts—that's about 70 sets of five prayers that run across the year—I also hope to write 2 prayers for some Lesser Festivals too.

I have a pre-occupation with liberation theologies. I'm particularly concerned about environment, women and children. I wrote a PhD on ecotheology and Common Worship: here.

If you want to use the prayers,
an acknowledgement of myself as author
and, if there's space, the url to my blog
would be much appreciated.

Collects and Post Communions (Redub)

Redubbing means changing prayers, not writing entirely new texts. I always begin with the Church of England's Common Worship texts, and so to redub is 'to refit', 'to repair' and 'to make reparation' to the existing prayers in relation to the following concerns:

Gender neutral and inclusive language;
Simplified sentence structure and vocabulary;
A desire to retain metaphors that are accessible;
Earthing the text: i.e. making sure creation gets a look in;
Making them prayers for as many as possible, not just those in the 'church';
Keeping children and empowerment in mind at all times.

The prayers will appear on this blog, at least a few days before the following Sunday so that people who feel compelled* to bring a bit of equality theology into their worship can.

I am redubbing 3 prayers for every week of the Church year (plus major festivals). Redub will begin, first, with Collects and Post Communions, but I hope to extend. My redubs sit next to my Reboots for Children of existing Collects and Post Communions.

I'm choosing Collects and Post Communions because they sum up the church's theology each week for lay and ordained--especially the Collect. Unequal thinking in these prayers is something I want to challenge.

I'm not aiming to improve on poetry or style, but I am wanting to get to a theology that works for me and can be more palatable for those praying it.

Sometimes the unfamiliarity of a new text means, however simple, it may still be much harder to read. I'm grateful for feedback, especially from any who try using them. I'm keen to keep re-writing as well, as work in progress.

If you want to use* the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and if there's space the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

* CofE clergy who have taken a vow of canonical obedience may recall that using non-authorized Collects at a CofE Eucharist as 'The Collect' is not authorized (in a typical, church, non-ecumenical or non-LEP setting). CofE clergy may also recall that it's optional as to what Post Communion prayer is used at a eucharist. [CofE clergy may not be aware that an authorized Post Communion can be used instead of a Collect since it is an authorized prayer.]

Index of Prayers

Collects and Post Communions (Children's Reboot)

When it comes to children and Common Worship, I believe there's a need for a reboot (switch off and start again) of Collects and Post Communions. My rebooted prayers sit next to my work Redubbing existing Collects and Post Communions.

The principles for rebooting are similar to those for redubbing:

Gender neutral and inclusive language;
Great simplicity;
Reduction in use of metaphor;
Earthing the text: i.e. making sure creation gets a look in;
Making them prayers for as many possible, not just those in church;
Keeping children and empowerment as the primary focus.

The prayers will appear on this blog, ideally, at least a few days before the following Sunday so that people who feel compelled* to bring a bit of equality theology into their worship can.

I'm choosing Collects and Post Communions because they sum up the church's theology each week for lay and ordained, young and old—especially the Collect. Unequal thinking in these prayers is something I want to challenge. Thinking that children can understand is something I want to provide.

Having tested the original and my redubbed prayers against the Gunning Fog index for readability, I realize the original prayers have such high reading ages i.e. the number of years of formal education required to make sense of a text on a first reading. For example, 40+ years of formal education is needed to understand the Collect for the First Sunday of Advent at first glance! When I redubbed that prayer it was still inaccessible to a child wasn't possible (I got it down to about 10+ years). It was time for a reboot!

I'm hoping that what I write will be useful for children and for child spirituality practictioners. I hope it will be a prompt, too, for those working to design liturgies so children can understand a fair amount a first hearing.

If you want to use* the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog, would be much appreciated.

Index of Prayers

Monday, December 17, 2012

Post Communion, Christmas Day (Children's Reboot)

Thank you God that Jesus was born.

When we think about it we are happy.

Jesus is like the bright sun.

We are glad it is Christmas.

Help us enjoy this special time.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 3.85 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a reboot.

Christmas Day Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Collect, Christmas Day (Children's Reboot)

God you bring life to our world.

Mary gave birth to Jesus,

then there was so much joy.

We are so happy about

the gift of Jesus.

Thank you for all your gifts of love.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 3.5 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a reboot.

Christmas Day Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Post Communion, Christmas Day (Redub)

God of new life, the joy of a new birth

meant so much to the Holy Family.

The joy did not stop there.

The same glad light shines now

in our lives and in our world.

We give thanks for the way we are fed

by a love that is making all things new.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.8 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 17.65 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Day Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Additional Collect, Christmas Day (Redub)

Jesus, we think of how

you were born downstairs*

with the animals and the angels.

How we wonder at heaven in ordinary.

We delight in this day

and pray your love will change our world.

Amen.

*At the moment I am trying to leave these prayers free of commentary, but this one is an exception: it is understood that a manger would have typically been in a lower part of a private home, i.e. 'downstairs'.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.95 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 16.27 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Day Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Collect, Christmas Day (Redub)

God you love the whole world.

We remember, this day how Mary gave birth.

We believe Jesus lived a fully human life,

without letting go of the divine nature.

This changes how we understand you.

This changes how we understand ourselves.

May your Spirit renew the face of the earth

and transform our lives this Christmas.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.88 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 34.75 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Day Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Christmas Day Collection (Redub / Reboot)

Here are my five Collects and Post Communions for Christmas Eve:

Collect (Redub);
Additional Collect (Redub);
Post Communion (Redub);

Collect (Children's Reboot);
Post Communion (Children's Reboot).

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

Here's an Index of Prayers.

Here's the information on how a prayer is redubbed.

Here's the information on how a prayer is a rebooted.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Collect, Christmas Night (Redub)

Ever-living God.

Your eternal light shines brightly

on this holy night.

In your light we see light.

Be as a lamp to our feet

and a light to our path,

both now and forever.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.79 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 16.29 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Night Collection of 3 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Additional Collect, Christmas Night (Redub)

God of love,

in this night is such hope.

In this darkness is such brightness.

May we and the whole creation

be filled with the light of Christ

both tonight and forever.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.52 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 22.2 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Night Collection of 3 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Post Communion, Christmas Night (Redub)

God our friend and rescuer,

all our hopes and fears

have been met in you tonight.

May the Spirit release us from fear

and the Christ-child give light to hope.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.2 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 10.8 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Night Collection of 3 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Christmas Night Collection (Redub)

Here are my three Collects and Post Communions for Christmas Night (normally I write 5, but no children specific prayers seeing as it's for the middle-of-the-night):

Collect (Redub);
AdditionalCollect (Redub);
PostCommunion (Redub).

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

Here's an Index of Prayers.

Here's the information on how a prayer is redubbed.

Here's the information on how a prayer is a rebooted (but in the instance of Christmas Night I have not written children's reboots of the Collects and Post Communions)

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Post Communion, Christmas Eve (Children's Reboot)

God of love,

you are always with us.

You never leave us.

Even before we were born,

you loved us.

Thank you Jesus was born

to show us your love never ends.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 2.64 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a reboot.

Christmas Eve Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Collect, Christmas Eve (Children's Reboot)

God, we are here with you,

on the day before Christmas.

We are excited about the

joy that comes to our world

because Jesus was born.

We are happy because of your love.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 3.3 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a reboot.

Christmas Eve Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Post Communion, Christmas Eve (Redub)

Ever-loving God,

we have waited for you.

Now  we have been fed with your love.

May we hunger in earnest

for your rule of peace to

govern our world and our lives.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 3.4 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 17.31 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Eve Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Additional Collect, Christmas Eve (Redub)

Loving God,

you embraced the world with love,

when, in Jesus, you were taken

into the embrace of Mary and Joseph.

May we join the joy of creation,

as you liberate our world and our lives.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.01 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 15.62 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Eve Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Collect, Christmas Eve (Redub)

Creator God, we are glad to

remember and celebrate

the birth of your Son Jesus Christ.

We are glad as the long wait of Advent ends,

the great mystery of Christmas begins.

Help us get ready for all you

have in store for our world,

both now and for ever.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 9.01 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 30.98 years.

Here's the information on how this prayer is a redub.

Christmas Eve Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012 to Advent 2013.

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.

Christmas Eve Collection

If you want to use the prayers, an acknowledgement of myself as author and, if there's space, the url to my blog would be much appreciated.