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

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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 (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.

* 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

Sunday, January 03, 2016

Collect, The Epiphany, 6 January (Redub)

God, maker of the heavens,

a star led the Magi to the

place of Christ's birth.

Their journey changed them,

they went back different.

May we, with all people,

see your love and your creation

in a new way, today and forever.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 9.41 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 27.85 years.

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

The Epiphany Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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, The Epiphany, 6 January (Redub)

God of the star fields,

the Magi saw a star and

went to where Jesus was born.

As we travel the road to freedom,

guide us to find your love

in our lives, in our world,

and in our cosmos.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 8.0 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 12.8 years.

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

The Epiphany Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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, The Epiphany, 6 January (Redub)

God maker of heaven and earth,

help us follow your light.

Just as the shining of a star

changed the lives of the Magi,

may you reveal your love to us.

It is in you that,
we and the creation move and live
and have our being.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.33 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 15.6 years.

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

The Epiphany Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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, January 10, 2013

Baptism of Christ, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, Post Communion (Children's Reboot)

God, you made our world

and all that is in it.

You made the water.

Water brings life.

Jesus got baptized with water.

You are like water:

always giving us life.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 2.48 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.

Baptism of Christ Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Baptism of Christ, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, Collect (Children's Reboot)

Thank you God,

when Jesus got baptized,

you were at his side.

Thank you that you are

always with us too.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 4.2 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.

Baptism of Christ Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Baptism of Christ, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, Post Communion (Redub)

God within all worlds,

God beyond all worlds:

when Jesus was baptized with water

you were there, with the Spirit.

Be with us on our journeys

through the waters of life and death.

May your life giving water

bring us to the new creation.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.87 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 21.7 years.

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

Baptism of Christ Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Baptism of Christ, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, Additional Collect (Redub)

God of life,

in baptism Jesus heard

straight from you,

about how you loved him

and knew him as your son.

Help us hear clearly how you love us too.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.0 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.

Baptism of Christ Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Baptism of Christ, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, Collect (Redub)

Loving God,

your love is stronger than death.

You showed your great love for

your son Jesus at his baptism.

Your Holy Spirit helped him sense you.

We pray that we will also feel your

presence close at hand.

We ask that we will discover what

it is to be a child loved by God.

Help us be transformed by your love

so we may dare to change the world.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.24 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 29.53 years.

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

Baptism of Christ Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project runs from Advent 2012: the first stage concludes in 2016.

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.

Baptism of Christ Collection: 1st Sunday of Epiphany

Here are my five Collects and Post Communions for The Baptism of Christ / 1st Sunday of Advent:

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

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

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Collect, The Epiphany, 6 January (Children's Reboot)

God our Maker,

the Magi were amazed by the star.

When we look up at the sky,

may we find your love all around.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 4.6 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 15.6 years.

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

The Epiphany Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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, The Epiphany (Children's Reboot)

God of light, when it is dark

your love is bright.

God of love, when we are sad

your love gives us joy.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 4.6 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 15.6 years.

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

The Epiphany Collection of 5 prayers is here.

You can also look at the full Index of Prayers.

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

The Epiphany Collection (Redubbed / Rebooted)

Here are my five Collects and Post Communions for The Epiphany (6 January):

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

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

The project began Advent 2012.

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.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Post Communion, First Sunday of Christmas (Redub)

God of heaven, home and hearth.

In Jesus you lived a life less ordinary

and yet a human life through and through.

Jesus knew both people and planet as his own.

Help us, all peoples, all the earth,

to share this our only home.

Fulfil our longing to belong to

one another and to you.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 5.91 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 22.53 years.

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

First Sunday of Christmas 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, First Sunday of Christmas (Children's Reboot)

Thank you God for Jesus.

Thank you for Mary and Joseph.

Thank you that you lived here on earth.

It must have been hard leaving heaven.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 2.6 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.

First Sunday of Christmas 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, First Sunday of Christmas (Children's Reboot)

Thank you God for being like us.

Thank you for being born as a baby.

Thank you for growing up like we do.

Thank you for living in our world.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 3.0 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.

First Sunday of Christmas 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, First Sunday of Christmas (Redub)

God you are both one and three.

You hold all things together

with your perfect love.

We pray you would draw

both people and planet together.

May your love cast out fear

and the birth of Christ bring hope.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 6.0 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 18.85 years.

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

First Sunday of Christmas 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, First Sunday of Christmas (Redub)

Creating God, 

you wonderfully created us in your own image.

 More wonderfully, you are transforming us,

in a way that follows the pattern of Jesus Christ.

You came to us, fully human, living with us in creation.

We pray that we may find your divine love,

even in the messiest places of our lives.

We pray too that your love would

bring relief, from the labour pains

that our whole world goes through,

in the struggle towards freedom.

Amen.

The Gunning Fog readability index suggests 7.33 years of formal education is required to understand this prayer on a first reading, the Common Worship prayer requires 29.32 years.

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

First Sunday of Christmas 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.