The Lay Readers Association The Anglican Diocese of Ontario. The Anglican Church of Canada L Église Anglicane du Canada.

Transcription

1 The Assciatin DIOCESE OF ONTARIO The Anglican Church f Canada L Église Anglicane du Canada LAY READERS MANUAL LEARNING TO SERVE Prduced by THE LAY READERS ASSOCIATION Updated t September 2016 Page 1

2 The Assciatin Table f Cntents A Lay Reader s Persnal Prayer... 4 A Lay Reader s Hymn... 4 Missin Statement... 5 Histrical Ntes... 7 And Tday What Is A Lay Reader?... 9 Vestments The Alb r the Cassck and Surplice: The Blue Preaching Scarf and the Medallin f a Dicesan Lay Reader By-Laws f the Assciatin Mandate Purpse Meetings Executive Cmmittee Membership Officers f the Assciatin Ex-ffici Members f the Executive Cmmittee Executive Meetings Minutes and Recrds Respnsibilities f the Executive Amendments Educatinal Philsphy fr Training Requirements Training Equivalency Organizatin f the Training Prgramme Training Prgramme Overview f the Cmpulsry Prgram Cmpulsry Training A: Parish Orientatin Cmpulsry Training B: Lectr s Skills Cmpulsry Training C: Christian Faith & Ministry Cmpulsry Training D: On-Ging Study f Scripture Cmpulsry Training E: Prayer Cmpulsry Training F: Cnducting Wrship Page 2 Updated t September 2016

3 The Assciatin Overview f the Elective Mdules Elective Mdule A: Sharing the Faith Elective Mdule B: Liturgy and Cnducting Wrship Elective Mdule C: Preaching Elective Mdule D: Administering the Reserved Sacraments Elective Mdule E: The Ministry Of Music Elective Mdule F: The Anglican Way Elective Mdule G: Scial Justice Elective Mdule H: Participatin at a Funeral Appendices Appendix A: Cann B9 Lay Readers Appendix B: Installatin Service Appendix C: The Fundamentals f Gd Public Speaking Appendix D: Effective Cmmunicatin Appendix E: General Ntes n the Sacraments Appendix F: Serving During the Preparatin fr the Eucharist Appendix G: Funeral Planning Chart Appendix H: Liturgical Drama Appendix I: Resurces fr Lay Reader Training Anglicanism Bible Study f Scripture Christian Faith Understanding the Faith Hymn Resurces Lectr Skills Public Reading f Scripture Ministry in Daily Life Christian Ministry Spirituality f Wrk Series On-Ging Prayer Life and Persnal Study f Scripture Prayer Intercessins, Prayers f the Peple Preaching and Sermn Resurces Servers Authrs t Cnsider Appendix J: On-Line Resurces Appendix K: Learning Institutins that ffer Thelgical Studies Appendix L: Glssary Annex A Training Recrd Updated t September 2016 Page 3

4 The Assciatin A Lay Reader s Persnal Prayer Almighty Gd, thank yu fr the hnur and jy f being called t yur service as a Lay Reader in yur Church. Renew me with yur Spirit, that in wrship and in service I may be faithful t yur call. Give me enthusiasm t share the task with thse yu have called t serve in ther ways, that tgether we may prclaim yur great salvatin, thrugh Jesus Christ ur Lrd. Amen A Lay Reader s Hymn Will yu cme and fllw Me, if I but call yur name? Will yu g where yu dn t knw and never be the same? Will yu let My lve be shwn, will yu let My name be knwn? Will yu let My life be grwn in yu and yu in Me? Will yu leave yurself behind, if I but call yur name? Will yu care fr cruel and kind and never be the same? Will yu risk the hstile stare, shuld yur life attract r scare? Will yu let Me answer prayer in yu and yu in Me? Will yu let the blinded see, if I but call yur name? Will yu set the prisners free, and never be the same? Will yu kiss the leper clean, and d such as this unseen? And admit t what I mean in yu and yu in Me? Will yu lve the yu yu hide, if I but call yur name? Will yu quell the fear inside and never be the same? Will yu use the faith yu ve fund, t reshape the wrld arund? Thrugh My sight and tuch and sund in yu and yu in Me? Lrd, yur summns eches true, when Yu but call my name. Let me turn and fllw Yu and never be the same. In Yur cmpany I ll g, where Yur lve and ftsteps shw. Thus I ll mve and live and grw in Yu and Yu in me. Will Yu Cme and Fllw Me? Cmmn Praise 430 Text: Jhn L Bell Page 4 Updated t September 2016

5 The Assciatin Missin Statement We, the Lay Readers f the Dicese f Ontari, take as ur gal: T prepare Gd s peple fr wrks f service, s that the bdy f Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in knwledge f the Sn f Gd and becme mature, attaining t the whle measure f the fullness f Christ. We d this by Ephesians 4:12-13 wrking in partnership with clergy and lay peple develping ur skills thrugh training, educatin, and the study f scripture; nurturing each ther in ur spiritual grwth and ministries; ffering ur Gd-given gifts and talents t serve Christ in all the wrld. Updated t September 2016 Page 5

6 The Assciatin Updated t September 2016 Page 6

7 The Assciatin Histrical Ntes Cmpiled by The Rev d Dr Tm Dukes The ffice f a reader r lectr was first mentined as ne f the minr rders in the third century CE/AD. Althugh discntinued in Anglican practice at the time f the Refrmatin, the Office f Lay Reader was revived, in its present frm, in 1866 by C.J. Ellitt, Bishp f Glucester. Since then the numbers f Lay Readers has increased thrughut the Anglican Cmmunin. Initially, Lay Readers were readers f lessns and f the service, acting as assistants t their priests. Tday, all lay peple can take part in the liturgy. Hwever, the Lay Reader still hlds a special licensed psitin in ur parishes. Over the past century, Lay Readers have been invlved in the Dicese f Ontari, althugh their invlvement was nt clearly defined. The first reference t Lay Readers is fund in the Synd Jurnal f 1901, where ne f the duties f the Bishp was t set apart Lay Readers at Napanee, Gananque, Glen Miller and St. Lawrence. The next reference t Lay Readers is fund n Octber, 31, 1904, when the Bishp set apart William Richard Ormrd as Lay Reader at Burritt s Rapids. The Trinity Cllege reprt at the Synd f 1907 included tw men frm ur Dicese, A. H. McGreer (at Tamwrth) and Ge. E. Simmns (at Marmra), wh were Lay Readers and Missinaries during the summer vacatin. An ld bk in the Parish f Kemptville lists, n the inside cver, B. A. Harringtn, J.P.Clarke, H.N.MacPhersn and E.H.Ritchie as Lay Readers frm 1905 t In the last 100 years, the number f Lay Readers has grwn frm 12 t nearly 200. Reprts f the Assciatin t Synd appear less cnsistently; hwever, an Assciatin Executive was mentined in The Synd Jurnals frm 1940 t 1991 listed the names f Lay Readers and the parishes in which they served. In 1934, Bishp Lyns charge t Synd emphasized the rle f Lay Readers: Again in cmparatively recent years the mind f the Church has been expressing itself in the use f licensed Lay Readers. This rder is increasing in numbers and the Readers are assuming a prminent place in the Church s life and wrk. Their usefulness grws as their services cntinue t win recgnitin frm the Laity thrughut the Church. May gd and true men ever cntinue t ffer themselves and the church t extend t them due encuragement. Their services are freely ffered; the results f their ministry are patent. We are grateful fr their generus help. One thing, hwever, must be brne in mind. Reverence and reserve in ministering in hly things has always been natural in the Church ever since Apstlic days. In ur use f laymen in this particular ministry, there must always be present in thse called t this sacred ffice, the sense f vcatin in ne s high calling in Christ Jesus. The urge t take up this wrk must arise frm a quickened sense f respnsibility t bear persnal witness t Christ, a respnsibility which rests upn every member f His Bdy. 1 It can readily be seen that, fr a lng time, Lay Readers have been an imprtant part f the church s ministry in this Dicese. Many dicesan clergy have acted as Warden r Deputy Warden fr the Lay Readers and quite a few Lay Readers have gne n t rdinatin as Deacns and Priests. Individuals have als cntributed greatly t their wn parish s wrship and general well being. S, there is a prud heritage fr us all t fllw. 1 Synd Jurnal, Dicese f Ontari pg 33. Updated t September 2016 Page 7

8 The Assciatin And Tday... In rder t prvide cnsistent training, guidance and help t the Lay Readers f the Dicese f Ontari, the Lay Reader Executive started wrking n a handbk f standardized training in What yu see tday is the latest revisin f this handbk/manual. This manual is designed t prvide yu, the Lay Reader, with yur cmpulsry training prgramme in rder t becme a licensed Lay Reader within the Dicese f Ontari. Yu need t be aware that within yur prbatinary training perid yu must cmplete all f the cmpulsry mdules. The elective mdules are there fr yu t cmplete as yu wish. Hwever, yu shuld als knw that yu can cmplete any f the elective mdules even if yu are still in yur prbatinary training perid. The cmpulsry training utlined in this manual as well as the elective mdules will prvide yu with all the knwledge and skills that yu require in rder t fulfill yur ffice as a licensed Lay Reader. It is very imprtant and necessary that yu keep a permanent recrd f the training yu have received. A specific page has been included in this manual fr yu t track yur prgress as yur priest signs ff n each cmpulsry mdule. The Dicesan ffice nly tracks yur prbatinary and permanent license. It is up t yu t keep track f yur wn grwth and develpment. Many wrkshps that the Assciatin hlds will prvide yu with a certificate indicating yur participatin in ne f the elective r cmpulsry mdules. It is als necessary that yu have this recrd shuld parish circumstances change (ie. New Incumbent, yu mve). May ur Lrd bless and guide yu, Cathy Seymur Chair, Assciatin Page 8 Updated t September 2016

9 The Assciatin What Is A Lay Reader? A Lay Reader is a licensed member f the laity wh has made a specific cmmitment t the Bishp, Parish Priest, and ChurchWardens t use his/her existing and develping gifts in ministry, t the glry f Gd and fr the benefit f the church s peple. This ministry wuld be particularly but nt exclusively in the cnducting f public wrship, in giving instructin in the Christian faith, in evangelizing, in prviding pastral care within the cmmunity, and in ther such duties as requested. Authrity is given by the Bishp in the frm f the Bishp s License, after at least ne year s prbatinary perid f standardized training as per the required mdules. A Lay Reader is required t be at least 18 years f age and a member f an Anglican Church, t agree t fllw the directin utlined in Cann B9 (refer t Appendix A), and t have the apprval f the Parish Priest and Parish Cuncil. The relatinship f a Lay Reader and the Parish Priest is, f necessity, very clse. The relatinship requires mutual accmmdatin, respect, and trust. The Lay Reader and Parish Priest must wrk as a team in an endeavur t serve Gd and His Church. The duties will vary accrding t Parish needs. Lay Readers must cnsider prayerfully hw best t recncile their cncept f this vcatin and their whle-hearted c-peratin with and supprt f their Parish Priest. Typically, Lay Readers perfrm such functins as reading lessns, administering the elements, leading the Prayers f the Peple, sharing leadership in, and planning fr, public wrship services, including giving the hmily r sermn. When apprpriately trained, Lay Readers may be called upn fr mre extensive ministry such as preparing and cnducting services f Mrning r Evening Prayer in their wn r anther parish, taking leadership rles in parish events, cmmittees, training sessins and Sacramental preparatins. Lay Readers shuld be familiar with all sectins f the Bk f Cmmn Prayer ( BCP ) and the Bk f Alternative Services ( BAS ) especially the rubrics (infrmatin printed in italics at the start f, and thrughut, the varius services). They shuld knw where t find the prper prayers fr the day and fr special ccasins and events. In certain circumstances, Lay Readers may take the Reserved Sacrament t the sick r scially islated. Hwever, this requires special permissin frm the Bishp in the frm f a signed license. In rder t begin as a prbatinary Lay Reader, ne is apprached by r appraches the Parish Priest wh, with the apprval f Parish Cuncil, makes a written request t the Bishp. The Bishp then sends a letter t the new prbatinary Lay Reader initiating the welcming prcess, with a cpy t the Warden f Lay Readers. Thereafter, the Prbatinary Lay Reader fllws the curriculum f training utlined in this manual. When this is cmpleted, and at the end f at least ne year, the Parish Priest will ask the Bishp t grant a License; the persn may then be installed as a Lay Reader in that parish at a special service. All these qualificatins are at the discretin f the Bishp. Updated t September 2016 Page 9

10 The Assciatin Vestments The Alb r the Cassck and Surplice: There is n strict designated dress cde in this Dicese, as there may be in sme ther Diceses. Currently, either an alb r a cassck and surplice may be wrn. A white rpe girdle is wrn with the alb. Traditinally the cassck and surplice was wrn fr nn-sacramental services and fr preaching the wrd, and the alb was wrn fr Eucharist/Cmmunin and ther Sacramental services. The Blue Preaching Scarf and the Medallin f a Dicesan Lay Reader Either a Blue Preaching Scarf r the Medallin f a Dicesan Lay Reader may be wrn but nt bth at the same time. The traditinal clur fr scarves and ribbns is a mid saxe blue. [See Appendix D - Glssary] Traditinally, hwever, a medallin was wrn with an alb fr Sacramental services and a scarf fr nn- Sacramental services and fr all services if the Lay Reader was preaching. Tday, either may be fund being wrn thrughut the Dicese. Hwever, the scarf r medallin is t be wrn nly by licensed Lay Readers a prbatinary Lay Reader just wears a plain alb r cassck and surplice, and des nt receive the scarf r medallin until the Installatin Service. Page 10 Updated t September 2016

11 The Assciatin By-Laws f the Assciatin Mandate Updated at the Annual General Meeting f Nvember 2004 Purpse There shall be a Assciatin f which all lay readers and prbatinary lay readers shall be members and the Bishp shall be patrn. The Assciatin shall appint its wn fficers and Executive Cmmittee, as it may deem advisable, pursuant t Cann A5, and as laid ut in the By-Laws f the Assciatin. Cann B9, para 3, 10 The Assciatin in the Dicese f Ontari has been frmed with the purpse f: deepening the spiritual life f its members encuraging regular reading f scripture facilitating interchange f thught and experience fstering fellwship encuraging cntinuing educatin as utlined in the elective mdules encuraging the study f scripture Meetings There will be an Annual General Meeting f the Assciatin. Executive Cmmittee Membership At the Annual General Meeting, an Executive Cmmittee will be elected by thse members present. They take ffice each year, immediately fllwing the Annual General Meeting. Each persn shall serve fr tw years, after which they must step dwn fr at least ne year. There shuld be tw representatives frm each f the regins. Each year, ne Lay Reader frm each regin shall be nminated by the members f their wn regin and then elected by the Assciatin as a whle at the annual meeting. If a cmmittee member has t resign befre the cmpletin f the tw years, a replacement shall be fund frm within that Regin t cmplete the utstanding term f ffice. Each year, the Bishp will appint ne Lay Reader t serve a tw-year appintment. Officers f the Assciatin At the meeting f the Executive Cmmittee fllwing the Annual General Meeting, members shall elect their wn Chairman and Secretary. Ex-ffici Members f the Executive Cmmittee Ex-ffici members f the Executive Cmmittee shall be the Warden and the Deputy Warden f the Assciatin [bth appinted by the Bishp], alng with the Dean and the Registrar f Summer Fruit fr Suls. Updated t September 2016 Page 11

12 The Assciatin Executive Meetings The Executive Cmmittee will meet regularly during the year, in a place and at a time that is cnvenient fr the members. Minutes and Recrds Minutes f the Executive Cmmittee meetings shall be kept and cpies sent t all Executive Cmmittee members, as well as t the Dicesan Centre. Respnsibilities f the Executive The Executive Cmmittee will be respnsible fr: being an advcate fr the rle f Lay Readers maintaining effective cmmunicatin with all members f the Assciatin; welcming new Lay Readers as members f the Assciatin and acknwledging them at the AGM; develping training materials and manuals; rganizing, with the Dean and Registrar, the annual Summer Fruit fr Suls; Amendments prviding regular training wrkshps; cntinuing t develp and update the Lay Readers ; maintaining an n-ging database f all Lay Readers in the Dicese, including the dates that Certificates f Recgnitin are issued; cntinuing t prvide training pprtunities fr all Lay Readers. These Bylaws may be amended frm time t time by the Executive Cmmittee, but such changes must be ratified retractively by the membership f the Assciatin at the Annual General Meeting. Page 12 Updated t September 2016

13 The Assciatin Educatinal Philsphy fr Training The primary functin f mst Lay Readers invlves wrking in partnership with clergy in planning and leading wrship s this training manual fcuses n the knwledge and skill develpment necessary fr that task. Requirements There are many lay peple in ur Dicese wh are invlved in leading wrship as readers, intercessrs, Eucharistic ministers and as preachers. All f these peple are welcme t participate in any part f the training prgram that they feel wuld be f benefit t them in their particular ministries. Hwever, thse wishing t be licensed as Lay Readers must cmplete the requirements cntained in the basic training part f this manual. Training The training emphasis n the liturgical functins f the Lay Reader is nt intended t limit the range f ministries in which Lay Readers (r ther lay peple) may be called t participate. Sme may have gifts in teaching, thers in pastral care, while thers may have gifts in rganizatin and administratin. If a parish r cngregatin desires Lay Readers t functin in these ways, thse individuals are encuraged t seek additinal training in the parish, in the Dicese r beynd, which will equip them fr these tasks. The basic training fr Lay Readers is prvided by the incumbent within the parish setting as laid ut in the manual. The incumbent is asked t take an active rle and t meet regularly with bth prbatinary and licensed Lay Readers f the parish. The parish rientatin is an pprtunity t wrk ut the specifics f the partnership between clergy and Lay Reader. The substantial amunt f the training can happen in the parish, using lcal preferences. All Lay Readers are encuraged t take advantage f pprtunities t deepen their spiritual lives thrugh nging educatinal prgrams in the lcal church, the dicese and beynd. Lay Readers shuld keep track f their wn persnal advancement thrugh the manual checklists. The assciatin encurages Prbatinary Lay Readers t participate in the training prvided by Summer Fruit fr Suls which is presented annually by the assciatin. Further training can be btained thrugh the regular fferings f the assciatin. Hands n skill develpment in parish settings is encuraged as well. Experiential learning shuld be ne f the main avenues f learning. Equivalency When a candidate fr licensing already has training and/r previus experience in a particular area, certain training requirements can be waived n the recmmendatin f the parish priest in cnsultatin with the Warden f Lay Readers. The candidate shuld still participate in parish rientatin t clarify their jb descriptin and rle in services. It is als recmmended that they meet with the Warden f Lay Readers and participate in ne r tw Lay Reader events fr the purpse f meeting ther Lay Readers and building dicesan awareness befre being licensed. Updated t September 2016 Page 13

14 The Assciatin Organizatin f the Training Prgramme This training prgramme cnsists f cmpulsry training and elective mdules. Cmpletin f the cmpulsry training acknwledges that the Prbatinary Lay Reader has cmpleted sufficient training and experience t be licensed t functin as a Lay Reader within the parish/cngregatin. The elective mdules prvide pprtunities f grwth in skills and a cntinuing cmmitment t this ministry. This and the relevant fllwing sectins f this are rganized t reflect the cmpulsry and elective mdules. Numerus check lists f specific requirements, curses and reading material have been included t be used t help yu track yur wn prgress and develpment. Frmal acceptance f a particular requirement shuld be acknwledged by bth the Lay Reader and the Parish Priest n the sheet prvided in each sectin f the training prgramme. Cmpulsry Training Elective Mdules 1-A Parish Orientatin 2-A Sharing the Faith 1-B Lectr Skills 2-B Leading Wrship 1-C Christian Faith & Ministry 2-C Preaching 1-D Onging Study f Scripture 2-D Administering the Sacraments 1-E Prayer 2-E Ministry f Music 1-F Cnducting Wrship 2-F The Anglican Way 2-G Scial Justice 2-H Officiating Funerals and Burials Page 14 Updated t September 2016

15 The Assciatin Training Prgramme Cmpulsry Prgram Overview f the Cmpulsry Prgram This level cnsists f: Receipt f the Bishp s Letter accepting yu as a Prbatinary Lay Reader A prbatinary perid f nt less than ne year Successful cmpletin f the fllwing cmpulsry training: Requirement Sectin Requirement 1-A Parish Orientatin 1-B Lectr Skills 1-C Christian Faith & Ministry 1-D Onging Study f Scripture 1-E Prayer 1-F Leading Wrship Updated t September 2016 Page 15

16 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training A: Parish Orientatin Gals Clergy and Lay Readers will need t determine hw their team ministry is t functin. They will d this by: Meeting with their Parish Priest n a regular basis The Parish Priest giving instructin in: being an effective lectr assisting in the administratin f the elements and acting as a server the different rles f the Lay Reader the use f bth the Bk f Alternative Services (BAS) and the Bk f Cmmn Prayer (BCP) the use f the different Lectinaries Examining varius services in the BAS and the BCP t determine the parts fr which the Lay Reader will be respnsible. Determining if the Lay Reader will functin as a Lectr n a regular basis, r if readers cme frm the cngregatin, r if there will be a cmbinatin f bth. Making the Lay Readers part f the Parish Wrship Cmmittee, if pssible. Lay Readers shall be capable f prviding advice and assistance t visiting clergy regarding parish custms Lay Readers shall demnstrate that they are capable f selecting apprpriate hymns, sngs, and intercessins, which reflect the theme f the Lectinary readings. Page 16 Updated t September 2016

17 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training B: Lectr s Skills Gals Read the Wrd f Gd: presenting Gd s Wrd t Gd s peple sharing ur relatinship with Gd t help thers imprve their relatinship. Imprve Lectr Skills: attending a Dicesan, Lay Reader Assciatin, r Parish wrkshp n becming a gd lectr studying the resurce materials prvided in this sectin with regard t the skills f a lectr Candidates may receive training frm a Tastmasters Internatinal club r a similar training rganizatin. Demnstrate prficiency in public prclamatin f scripture based upn the fllwing cnsideratin fr lectrs. Pints t Cnsider The Envirnment Yu ften have little cntrl ver this but eliminate thse distractins wherever pssible. Pause at the start t get everyne s attentin. The Sund System Knw hw clse t the micrphne is best fr yur vice. Practise, s yu will nt be surprised by the sund f yur wn vice in a large space. If a sund system is unavailable, yu will have t prject yur vice s it reaches t the back f the church. The Listeners Be interested in them! Make eye cntact with as many as pssible. The Reader D nt be t self-centred. Cncentrate n the Wrd. Be prepared - knw yur reading. Be neat and prper in yur attire D nt fidget, r sway backwards and frwards! The Written Wrd Find it. Read it. Chse a translatin that can be understd by yu, and by the peple t whm yu are reading. Check the setting f the reading. Decide what type f reading it is stry, petry, letter, r prphecy. The way yu read it shuld fit the message. Updated t September 2016 Page 17

18 The Assciatin The Inner Life f the Text Read, pray, and meditate. Use reference materials, e.g. Wrkbk fr Lectrs. Let the Wrd speak t yu. The Inner Life f the Lectr Read the Scriptures regularly. Pray. Prepare yur reading well in advance. Read alud tape yurself, and/r have a critic help yu. Skills Imprvement Practice Relax, breathe deeply Read clearly and nt t quickly Pause at the end f phrases with lnger pauses at the end f sentences Remember, listeners may be hearing the passage fr the first time Expressin shuld fllw meaning, but d nt be t dramatic Listen critically t ther readers and learn frm what yu bserve Page 18 Updated t September 2016

19 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training C: Christian Faith & Ministry Gals Demnstrate an understanding f the fllwing Baptismal cvenant, Apstles Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, the catechism Develp a persnal study f Christian faith with shuld include regular reading f scripture using varius translatins Cntinue t nurture and enrich the understanding f yur faith. Pints t Cnsider: grup bible study thelgical curses lay reader wrkshps keeping a spiritual jurnal Updated t September 2016 Page 19

20 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training D: On-Ging Study f Scripture Gals be familiar with the majr biblical themes encurage a deeper understanding and interpretatin f scripture. Participating in a regular Bible Study grup within the Parish r Dicese, Participating, where pssible, in a frmal r academic prgram designed t imprve understanding f scripture. Lay Readers must becme fluent in the use f the fllwing essential Biblical tls: Lectinaries be familiar with all the ptins Cmmentaries running explanatin f the Bible, chapter by chapter Cncrdance lists all the wrds f the Bible and all the places where that wrd is used Pints t Cnsider The fllwing five pints will help Lay Readers t develp skills in reading and interpreting scripture: Observatin: What des it say? Research the backgrund t the passages: Wh is the authr? What kind f writing is it? Key Wrds grammatical sense. T whm was it addressed? What is the purpse f writing des it affect faith? What are the majr Biblical Themes is it a teaching? des it call fr bedience, a challenge, r an emtinal respnse? is it a prmise? is it petic, symblic, r pictrial language? Interpretatin: What des it mean? Discuss: Wh? What? When? Where? Why? Hw? Nte that it may nt always be pssible t use all the questin wrds. Applicatin: Hw des it apply? A passage may have mre than ne teaching pint as the questins belw suggest. What is the area f need, cnvictin, r pprtunity? Des the passage speak f a sin t avid? Des it ffer a prmise t claim? Is there a cmmand t bey? Which timeless principle des it express? Is there an example t fllw? What des this passage teach abut Gd? What des it teach abut the quality f relatinship? What des it teach abut understanding self? What des it cntain that shuld be shared? What kind f peple des Gd want us t becme? Hw will it change values, beliefs, attitudes, r character? What are the steps invlved? Hw might these truths apply at hme, wrk, church, and in the cmmunity? Page 20 Updated t September 2016

21 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training E: Prayer Gals Establish and develp a regular discipline f persnal prayer. Participate in a curse n prayer and/r prayer retreats as available. Demnstrate cmpetence in the leading f intercessry prayer within the parish. Pints t Cnsider This shuld be a daily part f all Christians lives, and certainly a part f the Lay Reader s life. Regularly praise Gd, give thanks t Gd, cnfess ur sins, and seek Gd s help with ur prblems that we, and thers, may be having. The wrd ACTS may help t remind yu what t include in yur prayer: Adratin, Cnfessin, Thanksgiving, and Supplicatin. Remember that Gd knws ur needs; it is the state f ur hearts that is in questin. Give Gd a chance t speak t yu. Read the Scriptures this may be best dne just prir t yur prayers. After prayer, allw a quiet time fr Gd t speak t yu in Gd s wn time and in Gd s wn way. Remember that the Lrd s Prayer is a mdel fr all prayers. When preparing fr leading the Intercessins, speak t the Parish Priest and members f the Parish s that yu are aware f the present needs f the parish. Many parishes maintain an Intercessins Bk, where parishiners may enter prayer requests, particularly fr the sick r thse with special needs. The Dicesan and Parish Cycle f Prayer may be included in the bulletin. If yu are inexperienced in intercessry prayer, it is best t use ne f the Litanies r ther prayers. In the BAS refer t the Litanies n pp , the Prayers f the Peple n p. 235, the Occasinal Prayers n pp , and the Prayers fr the family n pp and In the BCP there is the Litany and Supplicatins n pp. 30 thrugh 36, and varius ther prayers fr Special Occasins, n pp Other litany resurces may be used in cnsultatin with the Incumbent. Speak slwly, and be sure that the cngregatin s respnse t each part is bvius (especially if they d nt have a cpy f the bk yu are using). As yu gain mre cnfidence, and the cnfidence f the Parish Priest, yu may use mre prayer that is extempraneus. Hwever, watch the time allwed fr this part f the service extempraneus prayers tend t creep up and up in the amunt f time they take. Use language that cnveys intimacy and respect. Pray fr peple by name as directed by yur parish priest. Pray fr Gd s guidance in reslving cntentius issues. Remember, yur functin is t lead the cngregatin in cmmuning with Gd. Updated t September 2016 Page 21

22 The Assciatin Cmpulsry Training F: Cnducting Wrship Gals Cnduct wrship in the Parish Familiarize yurself with the variety f wrship ptins within the Anglican Cmmunin by visiting at least tw ther parishes. Cllabrate in planning f wrship in the Parish. Read a scripture lessn, r read r cnduct the Psalm, in regular wrship service Prepare and cnduct Prayers f the Peple Functin as a lay reader in at least tw different services (e g. Eucharist, Baptism, Mrning Prayer). Lay Reader must be familiar with the appinted readings f the day. Pints t Cnsider Persnal Preparatin: study and prayer attitude f sharing fcus n wrship (nt n self) Practical Preparatin: Understand parts f, and significance f, the Liturgy Be a team player Practical training and practice Persnal Presentatin: Clean and tidy, apprpriate dress (vestments help t deflect attentin frm self) Vice articulatin, prjectin, prnunciatin Be rganized papers, markers (thrugh, but discreet) Studied Innvatin: Be sure that any innvatins are enriching, cmfrtable, and carefully intrduced. N surprises!! If yu are ding smething different, be sure thse wrking with yu knw abut it. Use all pprtunities fr nging training in the Liturgy Page 22 Updated t September 2016

23 The Assciatin Elective Mdules Overview f the Elective Mdules The elective mdules may be undertaken at any time in any rder. They are designed t enrich yur ministry and enhance yur skills as a Lay Reader. Requirements Sectin Requirement 2-A Sharing the Faith 2-B Leading Wrship 2-C Preaching 2-D Administering the Sacraments 2-E Ministry f Music 2-F The Anglican Way 2-G Scial Justice 2-H Officiating Funerals and Burials Updated t September 2016 Page 23

24 The Assciatin Elective Mdule A: Sharing the Faith Gals This sectin is persnal in nature and will be n-ging thrughut yur jurney int faith. T be aware f what yu yurself believe and what is the grunding f yur faith. T be able t share yur faith with ther peple. Pints t Cnsider Study with the parish priest r a Bible study grup the significance f the fllwing Biblical passages that mdel evangelism: Fishers f Men... Luke 5:1-11 The Seven Deacns... Acts 6:3-6 The sending f the Twelve... Luke 9:1-6 The sending ut f the Seventy-Tw... Luke 10:1-16 The Great Cmmissin... Matthew 28:19-20 & Mark 16:15 Jesus and Nicdemus... Jhn 3:1-21 Jesus and the Samaritan Wman... Jhn 4:4-42 Jesus and the blind man... Jhn 9:1-12 The lame beggar at the Temple gate... Acts Philip and the Eunuch... Acts 8:26-40 Paul in Rme... Acts 28:23-31 Take every pprtunity t learn hw t evangelize r t share yur faith with thers. Attend a wrkshp n evangelizatin and sharing yur faith. Help rganize a curse such as Alpha, a Parish Missin, r ther utreach event. Cnsciusly take every pprtunity t share yur faith with yur family, in the cmmunity, and in the wrkplace thrughut the week nt just n Sundays! Page 24 Updated t September 2016

25 The Assciatin Elective Mdule B: Liturgy and Cnducting Wrship Gals: Understand the rle and respnsibilities f the Lay Reader in leading wrship. Be able t lead a cmplete wrship service. Pints t Cnsider: Fllw the directins f the Priest. Be familiar with the varius types f services, eg. Hly Eucharist, Baptism, Mrning Prayer, Funerals, etc. Be cmpetent t select readings, cllect, etc frm the apprpriate Lectinary. Be flexible and prepared as necessary t incrprate special elements at the apprpriate pint in a service. Be sensitive t the needs f the parish in selecting and adapting the litanies/prayers f the peple, and chsing music where apprpriate. Updated t September 2016 Page 25

26 The Assciatin Elective Mdule C: Preaching Gals Be familiar with the basic structure f a sermn. Attend an intrductry curse n Preaching/Hmiletics. Understand the fundamentals f gd public speaking Demnstrate the ability t deliver a sermn Pints t Cnsider 1. Preparatin a) Lay Readers shuld draw upn persnal knwledge and persnal beliefs when preaching base their presentatin n an explanatin f Gd s wrd be seen t try t be an example f the teachings f Jesus Christ build a bridge fr the cngregatin between biblical times and tday. b) Sermn ideas: primarily fcus n ne f the Lectinary readings fr the day biblical themes (creatin, the fall, grace, frgiveness etc.) ccasinally, a current event tpic f general cncern but using biblical examples very rarely, persnal testimny as a primary surce. c) Preparatin: pray fr inspiratin, fr guidance and fr humility. start early and prepare well (yu we it t the cngregatin). Decide n the biblical passage t be explred in the sermn and then study it t decide what it says, what is means, what is difficult t understand. This is smetimes referred t as exegesis. decide early n the Cntrlling Idea (Hmiletic Idea) in the passage chsen. read different bibles t get the cntext a text withut a cntext is nly a pretext! read ne r tw cmmentaries n the passage chsen. lk fr examples f the cntrlling idea in ur present life. prepare the skeletn r utline f yur sermn, ging frm the past t the present, and back and frth again and again s there is mvement in what yu say. remember that every stry has certain cmmn elements in its plt: the situatin as it is nw (culd be gd r bad) things change - serius truble, Oh dear! Ah ah! a turning pint is reached. There is a way frward if we d this Yeah! We made it, with Gd s help, and then but wait, what is happening nw? and s it ges n, thrugh the whle prcess again. d) Applicatin: e) Illustratins: nw get mre specific, giving fr instances t help the cngregatin think thrugh their wn answers. use examples frm the Bible itself, as well as real life experiences t illustrate the cntrlling idea. Page 26 Updated t September 2016

27 The Assciatin f) Outcme: think thrugh the s what? What d yu want t call peple t d? there needs t be an active respnse t yur message mtivatin will demnstrate the benefits f respnding remember that the challenge f a gd sermn, with Gd s grace, is t help peple t grw, change and have greater insight int the subject discussed. g) Intrductin: having prepared the sermn, nw think f a gd (30 secnd) pening which will get peple s immediate attentin. start frm where peple are at (i.e. in tday s wrld) it is ften a gd idea t ask a questin which frces peple t answer it in their wn heads, r be interested in what YOU think is the answer. Then they will be mre likely t listen t what yu have t say next! h) Cnclusin: the cnclusin shuld include a shrt summary f what has been the cntrlling idea. yu can end with an invitatin t take the next step in life s jurney by accepting the challenge, which has been illustrated by the sermn. 2. Surce Materials The Revised Cmmn Lectinary Several different versins f the Bible One r tw biblical cmmentaries Biblical Dictinary Biblical Cncrdance Biblical atlas and maps (ften fund at the end f the Bible) The daily/weekly newspapers Current Affairs and News prgrammes n TV Lay Readers are urged t take advantage f pprtunities fr at least ne curse in Hmiletics, as prvided by the Lay Reader Assciatin. Updated t September 2016 Page 27

28 The Assciatin Elective Mdule D: Administering the Reserved Sacraments Gals Knw hw t administer the elements Understand the requirements fr the care and keeping f the reserved sacraments. Be familiar with the services f Hly Cmmunin in the Bk f Cmmn Prayer and Hly Eucharist in the Bk f Alternative Services. General ntes n the Sacraments are included as Appendix E Pints t Cnsider 1) Intrductin a) While mre and mre peple are living t an lder age, many f these peple, because f their advanced age, are limited in their mbility. They are ften referred t as being shut-in, either in their wn hmes, in nursing hmes, r in senirs residences. b) Alng with the many changes and adjustments which these peple have t make is a change in wrship patterns. The nrmal, healthy Anglican can be in church weekly if she r he chses t d s. Thse wh are sick r shut-in are ften unable t attend church services weekly. c) The parish Priest wh is cnscientius in seeing that shut-ins receive Cmmunin is capable f reaching each individual at mst five r six times a year. In actual practice, many clergy are nly able t bring Cmmunin t shut-ins tw r three times a year. Obviusly this is nt a desirable situatin. 2) Permissin a) The Incumbent f the parish must have btained the prir apprval f the Bishp fr each Lay Reader t perfrm this ministry. 3) Resurces a) The Bk f Alternative Services cntains a sectin (p ) entitled, Cmmunin under Special Circumstances. As well, the Anglican Bk Centre, under the directin f the Dctrine and Wrship Cmmittee f the Anglican Church f Canada, has published a bklet, Public Distributin f Hly Cmmunin by Deacns and Lay Peple. Bth f these are gd surces fr parishes wishing t embark n a prgramme by lay peple fr distributin f the Sacrament t the sick r shut-in members f their cmmunities. 4) Criteria a) It is imprtant that such ministry emerge frm the life f the parish, and be acknwledged by the Christian cmmunity. 5) Qualificatins fr selectin f lay peple fr this ministry a) They must be regular cmmunicant members themselves and be seen as sincere and cnscientius in practising their faith. b) There must be signs f willingness t be invlved in the ministry f the Church. c) They must have sme ability t wrk with peple. Page 28 Updated t September 2016

29 The Assciatin d) They must be knwn and respected by the cngregatin and apprved by the Parish Cuncil r whatever bdy speaks n behalf f the cngregatin. e) They shuld be trained by the Incumbent. f) At a public wrship service, they shuld be cmmissined and licensed t perfrm this ministry. See Occasinal Celebratins f the Anglican Church f Canada. Trnt: Anglican Bk Centre, 1992, fr a service entitled, cmmissining fr Lay Ministries in the Church, pp ) Practical Suggestins a) A Service Bklet, in large print, shuld either be purchased r printed (with permissin) fr lcal use. b) It is apprpriate that the language be that f the 1962 Bk f Cmmn Prayer. c) Bread and wine shuld be cnsecrated at the early service in the parish church. d) If pssible, especially fr Nursing Hme services, a team (including a musician) shuld undertake this ministry. If the Sacrament is taken t a private residence, nly ne persn is needed. e) The Prayer f Cnsecratin is mitted. f) It is apprpriate that the Sacrament be taken t the sick r shut-ins n Sunday if at all pssible; therwise arrangements shuld be made t take it t the shut-ins as clse t Sunday as pssible. g) Any cnsecrated bread r wine that is left shuld be cnsumed by the lay persn. Updated t September 2016 Page 29

30 The Assciatin Elective Mdule E: The Ministry Of Music Gals T understand and be cmpetent in the use f music in wrship. Pints t Cnsider: Tgether with the music prvider the Lay Reader may select suitable hymns, psalms, canticles and music t cmplement the wrship service and reflect the theme(s) f the lectins. Cnsideratin shuld be given t the tastes and traditins f the particular parish. Be aware f cpyright limitatins and regulatins. Generally the chices f Hymns and /r Praise Sngs fllw the pattern f: Prcessinal r pening hymn...praise Gradual/ffice hymn...prayerful r Meditative Offertry hymn...thankful, seasnal r themed Recessinal r clsing hymn...inspiratinal Page 30 Updated t September 2016

31 The Assciatin Elective Mdule F: The Anglican Way Gals Study the Anglican Cmmunin. Have an understanding f the histry f the Anglican Church Be familiar with the structure f the Anglican Church particularly the Anglican Church f Canada Be aware f the varius mdes f Anglican spirituality and wrship in Canada. Becme familiar with a selectin f Anglican writers and thelgians. Keep current with events in the Anglican Cmmunin, the Anglican Church f Canada and the Dicese f Ontari. Understand the Anglican way in light f ur ecumenical relatinships particularly with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Pints t Cnsider The Anglican Cmmunin is a branch f the One Hly Cathlic and Apstlic Church f Jesus Christ.( See the Slemn Declaratin n p. VIII f 1962 BCP.) The reigning mnarch f England is knwn as the Supreme Gvernr f the Church f England The Anglican Cmmunin is a wrldwide family f autnmus, inter-related, interdependent churches, all f which are in cmmunin with the Archbishp f Canterbury. The headquarters f the Anglican Cmmunin is in England at 157 Waterl Rd., Lndn, SE1 8UT. The Archbishp f Canterbury is listed as the President f the Anglican Cmmunin. In additin, there is a full-time Secretary-General. The Anglican Cmmunin is a diverse cmmunity-anglicans speak many languages, cme frm many races and cultures arund the wrld, recgnize many traditins. Hwever, all recgnize that Gd ffers Himself t us thrugh His Church. The Anglican faith is based n Scripture, which is the ultimate authrity; hwever when it is nt abslutely clear, then ne turns t traditin and if necessary t Gdly reasn. Unity and c-peratin thrughut the Anglican Cmmunin is achieved thrugh cnsultatin at the Lambeth Cnference f Bishps held in England under the presidency f the Archbishp f Canterbury. Other venues fr c-peratin within the Anglican Cmmunin include the Anglican Cnsultative cuncil, the Clleges and Universities f the Anglican Cmmunin, and the Anglican Centre in Rme. The Anglican Church is an Episcpal church- the authrity and the licensing lies with the Bishp. Hwever the Bishp leads thrugh a system f rules, and is gverned thrugh a demcratic system f synds r cnstitutinally based gatherings. At a synd, lay members, clergy and the bishps pray, cnsult and plan fr the gd f the Church, and make any necessary laws. The basic unit f the Anglican Church is the Dicese. Diceses are linked with each ther and the rest f the wrldwide church thrugh Prvinces, headed by an Archbishp ften knwn as the Metrplitan. In the Anglican Church, there are three rdained rders; Deacns, Priests and Bishps. Bishp serve a gegraphic area knwn as a Dicese, and share the ministry f that Dicese with Priests and Deacns, whm they rdain. Every baptized Christian in the Dicese als has a baptismal ministry and shares in the wrship, witness and service f the church. Updated t September 2016 Page 31

32 The Assciatin Anglican wrship is Biblical, Sacramental and cmmunal, invlving all f ur senses. Cming tgether each week fr wrship, study and as a cmmunity is central t ur lives as Christians and as Anglicans. In Canada, we use a variety f services, principally frm the Bk f Cmmn Prayer r the Bk f Alternative Services. In mst parishes, Hly Eucharist is the main Sunday service, thugh in sme places this is alternated with Mrning Prayer. The church draws its strength and nurishes its members thrugh three surces-the Bible, Prayer and the Sacraments. In the Bible, Gd reveals Gd s self t us, meets us, and speaks t us in Jesus Christ. In Prayer, we have a cnversatin with Gd, thrugh wrds, silence, feelings and imaginatin. The elements f prayer include Adratin, Penitence, Petitin, Thanksgiving, and Dedicatin. The acrnym ACTS fr the preparatin f prayers is helpful-adratin, Cnfessin, Thanksgiving, and Supplicatin. There are tw Sacraments rdained by Christ in the Gspels Baptism and the Hly Eucharist/Hly Cmmunin. There are five ther Sacraments - Cnfirmatin, Hly Matrimny, Ordinatin, Cnfessin f Recnciliatin, and Aninting the Sick with il (smetimes called Hly Unctin). The Sacraments are further explained in Appendix --- Within the Anglican Church f Canada there are fur Ecclesiastical Prvinces-British Clumbia, Rupert s Land, Ontari and Canada. There is a General Synd led by an Archbishp called the Primate f All Canada. The General Synd and the prvincial Synds have legislative pwers. The Primate meets n a regular basis with the Huse f Bishps. There are thirty Dicese within Canada, each served by a bishp. Within each Ecclesiastical Prvince ne f the serving bishps is chsen t be the Metrplitan f the prvince. A Metrplitan is called Archbishp and referred t as the Mst Reverend. Diceses are further subdivided int parishes, each served by a priest. The priest is the legal incumbent f the parish being licensed by the Bishp t serve there. Each parish has tw lay peple, knwn as the Rectr s Warden and the Peple s Warden, wh are the Legal Officers f the Crpratin and wrk with an elected Parish Cuncil and an appinted Treasurer, t supprt and advise the Rectr and the Parish. Sme churches may have the services f an rdained Assistant Curate, an rdained Deacn, a licensed Lay Pastral C-rdinatr and/r licensed Lay Readers. Parishes may cnsist f mre than ne cngregatin/church and these are referred t as multi-pint parishes. Cmbinatins f parishes are knwn as area ministries. In additin t the parishes, there are als special ministries t hspitals, universities, the armed frces, the prisns, missinary wrk and scial service actin. The Anglican Church als includes religius rders f mnks and friars, nuns and sisters. In Canada the Cmmunity f the Sisters f the Church, the Sisterhd f St. Jhn the Divine, the Order f the Hly Crss, and the Sciety f St. Jhn the Evangelist exist. Make a practice f reading the Canadian Anglican Jurnal, the quarterly dicesan newspaper called Dialgue, and the dicesan enews weekly t keep up n the activities within the church bth natinally and lcally. Page 32 Updated t September 2016

33 The Assciatin Elective Mdule G: Scial Justice Gal T be aware f, and sensitive t, the current issues f scial justice in the light f Jesus' cmmand t serve ur brthers and sisters. Pints t Cnsider: Three f the Marks f Missin f the Anglican Church f Canada are: respnding t human need by lving service seeking t transfrm unjust structures f sciety striving t safeguard the integrity f creatin and sustain and renew the life f the earth. As fllwers f Jesus we are cmpelled t "preach gd news t the pr, prclaim freedm fr the prisners, recvery f sight t the blind, release the ppressed, and prclaim the time f the Lrd's favur." Each f us can d this in cncrete ways accrding t his r her wn gifts. Updated t September 2016 Page 33

34 The Assciatin Elective Mdule H: Participatin at a Funeral Gals T be familiar with the varius funeral services in the Bk f Cmmn Prayer and the Bk f Alternative Services T be cmfrtable in assisting r leading a funeral service Pints t be In sme circumstances it falls t the lay readers in a cngregatin t perfrm a funeral ceremny. This is within the area f respnsibility f the lay reader as funerals d nt have t be perfrmed by clergy. Of curse any service perfrmed wuld either be at the request f and with the permissin f the priest f the parish. Services requested t be perfrmed in a funeral hme shuld be dne with the permissin f the deceased s clergy if ne exists. The rubrics f the Funeral Sectin f the Bk f Alternative Services are an invaluable resurce if ne is called n t perfrm such a duty and shuld be read carefully befre embarking n such a duty. There are three frms f funeral laid ut in the Bk f Alternative Services A funeral cmpsed f three events separated by tw prcessins. Prayers are prvided fr use in the hme r in an undertaker s premises: a liturgy is prvided fr use in church: a cmmittal is prvided fr use at the grave r ther apprpriate place. A funeral cmpsed f tw events: a liturgy in a chapel and a cmmittal at the grave: A funeral which takes place entirely in a hme r ther suitable place. (This frm wuld usually be bserved in special circumstances e.g., when a cmmittal must be deferred because f inclement weather r the distance f the grave.) Circumstances will dictate which frmat t use and indeed a cmbinatin culd be used. PLANNING CHART FOR FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICES The planning chart fund in Appendix G was distributed t thse attending Summer Fruit fr Suls 2016 and frms an excellent resurce if called upn t plan and /r cnduct a funeral/memrial service. Page 34 Updated t September 2016

35 The Assciatin Appendices Appendix A: Cann B9 Lay Readers CANON B9 LAY READERS 1. A lay reader shall be a. a baptized member in full cmmunin with the Anglican Church f Canada, f at least ne year s standing; b. a regular cmmunicant nt less than eighteen years ld; c. nt in Hly Orders; and d. licensed by the Bishp. 2. There shall be a Assciatin f which all lay readers and prbatinary lay readers shall be members and the Bishp shall be patrn. 3. There shall be a Warden and deputy Warden f the Assciatin wh shall be priests f the dicese and wh shall be appinted by, respnsible t, and hld ffice at the pleasure f the Bishp. REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO CANON B9 LAY READERS 1. N ne shall be presented t the Bishp t be licensed as a lay reader unless he r she has been recmmended by the incumbent and churchwardens f the candidate s parish, with the cncurrence f the Parish Cuncil. 2. Befre a candidate is licensed as a lay reader by the Bishp, he r she shall a. serve a ne-year prbatinary perid, during which time the prbatinary lay reader may perfrm the duties f a licensed lay reader under the guidance f the incumbent; b. cmplete a curse f study apprved by the Bishp and the Warden f the Assciatin; and c. participate in cntinuing prgrams prescribed frm time t time fr his r her training and educatin in the faith. 3. The license f a lay reader shall remain in frce at the pleasure f the Bishp. It will autmatically expire twelve mnths after the assumptin f ffice by a new Bishp r a new incumbent. The license may be renewed by the Bishp at the request f the incumbent and the churchwardens, with the cncurrence f the Parish Cuncil. 4. The license f a lay reader shall authrize him r her t administer either r bth f the cnsecrated elements f Hly Cmmunin as directed by the incumbent. 5. The lay reader shall be admitted t ffice by the Bishp, r by the incumbent when duly authrized by the Bishp, at a service f public wrship. 6. As authrized by the Bishp r the incumbent, the duties f a lay reader shall be t fficiate at, r assist in, thse parts f Divine Service nt required t be perfrmed by a member f the clergy; these duties may include preaching. 7. With the apprval f the lay reader s incumbent, a lay reader may perfrm duties and services in his r her wn parish and in any parish t which he r she is invited by the incumbent f that ther parish r, in the case f a vacancy, invited by the Reginal Dean. Updated t September 2016 Page 35