Book of Common Prayer Services

The Book of Common Prayer does what it says on the tin — a book of common services in the Church, Holy Communion, Baptism, Marriage etc. in the common tongue, that are common to everyone, that is to say the same book, the same service, in the same words for everyone.

This was the vision of Thomas Cranmer, the major author and collator of the Book of Common Prayer in its first edition in 1662. There have been many amendments and editions since, but the essence of the vision remained — the Word of God in the common tongue for the common man, common to all.

However, the language of the Book of Common Prayer is not common to all now, as many of the words sound foreign or old-fashioned to the untrained ear. However, to a still significant proportion of Church of England congregation members they are familiar and comforting words.

The Benefice of Coniston and the Crake Valley has a number of services from the Book of Common Prayer, and as much as we look to the future with Fresh Expressions of church and contemporary worship, we still wish to honour the past for those that still value this form of worship.

Please consult the calendar to find out where and when Holy Communion services using the Book of Common Prayer are being held.