The Daily Office, as found in the Book of Common Prayer (The BCP), is supposed to form the foundation of how we see weekly, systematic prayer. Based on the Christian monastic "hours" begun in the sixth century, the Daily Office provides us with five different communal services during a day where we can set ourselves apart for liturgical prayer (BCP, pg. 35). The two foundational services in the Daily Office are Morning and Evening Prayer.
While it is true that the Daily Offices can be used in meaningful personal devotion (see the introductory booklets I have created for such a task), the intent, development, and liturgy was designed for communal prayer. Christianity has always been understood in the catholic tradition as "we" before "me".
Yet, in much of the Episcopal Church, the Daily Office has fallen out of use. We are all busy and live in a highly individualistic world, so choosing to be "face to face" in communal prayer takes... well... effort. Monastic Christians in the past (and today across the globe) worshiped together in liturgical prayer seven times a day. Are we capable of worshipping together for 30 minutes, on one day, for a few weeks during lent? I think so. But it will likely be an inconvenience to our packed days.
In an attempt to introduce many of our new attenders to the Daily Office and perhaps encourage a place for it once again among our current membership, I would like to offer five sessions of Evening Prayer during the Season of Lent. I will lead these brief services on Wednesday's from 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm. I pray that many of us will benefit from this opportunity to step out of “our life” and engage the intent and season of Lent through communal prayer, reflection, and meditation.
For those who might be more amenable to an early start, our Morning Prayer Group will also be meeting weekly during Lent (and on most other Thursdays as well) at 7:30 am at Westminster Village, Bloomington, IL (located very close to the Church).
Fr. Tom
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