Pastoral and Occasional Liturgies: A Ceremonial Guide
This is a useful reference book. More descriptive than prescriptive, it combines sound liturgical principles with encouragement for readers to take account of their particular situation in all liturgical planning. (Ruth A. MeyersSeabury-Western Theological Seminary)In this ceremonial guide Mitchell helps the reader to construct occasional and pastoral offices, expands the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, and describes the use of material from the Book of Occasional Services. Apart from the more obviously pastoral liturgies, he covers the celebration of the Daily Office, the sanctification of the year, and Episcopal services. The model assumed for these prescriptions is a mid-sized and middle-church Episcopal parish. . . . A member of the Episcopal clergy or a lay liturgical minister will thus find a reliable and sensible guide to the planning of worship. . . (Mauricio WilsonGeneral Theological Seminary)As a priest-scholar with a lifetime of deep involvement in liturgical matters, Mitchell brings a breadth of historic, theological, and practical wisdom to all he writes. . . .“This brief, comprehensive, and well-written guide should be read and carefully applied by all who plan and lead worship, especially members of worship committtees, seminarians, and clergy. Through study and attentive use of the guide, a worshipping community can gain an added measure of spiritual depth and richness in its liturgical life. (Raymond F. Glover, Professor of MusicVirginia Theological Seminary)