.This is an outstanding resource. It does what the Grove Worship series has been doing so well for so long – provides an accessible commentary and guide for use with new forms of worship and prayer.
It is particularly timely because these prayers are commended for use in a church still highly conflicted over same-sex relationships. One of the strengths of this guide comes from the fact the group that produced it contained the range of views held in the wider church. They understand the sensitivity of the terrain here. “Our aim is to help people on all sides of the debate to see how PLF could be used, [and] to help those who will want to use the material more fully to do so well, within the constraints and processes that the House of Bishops have established”. This they achieve very well. It is a model of practical clarity.
The booklet begins with some helpful background to the production of the prayers. This includes a very clear discussion of the various canonical routes involving the bishops and synod. There is a clear summary of the canons involved in the process of authorising.
Each part of the ‘liturgical package’ is then explored separately – Prayers for a Covenanted Friendship; The Resource Section; and The Blessing of a Home. That last section is a helpful reminder that not all the prayers are controversial. They can be used selectively. (It also comes as a surprise to learn that this is the first such official provision for house blessing in the Church of England).
Each section contains a summary of what is on offer and then one or two helpful scenarios that illustrate how the prayers might be used in practice. The booklet also includes some helpful discussion about the place of ritual and symbol.
It would be a very helpful resource for discussing in ministry teams – including those where there are a variety of views.
So that just leaves that strange choice of title. ‘Can we use …?’ First, the booklet does not address this question at all. Quite the opposite. It “takes the material ‘as is’ without getting caught up in the ongoing debates about whether it should exist” (p4). Second, the question is redundant. PLF are already commended and in use. The most obvious title is ‘How to use …’.
I am really concerned the title does not lead people to think this is a different book altogether and to miss the important resource it actually is.
The edited cover here is my suggestion to Grove when they reprint this.
David Runcorn.
