Worship

When We Celebrate, Who Does What?

Each time Christians gather together for the Lord’s Supper, they ‘proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’ [1 Corinthians 11:26]. This is a shared meal, when all who are present celebrate together.

The celebration needs a leader, and in the Church of England that leader must be someone ordained, a priest [the celebrant], who ‘presides’ over the proceedings. The celebrant is not the only participant: even if he or she is the only person who speaks [other than in congregational responses], the words are in a we/us form and verbalise the silent prayer of the whole of the assembly, who are joined in that way to the celebration.

In Canon Law there are two other restrictions on who else may take part.

  • The sermon must be preached by a person licensed to preach or who, if not licensed, has been given permission to preach by the bishop. Those holding licences are most commonly, but not exclusively, ordained clergy and Readers.
  • Those who assist with the distribution of holy communion [the bread and the wine] are authorised to do so by the bishop: in most dioceses the incumbent submits a list of names each year.

One of the meanings of the word ‘deacon’ is one who serves at table, particularly appropriate in the context of the Eucharist. A deacon in the Eucharist is a helper, and does not have to be a deacon in holy orders.

Until relatively recently it was the case that only clergy read the gospel, and only licensed ministers [including Readers] could ‘deacon’, or assist in leading the service. Common Worship makes it clear that this is no longer the case and that, with the exceptions above, any suitably trained and authorised person could assist in this way.

The priest isn’t here yet

In the Gathering the celebrating priest will normally greet the congregation and at least pronounce the absolution and pray the collect. However, at some services this is not possible: maybe the priest has another service beforehand, and cannot arrive or guarantee to arrive before this service is due to start. In such circumstances, the service can quite properly be begun by a deacon, a churchwarden, or another suitable minister who can continue to preside over the service as far as the Peace.

Seating and dress

Where should people who are taking part in the service sit, and what should they wear? In many churches it is traditional for people taking certain roles to robe and to sit in the chancel, while those in other roles sit in the congregation without wearing robes. While this is customary, it does not necessarily enhance the feeling that the church community are celebrating together. The president or celebrant often/usually/ sometimes wears:

CASSOCK [Black]
The medieval Cassock, known as the Carcalla, was a full-length hooded garment with wide sleeves tightly cuffed at the wrists, and usually lined with fur or sheepskin for warmth. It was worn beneath the Alb, and was consequently unseen. At one time it was fastened with front ties and strings, but by the thirteenth century buttons were in use, the hood was detachable and the stand collar appeared. Later in the century, the buttoning became complex and closely spaced and back pleats from the waistline to hem were introduced. It is a close-fitting garment, reaching the feet, and may be worn by all ordained clergy as a symbol of servitude. The traditional Anglican cassock has thirty nine buttons to signify the Thirty Nine Articles of Faith in the book of Common Prayer, although today simple double-breasted cassocks are often worn. The Apostle continues to wear the Cassock as ceremonial garb, because Jesus instructed that those who would be chief among us must be a servant.

ALB [from the Greek meaning white]
A white robe called an alb – it is white to make the celebrant as an unidentifiable person as he or she is not celebrating the Eucharist as that individual i.e James Smith. The role of the celebrant is to conduct the Eucharist and he or she in Church of England tradition is always a priest.

CHASUABLE
Enlarge Image In common with all clergy vesture, the Chasuable has evolved over many centuries from secular garments. Its origin is in the Paenula of classical times worn by the commonalty as an outdoor cloak, complete with cowl and cucullus [hood]. By the fourth century, the Paenula had developed into a garment still worn with cowl, but without an open front seam, usually circular or elliptical in shape and worn full length. Due to the tent-like look, it became known as the Casula (Etym. Latin Casula, Cass, “The Little House”; hence a mantle). The Chasuable symbolizes the yoke of Christ Jesus and signifies Charity. The Cope holds the same history, and is a much more elaborate garment and is normally worn at special festivals, including weddings and baptisms.

STOLE
The origin of the Stole is pre-Christian, but since the sixth century it has been prescribed to be worn by all clergy. In the seventeenth century the Orarium, or Stole, was worn by all ministers celebrating worship services, and was worn crossed over in front of the Alb, secured in place by the Girdle. When worn by a Deacon, the modern Stole is nearest to its original form, resting on the left shoulder, symbolic of the towel or napkin from which it evolved, and under the right arm leaving the right side free of encumbrance to attend sacramental [ordinances] duties. It is a symbol of service i.e. the washing of feet.

Opportunities for participation

Where there is both a ‘celebrant’ and a ‘deacon’ it is often the case that they share the leading of the worship, with the deacon leading parts of the Gathering, announcing hymns, reading the gospel, helping to prepare the holy table, leading the post-communion prayers, and giving the dismissal after the blessing.

However, there are other possibilities

  • Someone else could introduce and lead the prayers of penitence.
  • If the ‘deacon’ is not gifted musically, and there are sung responses or acclamations, these parts could be led by a ‘cantor’.
  • Some of the Eucharistic Prayers have optional responses.