Join Us
Support our work and become a member of the society
Find out more-
The PBS Online Shop
-
Celebrating the Book of Common Prayer in Church life
The Coronavirus pandemic:
A message from the Chairman of the Prayer Book Society
The terrible spread of COVID-19 across the world has brought with it heart-breaking human suffering on all levels, leading to the extraordinary suspension of public worship in the United Kingdom. We are now living through the first period since the time of Oliver Cromwell when the words of the Prayer Book cannot be heard lifted up to God day by day in churches in every corner of England.
The Prayer Book Society, however, continues ‘rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer’ (Romans 12:12). The Book of Common Prayer returned to our churches after the shadow of the 1650s, and it shall return again after this shadow too. Just as loyal sons and daughters of the English church were sustained by praying with the Prayer Book in their hand during that time, so the Book of Common Prayer can be our faithful guide to the dedication and humble prayer our nation and the world needs from all of us today. The Prayer Book Society will continue to do everything it can to share more widely the light of the Book of Common Prayer at this dark time: please do check back regularly to see what we are offering.
In the meantime, now is a better time than ever to invite all visitors to this website to join in the Prayer Book Society’s weekly commitment in praying:
O Lord, we beseech thee, let thy continual pity cleanse and defend thy Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without thy succour, preserve it evermore by thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prudence Dailey
Online streaming of BCP services
In these extraordinary days when all our churches are closed for public worship, many clergy are now streaming services online instead.
Other online resources for use during the pandemic
Cancellation of Forthcoming Events
We regret to announce that, due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) epidemic, the following National events have had to be cancelled or postponed:
(COVID-19) epidemic, the following National events have had to be cancelled or postponed:
Saturday, 21st March 2020:
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer, Oxford
Commemoration of the Martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer, Oxford
Saturday, 25th April 2020:
North-West Gathering, Blackburn
North-West Gathering, Blackburn
All Branch events have also been cancelled.
Far be it from me to promote a cult of quaintness, but the power of the Prayer Book to connect with many of those who find the ordinary diet of the church banal, should not be ignored. There is now a younger generation who are realising afresh the importance of complementing the argot of Twitter and SMS with the majesty of Cranmer.
- The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Sometime Bishop of London
The Prayer Book Society offers fellowship and encouragement to lovers of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP), both clergy and laity, spanning a great breadth of age, background, tradition and churchmanship. We:
- Work with theological training institutions to encourage the teaching and use of the BCP;
- Supply a copy of the BCP to every Church of England ordinand entering training;
- Provide training for ordinands and clergy, both online and in person, at national and diocesan level;
- Provide information and support to clergy and laity wishing to use the Prayer Book for baptisms, weddings and funerals, as well as in regular worship;
- Publish regular magazines, which are sent free of charge to all our members, and to senior clergy and other Church leaders;
- Provide opportunities for mutual support and encouragement for clergy, ordinands and others involved in ministry who have a particular interest in the BCP;
- Help clergy to find posts in parishes which make significant use of the BCP, and help such parishes to find suitable clergy;
- Run the Cranmer Awards, a prestigious national competition for young people aged 11 - 18 to introduce them to the BCP;
- Hold local and national events, including a popular Annual Conference, enabling our members to make contact with like-minded people.
Will you join us?
Want to keep in touch?
Sign up now to receive regular news and updates from The Prayer Book Society
Events
26/09/2020
Chapel at Sarum College, The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EE
The Very Revd Nicholas Papadopulos speaking at Sarum College
Find out more18/11/2020
The Judd School, Brook Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 2PN
Rochester Branch Heat for the Cranmer Awards
Find out more28/11/2020
St. Catherine, Netherhampton Road, Netherhampton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8PU
Carol Service at St Catherine's
Find out more
The Prayer Book Society
The Studio, Copyhold FarmLady Grove, Goring Heath,
Reading RG8 7RT
A company limited by guarantee registered in England: Company No. 4786973 and Registered Charity No. 1099295
Isle of Man Company Registration No. 4369F and Registered Charity No. 952.