The Daily Office at St. Paul's
The material below is from a section in Fill All Things: The Dynamics of Spirituality in the Parish Church, R. Gallagher, Ascension Press, 2008. It’s on the use of the daily office in that parish as of 2008.
Saint Paul’s Church, Seattle
This is my own view of what was done at Saint Paul’s when I served as a priest associate, saying the Eucharist during the week and helping to coordinate the Evening Prayer Teams. Saint Paul’s had Evening Prayer from Tuesday through Sunday at 5:30. During the weeks I was writing this section of the book the weekly attendance varied from thirty eight to forty eight. That involved 30- 41 individuals, which was about a fourth of the Sunday Eucharist average attendance. Some weeks were lower, others higher. There are others who rarely attend Evening Prayer at the church who do it at home. The climate is contemplative with a good bit of silence. There is a careful rhythm that includes the times of silence; saying the psalm by alternating sides of the chapel by whole verses with a pause at the asterisk (see BCP 582 – 583); and following the tradition of bowing at the Gloria Patri.
Here’s how St. Paul’s has organized the offering of the Daily Office:
· A focus on Evening Prayer, rather than Morning Prayer, when more lay members are able to attend.
· The EP focus is also about maintaining the community’s energy. Earlier attempts to also do Morning Prayer had spread out the numbers and created a sense of burden for some.
· Teams took responsibility for one night of the week. There were a total of twenty people involved in the teams; two were priests, the rest laity. The teams ranged in size from two to six. There were opportunities to sign up for a team every few months.
· To emphasize the communal nature of the Office the agreement is that the entire team will be present on its assigned evening. The team shares roles of officiant, lectors, and helping arrange the space. The person officiating wears a black cassock (with surplice for Evensong).
· The order is somewhat simplified: one psalm, the appointed reading from the Gospels, a reading from an Anglican writer on spiritual life, a couple of collects, a hymn, time for intercessions and thanksgiving. There is a minute or two of silence before beginning and after each reading.
· A customary, coaching, and order-of-service card are provided to facilitate quality and a degree of uniformity. The parish gathered information in 2005 that suggested that some people were not coming to EP because they had difficulty participating. That turned around after the creation of a customary, the card for everyone, the use of the Prayer Book rather than some alternative book, and coaching Officiants.
· The rector attends most nights and serves on one of the teams.
· A small chapel is used.
· On occasion some of those who have gathered for the Office go around the corner for a drink or dinner together.
· On Sunday evening a team conducts Evensong.
· Once a month the parish has “Last Fridays” – an Evensong followed by a social time with wine, cheese, and other beverages and snacks.
· The parish says Compline at the end of evening meetings and programs. In the core foundations course members are trained how to use the office at home.
How is it that so many people are part of Evening Prayer in this parish?
There was a readiness. Over time the parish developed a culture of deep and rich spirituality. Many people understood the place of the Office in the spiritual life.
The Office had been said as a public service for many years. Attendance had been limited to clergy and a few lay officiants. This was another aspect of the parish’s readiness.
People were invited to offer Evening Prayer in teams. Fourteen initially agreed to serve. The positive response to the invitation was rooted in #1 and 2. People seemed to develop a commitment to their team and its ministry.
The rector participates on most evenings. People notice what leaders give time to