The New Handbook of the Christian Year: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary

by Hoyt L. Hickman, Don E. Saliers, Laurence Hull Stookey

The New Handbook of the Christian Second Edition, by Hoyt L. Hickman, Don E. Saliers, Laurence Hull Stookey, and James F. White. Lectionary, prayers, responses, and Communion services updated for consistency with books of worship from several denominations.  glossary of Christian symbols, glossary of liturgical terms, annotated bibliography, index of Scripture readings, index of Psalms, and an ecumenical service for the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Genres: Church, Reference, Theology

312 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it particularly difficult to apply this text to my ministry. It focuses strongly upon the Christian liturgical year and the ways in which we can utilize its themes in worship liturgy. Very few Unitarian Universalist churches utilize any major arc of the Christian year, except to acknowledge Christmas and Easter, so the numerous liturgies included in the book will not be helpful for me. It has forced me to consider, however, ways in which we can create a meaningful arc to the liturgical year within Unitarian Universalism. Maybe to identify an overarching story to reconnect to regularly - as Christians reconnect to the story of Jesus' birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and the founding of the church (i.e Advent, Chrismas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost). Identifying such a story is the difficult part.

While I appreciate the current practice among many UU churches nationwide following in the footsteps of All Souls Tulsa of creating a sort of lectionary out of monthly themes that repeat every three years, I do not believe that this serves the same purpose as a liturgical calendar. Definitely something for further thought.