GS 1983 ARTICLE 132Book of Praise (Prayer Section)

The report of Committee I re the revision of the Prayers is further discussed. The proposed Prayers are provisionally adopted as amended (see Appendix).

A.  MATERIAL

  • A.   Report of Committee on Translation and Revision of the Prayers and Forms
  • B.   Letter from the Church at Abbotsford
  • C. Letter from the Church at Brampton
  • D.   Letter from the Church at Burlington South
  • E.   Letter from the Church at Chatham
  • F.   Letter from the Church at Chilliwack
  • G.   Letter from the Church at Cloverdale
  • H.   Letter from the Church at Coaldale
  • I.     Letter from the Church at Langley
  • J.    Letter from the Church at Surrey (Maranatha)

B.  OBSERVATIONS

  • 1.   The draft presented in the Report of the Committee on Translation and Revi­sion of Forms and Prayers differs considerably from the one presented to Synod Smithville 1980. as we could establish when comparing the two.
  • 2.  The Synod Smithville 1980 requested the Committee to “present the next Synod with a completed. linguistically corrected. final draft of the prayers,” and added the obligation to update language and contents “taking into account also the new Dutch version of the prayers.”
  • 3.   The comments received from the Churches are for the larger part general and express dissatisfaction with the now presented draft. Only a few concrete remarks were made. containing specific criticisms and recommendations.

C.  CONSIDERATIONS

  • 1.   The Committee on Translation and Revision of Forms and Prayers fulfilled the mandate received from Synod Smithville 1980.
  • 2.   It appears from the communications received that the Churches are not happy with the now presented draft.
  • 3.   This makes it advisable to retain the old prayers as much as possible.

D. RECOMMENDATIONS

Synod decide:

  • 1.  To express its appreciation to the Committee which prepared the draft now pre­sented to Synod.
  • 2.  Provisionally to adopt the Prayers as amended by Synod (see Appendix).