[Ross] Hebb has been priest and rector of the Anglican Parish of St. Peter (Springhill), Woodstock Road since 1996. He spent May and June on sabbatical in England and, while there, he noticed something.
“The 400th anniversary was a really big deal over there,” Hebb said. “It is being marked throughout the land in many various ways – talks, displays, readings, lectures and usage.
“Here, in Canada and in New Brunswick – hardly a word. I thought someone should do something and, as St. Peter’s is known as a traditional parish, what better place than here?
It should be noted that the version of the Book of Common Prayer that Fr Hebb refers to is the 1962 Canadian edition with its collects, epistles and gospels generally the same as in the 1662 English and 1928 American BCPs. So the Advent 2 collect is not the same as what’s used in most Anglican congregations today.
I’ve been urging our rector to authorize the use of the KJV for the readings at our upcoming service of lessons and carols in recognition of the 400th anniversary. So far, the best I’ve gotten is, “I’ll think about it.” but I’m still hopeful. For all other readings in our parish, despite my advocacy of the KJV, we use the NIV.