New book illuminates the beauty and breadth of Episcopal worship
A new book by Canon David R. Pitts offers a compelling and comprehensive look at the rituals and traditions that shape worship and belief in the Episcopal Church. Lift Up Your Hearts: Liturgies and Ceremonies of the Episcopal Church is a vital resource for clergy, liturgical planners, and laity alike—a treasure chest of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration for all who seek to engage more fully in the worship life of the Church.
With the Book of Common Prayer as anchor, Pitts draws on centuries of tradition and decades of his own experience to explain in detail the hows and whys of Episcopal sacramental services and liturgical actions. What should a priest say and do when celebrating Holy Eucharist? Which colors should be used in the various seasons of the church year? How should processions line up for ordinations or marriages? When should bells be used? Pitts answers these questions and many more in the most comprehensive guidebook for clergy and lay leaders since Dennis Michno’s A Priest’s Handbook.
“David Pitts does a tremendous job of prospecting our liturgies and sharing the priceless gems he uncovers,” said the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, XXVII Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. “May all who read this book find unexpected treasures within its pages and be inspired to live out more deeply the Way of Love to which Jesus calls us.”
Far from being a rigid manual, Lift Up Your Hearts affirms the Episcopal tradition’s breadth, acknowledging that while there may not be a single “right way” to worship, there are countless ways to worship well. Pitts encourages readers to deepen their understanding and enrich their participation in the common prayer that unites Episcopalians.
The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer, affirms Pitts’s perspective as a faithful lay leader offering a valuable contribution to the study and practice of liturgy.
Lift Up Your Hearts “is the accumulation of decades of experience from one who has served the liturgy in various roles alongside some incredible clergy,” said Bishop Alexander. “Whether organizing major diocesan liturgies on behalf of his bishop, training the various liturgical ministry guilds of a parish church, or helping a liturgical novice navigate the complexities of even the simplest rites, David Pitts has engaged the ceremonial aspects of our liturgical life like few others. This is the record of that experience, and we are all richer for it.”
About the Author
David R. Pitts has served the Episcopal Church in a wide range of roles for more than seven decades, including serving as Chair of the Church Pension Group and a Senior Deputy of General Convention. He received the Dean’s Cross for Servant Leadership from Virginia Theological Seminary and has been awarded three honorary doctoral degrees from Nashotah House, the University of the South, Sewanee, and General Theological Seminary.
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Lift Up Your Hearts: Liturgies and Ceremonies of the Episcopal Church is available in hardcover, paperback, and as an ebook and can be purchased through Amazon. It is published by Crown Publishing, www.crown-communications.com.
To schedule an interview, receive a review copy, or request permission to print excerpts of the book, please contact Jackie Pitre at 225.202.5403.