June 2013

 July 2013

August 2013

  September 2013

 October 2013

What are “Track 1” and “Track 2”?

The Revised Common Lectionary allows us to make use of either of these tracks, but once a track has been selected, it should be followed through to the end of the Pentecost season, rather than jumping back and forth between the two strands.

The first track of Old Testament readings (“Track 1”) follows major stories and themes, read mostly continuously from week to week. In Year A we begin with Genesis, in Year B we hear some of the great monarchy narratives, and in Year C we read from the later prophets.

A second track of readings (“Track 2”) follows the Roman Catholic tradition of thematically pairing the Old Testament reading with the Gospel reading, often typologically—a sort of foretelling of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry, if you will. This second track is almost identical to our previous Book of Common Prayer lectionary.

Within each track there may be additional readings, complementary to the standard reading; these may be used with the standard reading, or in place of it.

(credit to The Rev Dr. J. Barrington Bates)

A Note about Weekday Observances

This calendar follows the observances of saints and martyrs found in Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006.

The General Convention of 2009 gave approval for trial use of Holy Women, Holy Men, intended as a replacement for Lesser Feasts and Fasts. It was expected that the General Convention of 2012 would either give Holy Women, Holy Men final approval or reject it. However, because a consensus opinion about Holy Women, Holy Men had not emerged, the Convention extended the trial period to 2015 and directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to continue revising Holy Women, Holy Men. You can get a pdf of the resolution from the General Convention web site.

Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006 remains the last calendar of saints to be given final approval.

Transition to the Revised Common Lectionary complete at Advent 2010

The 75th General Convention in June, 2006 directed that the Revised Common Lectionary replace the Book of Common Prayer lectionary "effective the First Sunday of Advent 2007; with the provision for continued use of the previous Lectionary for purposes of orderly transition, with the permission of the ecclesiastical authority, until the First Sunday of Advent 2010 (A077)." (Episcopal News Service)

During the trial and transition periods, both the traditional BCP lections and the RCL lections were available on this site. Beginning with Advent 2010, only the Revised Common Lectionary readings will be referenced on this calendar.

However, recognizing that some communities may continue to use the lections from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and that there is an historical value in maintaining the accessibility of those lections, we continue to include the General Index to the 1979 BCP Lection Texts.

A final word of caution: The General Convention of 2000 which authorized the trial use of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) actually modified the RCL slightly to conform to Episcopal worship needs. What is presented here is that Episcopal adaptation of the Revised Common Lectionary.