Fr. Howie is writing a series of “Praying Shapes Believing” articles that appear in our weekly Sunday worship bulletins. Whether it is your first time, or your thousandth, reading, reciting, and praying the traditional Rite II worship from the Book of Common Prayer, it is worthwhile to ask why. We will examine some of our prayers and collects to help us find more meaning and connection in the ritual. See all topics in the Praying Shapes Believing series.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth…
What is it?
The Nicene Creed is a statement of our faith drafted by the Council of Nicaea (in modern Turkey) in AD 325, and amended by the Council of Constantinople (Istanbul) in AD 381. It has been a standard part of the worship of Eastern and Western Christian churches since that time.
Why do we do it?
The Creed is an outline of what we believe. Reciting it together reminds us of the “home base” from which our individual experiences of God begin. By putting some complex theological statements into the mouths of all believers, the Church emphasizes that knowledge of God is not just the privilege of experts.
What it says about God
The nature of God is a firm foundation in a world of changes.
God’s desire to be known engages the mind as well as the heart.
Messages for how we live
What we do is rooted in who – and whose – we understand ourselves to be.
For more – Have a look at the historical documents section at the back of the Book of Common Prayer, especially Pages 864-865.