The Eucharist in a time of change : an investigation into the Eucharist as practiced at The Church of the Ascension between 1975-2002.

Abstract

“The Eucharist i n a time o f change : an investigation into the Eucharist as practiced at ‘The Church of the Ascension ’ between 1975 and 2002 . ” by Andrew David Kruger The thesis set out to discover how the Eucharist developed at ‘The Church of the Ascension ’ between 1975 and 2002. This microcosm offers a partcularly interesting case study. This period was a t ime of great change – the Anglican Eucharistic liturgy underwent significant revision, South Africa moved from Apartheid to Democracy and the three rectors brought charismatic, evangelical and Anglo-Catholic worldviews to bear on the Church of the Ascension, during their respective terms of office. In order to document the development of the Eucharist , three primary sources were collected and analysed, First , data from the Service Register was captured and processed. Second, a synopsis of the Parish Council Minutes was created. Third, interviews with the three rectors – the first being charismat ic, the second evangelical and the third Anglo-Catholic – were conducted along with four lay parishioners . The three primary sources were analysed and several developments were observed. These developments included the following: chi ldren were admi t ted to Communion after Baptism, where before they were required to be Confirmed; the ordination of women became accepted and women presided at the Eucharist , where before they had not ; the lai ty became more involved in the leading the services; The at t i tude toward administering the sacrament became more liberal , as even those of other Faiths were welcomed. Surprisingly none of the laity interviewed showed any awareness that the Eucharist developed. The laity showed little ability to link the Eucharist to the context they inhabited. It is imperat ive for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to help the laity appropriate the deep truths of the Eucharist .