A Christmas Reflection: New Beginnings

Advent draws us again into that still, expectant moment before renewal. In the quiet of the season, God begins His work not with force but with promise. Christmas follows with its astonishing declaration that the world can be remade through beginnings that seem small, fragile, almost unnoticed. This rhythm—waiting, listening, beginning again—has been on my mind in recent months as I have worked alongside the Prayer Book Society.

During the past ten months, I have been given the privilege both of helping the trustees think about the Society’s purpose, its future direction, and the opportunities before it, and of laying the foundations for change. My role as interim Chief Executive is temporary, and rightly so; I am a guest for a season, supporting a transition that will soon be shaped by a new Director who will join the PBS in March (more to follow in January) and, above all, by the trustees and members. Yet from this vantage point one thing is clear: the PBS stands at a moment of invitation. The Society has an opportunity to renew its confidence, expand its reach greatly, and prepare for growth that would once have seemed less likely.

For all its history and success, the PBS remains numerically small when compared with the scale of the Church of England. With around 2,500 members—of whom about 250 are corporate parish members—the Society currently reaches only a fraction of the Church’s congregations directly, though it influences many more in other ways. That should not discourage us. Quite the opposite: it reveals the scale of the opportunity. Across the country clergy, lay ministers, and congregations are rediscovering the clarity, reverence, theology, and beauty of the Book of Common Prayer. Younger clergy in particular are asking for teaching, accompaniment, and practical support to build their competence and confidence. There is interest not only in liturgy but also in the theological imagination that shaped Cranmer’s work. The Society has much to offer here, including space for friendly, rigorous theological exploration—something Cranmer himself expected of the Church.

A vital part of the Society’s strength lies in its branches and volunteers. The PBS is sustained not only by national initiatives but by a network of local commitment, hospitality, and witness. In the course of this year, I have been fortunate to visit several branches—including Salisbury, Lichfield, and Rochester—and in each place I have been struck by the warmth of fellowship, the seriousness of purpose, and the creativity with which local members sustain Prayer Book worship and teaching. If my time and the nature of the role defined for me had allowed, I would gladly have visited far more. Volunteers across the Society give generously of their time, energy, and expertise: organising events, supporting clergy, encouraging new members, maintaining local networks, and embodying the Society’s mission in ways that no national office alone could achieve. Their contribution is indispensable, and I want to express my deep gratitude for all they do. As the Society grows, branches and volunteers will remain central to its life, offering insight and leadership as the new Director shapes future programmes.

These needs and opportunities have informed the conversations I have shared with the trustees. Together we have begun outlining areas of work that could form the Society’s agenda for 2025 and beyond. These are not settled programmes but developing proposals that will take full shape only under the new Director and in dialogue with members. They include: stronger support for clergy and congregations wishing to use the Prayer Book; a more substantial offer for corporate parish members; improved educational work and publishing; deeper engagement with dioceses and theological colleges; and a far better digital presence. These ideas remain in formation, but they reflect a shared sense that the Society can and should serve the whole Church more confidently—and that all members should enjoy a meaningful membership journey, shaped by what they may need from the PBS and the Book of Common Prayer at different stages of their lives; with the PBS as a liturgical resource for all.

There are also important events ahead which demonstrate the Society’s growing ambition and its desire to enrich the Church’s understanding of its heritage. In March, the PBS is hosting a staging of the play The Trial of Thomas Cranmer, a major public event  dramatising Cranmer’s theological and historical significance. Members can find full details and booking links on the Society’s website. And on Sunday 24th May, the Guards Chapel will host a special service supported by the PBS—an opportunity to gather, worship, and celebrate the continuing vitality of Prayer Book liturgy, and particularly to thank Patrons and benefactors. These events signal both remembrance and the Society’s commitment to the future, shaping thoughtful public conversation and accessible liturgical formation.

Such work requires a strong foundation. The trustees have therefore been working to strengthen safeguarding, professionalise operations, and prepare the charity structurally for growth. These matters sometimes prompt questions—perhaps that this is inward-looking—but they are essential if the Society is to serve confidently, credibly, and at a greater scale. The decision to appoint a full-time Director in 2025 expresses the trustees’ determination to equip the Society for the next stage of its life. The Director will lead the refinement of our developing ideas, working closely with members, volunteers, clergy, and partners across the Church. It will be their task to turn trustee aspiration into action: more members, more churches, more support through print, film, and mentoring; more events; more allies and networks; and a stronger membership offer—stronger because it will do more of what you want and need.

One cannot reflect on this year without acknowledging the exceptional commitment of the trustees, and particularly the leadership of the Chair, Bradley. Their willingness to think boldly, to ask difficult questions, and to imagine a more expansive future for the Society deserves real gratitude. They have embraced the kind of renewal that Christmas represents: trusting that beginnings—however small at first—can lead to lasting change.

The Church itself is also at a threshold moment, with a new Archbishop of Canterbury taking office. This may bring fresh opportunities for the PBS to support clergy and parishes seeking worship that is scriptural, doctrinally grounded, and pastorally serious. It is too early to predict what shape that might take, but the Society should be ready to respond.

Christmas reminds us that renewal is not abstract. It asks for faith, patience, and the courage to begin again. I hope that members will embrace this season of growth, lend their voices to shaping the Society’s future, and help ensure that the Prayer Book’s distinct witness continues to serve the Church for generations to come—and that, with reinforced leadership, the PBS flourishes as never before.

May this Christmas bring you peace, hope, and the promise of new beginnings. It has been and is a privilege to work with you.