Memo
Date: June 8, 2026
To: Heads of Congregation
From: The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
Re: Worship and Remembrances on July 4 and 5
Semiquincentennial Commemoration
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, our nation will observe a momentous occasion, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
A few notes on how this occasion may be observed in our churches on Sunday, July 5:
- In the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), Independence Day is a feast day; the liturgical color is white. For this year, the observance of this feast day may be transferred to Sunday, July 5.
- For this year, the Scriptures and the Collect (the Propers) for Independence Day may be used on July 5, instead of Proper 9 for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost.
- As in all years, in place of the Collect for Independence Day, the Collect for the Nation (BCP pages 207 and 258) may be used instead. The Collect for the Nation may also be appropriate as a concluding collect for the Prayers of the People.
- For this year, congregations may conduct worship from an older version of The Book of Common Prayer, such as the 1662 Book of Common Prayer of The Church of England (which was in place in 1776) or the 1789 Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church (which was the first prayer book of the new Episcopal Church). If an older prayer book is used, to experience the full liturgy that was used during those times, please do not “cherry pick” between the liturgical order and languages in those liturgies, and the 1979 BCP order and language. Of course, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is always appropriate, at any time.
One Year Anniversary of the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster
Alongside celebrations of Independence Day, we will also remember that one year ago, on July 4, 2025, we experienced the terrible disaster of the Texas Hill Country Flood. On that day, people in our diocese, and around our state, experienced trauma, loss, and death.
Clergy will want to carefully exercise their pastoral sensitivities in order to hold these two remembrances in tension and in perspective, based upon their different ministry contexts. Your bishops support you and your congregations in prayer and with love.
A few notes:
- Some aspects regarding the remembrance of the Hill Country Flood may be appropriately named and prayed for publicly in worship, especially on Sunday, July 5. This can be through a special prayer during the Prayers of the People, or an offering of flowers on the altar, etc. It is important to remember that in the congregation on that Sunday, there will be some who have been greatly affected by this disaster, and others to a lesser degree.
- Smaller gatherings and memorials may be appropriate on July 4 or 5, depending on the context.
- In addition to public and more private offerings, small pastoral gestures – all to let those most vulnerable know that they are remembered during this hard time – would be appreciated.
- Balancing different responses of pastoral care among various contexts and people is never an exact science. The important part is that we intentionally remember and love those who were impacted by this loss and tragedy.
For communication and conversation about any of the above, please feel free to reach out to Bishop Fisher.
