Kingdomtide
Encyclopedia
Kingdomtide is a liturgical season observed in the autumn by the United Methodist Church
, particularly in the United States
, and certain other Protestant denominations.
) recommended that the entire part of the Christian calendar between Pentecost
and Advent
be named Kingdomtide; however, two years later the Methodist Episcopal Church
adopted the term only for the second half of this time period.
Precise criteria for determining when Kingdomtide begins vary in different localities. The most common practice is to start the season on the Sunday on or nearest August 31, which gives Kingdomtide 13 Sundays every year; in some places, Kingdomtide begins on the last Sunday in August, giving the season 13 Sundays in some years and 14 in others. The last Sunday of Kingdomtide is usually designated the Feast of Christ the King
.
The liturgy
for Kingdomtide stresses charity and assistance to the poor, in contrast to the preceding season of Pentecost, when a more spiritual mission is emphasized. Green vestments and paraments are used at church services during Kingdomtide, replacing the red used on the Sundays after Pentecost (in churches that do not recognize Kingdomtide as a separate season, green is generally deployed throughout the entire period between Pentecost and Advent).
In the United Methodist Church since the 1990s the observance of Kingdomtide has been on the decline, with many United Methodist churches adopting the more common ecumenical pattern of wearing green vestments on the Sundays After Pentecost.
In recent years Asbury Theological Seminary, an institution with Methodist roots has observed Kingdomtide as a way to frame their worship during the fall semester leading up until the Feast of Christ the King. J. D. Walt, the dean of the chapel at Asbury, says, "KingdomTide is like a banner we are unfurling to declare the mercy and justice of God in word and deed to the whole world."
, "the period between All Saints' Day and the First Sunday of Advent is observed as a time of celebration and reflection on the reign of Christ in earth and heaven". In the Church of England liturgical colours are recommended but not mandatory, so while red is encouraged during this period, individual churches may continue to use green until Advent. This period, called All Saints to Advent in the Church of England's liturgical material, is often nicknamed Kingdomtide or the Kingdom season.
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and certain other Protestant denominations.
Methodist and Presbyterian Usage
Kingdomtide is a liturgical season or sub-season observed only by Protestant churches, especially Methodists and Presbyterians. Green is traditionally the color of the day throughout this season as it is a part of the season of Ordinary Time. In 1937, the Federal Council of Churches (now known as the National Council of ChurchesNational Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
) recommended that the entire part of the Christian calendar between Pentecost
Pentecost
Pentecost is a prominent feast in the calendar of Ancient Israel celebrating the giving of the Law on Sinai, and also later in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection of Jesus...
and Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
be named Kingdomtide; however, two years later the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
adopted the term only for the second half of this time period.
Precise criteria for determining when Kingdomtide begins vary in different localities. The most common practice is to start the season on the Sunday on or nearest August 31, which gives Kingdomtide 13 Sundays every year; in some places, Kingdomtide begins on the last Sunday in August, giving the season 13 Sundays in some years and 14 in others. The last Sunday of Kingdomtide is usually designated the Feast of Christ the King
Feast of Christ the King
The Feast of Christ the King is the last holy Sunday in the western liturgical calendar, celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church as well as many Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Mainline Protestants.-Origin and history in the Catholic Church:Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the...
.
The liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
for Kingdomtide stresses charity and assistance to the poor, in contrast to the preceding season of Pentecost, when a more spiritual mission is emphasized. Green vestments and paraments are used at church services during Kingdomtide, replacing the red used on the Sundays after Pentecost (in churches that do not recognize Kingdomtide as a separate season, green is generally deployed throughout the entire period between Pentecost and Advent).
In the United Methodist Church since the 1990s the observance of Kingdomtide has been on the decline, with many United Methodist churches adopting the more common ecumenical pattern of wearing green vestments on the Sundays After Pentecost.
In recent years Asbury Theological Seminary, an institution with Methodist roots has observed Kingdomtide as a way to frame their worship during the fall semester leading up until the Feast of Christ the King. J. D. Walt, the dean of the chapel at Asbury, says, "KingdomTide is like a banner we are unfurling to declare the mercy and justice of God in word and deed to the whole world."
Anglican Usage
In the Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, "the period between All Saints' Day and the First Sunday of Advent is observed as a time of celebration and reflection on the reign of Christ in earth and heaven". In the Church of England liturgical colours are recommended but not mandatory, so while red is encouraged during this period, individual churches may continue to use green until Advent. This period, called All Saints to Advent in the Church of England's liturgical material, is often nicknamed Kingdomtide or the Kingdom season.