ABSTRACT
This chapter explores an in-depth case study of a number of parishes in the Archdeaconry of Berkshire in the Diocese of Oxford in the Church of England. It explains the practice on the ground, and then to return to the wider discussion at a policy-making level and in liturgical theory. The Diocese of Oxford has a long-standing policy on Extended Communion, which can be found in the Diocesan Year Book. The oldest recorded example of Extended Communion is from the primarily rural Carlisle diocese, and Faith in the Countryside recommended its acceptance. The case study method has a long history, particularly in anthropology and sociology, and has been used recently in the study of charismatic worship in the Church of England. It has also been strongly advocated as a part of qualitative research. Yin encourages a more scientific approach, that is, case studies testing hypotheses.
