St. Andrew’s on the Sound Episcopal Church — Wilmington, NC

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Definitions from A Dictionary for Episcopalians by John N. Wall, Published by Cowley Publications.

A

Ablutions —

Ritual cleansing of the chalice and paten after all have received bread and wine during the eucharist.

Acclamation —

Term for the opening sentences at the beginning of the eucharist.

Acolyte —

Lay person who assists in worship by carryig the processional cross or crucifix, lighting and extinguishing candles, holding a torch at the reading of the gospel, helping with the presentation of the bread, wine and gifts of the people, and assisting the deacon or priest in the preparation of the altar for communion.

Advent —

The first season of the church's liturgical year, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending with the first eucharist of Christmas.

Advent wreath —

A circle of evergreen foliage with four candle holders.

All Saints Day —

A major feast day of the church that celebrates the communion of saints, that cloud of witnesses to the faith with whom God has surrounded us. The feast is observed on November 1, but may also be observed on the following Sunday.

Alms —

Traditionally, a term for money given to the poor but now generally referring to the money received from the congregation at the offertory.

Altar —

Table on which the bread and wine are placed during a celebration of the eucharist.

Altar Guild —

Parish group organized for the purpose of preparing the altar for worship at the eucharist, the daily office, weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies.

Amen —

Hebrew word giving assent or emphasis to what has been said. In the liturgy it comes at the end of prayers and hymns to allow the congregation to give assent or to conclude on a note of affirmation.

Anglican —

A person who is a communicant of any church (such as the Episcopal Church) that is part of the Anglican Communion and owes its identity to a historical and liturgical relationship to the Church of England.

Anglican Communion —

Worldwide assembly of churches that are in communion with the Church of England and under the spiritual oversight of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Anglican Consultative Council —

Representative advisory group made up of bishops, clergy and lay people selected by the member churches of the Anglican Communion.

Anointing —

Rite of applying consecrated oil in baptism, confirmation and Ministration to the Sick. Traditionally signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit, anointing is also used in rites where an individual is set apart for special reasons, such as ordination.

Apostles Creed —

Ancient statement of the faith that probably derives from early baptismal formularies.

Apostolic Succession —

The belief that the church today is in direct continuity with the church of the apostles and is thus part of the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church."

Archbishop —

Title used in the Church of England, the Anglican Church of Canada, and other branches of the Anglican Communion for bishops who have responsibilities beyond the limits of their dioceses.

Ascension Day —

Feast commemorating Christ's ascension at the end of his post-resurrection appearances to his disciples. It occurs forty days after Easter and always on a Thursday.

Ash Wednesday —

Day of atonement, fasting, and penitence that marks the beginning of Lent.

Aumbry —

A recess or cupboard on the east wall of the sanctuary near the altar that is used to store the reserved sacrament and sometimes the chrism, according to the practice of the parish.

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B

Baptism, Holy —

Sacramental rite of full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit, into membership in the Christian church.

Baptismal Covenant —

A statement of belief and series of promises made by the candidates, sponsors and entire congregation during the baptismal service. The baptismal covenant in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is based on the Apostles' Creed, a baptismal creed from the early church.

Bishop —

The chief sacramental officer of the Episcopal Church, and the office that gives that church its name.

Bishop, Presiding —

Presiding officer and primate of the Episcopal Church and a symbol of the unity of its dioceses. The Presiding Bishop is elected at a meeting of the General Convention by the House of Bishops with the concurrence of the House of Deputies, for a term of nine years.

Blessed Sacrament —

Term for the consecrated bread and wine of the eucharist.

Book of Common Prayer, The —

The authorized prayer book of the Episcopal Church. It contains the regular services appointed for public worship including the Holy Eucharist, the daily offices, and principle feasts and fasts of the church.

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C

Canon law —

List of rules by which the church is guided and governed.

Canon of Scripture —

List of Hebrew and Christian scriptures that are regarded as authoritative for the church.

Canon of the Eucharist —

Prayer over the elements, beginning with the Sursum corda. "Lift up your hearts."

Canterbury, Archbishop of —

Primate of all England, metropolitan of the province of Canterbury, and head of the Church of England.

Canticle —

From the Latin canticulum, "little song," a song based on biblical texts that follows the first and second lessons at Morning an Evening Prayer.

Catechism —

Traditionally the term for the prebaptismal instruction of children and adults.

Catholic —

A word meaning "general" or "universal."

Chalice —

Cup used to contain the wine consecrated during the eucharist, traditionally made of silver but often of pewter or pottery.

Choir —

Group of singers who lead and support congregational singing and also offer special music of their own, particularly anthems at the offertory.

Christ the King —

A feast celebrating the rule of Christ over all creation. It is observed in many parishes on the last Sunday of the Season after Pentecost.

Christmas —

The Feast of Incarnation, beginning on December 25. This feast of Christ's nativity and incarnation continues for twelve days and ends on January 5, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany.

Church of England —

Established during the reign of Henry VIII as an independent church under the authority of the British crown rather than the papacy in Rome, with its own vernacular Bible and prayer book.

Clerical Order —

Clerical delegates to a diocesan convention, as opposed to lay delegates, who make up a separate order.

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D

Deacon —

One of the three offices to which people can be ordained in the Episcopal Church, along with priests and bishops.

Deanery —

A regional district of congregations within a diocese. Also called a convocation.

Diocese —

A geographical area that serves as the primary unit of organization in the Episcopal Church. Each diocese is overseen by a bishop and a legislative body--a convention, council, or synod of the diocese.

Diocesan Convention —

Annual meeting of lay and clerical representatives from the parishes and missions of a diocese to elect members of committees and deputies to General Convention, make decisions about diocesan policy, conduct other diocesan business, and from time to time, elect a bishop for the diocese.

Doxology —

Words of praise and glory to God.

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E

Ecumenism —

Ecumenism seeks increased understanding and unity on doctrinal issues among the different Christian churches.

Eucharist, Holy —

From the Greek word eucharisitia meaning "thanksgiving." The service is also known as Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, and the mass.

Eucharistic Prayer —

The Great Thanksgiving, which is the prayer over the bread and wine in the eucharist. It derives from the ancient Jewish custom of chanting a blessing over a 1979 prayer book includes six eucharistic prayers, two for Rite One and four for Rite Two.

Executive Council —

Interim body of General Convention that implements and monitors decisions in the years between General Conventions.

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F

Fast Days —

Penitential days traditionally observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial, particularly abstention from eating. These include Ash Wednesday, weekdays in Lent, and Holy Week, particularly Good Friday.

Feast Days —

Days of celebration, including all Sundays, the movable feasts of Easter and Pentecost, and the feasts with fixed dates, including Christmas, Epiphany, and All Saint's Day.

Font —

A large, free-standing basin for the water of baptism.

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G

General Convention —

National legislative assembly of the Episcopal Curch that meets every three years to set church-wide policy and budget.

Genuflection —

Act of reverence to the presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine, made by touching the right knee to the floor.

Gloria in Excelsius —

One of the oldest eucharistic hymns ("Glory to God in the highest").It is traditionally associated with the Christmas and Easter seasons because of its themes of victory and of Christ as the victorious Lamb of God.

Good Friday —

The Friday of Holy Week and the day when Christians have traditionally remembered and mediated upon the crucifixion of Jesus through fasting, penance, and special devotion.

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H

Holy Days —

Days on the calendar of the church other than Sundays that are designated for special observance, including celebrations of events in the life of Jesus, saints' days, and days of national significance. The full list can be found in The Book of Common Prayer.

Holy Week —

The most significant week of the church year, beginning on Palm Sunday with a procession and blessing of palms, and ending on Easter Day.

Homily —

Another term for sermon.

Hymn —

Religious poem set to music so that it may be sung during worship.

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I

Inquirers Class —

Parish study group made up of newcomers who wish to learn more about the Episcopal Church and/or those preparing for confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, or the reaffirmation of baptismal vows. Such classes may meet in Lent or at any other time of year.

Intercessions —

Prayers of petition for the needs of the world. From the very beginning intercessory prayer has been a prominent feature of Christian worship.

Intinction —

Method of receiving the eucharistic bread and wine by dipping the bread into the chalice to moisten it with wine.

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J

Jubilee, Year of —

In the Hebrew bible a year of jubilee was called for every fifty years, a year on which liberty was proclaimed "throughout the land to all its inhabitants" through the cancellation of dept and the redemption of slaves. The laws that governed this was to provide a theological imperative for Christians today to preach economic and environmental stewardship and justice and peace for the weakest in society.

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K

Kyrie Eleison —

Greek for "Lord have mercy." This ancient chant was originally the congregation's response in the earliest litanies of intercession.

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L

Laity —

From the Greek term laos, meaning "people." Technically, the laity are the whole people of God, including the ordained, but the word is almost always used to refer to non-ordained Christians.

Lambeth Conference —

Meeting of all bishops in the Anglican Communion. This meeting is convened every ten years by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Lay Reader —

Lay person who is licensed by the bishop of a diocese to read the scripture lesson in church.

Lectionary —

Table of appointed scripture readings for the eucharist and for the daily office throughout the year.

Lent —

The season of preparation for Easter and a time of fasting, penitence, almsgiving, prayer, and study.

Liturgy —

Liturgy is both the public prayer and worship of the people of God gathered in community and the texts of the rites that enable this public worship to take place.

Lord's Prayer —

The prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. It have been used in eucharistic worship since the late fourth century.

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M

Maundy Thursday —

The Thursday of Holy Week, on which the church remembers Jesus' institution of the eucharist and the washing of the disciples' feet.

Morning Prayer —

Also known as Matins, the first of the two daily offices created by Thomas Cranmer in the earliest Book of Common Prayer.

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N

Narthex —

In traditional architecture, a vestibule or room between the main door to the outside and the main door to the nave.

Nave —

Term derived from the Latin word navis, meaning ship. The nave is the large space running between the narthex and the chancel or choir.

Nicene Creed —

Along with the Apostles' Creed, the definitive statement of Christian faith that was gradually adopted into the eucharistic liturgy from the fifth to the eleventh centuries.

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O

Oblations —

Bread and wine offered for consecration at the eucharist. It is the term derived from the Latin word meaning "to present" or "to offer."

Ordination —

Rite by which one is ordained to the diaconate, priesthood, or episcopate.

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P

Parish —

Worshiping community of Christians who gather weekly at Christ's altar to experience God's redemptive love by celebrating the eucharist, and who then carry on this redemptive work in the world.

Paschal Candle —

Large white candle representing the light of Christ and usually decorated with a cross. It is lighted from the new fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil and is carried into the church by a deacon, who then sings the Exsultet.

Passover —

Jewish festival of unleavened bread commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt.

Pastor —

Term for a member of the clergy.

Peace, Exchange of —

Sacramental greeting between Christians that dates back to the earliest communities and takes place at the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word. It is both a sign of Christ's love and of reconciliation between members of the church.

Prayers of the People —

Another term for the prayers of intercession in the eucharist.

Priest —

One of the four orders of ministry in the Episcopal Church, the priest is ordained to "represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a pastor to the people; to share with the bishop in the overseeing of the Church; to proclaim the gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God." Because of their office, most priests are rectors of parishes.

Processional Cross —

Wooden or metal cross or crucifix attached to the top of a pole so that it may be carried in a procession.

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R

Rector —

Chief sacramental and liturgical leader of a parish, who is called by and accountable to the vestry.

Reverend, the —

Formal title for a priest or deacon in the Episcopal Church.

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S

Sacrament —

The "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace," according to the catechism.

Sacristy —

A space close to the sanctuary i which the chalice, paten, linens, vestments, and other essentials for celebrating the eucharist are cleaned, stored, and made ready for use.

Search Committee —

A representative group in a parish whose purpose is to search for a new rector.

Sign of the Cross —

A manual act (1) used to mark the forehead of those being baptized, confirmed, or anointed with oil in healing services; (2) made over the whole congregation when pronouncing blessing and absolution; and (3) made over oneself, by touching the forehead, the diaphragm, the left shoulder, and the right shoulder with the fingertips of the right hand at different points in the eucharist and at the time of blessing and absolution.

Stewardship —

In practical terms, stewardship is a process in which a congregation looks after all that is entrusted to it, including its physical plant, human resources, and the talents and gifts of its members.

Synod —

A meeting of bishops and elected lay and clerical delegates in each of the nine geographical provinces of the Episcopal Church.

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T

Tithe —

Ten percent of one's material wealth.

Trinity Sunday —

The first Sunday after Pentecost and the only day in the church year that commemorates a doctrine--the Trinity--rather than a person.

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U

Urn —

Vessel to hold the ashes of one who has been cremated.

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V

Vespers —

Traditionally one of the eight monastic hours of prayer, which the first English prayer book combined with other afternoon and evening offices to make the service of Evening Prayer.

Vestments —

Clothing worn by clergy and lay people in the conduct of public worship.

Vestry —

Legal governing and decision-making body of a parish church, consisting of the rector and elected lay representatives.

Vows —

Solemn public promises made in the presence of witnesses.

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W

Wafer —

Small disk of unleavened bread used for Holy Communion.

Warden, Junior, Senior —

A member of the vestry who is elected for special duties, the junior warden is usually responsible for the maintenance and repair of church buildings and grounds.

Word of God —

The first half of the rite of Holy Eucharist, consisting of the preparatory acclamation, collect for purity, song of praise, collect of the day, scripture readings, sermon, Nicene Creed, intercessory prayers, confession, and exchange of the peace.

Worship —

The regular services appointed for public worship in the Episcopal Church are the Holy Eucharist, which is the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major feasts.

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