Anglican

The worldwide communion of autonomous churches in communion with the Church of England. The Episcopal Church is part of that communion.

Book of Common Prayer

The primary guide for worship in the Episcopal Church. The first Anglican Book of Common Prayer was written in English in 1549 by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. This first Book of Common Prayer was drawn from a number of Latin books and manuals used to conduct services at that time.

Canons

The written rules governing church policy, structure and procedure. There are national canons and each diocese has its own.

Cathedral

A diocese's cathedral is the church where the bishop makes his headquarters.

Catholic

This word is derived from a Greek word meaning universal and may therefore, be used to apply to all Christians. When it is used this way, it begins with a small c. When used with a capital C it is usually referring to the Roman Catholic Church.

Diocese

A diocese is made up of several local congregations with a bishop as its chief pastor. Since only a bishop can consecrate other bishops, ordain priests and deacons and confirm, the diocese is the basic local unit of the church. Depending on the number of Episcopalians, a state may have one or several dioceses. The legislative body of the diocese is an annual convention of clergy and lay deputies from each congregation.

Episcopal

An adjective derived form the Greek word, episkopos, meaning overseer or bishop. Episcopalian is the noun. Episcopalians attend the Episcopal Church.

General Convention

The General Convention is the highest legislative body of the Episcopal Church. It meets every three years and is made up of a House of Bishops and a House of Deputies. Half the deputies are clergy and half lay persons.

Vestry

Lay members of the vestry are elected at a parish's annual meeting. The rector presides at meetings of the vestry, which handles the parish's business matters and serves as a council of advice for the rector.

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Eccelsiastical Titles

Bishop

A bishop is a chief minister or chief pastor in the Episcopal Church, serving a number of local churches that make up a diocese. A large diocese may have more than one bishop. In that case the chief bishop is called the diocesan. Assisting bishops are usually called suffragan bishops. An assisting bishop who will succeed the diocesan is a bishop coadjutor. All are addressed as "bishop."

Deacon

A deacon, like a bishop or priest, is an ordained minister. Deacon comes from the Greek word, diakonos, meaning servant. Deacons usually serve in local congregations and have a special ministry to the poor, the sick and the troubled. Deacons are addressed as mister, ms, miss or mrs., according to preference or local custom.

Minister

This is a Latin word, meaning servant. In the Episcopal Church lay persons as well as bishops, priests and deacons are ministers, servants of God, caring for their brothers and sisters in the church and those outside it.

Preacher

Preaching is only one function of the ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church and so preacher is not an appropriate synonym for bishop, priest or deacon.

Priest

This word comes from a Greek word, presbyter, meaning elder. Usually a priest is the chief minister in a local congregation. Priests are addressed as father, mister, ms, miss or mrs., depending upon their preference and local custom.

Rector

The priest in charge of a parish, a self-supporting church, is the rector. The rector is elected by the vestry. Assisting priests the rector appoints may be called curate, assistant or associate.

Reverend

The Reverend is an appropriate title to precede the full name of a priest or deacon. The Right Reverend is used for a bishop.

Vicar

The priest in charge of a mission, supported financially from outside, is the vicar. The vicar is appointed by the bishop.

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Sacraments and Services

Confirmation

This is a sacrament in which members make a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit.

Evening Prayer

This is a service which may be used for private devotions or public worship.

Holy Baptism

One of the two major sacraments in the Episcopal Church, the other being Holy Eucharist. In baptism God makes us his children, members of the church, the Body of Christ. The Episcopal Church recognizes baptism in other Christian bodies, done with water in the name of the Trinity.

Eucharist

One of the two major sacraments in the Episcopal Church, the other being Holy Baptism. In the Holy Eucharist Episcopalians recall the saving acts of God and enter communion with Christ and Christians of all times and places. In this sacrament we are fed spiritually with the Body and Blood of Christ.

Matrimony

A sacrament in which woman and man enter a life-long union., receiving the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.

Ordination

A sacrament in which bishops, priests and deacons are made, receiving authority and grace of the Holy Spirit.

Reconciliation

Reconciliation of a Penitent, is a sacrament in which those who repent of their sins may confess them in the presence of a priest and receive assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.

Morning Prayer

This is a service which may be used for private devotions or public worship.

Unction of the Sick

A sacrament in which anointing with oil or laying on of hands by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind and body.

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Architectural Terms

Chancel

In classic church design, an area of pews, seats, stalls or prayer desks set apart from the nave, used by the ministers leading services and sometimes used by the choir.

Narthex

The entrance hall, called by some denominations the vestibule.

Nave

The pew area of the church building, where the congregation sits, stands or kneels during public worship. The nave is more than an auditorium, where people listen, because worship in the Episcopal Church involves everyone as participants.

Sanctuary

The area immediately surrounding the altar, often enclosed by an altar rail. In some denominations the word refers to the entire worship space.