Glossary

1) A square, stiffened white linen cloth that is used to cover the chalice at the Eucharist. 2) A cloth used to cover a casket or urn at a funeral.

The Sunday before Easter at which Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Jesus’ Passion on the cross are recalled, also known as the Sunday of the Passion. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week.

A story told by Jesus to illustrate a religious lesson through analogy or metaphor.

The mother and father of the Virgin Mary according to the Apocrypha, and named Anne and Joachim based on legend. Feast Day: July 26

Defined by the Canons as a local congregation recognized by the diocese, organized for worship, mission, and ministry under the care of a rector or priest-in-charge.

A church building or house that may provide space for the church office, clergy and staff offices, classrooms, choir rehearsal room, and meeting rooms.

A document created in preparation for a search for new clergy leadership, providing information about the history, mission, worship, congregational life, programs, outreach, finances, and goals of the congregation.

Concerning a parish. Clergy who do not work for a church are sometimes called nonparochial.

An annual, official data-gathering instrument of The Episcopal Church. The report includes extensive information about membership and attendance; the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials; outreach; and finances.

A large candle symbolizing the risen Christ. Often decorated with a cross and other symbols. “Paschal” concerns Easter or Passover. Each year a Paschal candle is lit for the first time from the new fire at the Easter Vigil.

The redemptive suffering of Jesus Christ in the events surrounding his death. A Gospel narrative of the Passion is read liturgically during Holy Week, often with congregants taking different parts.

See Palm Sunday.

An eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates the events leading to the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem celebrating Passover when he was arrested, tried, and crucified.

Shallow dish or small plate for the bread at the Eucharist.

A fifth-century British bishop and missionary to Ireland. Feast day: March 17, which also is widely celebrated secularly as St. Patrick’s Day.

A 19th-century martyr who was the first missionary bishop to Melanesia. Along with members of his company, he was speared to death on the island of Nukapu, reportedly after being mistaken for a slave trader. Feast day: Sept. 20.

A liturgical exchange of greeting through word and gesture, initiated by the celebrant with the words, “The peace of the Lord be always with you.” The congregation responds, “And also with you,” or, “And with thy spirit.”

A cross, typically of silver or gold, suspended by a chain around the neck, that rests on the chest. Bishops normally wear a pectoral cross.

A person seeking the church’s ministry of reconciliation by making a confession to a confessor.

A corporate rite of repentance that can precede a Eucharistic liturgy or form the basis of a stand-alone service. It includes an acclamation, confession of sin and absolution.

The biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

A principal feast of the church year, on the seventh Sunday after Easter, when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ followers in “tongues of fire.” Also associated with speaking in tongues.

Third-century Christians who were martyred in the arena at Carthage. Feast day: March 7.

A form used by congregations and institutions seeking new leadership providing personal and professional information of Episcopal clergy and lay professionals open to new positions.

The 11 women who were ordained as priests July 29, 1974, before the 1976 General Convention authorized the ordination of women as priests and bishops. Feast day: July 29.

One of the 12 apostles. Feast day: May 1, along with James the Less.

A small sink that empties into the earth instead of into a sewer. Used for the reverent disposal of consecrated wine and water used for sacred purposes.

A simple chant, usually based on the psalms, and also used for canticles and other sung liturgical texts.

A commitment to give one’s time, talents, and money as an expression of faith and a personal response to God’s generosity.

The form of government for an organized church. The Episcopal Church has a unitary form of government in which all temporal authority is vested in the General Convention. Authority is distributed among bishops, clergy, and laity.

A disciple of the Apostle John, who named him bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman emperor. Feast day: Feb. 23.

A person recognized by the bishop as beginning the canonical process leading to ordination as a deacon or priest. Postulancy is followed by candidacy. See Candidate.

See Book of Common Prayer

Communal intercessory prayers offered during the Eucharist and other services. Preferably led by a deacon who is charged with bringing the needs, hopes, and concerns of the world to the church; also led by laypeople.

A piece of music played immediately before a worship service.

In The Episcopal Church, presbyter is a seldom used synonym for a priest.

The chief pastor and chief executive officer of The Episcopal Church, providing leadership, vision, and mission strategy. Elected by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies for a nine-year term.

One of the three orders of ordained ministry, the others being bishop and deacon.

A duly ordained priest serving in a congregation by appointment of the bishop, with the same canonical authority and duties of a rector but without tenure and serving only so long as the bishop directs.

In ecclesiastical terms, primacy is the status of being first, or presiding, among other bishops.

The chief bishop in an Anglican province is called its primate. In most provinces the title used is archbishop, but the title for The Episcopal Church’s primate is presiding bishop.

A church named by a diocesan bishop, typically on a temporary basis, to serve as a cathedral but which remains under the governance of its vestry and dean.

The reverent movement of participants in a liturgy from one place to another.

Variable parts of the Eucharistic liturgy and the Daily Office which are appointed for a particular day according to the season or occasion.

Lying full length and face down on the floor or ground as a gesture of humility and devotion.

1) An autonomous member church of the global Anglican Communion. 2) One of nine geographic divisions of The Episcopal Church, each comprising several dioceses for regional organization and coordination.

Each of the nine provinces of The Episcopal Church elects a synod, which in turn elects one clergy and one layperson to Executive Council. The synod focuses on matters of ministry coordination, mission strategy, and mutual support among dioceses.

A 19th-century British priest, theologian, and leader of the Oxford Movement. Feast day: Sept. 18.