Glossary of Terms
Mercer, Samuel Alfred Browne
(May 10, 1880-Jan. 10, 1969). Scholar of the OT and co-founder of the Anglican Theological Review (ATR). He was born in Bristol, England. Mercer received his B.Sc. from Bishop Field College and Central Training School, St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1900, and his B.D. from Nashotah House in 1904. He received his B.A. from Harvard University […]
Merton, Thomas
(Brother Louis) (Jan. 31, 1915-Dec. 10, 1968). Spiritual writer and Trappist monk. He was born in Prades, France. Merton studied at Cambridge University, 1933-1934. He received his B.A. in 1938 and his M.A. in 1939, both from Columbia University. He was a nominal Anglican in his younger years but converted to Roman Catholicism in 1938. […]
Messiah
From the Hebrew, “anointed” or “anointed one,” indicating a person who has been anointed with oil. Messiah is translated in Greek as christos, and the title “Christ” is derived from it. The one who is ceremonially anointed is understood to be set apart by God with special powers and functions. In the OT, the anointed […]
Methodists, Methodism
A group of Protestant churches founded in England in the eighteenth century on the principles and practices of John Wesley, a priest of the Church of England. Methodism spread from England to the American colonies. It became an important expression of religious life and thought in the New World. Methodism was marked from the outset […]
Methodius
(See Cyril and Methodius.)
Metrical Index of Tunes
The Hymnal 1982 Accompaniment Edition, Vol. 2 (pp. 1039-1044) contains a Metrical Index to hymns in The Hymnal 1982. This tool enables use of texts which otherwise might not be usable because the tune linked with the text is unfamiliar or too difficult, or is not suitable for the available instruments, or is beyond the […]
Metrical Psalter
A publication in which the psalms are written in regular poetic meters and intended for singing to musical settings in stanzas. The earliest important metrical psalter in English is the “Old Version” or “Sternhold and Hopkins.” The first version of nineteen metrical psalms was published about 1547, followed by a complete version that was published […]
Mexico, Diocese of
Henry Chauncey Riley (1835-1904) was consecrated the Bishop of the Valley of Mexico on June 24, 1879. He served in that position until he resigned on Apr. 24, 1884. The General Convention of 1904 established the Missionary District of Mexico and elected a Missionary Bishop. In 1972 the House of Bishops divided the Missionary District […]
Michael
(12:7-9) describes Michael as the leader of the angels in victory over the dragon (identified with Satan) and the dragon's angels. Michael is often portrayed with a sword fighting or standing over a dragon. Observance of a day in honor of Michael dates from the fifth century. The feast of St. Michael the Archangel is […]
Michigan City, Diocese of
The Diocese of Northern Indiana was known as the Diocese of Michigan City from Apr. 25, 1899, until May 20, 1919. See Northern Indiana, Diocese of.
Michigan, Diocese of
The primary convention of the Diocese of Michigan met at St. Paul's Church, Detroit, on Sept. 8-10, 1832. The diocese was divided by the General Conventions of 1874, 1892, and 1994. The Diocese of Michigan includes the following counties: Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland (except for Holly Township), Washtenaw, Wayne, and that […]
Micks, Marianne Hoffman
(Apr. 30, 1923-Nov. 4, 1997). Theologian and seminary professor. She was born in Seneca Falls, New York. Micks received her A.B. from Smith College in 1945, and her M.R.E. from Columbia University in 1948. In 1957 she and a classmate were the first two women to earn a degree from an Episcopal seminary. They received […]
Micou, Richard Wilde
(June 12, 1848-June 4, 1912). Theologian and seminary professor. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Micou studied at the Universities of Georgia, Alabama, Erlangen, Bavaria, Edinburgh, and the General Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon on June 12, 1870, and priest on Nov. 16, 1872. Micou was assistant minister at St. John's Church, Montgomery, […]
Micronesia, Episcopal Church in
This small Episcopal Church is under the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop, who appoints another bishop to exercise the episcopate there. Bishops appointed by the Presiding Bishop have been the Bishops of Hawaii, Okinawa, and Bishops for the Armed Forces.
Miles, James Warley
(Nov. 24, 1818-Sept. 14, 1875). Priest and theologian. Miles was the leading intellectual figure of the Episcopal Church in the South in the mid-nineteenth century. He was born on his family's plantation in St. Matthew's Parish, Orangeburg District, South Carolina. He attended South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) and General Theological Seminary. […]
Millenarianism
The belief that the second coming of Christ will bring a thousand-year reign of justice, happiness, and peace. It is also known as Chiliasm. The term is from the Latin mille, “a thousand.” Millenarianism is based on the description in Revelation, Chapters 20-21. Christ and his saints are to rule for a thousand years while […]
Milnor, James
(June 20, 1773-Apr. 8, 1844). A leading evangelical and an opponent of the Oxford Movement. He was born in Philadelphia and studied law and theology at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1811 to 1813 he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. He was ordained deacon on Aug. 14, 1814, and […]
Milwaukee, Diocese of
The clergy in the territory of Wisconsin requested on Apr. 30, 1836, that Wisconsin be put under the jurisdiction of Missionary Bishop Jackson Kemper. The House of Bishops granted this request on Sept. 12, 1838. The Diocese of Wisconsin was organized at St. Paul's Church, Milwaukee, on June 24-25, 1847. On Oct. 8, 1859, Bishop […]
Minister
One who shares in the ministry of the church. The ministers of the church are lay people, bishops, priests, and deacons (BCP, p. 855). Christian ministry is based in baptism, and the promises of the baptismal covenant (BCP, pp. 304-305). All Christian ministers are to represent Christ and his church. Each order of ministry has […]
Ministration at the Time of Death
The BCP provides prayers and forms for Ministration at the Time of Death (pp. 462-467). When a person is near death, the minister of the congregation should be notified so the ministrations of the church may be provided. The BCP includes a prayer for a person near death, a Litany at the Time of Death, […]
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.