Glossary of Terms

Parish Profile

An instrument that provides important information concerning a parish, including information about the parish's services and programs, budget, parish life and goals, and previous clergy. The standardized form that is typically used for parish profiles is provided by the Church Deployment Office of the Episcopal Church Center. The preparation of the parish profile may be […]

Parish Register

The formal record of the various official acts in a parish church. Canon 15 of the Constitution and Canons of 1789 required every minister of the church to keep a register of baptisms, marriages, and funerals within his cure. The Canon Law of the Church of England also required that the clergy keep a register […]

Parker, Matthew

(Aug. 6, 1504-May 17, 1575). The first Archbishop of Canterbury under Queen Elizabeth. Parker was responsible for enacting and enforcing the Elizabethan Settlement. He studied at St. Mary's Hostel, Cambridge University. He received his B.A. in 1527, his M.A. in 1528, his B.D. in 1535, and his D.D. in 1537, all from Corpus Christi College, […]

Parochial

Concerning a parish. For example, parochial clergy serve in parishes.

Parochial Mission

A mission that is supported by a parish. The supporting parish may provide the aided congregation with staff and program assistance in addition to financial support.

Parochial Report (Annual Report)

This report is the official data-gathering instrument of the Episcopal Church. Each parish or congregation files this report annually with the diocesan bishop. A copy of each Parochial Report is sent to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. The Parochial Report includes information concerning the number of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials during the […]

Parousia

A Greek word meaning “presence” or “arrival,” parousia is often translated as “second coming.” It is part of the area of theology called eschatology, the study of the last things or ultimate end of creation. The parousia is understood as the completion of God's gift of salvation, which will not take place until Jesus' return […]

Parson

The member of the clergy, typically a priest or presbyter, with pastoral responsibility for a parish. In medieval times, the rector of a parish was the parson, or legal “person” who held the legal property rights of the parish. The rector could sue and be sued as the parson of the parish. The term is […]

Parsons, Edward Lambe

(May 18, 1868-July 19, 1960). Bishop and liturgist. He was born in New York City. Parsons received his B.A. in 1889 from Yale, and graduated from Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1892. In 1892-1893, he was a fellow at the University of Berlin. He graduated from Episcopal Theological School in 1894. Parsons was ordained […]

Pasch

This term for Easter is from the Latin and Greek Pascha, which transliterated the Hebrew pesach, “Passover.” It was used both for the Jewish Passover and the Christian Easter. The Latin Pascha is sometimes used in English to distinguish the full celebration of the passion and resurrection of Christ in the early church from the […]

Pascha nostrum (Christ our Passover)

The term literally means “our passover” in Latin. It has two distinguishable meanings in the BCP. 1) Canticle based on 1 Cor 5:7-8, Rom 6:9-11, and 1 Cor 15:20-22. It is used as an invitatory anthem in Easter Week at Morning Prayer. It may be used daily in the Easter season until Pentecost (BCP, pp. […]

Paschal Candle

A large candle that symbolizes the risen Christ. It is often decorated with a cross, symbols of the resurrection, the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, and the year. The term “Paschal” concerns Easter or Passover. At the Easter Vigil, the Paschal candle is lit from the new fire. It is carried by the deacon, who […]

Paschal Mystery

In this context, the word “mystery” means a transcendent purpose of God. It exceeds human understanding, but we have some knowledge and experience of it. Paschal means pertaining to Easter (the Pascha) and to its antecedent the Hebrew Passover. The Passover has the promise of redemption and the gift of freedom at the Red Sea. […]

Passion

The redemptive suffering of Jesus Christ in the events surrounding his death. The term is from the Latin passio, “suffering.” A gospel narrative of the Passion is called the Passion. It may also be called the Passion gospel or the Passion narrative. It is read liturgically during Holy Week. The accounts of Matthew, Mark, or […]

Passion Gospel, Passion Narrative

See Passion.

Passion Sunday

See Palm Sunday (The Sunday of the Passion).

Passover

A Jewish festival of eight days that celebrates the events leading to the Jewish Exodus from Egypt. According to the accounts of the Book of Exodus, a lamb was sacrificed by each household. Its blood was sprinkled on the lintel and door posts so that the Lord would pass over houses which bore these markings […]

Pastor, Pastoral Ministry

The word “pastor” derives from the work of tending sheep: a pastor is one who cares for sheep. The term came into the Christian understanding of the ordained ministry because of the frequent references in Holy Scripture to God as a shepherd of the people of Israel and Jesus as the Good Shepherd. A priest […]

Pastoral Care

The ministry of caring at the heart of the church's life. It may include hospital visitation, counseling, and ministries of shared presence, listening, and support. Pastoral care can refer to the ministries of hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors and therapists, social workers, and other professionals who serve in the name of the church. It also includes […]

Pastoral Leader

A lay person licensed under special circumstances to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation. A pastoral leader may be licensed to lead regularly the offices authorized by the Prayer Book. This ministry is licensed under the provisions of the canon for licensed lay persons. A pastoral leader must be a confirmed adult communicant […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms