Glossary of Terms

Schereschewsky, Samuel Isaac Joseph

(May 6, 1831-Oct. 15, 1906). Missionary bishop and translator. He was born in Tauroggen, Russian Lithuania, to Jewish parents. He became convinced that he should become a Christian and in 1854 came to the United States. He decided to enter the Presbyterian ministry and studied at Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, 1855-1858. He then joined […]

Schism

This word of Greek origin means a rip, tear, split, or division. In ecclesiastical terms, it is a formal and willful separation from the unity of the church. The term is used in the NT for any kind of quarrel or division. Its meaning was later restricted to divisions of the church having a non-doctrinal […]

Schola Cantorum

A school for church singers. The first Roman schola cantorum has been dated from the fourth century. It provided music for papal masses. The Roman schola cantorum was reorganized by Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who served as Pope from 590 to 604. Gregorian Chant developed in the Roman schola cantorum during the seventh and […]

Scholasticism

A movement or approach to theology in Christianity which developed during the middle ages. It flourished from the time of Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) until the beginning of the “modern” period in the philosophy of Descartes (1596-1650). It included such noted theologians and philosophers as Anselm, Peter Lombard, Abelard, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and […]

School of Theology of the Diocese of Arkansas

See Arkansas Theological Chautauqua School.

School of Theology, University of the South

One of the recognized, accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The first meeting of the trustees of the University of the South was held at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, on July 4, 1857. The cornerstone was laid at Sewanee, Tennessee, on Oct. 10, 1860, but the Civil War delayed the construction of buildings. A school of […]

Scott, Thomas Fielding

(Mar. 12, 1808-July 14, 1867). First Missionary Bishop of Oregon and Washington Territory. He was born in Iredell County, North Carolina. Scott graduated from Franklin College, now the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, in 1829. He was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian Church and served in Georgia and Tennessee. In 1842 Scott met Bishops […]

Scripture

This word comes from the Latin for “writings” and refers to a collection of the most important documents in a given religious community. Many different religions have scriptures. The term “canon,” which means a rule or listing, refers to the list of items included in a scripture. The word “Bible” is used by Christians to […]

Scudder, Vida Dutton

(Dec. 15, 1861-Oct. 9, 1954). Educator and Christian Socialist. She was born in Madura, India, and was initially named Julia Davida. Her father was a Congregationalist missionary. She and her mother returned to Auburndale, Massachusetts after he died. When she was a teenager, she and her mother joined the Episcopal Church. Scudder received her B.A. […]

Seabury Divinity School, Faribault, Minnesota

See Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.

Seabury Press

A church-owned publishing house that was sold in 1984. Lewis Bliss Whittemore (1885-1965), Bishop of Western Michigan, called attention to the lack of progress in Christian education throughout the Episcopal Church in 1946. The result of his action was a revitalized, reorganized Department of Christian Education, which began a project called the “New Curriculum,” now […]

Seabury Series, The

A comprehensive parish education program of the Episcopal Church that was published between 1948 and 1970. The program included a series of six basic books, The Church's Teaching Series, which became the foundational subject matter resource of the adult materials and of the publications for Sunday church school. These materials were published by the Seabury […]

Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

An accredited seminary of the Episcopal Church, located in Evanston, Illinois. Seabury-Western was the result of the merger of Seabury Divinity School, Faribault, Minnesota, and the Western Theological Seminary, Chicago, on July 1, 1933. Seabury Divinity School was founded in 1858 by James Lloyd Breck. It was first called Seabury Divinity Hall. Western Theological Seminary […]

Seabury, Samuel

(Nov. 30, 1729-Feb. 25, 1796). First bishop in the Episcopal Church. He was born in Groton, Connecticut, and graduated from Yale College in 1748. He read theology under his father and then studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, 1752-1753. Seabury was ordained deacon on Dec. 21, 1753, and priest on Dec. 23, 1753, in […]

Seabury, Samuel

(June 9, 1801-Oct. 10, 1872). Priest, educator, and editor. The grandson and namesake of the first bishop of the Episcopal Church, he was born in New London, Connecticut. Although he was unable to obtain a formal college education, he pursued classical and theological studies privately. He was ordained deacon on Apr. 12, 1826, and priest […]

Seal of Baptism

After baptism, the bishop or priest places a hand on the head of the newly baptized person, marking the forehead with the sign of the cross, addressing each one by name and saying, “You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever” (BCP, p. 308). This marking of […]

Seal of Confession

A penitent may seek a priest for listening to his or her confession of sins, declaring genuine sorrow and promising amendment of life together with restitution, where possible, to those wronged. The priest in turn gives counsel, penance, and absolution. It is understood by both that the confession is under the “seal.” Under no circumstances […]

Seal of the Episcopal Church

See Episcopal Church Flag and Seal.

Search Committee

A group charged to identify candidates for the position of bishop, rector, or other ministry in the life of the church. It may be the responsibility of the search committee to clarify the job description and identify the qualifications that are needed for the job. It is often the responsibility of the search committee to […]

Seasonal Blessings

The BOS provides seasonal blessings for Advent, Christmas season, Epiphany, Easter season, the Day of Pentecost, the First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday, and All Saints. In place of a seasonal blessing in Lent, a solemn Prayer over the People (Super Populum) is used. The seasonal blessings may be used by a bishop or priest […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms