Glossary of Terms

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 […]

Second Song of Isaiah, The

See Quaerite Dominum.

Secularizing a Consecrated Building

This service is used to deconsecrate and secularize a consecrated building that is to be taken down or used for other purposes. The form for this service is provided by the BOS. The presiding minister may be the bishop or a deputy appointed by the bishop. The altar and all consecrated and dedicated objects that […]

Seder Meal

At this traditional Jewish Passover meal the story of the Exodus (haggadah) is read and ritual actions are performed. The seder today consists of fourteen elements: 1) Kiddush, the blessing of wine and the day, 2) Urehatz, washing of hands, 3) Karpas, eating green herbs, 4) Yachatz, breaking the middle matzo, 5) Maggid, the Passover […]

Sedilia

This triple seat in the sanctuary of a church is for the celebrant, deacon, and sub-deacon at solemn Mass. It is usually a bench with a back divided into thirds. In some stone churches the sedilia are incorporated into the north wall of the sanctuary. Today, the use of a single seat for the presider […]

See

The bishop's throne or chair. The term is from the Latin, “seat.” The episcopal throne is a symbol of the bishop's authority and jurisdiction. It is typically located in the cathedral of the diocese. By extension, the location of the cathedral or church with the bishop's throne is known as the bishop's see. For example, […]

Seedlings, Inc

A ministry providing Christian Education materials. It has a special concern to address the needs of very small churches. The Rev. Betty Works Fuller began publishing a Sunday School curriculum in 1977 for St. James Church, La Grange, Texas. Other churches joined her in the effort. By 1979 the material, now called Seedlings, was being […]

Selwyn, George Augustus

(Apr. 5, 1809-Apr. 11, 1878). First Church of England Bishop of New Zealand. He was born in Hempstead, London, England. Selwyn was educated at Eton and St. John's College, Cambridge. He was ordained priest in 1833. After parish work at Windsor and tutoring at Eton, he was consecrated the first Church of England Bishop in […]

Seminarian

A seminary student. See Seminary.

Seminary

Theological school for training ordained and lay leaders of the church. Those seeking to be ordained typically participate in a three-year course of studies leading to the Master of Divinity degree. First-year students are called “juniors,” second-year students are called “middlers,” and third-year students are called “seniors.” In addition to providing theological instruction and assisting […]

An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Glossary of Terms