These definitions are provided through the work of the St. Gabriel and Good Shepherd Episcopal Churches.

Acolyte

Lay volunteers who follow the Cross in the procession and recession, light and sometimes carry candles, and assist the priest in worship.

Advent

The period celebrating the coming of Jesus at Christmas. The beginning of the Church Year and the four weeks leading up to and concluding with Christmas (the entire Christmas season). The colors for Advent are violet or blue. An Advent Wreath is a special wreath (circle of greens ) containing five candles used in churches and homes as reminders of the four Sundays before Christmas. Four of the candles are arranged in a circle, the fifth -- a white candle -- is placed in the center. By tradition one additional candle is lit each Sunday until on the fourth Sunday all four candles are lighted. On Christmas, the fifth candle is lighted.

All Saints' Day

November 1; a feast day in the church in commemoration of all the known and unknown saints.

Altar

A table, usually in the sanctuary, on which the bread and wine used in the Communion service are consecrated. Also known as and referred to in the prayer book as the Holy Table.

Altar Guild

A special, usually lay, group in a church, charged with the maintenance and preparation of the altar and its furnishings in a church. Altar guilds may also supervise church decorations and flowers.

Amen

Response said or sung at end of prayers, hymns and anthems, showing agreement with what preceded.

Ascension

The Feast commemorating the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. This Feast is forty days after Easter and always occurs on a Thursday. The color for Ascension are white or gold.

Ash Wednesday

A day of special devotion which marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. It is one of the most important days of the church year. In the Ash Wednesday service, ashes are lightly smeared onto the forehead of a person by the priest or bishop, as a reminder that "dust thou art, and to dust thou shall return." (BCP pp. 264ff).

Baptism

The sacrament that celebrates a person's joining of the Church. At our baptisms we are cleansed from sin, adopted by God as His children and as members of Christ's Body, and made heirs of His eternal Kingdom. The church recognizes both adult and infant baptism and offers both. Except in emergencies, Baptism is administered in a church, increasingly often with the congregation present. Nearly always baptism is administered by a member of the clergy, though any baptized lay person may administer the sacrament in an emergency.

Book of Common Prayer

The primary guide for worship in the Episcopal Church. Also called "The Prayer Book" or the "BCP". It consists of classic and contemporary prayers, devotions, services and psalms designed to allow the entire Church to worship in common union.

Catholic

Universal, open to everyone; used with a small 'c' as in the Nicene Creed: "the holy catholic church"

Celebrant

The person who leads the worship service, the principal officiator. In a Eucharist, the celebrant is the bishop, or a priest who the bishop appoints to lead the service for him.

Christmas

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ celebrated on December 25th. The Christmas Season extends through January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Also known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Collect

The prayer near the beginning of the Eucharist that precedes the Lessons, summarizing the message of the lessons. Also any short prayer, usually one sentence, that contains an invocation, a petition, and a pleading in Christ's Name (in that order).

Communion

The Christian sacramental meal, the Lord's Supper, commanded by our Lord ("Do this in remembrance of me."). In this sacrament baptized persons are fed spiritually with the Body and Blood of Christ. It is now more commonly called the Eucharist in Episcopal churches.

Confirmation

At Confirmation (usually after a series of Confirmation classes) a person makes a mature, public confession to their baptismal vows. The bishop then lays hands on the confirmand (the person undergoing confirmation), and prays for the Holy Spirit to "strengthen greatly" the person in the rest of his or her life. Confirmation is considered to be one of the five sacramental acts, or minor sacraments, of the Episcopal Church.

Crucifer

The person in the religious procession who carries a large cross (a processional cross), and leads the procession into the church and the recession out of the church.

Diocese

The basic local unit of the church, made up of several local congregations. For example, Grace Church is part of the Diocese of Chicago.

Easter

Both the Sunday celebrating the Lord's Resurrection and the season of Fifty Days following. Easter is always the first Sunday after a full moon that falls on or after March 21. It therefore always occurs between March 22 and April 25. The odd dating is based on the Lunar Calendar used by the Jews, which then sets the date for Passover, the meal celebrated at the Last Supper.

Epiphany

The Feast of the Manifestation of Our Lord Jesus Christ (i.e., celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus). It is observed on January 6th. The Epiphany Season continues until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Eucharist

The Christian sacramental meal, the Lord's Supper, commanded by our Lord ("Do this in remembrance of me."). In this sacrament baptized persons are fed spiritually with the Body and Blood of Christ. Also known as Communion, it is now more commonly called the Eucharist in Episcopal churches.

Father

A priest in personal conversation or in the salutation of a letter. Its use is determined by each congregation and the individual priests. Some have chosen not to use the term since the ordination of women, although some female priests are called Mother.

Folk Mass

Communion in which the music is often guitars or other instruments instead of organ music; a term for a less formal communion service which incorporates new songs, spirituals, folk songs, and contemporary poetry as part of the worship service.

Font

A basin of water used in baptism. The Episcopal Church practices baptism by "sprinkling" rather than by "full imersion".

Good Friday

The Friday before Easter Day on which the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated.

Gospel

Any reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. If the service is a Eucharist, then the Gospel must be read by a member of the clergy. It is often read from the Gospel Book.

Great Vigil of Easter

The Great Vigil of Easter is the climax of Holy Week and the beginning of the Fifty Days of Easter celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord. It begins at sunset on Holy Saturday, and runs until dawn on Easter Sunday.

Holy Week

The most important period of the church year, from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. The week commemorates our Lord's Passion and Death. It is also known as Passion Week. It includes: The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Homily

A short sermon often on a single topic of devotion or morality. The difference between a sermon and a homily is primarily the length.

Laity

The laity are the non-ordained members of a church, as distinguished from the clergy. An single member of the laity would be referred to as a lay person.

Lector

A non-ordained person who participates in reading part of the church service. Lectors can read any prayer, psalm, or lesson, but if the service is a Eucharist, the Gospel must be read by a member of the clergy.

LEM

Lay (non-clergy) Eucharistic Ministers take Communion to those members who are either homebound or in the hospital and are not able to come to church on Sundays. In visiting the sick and homebound, the LEM represents the church and reminds those visited that they are an integral part of our community.

Lent

The 40-day period of fasting, sobriety and meditation following Ash Wednesday, recalling the period of Christ's fasting and meditation in the wilderness, and in penitence and preparation for Holy Week.

Matrimony

One of the sacramental acts of the Church. It differs from the others because it is administered, not by the clergy, but by the couple themselves, with the clergy as witness for the church and the state. The Church requires that at least one of the parties be a baptized Christian, that the ceremony be attested to by at least two witnesses, and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of the Church. Most Episcopal churches do not administer Matrimony during Lent or on Sunday.

Maundy Thursday

Thursday in Holy Week. It refers to Christ's commandment concerning foot-washing. It is also the day on which the first Lord's Supper was celebrated.

Narthex

The entrance hall or foyer to the church, the enclosed area between the outside doors and the nave. It's called by some denominations the vestibule.

Nave

The pew area of the church building, where the congregation sits, stands or kneels during public worship.

Oblations

Offerings or gifts to God at the Eucharist.

Offertory

The presentation, reception, preparation, and offering of the gifts at the beginning of The Holy Communion, the second part of the Eucharist. The offering of alms is part of the offertory, but the offertory also includes the gifts of bread and wine that are to be consecrated during the communion, and the offering of "... ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice."

Palm Sunday

The Sunday of the Passion (BCP pp. 270-73), the Sunday before Easter. In the Episcopal Church, members of the congregation carry real palms during the service. In some churches, the tradition is that palms from one year are saved, dried and later burned to make the ashes used at the next year's Ash Wednesday service.

Parish Hall/House

A gathering place for a local congregation separate from the church building or sanctuary. Our Parish Hall is called "Guinnup Hall," in memory of our long-time organist and friend, Max Guinnup.

Passion Narrative

The name given to the Gospel reading on the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday. The reading chronicles the final hours of Jesus' earthly ministry. The reading traditionally begins with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and continues through his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death. It is the longest Lesson read in the Church year, and the only gospel reading with an option allowing the congregation to sit during the first part of the reading. In many parishes the narrative becomes a passion play. Specific roles (Pilate, Peter, etc.) are assigned to different persons, and the congregation plays the part of the crowd assenting to the crucifixion.

The Peace

Also known as Passing the Peace. A part of the Eucharist ritual in the Episcopal Church in which members of the congregation, including the clergy, greet one another. The priest says, "The Peace of the Lord be always with you." The congregation responds, "And also with you." (When using Rite I, the response is "And with thy Spirit.") Immediately after these words people shake hands or speak or sometimes embrace.

Pentecost

The conclusion of the Fifty Days of Easter and the commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. As a season, it begins on the Day of Pentecost and ends on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. During this season the Church especially emphasizes the Holy Spirit's empowerment of all Christians for ministry to each other and the communities and world in which they live.

Prayers of the People

Several forms of prayers offered with intercession for the Church, the nation, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the local community, those who suffer or in any trouble, and the departed.

Priest

The chief minister in a local congregation. Duties: to baptize, preach the Word of God, celebrate the Eucharist, and to pronounce Absolution and Blessing in God's Name. Forms of address -- Father, Mother, depending upon the priest's preference and local custom. The formal title of address is "The Reverend Father/Mother [full name]."

Procession

The line of choir, clergy, acolytes, crucifer, torchbearers and others walking into a church building to begin a service. The crucifer usually bears processional cross.

Psalter

A collection of the Psalms, a body of liturgical poetry, designed for vocal, congregational use, whether by singing or reading. The Psalter is in the BCP (pp. 581 ff.).

Recession

The procession of the crucifer, acolytes, choir, readers, clergy and other assistants out of a church building at the end of a service.

Reconciliation of a Penitent

Also called Absolution or Penance, it is administered by a priest or bishop, usually by appointment.

Sacraments

Sacraments are "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace." Sacraments are physical actions that point us to deeper realities than we are able to experience with our five senses. They sustain our present hope and anticipate its future fulfillment. The Episcopal Church recognizes two major sacraments: Baptism and Communion. The following are considered minor sacraments, or sacramental acts and are not required for all people: Confirmation, Matrimony, Ordination, Reconciliation and Unction.

Seasons of the Church Year

• The church new year begins with the season of Advent, beginning four Sundays before Christmas day.

• Christmas is a 12-day season that begins Christmas day and continues to January 6th.

• Epiphany is both a day (Jan. 6) and a season, and represents the manifestation (epiphany) of the gospel into the world. It can last up to 9 weeks.

• Lent begins 46 days (6 weeks) before Easter with Ash Wednesday, and is a time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

• Easter is a six week (50 day) season which ends on Pentecost Sunday.

• The season after Pentecost runs from Pentecost to Advent.

Sermon

A verbal address given after the Lessons, and given to further explain the readings and to put them in a modern context, so as to provide teaching and encouragement. In the Anglican Church the sermon is seen as a bridge between the Biblical world and the modern world. A shorter sermon is sometimes called a homily.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which in turn marks the beginning of Lent. The word "shrove" is from the English "to shrive," which means to absolve people of their sins. In the Middle Ages, this was a common time of year for "shriveners" (priests) to hear confession in preparation for Lent. As such, it is a day for reflection on life and spiritual growth. For some areas of the world, this is their last day of carnival. For example: "Mardi Gras," which is French for "Fat Tuesday." Many areas celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake Supper. Pancakes were chosen because they use the eggs and milk that were traditionally given up for Lent.

Station

In a solemn procession, a place where a pause is made for a versicle, response, and collect, such as at the creche at Christmas, at the entrance to the church on Palm Sunday, or at the Baptismal Font on the Day of Pentecost. See also: Way of the Cross.

Thurifer

The person who handles the incense and thurible.

The Trinity

The oneness and essential unity of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Unction

The process of anointing someone with consecrated oil for religious purposes. As one of the minor sacraments, Episcopalians use the word to refer to anointing the sick for the purpose of making them well.

Versicle

A short sentence, often taken from the Psalms, sung or said at the liturgy and followed by a response from the people.

Vestry

The governing board of a local Episcopal parish consisting of the Rector, the Wardens, and lay members. The Rector presides at meetings of the vestry (or, in his/her absence, the Wardens), which handles the parish's business and temporal matters and serves as a council of advice for the Rector. Lay members of the Vestry are elected at a parish's annual meeting. In many parishes, the Rectors, Wardens and the Treasurer form an executive committee, and will often meet separately from the whole Vestry between Vestry meetings.

Warden

Vestry members chosen to serve their congregation in a special fashion, and who act as presiding officers of the Vestry in the absence of the Rector. Wardens can either be elected or appointed, depending on local parish or diocesan canons.

The Senior Warden serves as a liaison between the rector and the parish.

Junior Wardens are often elected by the parish at the annual congregational meeting, and are thus referred to as "the people's warden." The tasks for a Junior Warden vary from parish to parish, but the majority find themselves placed in charge of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.

Way of the Cross

A procession with stations commemorating the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Also called the Stations of the Cross. The classical stations of the cross are 15 events which happened within the last 24 hours Jesus was on the earth. Often performed on Good Friday.

Stations of the Cross for Children; Stations of the Cross for Adults