Anglican and Christian Terms and Definitions

Advent - This season of Advent is the first season of the church year. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, Advent is a time when Christians focus on the Second Coming (Advent) of Christ and begin preparations for the celebration of His First Coming (Advent).

Altar - Table in the center of the Sanctuary used for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It can be made of a variety of materials. The Altar is a symbol of the Old Testament Altar on which the High Priest would offer the animal sacrifices to cover the sins of the people. The animal (quite often a lamb) was to be as physically pure and clean as possible. The blood of the lamb was a shadow of the ultimate forgiveness found in the sacrifice of Jesus on the altar of the cross, in which his blood takes away the sins of his followers. The modern priest is offering Christ on the altar as a sign and symbol to us that "Christ our Passover (Lamb) is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast" (1 Cor.5:7-8).

Altar of Repose - A special side altar of the church is set up after the Maundy Thursday service. The left over Communion bread and wine are placed on this altar as a symbol of the placing of the body of Jesus in the tomb after his crucifixion. An all-night prayer vigil is held to reflect upon the mystery of Christ's sacrifice and all that it accomplished.

Anglican- St. Anne's and all other Anglican Churches in our denomination are affiliated with the World-wide Anglican Communion. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith. Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 meaning the English Church. Adherents of Anglicanism are called Anglicans. The great majority of Anglicans are members of churches which are part of the international Anglican Communion.The Anglican Communion consists of churches in many nations of the world and has millions of members. St. Anne's and the Diocese of Fort Worth are part of the Anglican church and thus a part of the Anglican Communion. We are also a part of an organization called the Anglican Communion Network (an organization of churches committed to uphold Biblical authority and Anglican orthodoxy). There are over 40 million Anglicans world-wide.

Apostolic Succession- The belief that bishops are the successors to the apostles and that episcopal authority is derived from the apostles by an unbroken succession in the ministry. This authority is specifically derived through the laying on of hands for the ordination of bishops in lineal sequence from the apostles, through their performing the ministry of apostles, and through their succession of episcopal sees traced back to the apostles. The apostolic succession may also be understood as a continuity in doctrinal teaching from the time of the apostles to the present.

Ash Wednesday- The first day of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. The ashes are a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality, and may be imposed on the forehead with the sign of the cross. Ash Wednesday is observed as a fast day in the church.

Aumbry- A cupboard or secure receptacle in the side wall of the sanctuary. The Aumbry in this church is used to store the consecrated bread and wine (elements that have been through a Eucharistic service and have been set apart as the Body and Blood of Christ). A Sanctuary Candle is always burning as a reminder that sacred elements are in the Aumbry.

Baptism- This is one of the main sacraments (signs of God's grace) that Jesus commanded his followers to receive and to give to others. One is either baptized as an adult (making their own decision to commit their life to Christ) or as an infant or young child (with their parents and sponsors making that commitment for them). Infant baptism has been practiced from the earliest recorded writings of the early Church Fathers. It is the Christian equivalent to the ritual circumcision of the Jews. When a Jewish child was circumcised he was immediately incorporated into the Jewish faith and made part of the family until his "bar mitzvah." Christians recognized that Jesus welcomed the little children to him, and so we, too, welcome children into the family of God through infant baptism. This is done with the understanding that the child will be raised as a Christian I the church. When a child reaches the age of accountability they are to go through Confirmation, at which time they make a public profession of Christ as their Savior and Lord. Baptism can be done by pouring, sprinkling, dipping or immersing in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Clerical collar and clothing - Just as a policeman or fireman wears a uniform, so too, does the Anglican clergyman. The uniform is meant to help those in spiritual need recognize a trained member of the clergy. The clerical collar is a fairly modern invention (the detachable collar itself is supposed to have been invented in 1827), although the "collarino" may date as far back as the 17th century. Church of England's Enquiry Centre reports (citing the Glasgow Herald of December 6, 1894) that the practice of Anglican clergy wearing a detachable clerical collar was invented by a Rev. Dr. Donald McLeod and became more popular through the Oxford Movement.

Clerical collars are sometimes informally called dog collars. The term "Roman collar" refers to a style and is not meant to insinuate that the wearer is Roman Catholic.

Compline - An order of service from the Anglican Liturgy which is meant to be done right before retiring for the night. It comes from the monastic order of services.

Confirmation- When a young person who has been baptized as an infant or young child reaches the age of accountability (around 12) they are to prepare for the sacramental rite of Confirmation by study and prayer. Adults who have been baptized often want to be confirmed as well. In Confirmation a person receives the "Laying on of hands" by the Bishop who performs a symbolic "ordination into lay ministry." The Bishop prays that the person being confirmed will be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to better live the Christian life and to be empowered for their ministry in the church, and as a witness for Christ in the world. This is the normal way of one moving into the voting membership at St. Anne's Church.

Though the minimum age for youth confirmation is not set, the normative age for young people to be presented for confirmation is thirteen or older.

Persons already confirmed by a bishop in the apostolic succession, but not in the Anglican Communion may be received by the bishop, following the appropriate instruction and preparation. Any member of the Anglican Church who has lapsed from active participation in the life of the Church, or who for some other appropriate reason wishes to do so, may make a public re-affirmation in the presence of the Bishop at the time of his visitation.

Confirmation is for those who have been baptized, but have never received the laying on of hands by a Bishop in apostolic succession. Reception is for those who have been baptized and confirmed in another church of the apostolic succession (the Roman Catholic, or Orthodox churches, for example), and now wish to be received into the Anglican Church and Anglican Communion.

Epiphany - The Feast of the Epiphany - this service features a focus on the coming of the gospel to the Gentiles (represented by the three Magi or wise men) through the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is the beginning of the season of Epiphany lasting until the beginning of Lent.

Episcopal- This term comes from the Greek word "episcopos" meaning "bishop." Consequently, the Anglican Church is a church overseen by Bishops. St. Anne's Church is episcopal in its structure and is located in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Bishop Jack Iker oversees some 50+ parishes and missions in the Diocese. We are currently a part of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone which consists of hundreds of churches under the direction of an English Archbishop. The word "Episcopal" is not an exclusively denominational name but refers rather to a type of church polity (our church make up). We are, however, no longer a member of The Episcopal Church in the United States.

Eucharist -This term comes from the Greek word which means "thanksgiving." It describes a service of the Mass or Holy Communion in which we have a "Great Thanksgiving" as we remember the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, and what he accomplished by these two great acts.

Father- The priest of the Anglican Church is sometimes called "Father." This term is a title much like "Doctor" or "Rabbi". The term means that the priest is the "spiritual father to a group of believers in Christ." St. Paul called himself the Corinthian's father in Christ (1 Cor. 4:15; See also Acts 7:2; Romans 4:16; 1 Tim.5:1; James 2:2). He did this in spite of Jesus saying to "call no man father" (Matt. 23:8-10). We believe this saying of Jesus is not to be taken in a wooden literal sense (otherwise we could not call our human fathers by that name). Rather Jesus is urging us to remember that no one is to be exalted up to the level of God the Father, and to not exalt oneself. It is perfectly permissible to call the priest "pastor" or "mister" if one feels uncomfortable referring to the priest as "Father".

Good Friday- The Friday before Easter Day, on which the church commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a day of fasting and special acts of discipline and self-denial. It is an historical reenactment of the passion and death of Jesus. It is called "Good" not because what happened to Jesus was good, but because of what his death and subsequent resurrection accomplished for the souls of the believers in Christ.

Holy Communion (Eucharist) - A sacrament of the church in which the congregation participates in a symbolic recreation of the Last Supper of Christ. As Jesus referred to bread and wine as His Body and Blood, so, too, do Episcopalians believe that we receive Jesus in the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ as we partake of the bread and wine.

Last Supper - Before his death Jesus gathered his disciples together to celebrate one final Jewish Passover meal. At this meal He instituted a sacrificial meal which would commemorate his death and the accomplishment of our forgiveness and salvation through that death. This meal became known as the Mass, Holy Communion, Holy Eucharist, the Pascal Feast, as well as the Last Supper.

Lent - The 40 day period leading up to Easter Sunday. For the Christian Church, it is a time of preparation and repentance prior to the celebration of Easter. Some people, as part of their spiritual discipline, give up something for Lent.

Liturgy - an order of service featuring written down prayers, praises, and scripture taken from the worship forms of ancient Christians and Anglicans. We believe that this form offers a security and soundness of doctrine not subject to the whims of the minister in charge of the service. It contains much scripture directly quoted and paraphrased; and provides a depth to our worship that is not often found in more informal and spontaneous worship. Just as one can worship by singing a written down hymn or chorus, so, too, do we believe that one can truly worship while following a liturgy from a prayer book.

Maundy (Thursday) - Maundy is from a Latin word meaning "Mandate" or Commandment. It reminds us that on the Thursday before Jesus Christ was crucified he instituted the Holy Communion at the Last Supper. At that Supper he commanded his disciples to continue with this celebration of Holy Communion as a way of receiving him anew and remembering what his death accomplished. He also commanded his disciples to serve others by using the image of the washing of the feet of his disciples.

Membership- A person may become a member of St. Anne's church in a number of ways. The first way is to be baptized into the Christian faith in a church service. That person then becomes a "baptized member." A person may also elect to join St. Anne's by providing evidence of baptism in another Christian church and stating one's desire to join the church. That person becomes a "baptized member" of the church. The normal procedure for a baptized member is to then take classes to become a "confirmed member" of the church. This way a person is properly instructed in the Christian faith and in the life of St. Anne's. A person who is confirmed by the bishop and receives communion as often as possible is deemed to be a confirmed communicant of this church. They are eligible to vote in parish meetings and to serve on the Vestry.

Nave- The place in the church building for the congregation. It is between the sanctuary and the narthex or entry of the church building. The term may be derived from the Latin navis, "ship," which was an early symbol of the church.

Parish Hall - Our "church hall," located down the hall from our church building. It includes the main hall, a full commercial kitchen, and restrooms.

Passion of Christ- Refers to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Passover - A Jewish Holiday which commemorates the time when the angel of death passed over all of the Jews in Egypt because of the blood of a lamb spread over the doorposts of their houses. Jesus used this image to identify his impending death as the occasion when his blood shed on the cross would cover the sins of his people and would save them from spiritual death. Thus, Christians say in their Eucharistic feasts, "Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast."

Pentecost - This term originated in the Old Testament "Feast of Pentecost" which was 50 days after Passover. The Christian Church adopted this term when, on the Feast of Pentecost," the disciples and apostles of Jesus were in an upper room waiting to be "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). When the promised Holy Spirit descended upon them, they were all filled and began to speak the word of God boldly. Many spoke in tongues, prophesied and later performed healings. We believe this outpouring of the Spirit continues today as Jesus empowers his followers to be his witnesses and to do the works that he did, and even greater works than these. We believe a person cannot be an effective witness for Christ apart from this infilling.

Priest- There are three orders of ordained ministers in the Anglican Church, bishops, priests, and deacons. The priest is ordained by a bishop and is usually assigned to serve in a parish or mission church. The priest can be the pastor of the church, and is licensed to celebrate the Mass. The idea of the priest is two-fold. First the Old Testament priest would offer animal sacrifices on the altar of the temple as an atonement for the sins of the people. The modern priest offers the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist as the visible reminder of the sacrifice of our "Passover Lamb," Jesus the spotless Son of God. The second idea of the priest is a word derived from the Greek presbyteros, or elder. In this sense the priest is the presbyter or elder of the church.

Reverend- An adjective used in formally addressing a member of the clergy. It is from the Latin reverendus, "worthy of reverence." This is not intended to be used as a noun, thus an Anglican clergyman is referred to as The Reverend ......... It is not intended to imply a holiness or righteousness above other Christians. It is simply a term first applied to clergymen as a sign of great respect and honor.

Resurrection- Jesus predicted that he would raise himself up from the dead (John 2: 19-22). According to the Bible and the changed lives of the previously fearful and downcast disciples, Jesus appeared to them on many occasions over a forty day period. He even appeared to over 500 people at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6), ate food with them (Luke 24:36-44), and allowed them to touch his resurrected body (John 20:24-30). If Christ did not rise physically as he claimed then either he was a lunatic, liar or evil. Christianity rises or falls on whether Jesus rose from the dead in the same body that was nailed to the cross.

Sacrament - A Sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. There are seven Christian Sacraments. The two main Sacraments are Baptism and Holy Communion and were established by Jesus. The other Sacraments are Holy Unction, Matrimony, Ordination, Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), and Confirmation, and are those which are alluded to in the Bible and have been established by the Church. We believe that God works through these Sacraments as means of extending His grace to us.

Sanctuary - For liturgical churches like the Anglican Church, a sanctuary is the place where the altar is located in a church building. It is usually separated from the rest of the church building (Nave) by an Altar Rail. It is in the Sanctuary that the Sacrifice of Christ is recalled during celebrations of Holy Communion. It has its roots in the Sanctuary of the Jewish Temple in which sacrifices were made by the High Priest. Today the Anglican priest "offers" each Sunday the sacrifice of Christ in symbolic form for each member of the congregation. The elements of bread and wine that are consecrated in the service (set apart) as the Body and Blood of Christ are shared with the congregation just as Jesus shared the bread and cup at the Last Supper with His disciples.

Sign of the Cross- This ancient Christian gesture traces the cross on oneself, on objects, or other people. Depending on the context, the gesture may express personal Christian devotion, exorcism, consecration to holy use, or the conclusion of something done to the honor of God. The sign of the cross may be traced with a hand, as when the sign of the cross is made over an object or when one signs the cross on oneself from forehead to lower chest and from left shoulder to right shoulder. Signing the forehead alone, or of the forehead, lips, and heart at the reading of the gospel in the Eucharist is customarily done with the thumb. The clergy reading the gospel is asking "God be in my mind so that I may understand the gospel, be in my lips so that I may speak it forth faithfully, and be in my heart so that I may take to heart that which I now read and hear." The making of the sign of the cross is not required of anyone in this church, and one is only encouraged to do the sign of the cross if it will foster a deeper devotion to God and Christ in the one making the sign of the cross.

Vestments- Many of these vestments are reminiscent of the Jewish roots of the priesthood. The leader of the service (the Celebrant) usually wears a long white robe called an alb (a symbolic reminder of the fact that the Christian has had their sins covered over by Christ and they have been made as "white as snow" and wearing a robe of righteousness). Perhaps this harkens back to the Jewish priesthood, and that the alb in particular represents the Kethonet, a white linen tunic or robe of the ephod worn by the Old Testament priest of which we read in Exodus 28:39. It is also symbolic of the purity of Christ whom the priest represents at the altar. Over it ordained ministers wear a stole, a narrow band of colored fabric. It is sometimes linked to the Jewish Prayer shawl or the tassels on the clothing of the Children of Israel to remind them to obey the commandments of God (Numbers 15:38-40). It is more likely linked to the napkin used by Christ in washing the feet of his disciples (John 13:4), and is a fitting symbol of the yoke of Christ, the yoke of service. It also reminds the worshipper of Christ's command to "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The final garment normally worn by the Celebrant is called the Chasuble. While to some it resembles a poncho, it may be that this garment harkens back to the priestly robe in Exodus 39. It may also be symbolic of the priestly garments worn by the high priest as he went into the Sanctuary (Holy of Holies). The priest would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and himself. The Celebrant (priest) at the altar offers a visual reminder of the sacrifice of Christ (on the altar of the cross) in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Deacons wear the stole over one shoulder, priests and bishops over both shoulders.

Stoles, chasubles, as well as altar coverings, are usually made of rich fabrics. Their color changes with the seasons and holy days of the Church Year. The most frequently used colors are white, red, violet, and green.