Episcopal Terms

ECA welcomes new families into the life of its community to participate in worship and fellowship. Every community of believers uses words or terms that may be unique to them, the Episcopal Church is no different. Below are some of these terms with a brief description of their meaning.

We've also reprinted a copy of the article The Episcopal Tradition which explains the basis for many of our beliefs and practices. There is an excellent glossary of liturgical terms on the Episcopal Church's webpage.

ADVENT — the season of the church year that starts on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day. This season also is supposed to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming. (BCP pp. 159 – 160, 211 - 212)

ALL SAINT'S DAY — (November 1st) the day in honor and celebration of all the saints. (BCP pp. 194, 245) This is also the birthday of ECA.

ASH WEDNESDAY — the first day of Lent and the day when people place ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance. The ashes come from the burning of the palm leaves used for Palm Sunday the year before. (BCP pp.166, 217, 264 – 269 <liturgy>)

BAPTISM — a sacrament, initiated by water and the Holy Spirit, by which God adopts us and makes us a member of Christ’s Body, the Church.  This bond which God establishes is indissoluble.  Anyone wishing to be baptized or wishing a child to be baptized should contact the rector.

BISHOP — the bishop has the spiritual authority over each parish (our chief pastor and sacramental authority).  The ministers (lay and ordained) at ECA serve under the direction of the bishop as unto the LORD.  ECA is part of the Diocese of El Camino Real, and our bishop is the Right Reverend Mary Gray Reeves.

BISHOP'S COMMITTEE — found in mission church's, this committee performs the same duties as a Vestry.

CHANCEL — the part of the church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choir (Encyclopedia Britannica).  In traditional Episcopal churches, the congregation enters a rectangular-shaped nave, and sits facing an altar with the chancel located behind the altar.  ECA's church is unique in that our nave is shaped like a cross (or 4-way intersection) with the sanctuary in the center, the pews on three sides, and the chancel being on the fourth side.   Because of this design, we do not have a traditional center aisle (sorry brides!), instead we have a church that allows you to see your neighbors' faces.

CHRISTMAS — (December 25th) the celebration of the Nativity (birth) of Christ in Bethlehem. The celebration lasts 12 days and is ended with Twelfth Night festivities. (BCP pp. 160 – 161, 212 – 213)

COMMUNICANT — any member who participates in Holy Communion at least three times a year.  Most members worship with communion on a weekly basis.

COMMUNICANT IN GOOD STANDING — any member who has for the previous year "been faithful in corporate worship... and in working, praying and giving for the spread of the kingdom of God."  This usually means being active in our parish and making a pledge.

COMMUNICATE — another word for receiving communion or the Holy Eucharist.

CONFIRMATION — a time when a baptized person makes a public affirmation of their faith, commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.  Any member who wishes to be confirmed is encouraged to do so.  Confirmation classes are available for anyone without prior affiliation in another denomination.  Inquirers’ classes are available for those coming from another denomination wishing to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church.

CURSILLO — an incredibly wonderful spiritual retreat.  This interfaith weekend usually begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday evening.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for individuals or couples to move closer to God.  Now quit making excuses--call your priest or pastor today so you can attend one, too.  De Colores!

CURSILLISTA — a person who has completed a Cursillo weekend.

DEACON — a deacon is an ordained person who assists bishops and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God’s Word and Sacraments and other assigned duties.  A deacon differs from a priest in that he or she cannot give absolution, Baptism or Confirmation.

DEANERY — a local area of parishes that meet regularly to work with the diocese.  ECA is in the South Valley Deanery.

DIOCESE — a geographic area consisting of parishes (churches) led by the Bishop.  ECA is part of the Diocese of El Camino Real.

EASTER — the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection ("rise to life again") from the Dead after being crucified. (BCP pp. 170 – 174, 222 – 225)

EPIPHANY — (January 6th) the day on which the 3 Wise Men brought gifts of myrrh, gold, and frankincense to Christ at His birth. This is the day after "Twelfth Night". (BCP pp. 162 – 165, 214 – 217)

EUCHARIST — also known as the Holy Eucharist, Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Divine Liturgy, Mass or Great Offering.  Is an outward and visible sign of bread and wine given and received according to Christ’s command.  All baptized Christians are welcome to receive both or any one of the elements, standing or kneeling, at the altar during the Eucharist.  Regular participation suggests an understanding of the real presence of God in this sacrament.

GOOD FRIDAY — the day on which Christ was crucified. Also is the Friday before Easter Sunday. This day is one of fasting, penance, and meditations on the agony and suffering of Christ on the Cross. The name is a variation from "God’s Friday". (BCP pp. 169, 221, 276 – 282 <liturgy>)

HOLY SATURDAY — the day before Easter and it commemorates the time Christ spent in the tomb as well as His resurrection. There is no Eucharist on this day. (BCP pp. 283 – 284)

HOLY WEEK — the week preceding Easter that starts with Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday (the day of the Last Supper) and Good Friday (the day of Christ’s Crucifixion) fall during this week. (BCP pp.168 – 170, 219 – 221, 270 – 295 <liturgies for days during that week>)

INRI — These initials were inscribed on the cross on which Jesus was crucified, and you'll see them on our communion wafers.  They stand for the Latin words:  Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.  The English translation is Jesus of Nazareth - King of the Jews.

JUNIOR WARDEN — a vestry member elected by the vestry to be responsible for the care of the rectory (the rector’s home owned by the parish) and, as a member of the Joint Venture Board, the Church and grounds.  ECA's Junior Warden is George Romer.

LAMBETH CONFERENCE — every ten years primates (the highest-ranking bishop in a district) and archbishops from every corner of the earth gather in England with the Archbishop of Canterbury to share the faith and concerns which affect mankind.

LENT — the season of 40 days which starts on Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Easter morning. During this is a time of fasting (optional) and penance. Usually people also give up something so that they can grow closer to God as they abstain from whatever they have given up. (BCP 166 – 167, 218 – 219)

MAUNDY THURSDAY — the day when the Last Supper is commemorated. (BCP pp. 169, 221, 274 – 275 <liturgy>)

MEMBER — any baptized Christians.  To become officially registered a letter of transfer from a previous congregation or proof of baptism is needed.  ECA is a congregation growing by reaching out to the community and offering a place to worship as part of Christ’s family.  The Episcopal style is to encourage people to find a church home where they will be comfortable and not pressured to do more than they want or feel comfortable doing.  ECA seeks to grow spiritually as well as in numbers, desiring to be a place where everyone can feel good about bringing friends and neighbors.  Churches grow because friends are invited to come and join in the celebration of knowing God; this method has been found to be the most successful form of parish growth.

MISSION — a congregation that is not yet financially self-supporting, and is still receiving support and direction from a diocese or a parish.

NARTHEX — the area immediately inside the main entrance of the church.

NAVE — the area of the church where worship takes place - where the congregation sits.

PALM SUNDAY — the commemoration of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Usually, people carry crosses made of palm leaves in the procession into the sanctuary which represent the palm leaves being strewn along the path when Christ entered the city. (BCP pp. 168, 219, 270 – 273 <liturgy>)

PARISH — a congregation that is financially self-supporting.

PARISHIONER — another name for member.

PENTECOST — the day (50 days after Easter) when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. The story is Acts 2:1 - 3:21. (BCP pp. 175 – 176, 227 – 228)

PRAYER VINE — parishioners who make a commitment to pray for the needs of other parishioners.

PRELUDE — a piece of music sung or played before the start of the service.

PRIEST — an ordained person who loves and serves the people they work with.  They also care for the young and old, strong and weak, and rich and poor.  They preach, declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, pronounce God’s blessing, share in the administration of Holy Baptism and celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood, and perform other entrusted ministrations.

PROCESSIONAL — A piece of music played or sung as the priest, acolytes, and choir enter the sanctuary.

READING — a passage from either the Old or New Testament

RECTOR — this comes from the Latin word meaning "to govern".  The rector is the priest in charge of the parish (the church). 

RECTORY — where the Rector and his or her family lives.

RESPONSE PSALM — this is a psalm sung or spoken in response to the reading.  At ECA, we speak them during the 7:30 service and usually sing them during the 11:00 AM service.  We use the UCC Hymnal or a form of Simplified Anglican chant.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY — marriage is a covenant relationship under God whereby Christ becomes the center of a lifelong commitment to love, grow and work together in a physical, emotional and spiritual union.  The church solemnizes marriages (blessing the public commitment of man and woman).  Pre-marital counseling is required before consent may be given.  The Episcopal Church recognizes the death of a relationship (divorce), but the judgment of the Bishop must be rendered before any marriage can take place.  No marriage in this church may be set without prior approval of the rector.  At least one of the marriage partners must be baptized.

SANCTUARY — this is the area inside the altar rails, and includes the altar itself.

SENIOR WARDEN — a vestry member appointed annually by the rector to provide leadership and support to the rector and, in the absence of the rector, is responsible for leadership of the parish.  ECA's Senior Warden is Jon Mills.

SHROVE TUESDAY — the day before Lent begins and the last day of the festival of Epiphany. Also called "Mardi Gras", it is the last day before all the penance and fasting begins. It is also referred to as "Pancake Tuesday" because in England, it was the last day that people could use their butter and milk before Lent started. To use up the last of it, they made pancakes for dinner.

STEWARDSHIP — the gift of your time, resources, money and talent.

VESTRY — an elected group of parishioners who, with the Rector, guide and direct the church.

VESTRY MEMBER — each member is elected at the annual meeting for a three year term.  Each member then oversees a particular ministry.   During the year, members report back to the Vestry on the activities of their ministry, and how best to support and encourage that ministry.

VICAR — the priest in charge of a mission church.