Glossary

Christians in general--and Anglicans in particular--are too often guilty of using jargon that no one else understands. In trying to tell others about what we do, the jargon is sometimes difficult to avoid. We offer this glossary as a help.

Absolution

A declaration of the forgiveness of sin available through Jesus Christ, usually offered liturgically by a bishop or priest.

Altar

The holy table upon which the people offer gifts to God and where God offers gifts to his people. This is the holy table around which the church gathers for the Eucharist.

Anglican

Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England, similar beliefs, worship and church structures. Anglicanism is one of the principal traditions of Christianity, together with Protestantism, Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

Anointing of the Sick - Unction

During his life on earth, Jesus loved people into health. It continues to be God's desire that we live in total health. Health is the absence of dis-ease. Sometimes true health is not a well body but internal peace.

The "Anointing of the Sick" is the ultimate healing sacrament, available whenever our health is impaired. God is always with us in our illness loving us into health of mind, body and soul. Jesus proclaimed this with his witness. Through this sacrament the sick person is strengthened and encouraged to face their life at peace.

At St. Columba and All Saints this sacrament is usually administered when family and friends gather to pray for the sick person, to lay hands on them for strength and peace. The oil of the sacrament is administered to remind us of the prayers of the whole church for wholeness of the individual.

(The oil of healing is blessed by our Bishop on Maundy Thursday each year as a symbol of the prayers of the whole church whenever and wherever this sacrament is administered.)

Baptism

Sacramental rite of full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit, into membership in the Christian church. All Infants, children, youth and adults are welcomed to receive the sacrament of baptism. It is the beginning of your lifelong journey with God.

Book of Alternative Services (BAS)

The Book of Alternative Services is the contemporary liturgical book used predominantly in most parishes of the Anglican Church of Canada. The BAS is the only liturgical book in use in Midlakes Anglican Parish.

Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

"The Prayer Book" first published in 1549, was a product of the English Reformation, and the first book to outline the form of service for daily prayer and Holy Communion in the English language, under the editorial hand of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Book of Common Prayer (The Anglican Church of Canada, 1962) remains an authorized prayer book in Canada although it has not been in use in Midlakes Parish since 1986.

Bishop

See "Clergy".

Ciborium

The vessel, which looks like a cup, in which supplemental bread is offered at the Eucharist.

Chalice

The cup, often made of silver, in which wine is offered at the Eucharist.

Clergy

Clergy are baptized member of the church who are "ordained" or set apart to special ministries in the church. In the catholic tradition there are three orders of clergy: bishops, priests and deacons. Bishops normally give leadership to entire dioceses. Priests are typically the clergy who serve in local parishes. Bishops and priests may lead the community's celebrations of the Eucharist and may bless and offer absolution. Deacons typically are called to special ministries of service; in the church's liturgies they often read the Gospel, lead in the prayers and prepare the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist. A deacon is also eligible to baptize, solemnize weddings and anoint. Funerals may be conducted by any member of the clergy or laity.

Communion

Or "Holy Communion", see "Eucharist".

Confirmation

Confirmation is a rite, thought of a "lesser sacrament", normally including the laying on of hands by the bishop for the purpose of bestowing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For those who have been baptized as small children, confirmation provides the opportunity to own the vows made by parents and sponsors for themselves.

Cycle of Prayer

In our prayer life together there are many things that we would like to remember before God. The creation of a "cycle of prayer" reminds us to pray for various things using a schedule that reminds us what we will pray for on various days.

The Anglican Cycle of Prayer is a daily cycle shared by the entire worldwide Anglican communion which has us all praying for individual dioceses and their bishops and people on an annual basis.

Our diocesan cycle of prayer is a daily cycle shared in the Diocese of Qu'Appelle where we pray for individual parishes as well as individual parishes in our companion dioceses in Lichfield and West Malaysia.

Our parish cycle of prayer is a weekly cycle in our own parish where we pray for individual by name as well as the various ministries of the parish. If you wish to have a name added to the prayer list, give the name to any of the worship leaders.

Deacon

See "Clergy".

Diocese

The district in which a bishop has ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

Diocese of Qu'Appelle

The Diocese of Qu'Appelle covers the southern third of the civil province of Saskatchewan, and encompasses approximately half of the Saskatchewan population. The cathedral and administration of the diocese is based in the capital city, Regina. Established in 1884, the diocese now consists of 38 congregations worshipping in 25 parishes.

Our mission, as a diocese, is the same as for any Christian community: To proclaim the faith of Christ incarnate, Christ crucified, Christ risen and Christ among us.

Eucharist

The Eucharist—also known variously as the Holy Eucharist, Mass, Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper—is a central act of worship in Christianity which commemorates or 'follows' the Last Supper as recorded in Matthew 26: 26-8, Mark 14: 22-4 and Luke 22: 17-20, in the eating and drinking of bread and wine, remembering Christ's body and blood. The term Eucharist is from the Greek, meaning 'thanksgiving', there is evidence of the earliest Christians participating in this liturgy, instituted by Christ himself in his celebration of the Passover meal on the night before he died and during which he 'gave thanks' and said "do this in remembrance of me." The Anglican Church has an 'open table' which means that all baptized Christians are welcome to receive communion.

Evensong

Evensong, like Matins—is part of the daily prayer life of the church. Occasionally an Evensong service will be offered in the late afternoon or early evening.

Laity

In the community of the church, any person who is not a bishop, priest or deacon (that is, not clergy) is considered to be laity. The laity can be thought of as the fourth order of ministry in the church.

Liturgy of the Word

The Liturgy of the Word is typically used for a service led by a lay leader. It uses the liturgy of the Eucharist service, while excluding the Eucharistic Prayers.

Matins

Matins—also known as Morning Prayer—is part of the daily prayer life of the church. This service is used by a lay leaders on occasion.

Paten

The plate on which the bread is offered at the Eucharist.

Parish Council

A group of persons, elected and appointed, who give leadership in a parish, with specific reference to the mission of the parish.

Priest

See "clergy".

PWRDF

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is the relief and development arm of the Anglican Church in Canada.

Rector

The chief liturgical and sacramental leader of a parish appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the bishop of the diocese. The term 'priest-in-charge' or 'associate priest may also be used.

Sacristy, Sacristan

The sacristy is the room close to the sanctuary in which the chalice, paten, linens, vestments, and other essentials for celebrating the Eucharist are stored and made ready for use. The sacristan is the person in charge of the sacristy.

Sanctuary

Is considered to be the front of the church, generally a raised section on which the altar, lecturn and pulpit are located. In some churches the sanctuary is fronted by a altar rail.

Warden

The wardens of the parish are elected and appointed to be responsible for care of the parish buildings and finances. Wardens are members of the Parish Council.

Vestry

Each congregation has a elected committee who deal with the day to day operation of the church.