|
|
A tradition based in the Church of England that is distinct from
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions. Its central
tenets are summarized in the Lambeth Quadrilateral, which suggest
that Anglicanism is a tradition that finds its identity in what
its members do together - worship - rather than in a distinctive
set of beliefs. Anglicanism combines Protestant emphasis on the
importance of scripture and individual conscience with a Catholic
concern for worship, hierarchy, and tradition; it has often been
described as a middle way or bridge transition.
|
| |
|
|
Archives
|
1. The documents created or received by a person or organization
in the course of the conduct of affairs, and preserved because of
their continuing value. Historically, the term referred more narrowly
to the noncurrent records of an organization or institution preserved
because of their continuing value.
2. The building or part of a building where archival
materials are located; also referred to as an archival repository.
3. The agency or program responsible for selecting,
acquiring, preserving, and making available archival materials;
also referred to as an archival agency, archival institution,
or archival program.
|
| |
|
|
Banns of Marriage
|
Traditionally the public announcement of a forthcoming
marriage (Book of Common Prayer 437). The banns are published
on the three Sundays prior to the marriage, a custom that derives
from a medieval practice insuring that those getting married were
not closely related to each other and had no prior commitments
to marry others.
|
| |
|
|
Bishop
|
The chief sacramental officer of the Episcopal
Church, and the office that gives that church its name. The Greek
word for bishop is episcopos, "overseer"; the
name of the Episcopal Church thus means that it is a church with
bishops. Diocesan bishops are the chief pastors for their dioceses,
entrusted with safeguarding the teaching and faith of the church
and with special offices of ordination and confirmation. They
are required to visit all the parishes and missions in their dioceses
at regular intervals, preside at diocesan conventions, and assume
administrative oversight of their dioceses. In the Episcopal Church
there are six kinds of bishops: the Presiding Bishop, diocesan
bishops, assistant bishops, and retired bishops.
|
| |
|
|
Deanery
|
A regional district of congregations within a
diocese.
|
| |
|
|
Diocese
|
A geographical area that serves as the primary
unit of organization in the Episcopal Church. Each diocese is
overseen by a bishop and a legislative body - a convention , council,
or synod of the diocese.
|
| |
|
|
Episcopal
|
Pertaining to a bishop. The term derives from
the Greek word episcopos, meaning "overseer".
Thus the Episcopal Church is a church that recognizes the authority
of bishops .
|
| |
|
|
Parish
|
In some Christian church polities, a geographic
unit served by a pastor or priest. It is a subdivision of a diocese.
|
| |
|
|
Parish Register
|
Ongoing record of a parish's baptisms, confirmations,
marriages, transfers of membership, and burials, as well as the
signatures of key participants and witnesses.
|
| |
|
|
Rector
|
Chief sacramental and liturgical leader of a parish,
who is called by and accountable to the vestry. The term is derived
from the Latin word for "to lead" or "to rule".
|
| |
|
|
Sermon/Preaching
|
The proclamation and interpretation of the Word
of God. Preaching takes place at every celebration of the eucharist
as part of the Liturgy of the Word, including marriage and burial.
The main form of preaching in the Episcopal Church is liturgical
preaching based on the three-year lectionary. One of the major
functions of preaching is to interpret the scripture lessons appointed
for the day, both in their original context and for the congregation
gathered that day.
Top of Page
|
| |
|
Synod
|
Term derived from the Greek word for "meeting" or "assembly".
Traditionally used in reference to a meeting of a bishop, it now
refers to the yearly gathering of bishops and elected lay and
clerical delegates in each of the nine geographical provinces
of the Episcopal church. Provincial synods function in a purely
advisory capacity, and the resolutions they pass are not binding
on member dioceses.
|
| |
|
Vestry
|
Legal governing and decision-making body of a parish church,
consisting of the rector and elected lay representatives. Its
duties include calling the rector, approving the budget, making
policy, and approving expenditures. Each vestry has a senior
and junior warden, both elected from among members of the vestry
either by the congregation or by the vestry itself. Often vestry
members are also heads of parish committees or commissions,
but each parish chooses its own way of structuring its vestry
.
|
| |
|
| |
Sources:
Bellardo, Lewis. A Glossary for Archivists, Manuscript Curators,
and Records Managers. Chicago: Society of American Archivists,
1992.
Wall, John N. A Dictionary for Episcopalians. Cambridge,
MA: Cowley Publications, 2000.
Brittanica Online. Chicago, IL: Britannica Online, c2005
<www.eb.com>
|
