A list of church terms

The aim of this page is to give a simple and informal explanation of terms used in church and on this website. It is under development, so if a term that puzzles you is not here, ask!

The church building

Nave altar: Western churches were traditionally built in the shape of a cross with an altar at the "top" of the cross shape facing east. A lot of these churches, St Barts included, have now added a new movable altar further forward to aid in accessibility.
Font: The water container for baptisms. Ours is a stone font with a wooden cover, at the west end of the church.
Memorial chapel: In the south aisle of the church we have a second altar, which is used for smaller services such as the 8 a.m. Sunday Eucharist and most midweek services.
Lectern: The stand from which the bible is read. Ours is a carved wooden eagle.

Services

Eucharist: This word is derived from the Greek for "giving thanks". This service is the central service of Anglican churches, and commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples the night before he was crucified. For Christians, Jesus is present with us in this rite in a special way, and it is one of the sacraments. A very similar service may be called Communion, Mass, or the Lord's Supper in different churches. Did you know that St Barts has Eucharists during the week as well as on Sundays? See our standard service times for times of services at St Barts.
Daily Offices, Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer: A pattern of daily prayer set up in England after the dissolution of the monasteries in the sixteenth century. Anglican priests are required to say this cycle of prayers and at St Barts the congregation is welcome to join them. See our standard service times for details.
Sacrament: Sacraments are defined in the Book of Common Prayer as "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace". Baptism and the Eucharist are examples.

The people

Vicars, Rectors, Priests in Charge: Various titles for the main priest in a parish or group of parishes. The different titles are a historical remnant of a time when they meant subtle differences in degree of autonomy or the way in which the priest was paid, which no longer apply.
Priests, Deacons, Curates and Ordination: Ordination is when the Church admits a person to one of the “Holy Orders” of deacon, priest or bishop. In the Anglican Church, after their course of training for ordination, a person is ordained deacon. They are then styled “The Reverend A.B” and can assist in most parish duties. In her first year, our curate Heidi will be able to baptize and take funerals, preach, lead school collective worship, visit the sick and nursing homes, officiate at non-sacramental services and fulfil the deacon’s role at a Sung Eucharist. Traditionally the deacon’s role at the Eucharist is to carry the Gospel book and proclaim the Gospel, prepare the altar at the offertory, assist the president during the Eucharistic prayer, assist in the distribution of holy communion, clear the altar, and dismiss the congregation. After her first year (subject to the bishop’s approval) the deacon goes forward for another ordination, this time as priest. From then on, he or she may preside at the Eucharist, declare the absolution and pronounce the blessing. Often, marrying people is restricted to priests, though it is legal for deacons to officiate. Typically, a newly-ordained person will remain in their first parish for three to four years. This is regarded as a period of training on the job, following the training on the ordination course. The curate has to attend training arranged by the diocese in addition to learning skills in the parish; attendance at this is regarded as a three-line whip!
Churchwardens: We have two churchwardens, Nick Lloyd and Paddy Moon. They represent the lay people in co-operation with the clergy and are legally responsible for the church property. At services they keep order and co-ordinate many practical details of running the church. Churchwardens are elected by the church body as a whole.
Stewards: Stewards, once called sidespeople, ensure that worshippers have everything they need for services, and keep order during the service. The team of stewards is led by the churchwardens. Stewards are elected by the annual church meeting.
Readers: A Reader is a layperson trained and authorised by the diocese to conduct some aspects of services, or to preach sermons (not to be confused with the people who read the bible at services). We do not currently have any readers at St Barts.
Pastoral auxiliaries: Southwark Pastoral Auxiliaries, or SPAs, are trained volunteer laypeople who help develop caring and pastoral work on behalf of the church locally. We have one licensed SPA, Jean Clark.
The PCC, or Parochial Church Council: The PCC is responsible for practical aspects of running the church and developing its mission. There are approximately eighteen members, elected for three-year terms. Some people are on the council by virtue of doing other jobs: the clergy, the churchwardens, the treasurer, and the four representatives to the quarterly Deanery Synod, (a body which represents churches in the local area or deanery).
Other people who help during worship: Eucharistic Assistants help the clergy to distribute the elements at communion. Acolytes take part in processions, holding candles for readers and providing other practical help to the clergy as the service proceeds. Other volunteers read the lessons from the bible, or lead the intercessions (prayers). Our music and singing is also a vital part of worship, co-ordinated by Dennis Baugh, and its organisation is covered on our activities page.
Other people who help with the running of the church: There are other activities which happen outside the services themselves. For example, during most seasons of the year, we have floral displays in church, and these are provided by a team co-ordinated by Jean Clark. Hot drinks are served after the main Sunday service, and Valerie Olufeko leads the team who help with these. We also have volunteers who help to prepare altar linens and clean silver, people who help with minor repairs, drivers who collect housebound worshippers for services, and a team of cleaners. If you would like to get involved with any of these tasks, please get in touch.

The Christian Year

The Year and the Lectionary: The church's year is divided into seasons as detailed below, and starts in late November with Advent. In Anglican churches the bible readings to be used at each service are laid out in a document called a lectionary. The current lectionary runs on a three-year cycle, with years classified as A, B or C.
Advent: Advent is a season of four weeks before Christmas Day in which we prepare for Christmas.
Christmas: Celebrating the birth of Jesus, the season of Christmas covers not just Christmas Day but the weeks ahead.
Epiphany: Also known as Twelfth Night, Epiphany marks the visit of the kings (or magi) to Jesus.
Lent: Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and covers just over six weeks before Easter.
Holy Week and Easter: During Holy Week, which runs from Palm Sunday, the sixth Sunday in Lent, through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Sunday, the church typically provides daily services enabling us to reflect on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Ascension and Pentecost: These days celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples fifty days after Easter.