http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/ Definitions of many terms used in the Anglican church. en Copyright 2008 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:34:51 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification From the Latin word, verga, meaning "a rod." An older usage for someone who carries a mace or ceremonial staff in a procession, and comes before some dignitary. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/verger.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/verger.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:49:32 -0600 A form of address for clergy who hold the office of dean in a diocese, church or school. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/very_reverend_the.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/very_reverend_the.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:49:49 -0600 From the Latin word vestis, meaning "garment." Vestments are clothing worn by clergy or people leading a worship service. A monk or nun's clothing is usually named a "habit," and the clothing worn by choir members is usually called a "robe." The clothing worn by some pastors of Protestant denominations and by college professors is usually called a "gown." Vestments started out as everyday clothing. In the Roman times, the clergyman wore normal street clothes -- a tunic, and perhaps a toga over it. Between the sixth and ninth century, secular fashion began to reflect the occupation of a person. It was possible to tell what one did by what he or she wore. The Church reflected this change by not changing the style of their garments. Vestments, then, came to us as a result of the clergy being "out of style" when it came to fashion. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vestments.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vestments.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:50:03 -0600 From the Latin word vestire, meaning to clothe, or to put on. Originally the word referred to the room where the priest would vest. In the early days the local lay leaders would gather with the priest as he vested to discuss the affairs of the parish. Later, the word came to refer to the leaders, instead of the room. The vestry is the governing board of a local Anglican parish consisting of the rector, the wardens, and lay members. In many parishes, the rectors, wardens and the treasurer form an executive committee, and will often meet separately from the whole vestry between vestry meetings. Unlike some denominations, the Anglican Church uses a representative form of government, instead of a pure democracy. The vestry is the group elected by the individual members to make the basic decisions about the church budget, and manage the temporal affairs of the parish. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vestry.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vestry.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:50:29 -0600 A Latin phrase which means "by the way of the middle." Many would say that the adherence to the middle way in all matters is one of the major identifying characteristics of classical Anglicanism. This term came into in the time of Elizabeth I, yet does not always mean the same thing today as it originally did. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/via_media.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/via_media.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:50:46 -0600 From the Latin word vicarius, meaning "a substitute." An English term referring to a priest in charge of a mission. Technically, the diocesan bishop is the rector of all diocesan missions, and vicars are appointed to their mission by the local diocesan bishop to represent him or her. The term "Vicar" is still the terminology used today to describe an English priest in who is charge of a congregation. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vicar.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vicar.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:50:59 -0600 Originally, a vigil was a Fast Day observed on the day before certain major Feast Days. For example, the ancient liturgy called the Great Vigil of Easter became a way to celebrate Easter on Holy Saturday. See: Even http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vigil.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/vigil.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:51:18 -0600 An official appearance by a diocesan bishop, usually to a parish or mission. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/visitation.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/visitation.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:51:36 -0600 A candle placed in a church or chapel in some "higher" Anglican Churches. Votive candles are usually small, short candles in a special glass holder used for devotional and prayer purposes. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/votive_candle.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/v/votive_candle.html V Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:51:51 -0600 The bread part of the Lord's Supper signifying to us the Body of Christ, and is often an unleavened, and very thin cracker-like substance. After the wafer is consecrated, it is usually called the Host. Sometimes the wafer is imprinted with a cross, sometimes it is smooth. Wafers that will serve as priest's hosts are larger than the people's hosts, and can range from one inch to several inches in diameter. The people's host is usually about a half inch in size. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/wafer.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/wafer.html W Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:52:07 -0600 One of two vestry members chosen to serve his or her parish in a special capacity. Wardens (both junior and senior) can either be elected or appointed, depending on local parish or diocesan canons. Junior wardens are often elected by the parish at the annual congregational meeting, and are thus referred to as "the people's warden." The tasks for a junior warden vary from parish to parish, but the majority of Junior Wardens find themselves placed in charge of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/warden_junior.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/warden_junior.html W Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:52:22 -0600 The other of two vestry members chosen to serve his or her parish in a special capacity. Although the duties vary widely due to local canons, in most cases the Senior Warden is viewed as the "top" lay person in a parish. In many parishes the Senior Warden is chosen by the rector, and serves as a liaison between the rector and the parish. Because of this function, the Senior Warden is sometimes referred to as "the rector's warden." http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/warden_senior.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/warden_senior.html W Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:52:39 -0600 Matthew 26:27-28) In the Anglican Church, wine is used at communion (instead of grape juice) and is often a port wine.]]> http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/wine.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/wine.html W Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:52:55 -0600 The old name for Pentecost Sunday, the day described in Acts 2. In recent years the day became known as Pentecost. The term "Whitsun" is a corruption of the German "Pfingsten," which means "pentecost" or "fiftieth," which is how many days Pentecost occurs after Easter. http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/whitsunday.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/whitsunday.html W Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:53:57 -0600 Mirriam Webster Online refers to worship as "reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power or an act of expressing such reverence". Worship can also be referred to as an offering of oneself to the Lord.
]]> http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/worship.html http://www.rowlettanglicans.org/dictionary/w/worship.html W Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:34:51 -0600