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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who was St. Barnabas?
His name means “Son of Exhoration/Consolation” —he was one of the early apostles who lived in Jerusalem and sold all his belongings to give the proceeds to the new church. He was a teacher & preacher in Antioch and was stoned to death—martyred for declaring himself a Christian. We celebrate his feast day on June 11th. |
The Players
What is a Rector?
The head priest of an Episcopal parish.
The Rector of St. Barnabas is The Reverend Jim Clark |
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What is a Priest?
A priest is a person having the authority to perform and administer sacramental rites which involves the ABC’s: Absolve, Bless & Consecrate. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which may also apply to such persons collectively.
The priests of St. Barnabas are: The Reverend Phil Carlson |
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and The Reverend Erika von Haaren |
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What is a Deacon?
A special ordained ministry working within a parish but under the direct supervision of a bishop. Their job is to be the bridge between the message of the church & the message of the world. They do this through service ministries, through proclaiming the Gospel and dismissing the people at the end of a service to "Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord." Theirs is a non-sacramental ministry.
The Reverend Jim Smith is the deacon at St. Barnabas. |
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What is a Bishop?
The person (who has already been ordained as a deacon and then a priest) who has oversight of a diocese of the Episcopal Church. Their title is “The Right Reverend…” Bishops are consecrated (made holy) by the laying on of hands by other bishops. The prayers and laying on of hands allow the Holy Spirit to make the new bishop a part of the apostolic succession—one who is spiritually descended from Christ’s original apostles. The Right Reverend Kirk Smith is the bishop of the Diocese of Arizona.
www.azdiocese.org
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What is a Presiding Bishop?
The elected head of the The Episcopal Church (TEC). The PB acts as a figurehead, representative and spiritual guide, but does not have any more vote on matters than any other bishop of TEC. The Right Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, bishop of the Diocese of Nevada was elected the new Presiding Bishop of TEC at the 75th General Convention held in June of 2006. Bishop Schori will serve a term of nine years as PB.
www.episcopalchurch.org
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What is the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The presiding bishop of the Church of England; acknowledged by American Episcopalians as the honorary spiritual head of the entire Anglican Communion. Our current Archbishop is Rowan Williams, former bishop of Wales.
www.anglicancommunion.org |
The Service
What is the difference between Rite One and Rite Two?
Rite One is a portion of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) which contains worship services using the older language of the 1928 edition of the prayer book (thee's & thou's) and finds its focus on our need for penitence and forgiveness.
Rite Two is a portion of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) containing worship services which use more modern language that is less focused on sin and more on our creation & redemption. The majority of the liturgies in the BCP use this language.
What is the Book of Common Prayer?
A collection of prayers, readings, Psalms, devotions, and services used by the Episcopal Church. Nearly all services in the Episcopal Church will be printed in this book. There are also supplemental texts which can be used, but this is the primary text. The first BCP was published in 1549. The latest edition we have and use was produced in 1979 by a committee of theologians commissioned by the General Convention.
What is the Eucharist?
The word means a "good gift" or thanksgiving; the current usage in the Episcopal Church refers to communion or the Lord's Supper which is the blessing and receiving of bread and wine which is Christ's body and blood.
What is a Celebrant?
Our worship service revolves around the Eucharist because it is a remembering of what Jesus taught us to do together. In that way, it is a remembering of what Christ did for us: he earned for us our salvation. So we celebate that redemption each week when we take communion. The priest who performs the consecration of the bread and wine at the Eucharist is called the Celebrant for this reason.
What is a Sacrament?
A sacrament is an outward & visible sign of an inward & spiritual grace. Baptism & Eucharist are the two sacraments in the Episcopal church. Baptism is the water & oil (outward & visible sign) that symbolizes full inclusion in the family of Christ (inward & spiritual grace).
There are also sacramental rites which are available to all, but not all persons need to partake of them in the same way. Some may be called to them, but the example we have from Jesus is that we should be baptized and we should break bread together. The other sacramental rites are: Ordination, Marriage, Confirmation, Reconciliation of the Penitent (private confession with a priest which leads to intentional reconciliation with God) & Unction (anointing of those who are coming to the end of their earthly lives).
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Definitions
What does Episcopal mean?
The name of a church organization which means ‘government by an overseer’. In our case, the overseer is the Bishop. Episcopal Churches have an affiliation with the Church of England & with the Anglican Communion all over the world.
What is a Parish?
The group of people of a certain area who are organized into a local worshipping community. We are the Episcopal Parish of St. Barnabas on the Desert.
What are Clergy?
The group of ordained ministers of a church; when used as a distinction from laity, the term includes bishops, priests and deacons.
The Church Building
What is the Chancel?
The portion of a church between the front row of pews and the altar; usually the place the choir sits; sometimes also called the "choir".
What is the Narthex?
An enclosed space at the entry end of the nave of a church; the entry porch.
What is the Nave?
The main part of a church; the place where the congregation sits.
What is the Sanctuary?
The portion immediately around the altar. Sometimes used to refer to the whole interior of the church, but this is not the usual Episcopal usage.
What is a Carillon?
A set of church bells; ours are found at the southwest corner of our campus next to the music building. Church bells called the community to worship. Our Carillon is the only one in the state of Arizona.
The Church Seasons
What is Advent?
Advent is the first season of the church year. It begins four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation as we wait for the Christ child to be born. The color that represents this season in the church year is blue.
When are the Twelve Days of Christmas?
The time from December 25th (Christmas) to January 6th (Epiphany). The time that we celebrate Christ’s birth before the story of his adult life picks up. The color for the Christmas season is white.
What is Epiphany?
Occurs January 6th. Epiphany is a feast celebrating the visit of the Wise men to the infant Jesus. The season after the Epiphany lasts from January 6th until Ash Wednesday. The word “Epiphany” references the “spreading of the light.” The color for the season is green.
Why do we have Ash Wednesday?
The first day of the season of Lent. We are told to “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We are made aware of our own mortality as we enter the wilderness with Jesus for the 40 days of Lent in preparation for the crucifixion.
What is Lent?
Lent recalls the period of Christ's fasting and meditation in the wilderness, it is for a period of forty days--from Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday (not including Sundays). Lent is a time for us to meditate on Christ’s coming sacrifice for the world. To give up something or to take on a new discipline is a long-standing practice that is meant to keep us mindful of the difficult temptations that faced Jesus on his path. The color for this season is purple. Many churches shroud all their sacred pieces (crosses, icons) during this period.
Why is Palm Sunday important?
The Sunday before Easter. In an Episcopal Church, members of the congregation often carry real palm branches during the service to remind us of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem just before he is taken into custody. This service is similar to the Good Friday liturgy which occurs the Friday just before Easter. The color for this day is red.
What is Holy Week?
The period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; the most important period of the church year as we move through Jesus’ arrival at Jerusalem through his death and resurrection. The services we observe during Holy Week are called The Triduum.
What is The Triduum?
This word refers to the three days which are honored during Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter. To be a part of all three of these services is to experience very completely the entirety of the Easter story.
What is Maundy Thursday?
The Thursday of Holy Week; the name is from Latin `mandatum' referring to Christ's commandment concerning foot-washing; also the day on which the first Lord's Supper was celebrated. Many churches commemorate both of these events with a public foot-washing open to all and a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
What is Good Friday?
The Friday of Holy Week. This is the day that we experience Christ’s crucifixion. We read the Passion (story of his death) and receive communion that was blessed on Maundy Thursday. The people leave the church in silence. The color for this day is black.
What is the Great Vigil of Easter?
This is the service (held on Saturday night or at sunrise of Sunday) in which we recount the story of our salvation. The new fire of Christ is lit. Christ is resurrected. We celebrate the miracle of our new life in Christ. This is the most important service of our Christian story as it is the first celebration of the resurrection. The color for this day is white.
What is Easter?
The Easter season lasts from the Easter Vigil until the day of Pentecost. This is the season in which we observe the miracles that occurred after Jesus’ resurrection and before the Holy Spirit arrives on Pentecost. The color for this season is white.
What is Pentecost?
Pentecost marks the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the world to be the earthly representative of Jesus and God. The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity—equal parts with Jesus and God. On this day, we remember how the Holy Spirit first came down and allowed everyone to speak the word of God in other languages. The color for this day is red.
What is Ordinary Time/Season after Pentecost?
The season after Pentecost (which usually occurs around the end of May or early June) lasts until Advent. During ordinary time, we focus on the parts of the Christian story that are not specific to a season: teachings by Jesus, the Hebrew stories, etc. The color for this season is green.
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Sunday Morning Ministries
Ushers
The people who greet people at the doors of the church and help you find a place to sit. They also assist with guidance during communion, collect the offertory and present the gifts to the celebrant.
Altar Guild
The backstage crew of the church, this group prepares the worship space before all services. They clean and store and manage all of the vessels used during worship, make sure there are enough communion elements available, support the clergy through the liturgical year with color changes, flower management and décor options.
Acolyte
The acolytes assist the priest, lights and carries candles, takes part in the processional and recessional and performs other ceremonial functions as necessary. Acolytes can be crucifers, torchbearers, chalice bearers, etc.
Lay Readers/Lectors
Those who read the scriptural lessons from the Old Testament, the Psalms & the New Testament during the course of the service. This team of people goes through training and work hard to interpret the scripture thoughtfully and prayerfully for the congregation.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers/Chalice Bearers
Those who serve the wine to the congregation after a member of the clergy has distributed the bread. This team of people is also trained as to how to appropriately administer the cup and what to say.
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