Lurker surfacing

[caitlincares]

I have been reading in this forum for about a week now.
I have found it extremely informational.
Others asked questions that I had.

I primarily enjoyed reading Sarahbug's thread (that was locked)
and the_bUg's thread with wonderful responses from Polycarp1 and PaladinValer.
And I liked Polycarp1's response to Lilac's thread.
I thank all for the education.

I too did not know anything about Anglican/Episcopal.
I guess I assumed it was just a Catholic branch.
Please excuse my ignorance.

If you look at my CF home page you see all the different denominational churches I have attended or visited. The bottom line I have only actively attended non-liturgic churches. Based on the CF congregation breakdown they fall into the Wesleyan section and the Baptist section.

My only experience with liturgic services included my maternal grandmother’s funeral (Catholic) and visiting a Presbyterian church a few times because the pastor was a family friend (now dead).

I guess based on what I have read I would at least consider Episcopal which would never had entered my mind before joining CF and reading your forum.

Mainly I wanted to let you know how much I have gotten out of your forum.

If there is anyone who has switched from a non-liturgic worship style to a liturgic worship style I would like to hear your experience. If that is the wrong terminology - I think you know what I mean based on reading my post.

Honestly my concern (for myself) is it seems it would be less meaningful.
Although I know others have posted the exact opposite.
It seems like it is routine and would get boring.
I am not trying to offend anyone just telling you my true feelings.
And I imagine I feel that what simply because my experience has been so different.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

[PaladinValer]

Glad you've learned so much and glad that you've visited our little corner of CF. Next time though, don't hide in the shadows; we love visitors and guests...we are famous for our hospitality.

If you have any questions about Anglicanism, please come back and ask as many questions you wish. We shall be pleased and honored to answer them.

[caitlincares]

Thanks for your hospitality PaladinValer.

Is there a list of Anglican terms?

I am thinking Euchrist is Communion?

And positions within church.
Understand all I undertand is pastor/preacher.
I know Catholics have priests.

Thanks. :)

[PaladinValer]

Anglican terms? This website should do nicely: http://www.saintpauls.org/glossary.htm

The Eucharist is also called Holy Communion

We have the historic three ordained ministries: deacon, priest, and bishop

[pmcleanj]

Anglican terms? This website should do nicely: http://www.saintpauls.org/glossary.htm

The Eucharist is also called Holy Communion

We have the historic three ordained ministries: deacon, priest, and bishop
That's an impressive glossary! I was thinking when caitlincares asked, how very many obscure terms we've managed to come up with over the centuries. Here's a challenge: can you think of any terms that *didn't* make it onto Saint Paul's list? I found (I think) four:

Paraments
Plainsong (and plainchant)
Sarum
Tenebrae

[caitlincares]

Thank you for the site of the glossary.
I had earlier in the day gone to the website of one of my local Episcopal churches and got lost not undertanding terms.

There was a term that was not on your glossary: warden.!?

Let me make sure the other terms with the use of the glossary I know understand properly.

Diocese is a group of churches headed by a bishop.
The Vicar is the "Pastor" of the local church.
The altar guild is responsible for the maintenance and preparation of the altar and its furnishings in a church.

On the website I was looking at after the Vicar was a senior warden and an assistant warden.

Thanks again

[Jay2004]

I think the Anglican church has alot of interesting history behind it and yes I learned alot. I thought Anglicans were Protestant, but now have realized that you are Catholic as well. You keep tradition, Apostolic Succession etc..

[TomUK]

A very warm welcome to you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and i'm sure everyone here willdo their utmost to (try) and answer them for you.

I too did not know anything about Anglican/Episcopal.
I guess I assumed it was just a Catholic branch.
Please excuse my ignorance.

Anglicanism is incredibley confusing- after all, we are a church which claims to be Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant and Reformed! Personally, i find it very hard to define explain exactly what the Anglican Communion really is, and so i completley understand confusion among those who aren't already familiar with our customs and beliefs.

Just a quick point before i finish- unfortunately, Anglicanism isn't something that can be defined by a series of statments or premisses. We could sit here for days explaining what we believe and why we believe, but it would never be sufficient. Anglicanism is more of, and i hate to use the term, but a way of life. I have sat here for a while trying to think of a way to explain it that isn't highly cliched, but i just can't. Maybe someone else can help me out. My point is that it will be rare for someone to ask a question such as 'what does the Anglican church say about x', and for us to say 'our position on x is y'. That is not to say you shouldn't ask questions (please, ask away :)), but just prepared that our answers may not always be totally what you are looking for :P

[caitlincares]

A very warm welcome to you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and i'm sure everyone here willdo their utmost to (try) and answer them for you.

Anglicanism is incredibley confusing- after all, we are a church which claims to be Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant and Reformed! Personally, i find it very hard to define explain exactly what the Anglican Communion really is, and so i completley understand confusion among those who aren't already familiar with our customs and beliefs.

Just a quick point before i finish- unfortunately, Anglicanism isn't something that can be defined by a series of statments or premisses. We could sit here for days explaining what we believe and why we believe, but it would never be sufficient. Anglicanism is more of, and i hate to use the term, but a way of life. I have sat here for a while trying to think of a way to explain it that isn't highly cliched, but i just can't. Maybe someone else can help me out. My point is that it will be rare for someone to ask a question such as 'what does the Anglican church say about x', and for us to say 'our position on x is y'. That is not to say you shouldn't ask questions (please, ask away :)), but just prepared that our answers may not always be totally what you are looking for :P
Thank you for the warm welcome. :wave:
As I said in the first post I have read thru the other posts of newcomers/questioners so I undertand as much as I am able to understand at this point.

And too much detail is not what I am looking for - would be more confusing.
I do not believe you can believe EVERYTHING any church you go to says.
SO what you said kind of agrees with that - we are all individuals.
From one congregation to another , or one diocese to another there are bound to be differences. That does not concern me considering how many different denominational churches I have attended.

[caitlincares]

Still do not know what a warden is?
Well, I do know what a warden is just not in the Episcopal church.
Anybody?

:pink:

[pmcleanj]

Wardens are lay positions in the church. Historically, their traditional role was to keep order in the congregation, for which purpose they carry ceremonial maces. Nowadays the maces look more like tall walking sticks that a peace officer's weapons, but that's what they are nonetheless. There are two wardens in a parish, one appointed by the rector (and known as the Rector's Warden) and one elected by the people (known as the People's Warden). In ECUSA they may be called the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden. The Warden's maces are surrounded by little symbols that make it clear which one is which, but for the life of me I can't remember what the symbols are: I think the Rector's Warden's mace is surmounted by a little mitre, and the People's Warden's mace is surmounted by a little crown. In fancy processions, the wardens carry their maces, but most of the time the maces are just clipped to the pews about midway down the aisle. The spot on the pew next to each mace is reserved for its proper owner.

Nowadays (Anglicans apparently being much better behaved than of old) the Wardens aren't kept busy bopping unruly parishioners on the head with their maces. That frees them up for other duties, as follows: The Rector together with the two wardens form the executive of the Vestry, and as such are referred to as The Corporation (or in ECUSA from what I've read, the Executive Committee). In addition, the wardens usually supervise the sidesmen and greeters, and the collection and counting of the offering. Also, the old balance-of-power between the clerical and secular has diminished in importance and the wardens may no longer be distinguished as "People's" and "Rectors", and may both be elected at large.

[caitlincares]

Thank you pmcleanj