The Church of St Jude - Wantagh, New York

Dear Readers,

   Aswe enter this most beloved season of Advent, I thought I’d share with you abouta recent conspiracy I have learned of. That’s right, a conspiracy.

  What I discovered was the AdventConspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy is a grassroots movement with more than1,000 churches participating with projects as varied as drilling a water wellfor those who lack access to clean water or simply encouraging congregations tothink of meaningful acts of kindness as meaningful gift options to replacetraditional gifts.

  Those who participate believe that Christmas can [still] change theworld and partner with in the Advent Conspiracy (www.AdventConspiracy.org) tocelebrate Christmas by spending less, giving more, worshiping fully and lovingall this season.

          AdventBlessings,

          Judy

DearJudy,

Otherthan a Civil War Gun, what is a canon? (I just realized they are spelleddifferently.) What do they do? How do you become one? Thanks!

                             Canon Ball

Dear C.B.,

  First and foremost, it has come to my attention that I have beencompared to “The Church Lady” on SaturdayNight Live. I am quite flattered!

  Now to your question. Actually, in the Church, there are five types ofCanons. Canon comes from the Greek word, kanon,which means “a measuring rod or rule.” It could mean 1) the Canon of Scripture(the Bible), 2) Church Law (our Canons), 3) the liturgy (a fixed portion of theGreat Thanksgiving or the prayer of consecration at the Holy Eucharist) or 4)church music (often known as rounds). What you are referring to is anecclesiastical title.

   Acanon may be a member of a clergy on the staff of a cathedral or a diocese. Acanon on a cathedral staff assists the dean whereas the canon of a diocesanstaff assists the bishop. Canons who work in the cathedral or diocesan staffhave their title based upon their role and appointment.

   Inaddition to these canons, members of the clergy and laity have at times beenmade honorary canons of the cathedral in recognition of significant service orachievement.  

Dear Judy,

 Mice rumor has it thatyou were in Anaheim for the General Convention. Is that true? What were yourthoughts?

                                 Inquiring Mouse

Dear Inquiring,

    I see word travels fast on the mousecircuit. To answer your first question, yes, I was there covering it for TheMouse Times as its “Page Six” editor. There was a lot to write about.

   What I found most amazing was howEpiscopalians from throughout the world came together to worship, to debate, topray and to help the Church live more fully into its mission.

   The press covered much about what happenedat General Convention. However, what you may not have read about was that weadopted the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission, reaffirmed commitmentto the Millennium Development Goals (and budgeted .07% of funds to its work),entered into full communion with the Moravian Church, established adenominational health insurance plan, called upon seminaries to train studentsabout addictions, and approved the consent of the Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzanoto be the next bishop of Long Island.

   There is too much to write about here. Formore information, check out the Episcopal Church’s website atwww.episcopalchurch.org.  

Dear M.Y.,

     It is so nice to be missed! Thank you for your concern. Your letter has not been the only one I have received questioning where I have been.

     To put your mind at ease, I have been on a sabbatical. Dealing with all of the questions day in and day out simply made me a bit insane. Thus, in consultation with my boss, I took a few months off to rest, recharge and even do some research.

     Now, to answer your question. Yes, the church is filled with many terms that are a bit odd. Here are some of the most frequently used terms and their meanings:

    Acolyte:  Originally a minor clerical order but now a group of lay people who assist priests in the service.

     Altar: The table on which are placed the vessels for holding the bread, wine and water used in the Eucharist.

     Altar rail: The rail or kneelers where the people kneel or stand to receive Communion.

     Collect: A prayer sung or said on behalf of the people by the celebrant or officiant at liturgical celebrations. Pronounced with the stress on the first syllable.

     Crucifer: A person in a religious procession who bears the cross and who leads the procession into the church.

     Fraction: The point during the Eucharist when the bread is broken; the priest says, "Alleluia, Christ our passover is sacrificed for us," and the people respond, "Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia."

     Narthex: An enclosed space at the entry to the nave of a church; in some churches, it is called the vestibule.

     Nave: The main part of a church where the people sit, called the sanctuary in some denominations. It is derived from the Latin word for ship, as in some churches the beams of the roof resemble the beams and timbers in the sides of a ship.

     Pall: A stiffened square of linen placed over the chalice to keep objects from falling into the wine. The term also may refer to the cloth covering the casket or urn during the Burial of the Dead.

     Paschal candle: A large white candle decorated with a cross and other symbols. It is lighted at the beginning of the Great Vigil of Easter and burns for all services during the 50 days of Easter. At other times, it may be kept near the Baptismal Font and lighted for baptisms. It also may be placed near the casket or urn during Burial of the Dead.

     Rector: The priest or minister of a local church or parish; the head priest of a parish.