DENOMINATIONAL TERMS

1. Anglican: This word means “English”. The Anglican Church is the church that Elizabeth I started in England, which served as the basis for The Episcopal Church in the United States of America after the Declaration of Independence was signed. St. Luke's belongs to the Anglican Communion, which means that we are in communion or agreement with other Anglican churches all around the world.
2. Book of Common Prayer: This book, also called the BCP or prayer book, located in the pews of most Anglican churches, contains the order of service for Holy Eucharist, Morning and Evening Prayer and various other rites and services used from time to time in worship. In more traditional services, the congregation follows along in the prayer book, whereas, in more contemporary services, the physical book may not be used, but some of the responsive readings and prayers from the BCP are contained in the bulletin or projected onto a screen.
3. Diocese: A diocese (prounounced die'-uh-sis) is the basic unit of the Anglican Church and is made up of churches in the same geographical area. Most states have more than one diocese.