F 

Fair Share ~ A percentage of the total financial needs of the diocesan program allocated to each congregation in union with Diocesan convention to help cover the cost of the diocesan and wider church program.

Faith Community ~ The people of God gathered and organized into a congregation or other group (e.g. Cursillo, Happening, etc.) which meets on a regular basis.

Family Church ~ As defined by Arlin Rothauge in Sizing up a Congregation for New Member Ministry, a congregation composed of 0-50 active members.

Family Systems ~ A theory of relationships within an organization that holds that the attitude and actions of any one member impact upon the attitudes and actions of all others within that organization. Applied to congregational systemd by Peter Steinke.

Festival (or Festive) Eucharist ~ A celebration of the Eucharist that includes music, such as hymns, anthems. In addition, portions of the Eucharistic Prayer, scripture readings, etc. may be chanted, especially on major feast days.

Fools for Christ ~ A clown ministry that presents both worship and parables appropriate to each liturgical season.

Force Field Analysis ~ Described by Robert Gallegher in Congregational Development Manual. A  means used to assess both the driving and restraining forces that may impact upon the implementation of a change.

FIF ~ See Foward in Faith.

Forward in Faith ~ A capital campaign conducted within the diocese in 1990-91.

G 

GEM ~ See Global Episcopal Mission.

General Convention (GC) ~ The governing body of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. GC meets every three years and is comprised of two 'Houses"– the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. Every diocese of ECUSA is represented in the House of Deputies by a deputation consisting of four duly elected lay person and four duly elected clerics. Each diocese is represented in the House of Bishops by its active bishops.

Global Episcopal Mission ~ A national organization of dioceses and organizations within the Episcopal Church which supports mission work.

GOEs ~ General Ordination Exams; a set of uniform tests often required before ordination to the priesthood.

Good Friday ~ The day in the Church calendar that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Though it is the most solemn day in the church calendar, the Good Friday service remembers the suffering and death of Christ, at the same time that it celebrates the victory over death that Christ’s sacrifice won for us.

Gospel, The ~ A reading from any one of the first four books of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, or a general reference to the central message of the Christian faith.

Great Paschal Vigil ~ See Easter Vigil.

Great Vigil ~ See Easter Vigil.

H 

Health Ministries ~ The group dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the members in the faith community through training and coordinating people for the roles of health minister, health educator, health counselor, health advocate and parish nurse.

High Mass ~ A term sometimes used to denote a Festival Eucharist during which the Eucharistic Prayer is chanted.

Holy Orders ~ A manner of referring to ordination.

Holy Week ~ The period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Holy Week is considered the most important week in the church year. It includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Homily ~ A short sermon often offered during a wedding or funeral.

House of Bishops ~ All the bishops of the Episcopal Church sitting as a legislative and judiciary body of the church during General  Convention. Also, twice yearly gatherings of all bishops for study, discussion, reflection, worship and collegiality.

House of Deputies ~ The duly elected diocesan deputations to a general convention sitting as a legislative body.