Numbers 

815 ~ Shorthand for the Episcopal Church Center located at 815 Second Avenue in New York City.

1114 ~ Shorthand reference to 1114 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, the location of the diocesan offices.

1928 Prayer Book ~ The version of the Book of Common Prayer used in Episcopal worship from 1928 to 1979.

A 

Acolyte ~ A person who assists the priest, lights and carries candles and performs other ceremonial functions during the course of a worship service.

Advent ~ The season of the church year immediately prior to Christmas beginning with the fourth Sunday before Christmas; also the entire Christmas season.

Advent Wreath ~ A special wreath containing five candles used during the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Four candles  (all purple or three purple and one pink) are equally spaced around the wreath, the fifth, a white candle, is placed in the center. On the first Sunday of Advent, one candle is lit, with one additional candle lit each week, until all four candles are lighted on the final Sunday of Advent. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas.

Agape Meal ~ A meal that early Christians ate together

Alb ~ The white robe worn by the priest when celebrating communion; generally worn over daily clothes but under other vestments, stoles, etc.

All Saints' Day ~ November 1; a feast day in the church in commemoration of all the known and unknown saints.

Alpha ~ A course which explains the basics of the Christian Faith

Altar ~ a table usually located in the sanctuary of a church on which the bread, wine, and water used in the Eucharist or communion are placed.

Altar Guild ~ A group of people within the church whose ministry is the maintenance and preparation of the altar and its furnishings for worship. Some altar guilds also oversee flowers and seasonal church decorating.

Altar of Repose (Chapel of Repose) ~ It has been customary since the late 5th century not to celebrate Holy Eucharist on Good Friday in remembrance of Christ’s crucifixion. In many churches, therefore, the reserved sacrament (previously consecrated bread and wine) is moved to a different location called the Altar or Chapel of Repose during the Maundy Thursday service.

Anglican ~ A term that describes the worldwide communion of autonomous churches in communion with the See of Canterbury in the Church of England. The Episcopal Church is part of that communion. Also, a member of any church in the Anglican Communion.

Anglican Church of Canada ~ The Canadian church that is in communion with the See of Canterbury in the church of England; the Canadian equivalent of the Episcopal Church.

Anglican Communion ~ A group of national churches founded in countries around the globe that were derived from the Church of England and are in relationship with one another through their common relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury who is the leader of the Church of England.

Anthem ~ Generally, vocal music or a hymn sung only by a choir during a worship service.

Apostolic Succession ~ The tracing of bishops' spiritual heritage in an unbroken line back to the first apostles of Jesus. The importance of the historic episcopate is a major point in ecumenical discussions.

Archbishop of Canterbury ~ The presiding bishop of the Church of England; sometimes acknowledged as the honorary spiritual head of the entire Anglican Communion.

Archbishop ~ A bishop who oversees a group of dioceses or a national church, as in the Archbishop of South Africa or New Zealand.

Archdeacon ~ In Western New York, the deacon who oversees, on behalf of the bishop, all deacons functioning within the diocese.

Referred to as "The Venerable" [The Ven.]: The Venerable Bruce Gillies
Salutation in letter: "Dear Archdeacon Stuck" or "Dear Mr. Stuck"
The title `Reverend' is not used if Venerable is used.
 

Ash Wednesday ~ The day on which the observance of Lent begins; one of the most important days of the church year. During the Ash Wednesday service, ashes are lightly smeared onto the forehead of a person by the priest or bishop.